Honoring the Class of 2020

The university where Abdul Rauf earned his PhD after overcoming childhood hardship.

Listed as one of the schools from which graduates emerge, implying a role in shaping moral and ethical leadership.

Mentioned as a school from which graduates emerge, emphasizing its contribution to healthcare and societal well-being.

Mentioned as a school contributing graduates, implying their role in healthcare.

Part of the various Harvard schools contributing graduates who are encouraged to make a difference.

Mentioned as one of the schools from which graduates emerge to 'paint portraits with their presence', emphasizing its role in shaping leaders.

Abdul Rauf retired as a director of UNESCO, highlighting his global impact in education.

One of the schools whose degree candidates are presented, preparing them to address societal challenges with foundational science.

Cited as one of the schools whose graduates are encouraged to make a difference in the world.

One of the premier newspapers where Marty Baron played a leading role early in his career.

Walter Lippmann once wrote for this student newspaper at Harvard.

Marty Baron's current role as executive editor, known for winning Pulitzer Prizes under his leadership and for its investigative reporting on Walter Reed Hospital and the Watergate scandal.

Referenced as a place from which graduates emerge to 'paint portraits with their presence', contributing to leadership and impact.

Included in the list of schools whose graduates are called upon to use their education for positive change.

A premier newspaper where Marty Baron worked, and later mentioned for exposing sexual predators and publishing the Pentagon Papers.

One of the schools whose degree candidates are presented, with a focus on enhancing global health.

Two of its journalists were imprisoned for investigating the killing of Rohingya Muslim men and boys.

The Washington Post revealed the shameful neglect and mistreatment of wounded veterans at this hospital, leading to immediate corrective action.

Marty Baron's first newspaper as a reporter, where he later became executive editor and the newspaper was noted for its investigative journalism after Hurricane Andrew.

Emphasized the press's role in guaranteeing democracy, particularly through the words of Justice Hugo Black.

The largest online-only news site in the Philippines, founded by Maria Ressa, which has faced government harassment.

Partnered with The New York Times in 2017 to expose sexual predators, contributing to a movement for accountability against abuses against women.

A superlative cellist whose quote about music as a 'divine way to tell beautiful poetic things to the heart' is used to introduce Yo-Yo Ma.

Championed the right of free expression, which is foundational to American democracy and a free press.

Harvard class of 1821 alumnus, whose vision of a 'long winding train' of alumni is referenced in the context of Harvard graduates improving humanity.

One of two Reuters journalists imprisoned for over 500 days for investigating the killing of Rohingya Muslim men and boys.

Great scholar and African-American activist, and the first African-American PhD graduate from Harvard, who cautioned against falsifying events in history.

One of two Reuters journalists imprisoned for over 500 days for investigating the killing of Rohingya Muslim men and boys.

Wrote 'The Origins of Totalitarianism' in 1951, observing the danger of gigantic lies becoming unquestioned facts and the difference between truth and falsehood becoming a matter of power.

His administration oversaw the Alien and Sedition Acts, which represented a period of suppressing press freedom.

A father who struggled to get the church to confront child abuse, and expressed deep gratitude for The Boston Globe's work on the issue, viewing journalists as allies.

Courageous journalist from the Philippines who founded an online news site and has been battling government harassment for scrutinizing the president.

An experienced foreign correspondent for The Boston Globe who died covering the war in Iraq, known for her fearlessness in investigating war crimes.

Announced the Marshall Plan after World War II, lifting millions out of poverty and serving as an example of post-crisis innovation.

His presidency saw the implementation of the Sedition and Espionage Acts, which were historical challenges to press freedom.

A Harvard alumnus from the class of 1976 and renowned cellist, introduced as a legendary figure whose artistry is matched by his humanity.

A prophetic essayist and abolitionist, his name was found on a list of alumni who previously occupied Michael Phillips' dorm room, serving as an inspiration.

America's accomplished and intrepid journalist, executive editor of The Washington Post, and the principal speaker for the commencement.

Sanne Rose's grandfather, an orphan who earned a PhD from Columbia University and dedicated his life to education, building schools and training teachers globally. His life story demonstrates personal evolution driven by early challenges.

Discovered gravity, optical physics, and calculus during quarantine amidst the Great Plague, exemplifying how challenges can inspire innovation.

A Supreme Court Justice who forcefully emphasized the press's role in guaranteeing democracy.

A reporter for The Boston Globe and The Washington Post who was wounded and harassed while reporting from various conflict zones, winning two Pulitzer Prizes.

Civil rights pioneer and Harvard's commencement speaker two years prior, whose quote about speaking up against injustice is invoked to motivate journalists.

An opinion writer for The Washington Post who was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for criticizing the Saudi government.

A renowned journalist and thinker who warned about a society where people respond to opinions rather than truth, and hoped to fix the press's defects.

Hannah Arendt's first major work, cited for its observations on how falsehoods can become accepted facts, undermining truth and democracy.

Published by The New York Times in 1971, revealing a pattern of official deceit during the Vietnam War.

A post-World War II initiative announced by George Marshall that lifted millions out of poverty, presented as an example of historical innovation in response to challenges.

A historical period that rejected the idea of truth deriving from a single authority, influencing modern society's reliance on evidence and reason.

A program for journalists at Harvard, referenced in the context of a fellow reporting on media suppression in Hungary.

Awarded to journalists like Anthony Shadid, signifying excellence in journalism and investigative reporting.

Marty Baron was editor for eleven years; it was highlighted for its investigation into child sexual abuse cover-ups by the Catholic Church.

A West Virginia newspaper that exposed how opioids flooded the state's communities, contributing to high death rates.

Documented a slave trade behind seafood supply in 2015, resulting in the freedom of 2,000 slaves.

Its Prime Minister has waged war on independent media, exploiting the pandemic to consolidate power and suppress facts.

A country where Anthony Shadid and New York Times colleagues were detained and physically abused by militias.

Cited as a country where murderous vengeance against journalists is common, with five killed in the last year.

Known for imposing some of the world's tightest censorship on its citizens, illustrating the suppression of free press.

Referenced as an authoritarian regime whose actions underscored the necessity of a free press to prevent such abuses of power.

The country where Anthony Shadid died at age 43 while reporting, highlighting the dangers faced by journalists.

Cited as an authoritarian regime, similar to Nazi Germany, whose historical context emphasized the importance of a free press.

Its highest-level officials were responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Cited as a country that jails many journalists and has shut down media outlets, with its government using accusations of 'false news' to suppress dissent.

One of the locations where Anthony Shadid reported, where he was harassed by police.

Legislation enacted under Woodrow Wilson that curtailed free expression during wartime.

Mentioned as ominous terms in American history that challenged the idea of a free press under John Adams' administration.

Marty Baron emphasizes its importance for a free press and freedom of expression in the United States.