Key Moments
Harvard Commencement 2024
Harvard UniversityKey Moments
Harvard's 2024 Commencement celebrates graduates facing global crises and technological divides, with speakers urging them to choose their best selves and turn crisis into opportunity.
Key Insights
The 2024 Harvard Commencement ceremony saw graduates process in with various celebratory stoles symbolizing their diverse identities and communities.
The ceremony highlighted the historical significance of Harvard's traditions, from the 1636 founding and first commencement of nine students to the modern-day rituals and regalia.
Speaker Maria Ressa, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, warned that the world has become a 'dystopian science fiction world' due to technology's acceleration of conflict and violence, turning civilized discussions into 'gladiator battles'.
Student speakers addressed contemporary issues such as the impact of the pandemic on their university experience, the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action, and the targeting of students of color on campus, leading to 13 undergraduates not graduating.
Maria Ressa outlined three key takeaways for graduates: choose your best self, turn crisis into opportunity, and be vulnerable, emphasizing that the 'battle for trust begins now' and that the world's democracies are at risk.
Honorary degrees were awarded to individuals like conductor Gustavo Dudamel, nurse and advocate Jenny Chin Hansen, physicist Sylvester James Gates Jr., poet Joy Harjo, former Harvard president Lawrence S. Bacow, and journalist Maria Ressa, recognizing their significant contributions.
Traditions and identities celebrated in the procession
The Harvard Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024 commenced with a vibrant procession, showcasing the diverse identities and communities within the graduating class. Students were seen wearing celebratory stoles, each symbolizing different cultural backgrounds, academic achievements, and affiliations. These stoles, some originating from traditions like Ghanaian royalty, represented not only individual accomplishments but also shared experiences and communal pride. The ceremony emphasized student-led elements, where graduates themselves chose faculty speakers to bestow these stoles, underscoring a sense of agency and personal significance in their academic journey. The visual spectacle of students in various regalia, including the crimson robes of doctoral students marked with distinctive 'crows feet' denoting their schools, set a tone of proud accomplishment and collective celebration. The procession itself, a march from various campus points into the historic Yard, was imbued with energy and tradition, often accompanied by bagpipes, reflecting a blend of individual effort and community spirit.
Echoes of history in the modern ceremony
The commencement proceedings were steeped in Harvard's long history, dating back to its founding in 1636. The first commencement in 1642 saw nine students graduate, a stark contrast to the thousands graduating in 2024. The iconic John Harvard statue, a symbolic representation rather than a likeness due to a fire in 1764, served as a gathering point, with students tapping it for good luck. The ceremony also featured historical artifacts, including 'College Book One' from 1636-1795, which contained early records, lists of graduates, and the first known sketch of the Veritas seal. Another artifact, a scarf from an 1858 crew team member, was presented as the origin of Harvard's iconic crimson color. These historical elements connected the present-day graduates to a lineage of scholars and leaders, highlighting the enduring legacy of the institution.
Maria Ressa's stark warning about the digital age
Keynote speaker Maria Ressa, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and investigative journalist, delivered a powerful address that painted a sobering picture of the current global landscape. She described the world as a 'dystopian science fiction world' where technology, particularly social media platforms, has become an 'accelerant' for conflict, violence, and the breakdown of trust. Ressa, who has faced severe harassment and legal battles for her journalistic work in the Philippines, drew parallels between her experiences and the escalating challenges in the United States. She warned that 'information warfare' is rampant, fueled by platforms designed for profit that amplify fear, anger, and hatred. Ressa highlighted the crisis of disinformation, stating that without the integrity of information, there is no truth, no trust, and consequently, no shared reality, no rule of law, and no democracy. She emphasized that this 'outrage economy' rewards the worst of humanity, leading to real-world violence and the erosion of democratic principles globally. Her message served as a critical call to awareness and action for the graduating class.
Student voices on contemporary challenges
The student addresses powerfully reflected the unique challenges faced by the Class of 2024. Blake Alexander Lopez, delivering the Latin oration, spoke of the 'distance' created by the pandemic, which forced learning into solitude and virtual environments, yet fostered a strong class identity through new forms of connection. Shrewd Three Kumar, in the Senior English Address, explored 'the power of not knowing,' encouraging the embrace of uncertainty and vulnerability. Kumar highlighted significant societal shifts that impacted their Harvard experience, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action, and the targeting of students of color on campus, which led to 13 undergraduates not graduating. This latter point was met with significant applause and a direct challenge to Harvard to 'hear us' regarding freedom of speech and civil disobedience. Robert L. Clinton IV, in the Graduate English Address, urged graduates to move beyond striving for perfection and to actively choose to 'be good,' using their privilege to foster solidarity, challenge injustice, and advocate for the marginalized. He particularly highlighted the issues of mass incarceration, climate refugees, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The charge to graduates: choose wisely, act boldly
Both student and invited speakers urged graduates to engage with the complex world they are entering with intentionality and courage. Maria Ressa's core message revolved around three actionable principles: 'Choose your best self,' emphasizing the importance of clear values and consistent choices; 'Turn crisis into opportunity,' advocating for resilience and strategic preparedness in the face of adversity; and 'Be vulnerable,' suggesting that lowering defenses and embracing openness can foster the strongest bonds and lead to creative solutions. She stressed that the 'battle for trust begins now' and that graduates must fight for democracy, facts, and integrity. The student speakers echoed this sentiment, with Lopez calling for using wisdom to serve the greater community and Kumar championing an 'ethic of not knowing' to foster empathy and learning. Clinton's address focused on the responsibility that comes with a Harvard education, urging graduates to 'be good' by actively working for justice and compassion, rather than merely being successful.
