Harvard Alumni Day 2026

George Washington's initial headquarters when he arrived at Harvard in 1775.

The location where British forces surrendered to American and French forces in 1781, the year commencements resumed at Harvard.

A prominent library on the Harvard campus, situated in Tercentenary Theater.

The site of the 9/11 attacks, where David Batat served as a volunteer firefighter and first responder.

The location where George Washington took command of troops during the Boston Siege.

President Alan Garber's hometown, which he left decades ago.

A notable church on the Harvard campus, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The city where Harvard University is located, described as having beautiful weather during the event.

The town where minister John Harvard passed away in 1638.

A gate at Harvard inscribed with the motto, 'Enter to grow in wisdom,' and 'Depart to serve better thy country and thy kind.'

A building at Harvard where Dexter Gate is located.

The colonial entity whose elders and ministers came to Harvard's first commencement, and whose support ensured the college's survival.

The town where Harvard students relocated for classes from 1775 to 1776 during the American Revolution.

George Washington's residence after Wadsworth House, from which he commanded troops.

A building on Harvard's campus that was occupied during student protests in the 1960s, forming part of the 'political moment' referenced by Max Gypson.

A gate at Harvard that Will Mress traditional walks through on Harvard Alumni Day.

A Pulitzer Prize winner from the class of 1968, part of the illustrious group of alumni that Alejandra Casillas joins.

Will Mress's mother, a Radcliffe alumna from the class of '50.

Former Rhode Island Governor and Secretary of Commerce, class of 1993, also an illustrious alumna.

A Harvard Medal recipient (AB '85), recognized for extensive alumni support, including work with scholarships, leadership, and fundraising; a former tennis captain.

An alumnus who gave a commencement speech at Harvard, offering advice on surrounding oneself with good people, embracing pivots, and rejecting cynicism.

The traditional and ancestral inhabitants of the land where Harvard University is located, in what is now Boston and Cambridge.

Husband of Will Mress and a master landscape architect, class of 81.

A recent Harvard graduate (Class of 2026), who performed a piano piece during the ceremony and volunteered extensively with the Philips Brookhouse Association.

Harvard's President, whose commencement address words were paraphrased, and who was interviewed about alumni ambassadorship. He is the 31st president.

Co-chair of the 70th reunion class (1956), a Harvard Medal awardee in 2004, iconic Harvard hockey player, Olympic medalist (silver 1956, gold 1960), and former Harvard hockey coach and athletic director.

Associate Vice President and Executive Director of the Harvard Alumni Association since 2023, and the first woman to hold this role. She previously served as chief of staff for Provost Alan Garber.

A Nobel Prize-winning poet and Harvard professor of poetry, who wrote a poem for Harvard's 350th anniversary.

A minister who unfortunately passed away in 1638, leaving half his fortune and all his books to New College, which helped fund the initial scholars.

A Harvard Medal recipient (AB '67, EDM '73), served as assistant/associate dean of the college, senior tutor at Leverett/Dudley House, and dean of freshman.

The first person Will Mress met in the registration line on his first day as a master student.

Incoming president of the Harvard Alumni Association, succeeding Will Mress on July 1st. He is a healthcare CEO, leadership instructor, first responder at Ground Zero, and co-founded the Harvard Alumni Disaster Preparedness and Response Shared Interest Group.

Deborah Kaufman Goldfine's father, a noted MGH oncologist and Harvard Medical School professor from the class of 1956.

One of Harvard's oldest female alumni, Radcliffe class of 1951, turning 98 in December.

Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, who once lived in Harvard Yard and used Wadsworth House as a temporary headquarters.

An individual whose honorary degree citation was accompanied by a musical flourish from a Harvard student.

Keynote speaker for Harvard Alumni Day, a medical school graduate from the class of 2016, physician, and astronaut who is a decorated Navy Seal veteran and instrumental in the Artemis project.

Former U.S. President and the first president of the Harvard Alumni Association in 1848.

A Harvard Medal recipient (AB '73, MBA '75), former HAA president (2008-2009), who expanded shared interest groups and launched Global Networking Night.

Co-host of the Harvard Alumni Day celebration, from the class of 1977.

Former HAA president, attending her 45th reunion and living in Australia.

A renowned Harvard alumnus from the class of 1909, quoted for his words on exploration and knowing a place for the first time.

President of the Harvard College Fellows, observed approaching the stage with Alan Garber.

Chief Marshal of the class of 2026 and a medical school graduate, an associate professor of medicine at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, focusing on healthcare quality and access.

Current HAA President, a graduate of the Harvard School of Education in 2001, praised for his leadership during a tumultuous year.

