Commencement
Coverage of Harvard’s annual graduation ceremonies, including speeches, profiles, and traditions.
Your Harvard 2026 Commencement Week Guide
College reunions and Alumni Day will take place the following week
2016
Harvard Commencement humor
Speakers making funny at the 365th Commencement
Harvard 365th Commencement highlights
A multitalented student, political zingers, a retiring Commencement directors, final-club ribbing, and more
Fed chair Janet Yellen awarded Radcliffe Medal
Yellen reflected on her love for economics, her formative relationship with James Tobin, her adviser in graduate school, and her long career in the Federal Reserve system.
Radcliffe panelists dissect inequality and economic growth
A substantive discussion at this election-year Radcliffe Day
"The radiance of their deeds": afternoon exercises for Harvard's class of 2016
Following the presentation of four Harvard Medals, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker and Harvard's president spoke at the afternoon program.
Director Steven Spielberg addresses Harvard's 2016 graduates on Commencement Day
The filmmaker—of Indiana Jones, Schindler's List, and most recently The BFG—delivers Harvard’s 2016 Commencement address.
Shalala tells Public Health School graduates to “expect the unexpected”
Clinton Foundation president and former secretary of health and human services Donna Shalala called graduates to action at the Public Health School.
Morning Exercises of Harvard’s 365th Commencement
The Morning Exercises of Harvard's 365th Commencement
Freeman Hrabowski speaks at Harvard Graduate School of Education’s convocation
Hrabowski encouraged HGSE graduates to carry on the values of community and collaboration that animated the Civil Rights Movement.
Bonauto, Cardoso, Spielberg Harvard honorary degrees
The University confers honorary degrees on six men and three women.