Honorary degrees and distinguished contributions
The ceremony recognized several individuals with honorary degrees for their exceptional contributions to arts, science, public service, and journalism. Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, was honored for his dynamic musical leadership and passion for music education. Nurse and advocate Jenny Chin Hansen received recognition for her pioneering work in community-based healthcare for older adults and her leadership roles in national aging organizations. Theoretical physicist Sylvester James Gates Jr., a recipient of the National Medal of Science, was celebrated for his groundbreaking research in superstring theory and his efforts to promote scientific imagination and policy. Poet Joy Harjo, a three-term U.S. Poet Laureate and member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, was honored for her distinctive voice exploring Native American experiences and universal themes of remembrance and healing. Former Harvard President Lawrence S. Bacow was acknowledged for his leadership through challenges, his defense of scholarly exchange, and his guidance on critical issues like climate change and the legacy of slavery. Journalist Maria Ressa received an honorary degree for her fearless dedication to a free and independent press and her ongoing fight against disinformation and corruption.
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Common Questions
The John Harvard Statue is a symbolic representation of the university's donor, John Harvard, who gave 400 pounds and 400 books. Students often tap its shoe for good luck, and it serves as a gathering point during commencement.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Harvard's official color, established in 1875 after being used by the crew team in 1858, with a specific dye recipe developed by Charles Elliott.
The traditional and ancestral inhabitants of what is known as Boston and Cambridge, acknowledged at the beginning of the ceremony.
A key concept in modern physics on which James Gates co-wrote a pathbreaking book.
A brand-new degree program, inaugurated two years prior to the ceremony, from which 88 students are graduating.
A prestigious scholarship program, which Maria Ressa received to return to the Philippines.
The rarefied realm of theoretical physics where James Gates had a decades-long career as an eminent theoretical physicist.
The symbol of Harvard University, originally a hand-drawn crest from 1643, which remains similar today.
A prestigious literary position, which Joy Harjo held for three consecutive terms, a rare achievement.
The news organization where Maria Ressa served as a bureau chief in Manila and Jakarta.
The university where Maria Ressa studied English and Theater before returning to the Philippines on a Fulbright Scholarship.
An innovative digital media company launched by Maria Ressa in 2012, focused on investigative journalism.
The institution hosting the commencement ceremony, founded in 1636.
An iconic library at Harvard, built to commemorate a student who died on the Titanic, and a gathering spot for families on commencement day.
Mentioned as the institution where James Gates received his bachelor's and doctoral degrees, and later served on faculty and became Chancellor.
The Native American nation of which Joy Harjo is a member, whose distinct voice speaks to the experience of native peoples.
Mentioned by Maria Ressa as one of the tech companies that cut staff, reducing online safety measures.
A social media platform that Maria Ressa states worsened the spread of information warfare when it joined the fray.
Mentioned by Maria Ressa as one of the tech companies that cut staff, reducing online safety measures.
Cited by Maria Ressa as fueling genocide in Myanmar and as a platform that 'broke democracy' with its 'move fast break things' approach.
The largest media network in the Philippines, where Maria Ressa headed the news division.
Mentioned by Maria Ressa in the context of Elon Musk firing its trust and safety team, leading to concerns about online safety.
Former Philippine President whose violent anti-drug campaign Maria Ressa drew attention to, facing harassment and threats.
Founder of Facebook, mentioned by Maria Ressa for his 'move fast break things' philosophy and for being a powerful figure controlling the world alongside other tech pros.
Former Harvard President for several decades who sat in the Holyoke Chair many times for commencement.
A Latin Salutatorian and candidate for Bachelor of Arts in Classics and Linguistics, giving a Latin Oration on the COVID-19 experience of the class of 2024.
Former Harvard President (29th President, 2018-present), previously Chancellor at MIT, known for guiding Harvard through COVID-19 and addressing the legacy of slavery.
Interim President of Harvard University, welcoming the families and loved ones.
A member of the crew team in 1858, who later became a Harvard President for 40 years, and worked to establish Crimson as the official color.
A student from the Class of 2024, known for competing in American Idol and singing the Star-Spangled Banner at Fenway Park, who performs the national anthem at the ceremony.
A Senior English Address speaker and candidate for Bachelor of Arts in History and Science and Economics, who speaks on 'The Power of Not Knowing'.
A Graduate English Address speaker from the Law School, who speaks on 'Being Good'.
One of the archivists at Harvard University, who brought historical objects to share during the broadcast.
Mentioned as the person who fired Twitter's trust and safety team, contributing to fewer safety measures online.
Mentioned by Maria Ressa as someone she was attacked online for being on stage with, highlighting the polarized online environment.
A children's book mentioned as the favorite of one of the interviewees, Annabella, who carried it during her procession.
The earliest recorded records of Harvard College, hand-written from 1636 to 1795, containing meeting minutes and the first known sketch of the Veritas seal.
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