An alumnus who will feature prominently and speak in different ways during the annual meeting.

Former executive director of the Harvard Alumni Association (class of 1960), who urged Walter Morris to become more involved with the HAA.

A renowned Harvard alumnus from the class of 1821, who wrote eloquently about the Harvard alumni parade during the bicentennial festivities in 1836.

One of Harvard's oldest female alumni, class of 1951, turning 97 in December.

Harvard's oldest male alumnus, class of 1946, celebrating his 80th college reunion, who turned 101 in March.

Harvard's university minister for over 40 years and the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals, known for his descriptions of Harvard commencement.

Harvard's Provost, acknowledged by President Garber in his greetings.

The school from which Will Mress graduated in 2001, where he honed innovative ideas and question-asking skills.

The library system providing a digital exhibit platform for 'Harvard and the American Revolution.'

One of the Harvard musical groups leading the singing of 'Radcliffe Now We Rise to Greet Thee.'

Harvard's public health school, whose shield is visible during the ceremony.

The official website where alumni can register for webinars to stay informed about university issues.

The institution where Alejandra Casillas serves as an associate professor of medicine and associate chair for community impact.

Harvard's business graduate school, with its shield also visible.

One of the Harvard musical groups leading the singing of 'Radcliffe Now We Rise to Greet Thee.'

An organization through which Max Gypson will begin teaching at a public middle school.

The US Navy's primary special operations force, where Johnny Kim served and learned about essential values like loyalty and brotherhood.

The army during the American Revolution that temporarily co-opted Harvard Yard as barracks.

One of the Harvard musical groups leading the singing of 'Radcliffe Now We Rise to Greet Thee.'

A Harvard undergraduate house, mentioned with Dunster House.

A local Harvard club in Paris where Nancy Cintaba and Walter Morris attended events.

One of the Harvard musical groups leading the singing of 'Radcliffe Now We Rise to Greet Thee.'

Bill Horton's home club in the Mountain Time Zone, representing Harvard's global alumni community.

One of the institutions in the Northeast where Will Mress previously worked in leadership roles in admissions (likely MIT Sloan School of Management).

A shared interest group co-founded by David Batat, inspired by his experience as a first responder at Ground Zero.

One of the Harvard musical groups leading the singing of 'Radcliffe Now We Rise to Greet Thee.'

The organization responsible for Harvard Alumni Day, first met in 1840, and organizes various events and programs for alumni worldwide.

A group of Harvard alumni who celebrate together each year since their 50th reunion.

A Harvard undergraduate house where Alejandra Casillas lived, notable for its shield featuring three rabbits (hares). Named after former Harvard presidents.

One of the institutions in the Northeast where Will Mress previously worked in leadership roles in admissions.

One of the institutions in the Northeast where Will Mress previously worked in leadership roles in admissions.

One of the institutions in the Northeast where Will Mress previously worked in leadership roles in admissions.

An advisory board at Harvard where David Batat served.

A Harvard undergraduate house, named after Henry Dunster, a successor to Nathaniel Eaton.

A Harvard undergraduate house, seen next to Leverett House.

One of Harvard's graduate schools, whose shield is visible during the ceremony.

The graduate school from which the High Sheriff of Middlesex County graduated.

A library hosting an exhibit titled 'Harvard and the American Revolution.'

One of the Radcliffe musical groups leading the singing of 'Radcliffe Now We Rise to Greet Thee.'

Competitive scholarships and fellowships awarded to Harvard faculty and students.

Competitive scholarships and fellowships awarded to Harvard faculty and students.

The Latin word for 'truth' and Harvard's motto, which alumni support in its defense, and to which unconditional allegiances are best reserved.

An award won by Deborah Kaufman Goldfine for service to the university through leadership and engagement activities. Also received by Walter Morris.

An award won by Deborah Kaufman Goldfine for college fundraising.

A prestigious award won by Harvard faculty and students.

Awards in biography, drama, history, and journalism received by Harvard faculty and alumni.

A rule adopted widely at Harvard to foster sincere and rigorous debate during discussions.

A comic superhero that Johnny Kim was infatuated with as a kid, aspiring to be like him for his incorruptible and self-reliant nature.

A publication where the results of the HAA elected directors and Board of Overseers members are published.

A triumph of human engineering and international collaboration across 15 countries, where Johnny Kim completed an eight-month mission.

A website providing information on Harvard's advancements in knowledge, community strengthening, and open dialogue.

Lewis Carroll's famous book, referenced by Peter Gomes in his description of commencement as a wonderfully chaotic game of croquet.

The American founding document signed by eight Harvard graduates.

NASA's lunar exploration program, for which Johnny Kim laid the foundation.