Alumni & People

curation of alumni people, faculty and student profiles

Conan O’Brien in a dark suit and light shirt, smiling and posing with hands clasped.

Conan O’Brien Named Harvard’s 2026 Commencement Speaker

The comedian, host, and 1985 graduate will deliver remarks at the May 28 ceremony. 

by Schuyler Velasco

Montage depicting a road leading to the capitol with a street sign with the republican party symbol

The GOP's Return to Ideas?

Proposing a new Republican platform

by Max J. Krupnick

Moungi Bawendi

Alumnus Moungi Bawendi Shares Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Chemist revolutionized production process of quantum dots

by Max J. Krupnick

Cecilia Zhou

Bringing Art to Life

Cecilia Zhou’s approach to makeup, protest, and science

by Max J. Krupnick

Woman sitting in front of a screen with a blue glow

Practicing Public Thoughts

For a young journalist, digital footprints have always been tricky.

by Josie Abugov

Claudine Gay at the podium

A “Romper Room” Diploma

President Claudine Gay’s first semester-opening Morning Prayers

by John S. Rosenberg

Jarvis Givens and Clint Smith

Black Students Speak

Jarvis Givens on two centuries of African American education 

by Lydialyle Gibson

A large group of donkeys entering Harvard Yard with a few elephants interspersed.

The Elephant in the Room

Conservative undergraduates’ campus debates

by Max J. Krupnick

Colorful Geometric Illustration

In Defense of Liberal Arts

A semester abroad clarifies the value of the curriculum back home.

by Sofia Andrade

sweeping aerial view of blue sky and Quabbin Reservoir water and mountains

Journey into Quabbin Reservoir’s Hidden Past

Rambling around the Quabbin Reservoir

by Nell Porter-Brown

Illustration that blends iconic images of knowledge and civilization

What Makes Humans Smart?

The critical role of cultural intelligence

by Jonathan Shaw