Students & Alumni

Features on student life and alumni journeys, capturing the spirit, impact, and diversity of the Harvard community.

Will Makris in blue checkered suit and red patterned tie standing outdoors by stone column.

A New HAA President at a Tumultuous Time

A career in higher ed inspired Will Makris to give back.

by Nell Porter-Brown

Harvard Commencement humor

Speakers making funny at the 365th Commencement

Joshuah Brian Campbell

Harvard 365th Commencement highlights

A multitalented student, political zingers, a retiring Commencement directors, final-club ribbing, and more

Brief life of mathematician Nathaniel Bowditch

Brief life of a mathematician and businessman: 1773-1839

by Tamara Plakins ...

How Franklin Leonard became screenwriters' most effective “hype man”

Turning the Black List into a business, to modernize Hollywood’s dream machine

by Sophia Nguyen

Elizabeth Claire Walker, from the Los Angeles Ballet to Harvard and back

A ballet career, earned through college and cattle calls

by Maggie Shipstead

Excerpt from Amy Tuteur's "Push Back: Guilt in the Age of Natural Parenting"

Strong words from a combatant in the childbirth wars

Commercial fisherman Russell Sherman still admires the fishermen he worked for in his early days: “Strong, and strong-willed, independent men. Most were veterans of World War II, and had been through a lot—they had tremendous work ethic. And I wanted nothing but to earn their respect.”

Gloucester fisherman Russell Sherman is profiled

How Gloucester’s Russell Sherman got hooked

by Nell Porter-Brown

Top row from left: Thomas G. Everett and Roger W. Ferguson Jr. Bottom row from left: John H. McArthur and Betsey Bradley Urschel

Harvard Medalists of 2016

For “extraordinary service to the University”

Ruth Rabb and Leon Starr

Harvard Commencement’s oldest attendees

The oldest graduates at Commencement

Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Centennial Medalists of 2016

Honorands whose contributions to society emerged from graduate study