Harvard University's 359th Commencement, 2010 (Morning Exercises)

TL;DR

Harvard's 359th Commencement gathered 7,100 graduates and 30,000 family and friends in Tercentenary Theater on May 27, 2010. The morning ceremony opens by conferring PhD degrees, marked by crimson robes, and closes with Harvard College undergraduates. President Drew Faust led the procession, and the Sheriff of Middlesex County traditionally calls the assembly to order.

Transcript

["POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE"] [CROWD] JIM ANDERSON: Welcome to the 359th Harvard commencement. I'm Jim Anderson in the Department of Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. And I'm here with my treasured colleague Diana Act. DIANA ECK: So good to be here. JIM ANDERSON: In the Department of Comparativ... Read More

Key Insights

• Harvard's 359th Commencement seated 7,100 graduates before roughly 30,000 friends and family in Tercentenary Theater, located between the steps of Widener Library and the steps of the Memorial Church.
• PhD graduates receive their degrees first and wear bright red or crimson robes, while Harvard College undergraduates are awarded last, forming the bookends of the university's intellectual endeavor.
• John Harvard was not the founder; he arrived in 1637, lived only 18 months, died of tuberculosis, and left half his wealth and 400 volumes to the new college, which was then named after him.
• The Harvard Corporation was formed on October 28, 1636, marking the initiation of Harvard College, and is described as the oldest corporation in the Western hemisphere.
• The first Harvard commencement was held in 1642 with nine graduates; Harvard now counts about 300,000 living graduates extending across 150 countries.
• The Sheriff of Middlesex County attends because early Puritan-era commencements were a week of wild, out-of-control celebration; today the Sheriff still calls the entire assembly to order.
• Widener Library, constructed in 1915, commemorates a student who went down on the Titanic, while the original college building was constructed in 1637 about 100 yards from the hosts' position.
• Graduating classes carry insignia tied to their school: divinity students affix halos to their mortarboards, law students carry gavels, and the Dental Medicine marshal bears a large toothbrush.

Questions & Answers

Q: When was Harvard's 359th Commencement held?

Harvard's 359th Commencement was streamed live on Thursday, May 27, 2010. The Morning Exercises featured the conferring of degrees on candidates from Harvard College, all the Graduate Schools, and the Harvard Extension School, along with the conferring of Honorary Degrees. The ceremony took place in Tercentenary Theater, seating about 7,100 graduates before an audience of roughly 30,000 friends and family.

Q: How many graduates and guests attended the ceremony?

The hosts noted they stood above 30,000 friends and family gathered to celebrate 7,100 graduates. The crowd filled Tercentenary Theater, which extended beyond its usual bounds all the way back onto the tops of Houghton Library and Pusey Library and from seats next to Boylston Hall, with additional viewers watching on jumbo screens and at home.

Q: Who was John Harvard and why is the college named after him?

John Harvard was not the founder of the university. He arrived in 1637, one year after the college was founded, and lived only 18 months before dying of tuberculosis. He left half of his wealth and 400 volumes of books to the new college, and it was named after him in recognition of that legacy, which continues to project through to today.

Q: What order are degrees conferred at Harvard Commencement?

The ceremony opens with the PhDs and closes with the undergraduate degrees, which the hosts describe as the bookends marking the boundaries of the university's intellectual endeavor. PhD graduates, who wear bright red or crimson robes, are the first to be awarded their degrees. Harvard College undergraduates, graduates of the original component of the university, receive their degrees last.

Q: Why does the Sheriff of Middlesex County attend the commencement?

The Sheriff attends because, while the event looks well organized today, in the early Puritan years commencement was a week of wild celebration that was primarily out of control, which actually required the Sheriff to be present. Even today the Sheriff calls the entire ensemble to order and demands order, and the hosts note that he performs the role rather theatrically.

Q: What is the history of the Harvard Corporation?

The Harvard Corporation was formed on October 28, 1636. According to the hosts, it marked the initiation of Harvard College and is the oldest corporation in the Western hemisphere. During the ceremony, members of the corporation are seated on either side of the president, Drew Faust, on the stage under the great tented canopy of Tercentenary Theater, alongside the Board of Overseers.

Q: What do the different graduating classes wear or carry?

Each graduating class carries insignia tied to their school. The divinity graduates affix little halos to their mortarboards. The law students, seated in front of the hosts, carry gavels. The marshal of the School of Dental Medicine has a fairly large toothbrush attached. PhD graduates are distinguished by bright red or crimson robes, and faculty wear colored plumage representing their colleges.

Q: How large is Harvard's graduate community today?

The first Harvard commencement was held in 1642 and had nine graduates. By the time of this 2010 ceremony, Harvard had about 300,000 living graduates extending across 150 countries, which the hosts describe as marking a new era. The morning ceremony itself celebrated all the schools of Harvard University gathering together in one place, something rarely seen throughout the rest of the year.

Summary

This is a video from the Harvard commencement, where the speakers discuss the importance of education, the diverse student body, and the challenges graduates will face in the world. Different speakers and faculty members are mentioned, and there are interviews with several graduates discussing their experiences and future plans.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can you describe the Harvard commencement?

The Harvard commencement is a large event where thousands of students and their families gather to celebrate the graduates' achievements. The ceremony is filled with processions, speeches, and awards.

Q: Who are some of the speakers at the Harvard commencement?

Some of the speakers mentioned in the video include Natalie Zemon Davis, Christiane Amanpour, Felipe Calderon, Samantha Power, Sir Roger Cohen, and Gloria Steinem. Each speaker offers their unique perspective and expertise.

Q: How has the Harvard commencement evolved over the years?

The Harvard commencement has evolved to include more diverse speakers and a greater focus on global issues. The ceremonies now incorporate music, tailored speeches, and the recognition of different cultures.

Q: What are some of the challenges graduates will face in the world?

Graduates face a world of great opportunities but also increased risks, such as economic instability and climate change. Understanding different cultures and perspectives is becoming increasingly important in addressing global issues.

Q: Can you explain the significance of the Harvard extension school?

The Harvard extension school offers continuing education and is known for its online and distance learning programs. It provides opportunities for people to further their education and engage with Harvard's resources.

Q: Who are some notable alumni returning for reunions?

Some notable alumni returning for reunions include Justice Scalia, Mike Dukakis, Elizabeth Dole, John Harbison, and Charles and Colleen Mayer. These alumni contribute to the Harvard community and support the university financially.

Q: Can you describe the importance of the orations at the commencement?

The orations at the commencement are a significant part of the ceremony. They showcase the students' public speaking skills and provide inspiring messages to their fellow graduates. The orations are often well-prepared and impactful.

Q: How has the Harvard calendar changed for this class?

This class experienced the introduction of a new calendar that aligned Harvard's schedule with other universities. Finals now take place before the holidays, and there is a January break for students. This change has taken some adjustment.

Q: What advice did President Drew Faust give to the graduates?

President Drew Faust advised the graduates to be prepared for the unscripted and the unexpected in life. She emphasized the importance of improvisation and the ability to adapt to rapid change in the world.

Q: What are some important takeaways from the Harvard commencement?

The Harvard commencement celebrates diversity, the importance of education, and the challenges graduates will face in the world. It highlights the need for understanding different cultures and the significance of lifelong learning.

Takeaways (in one paragraph)

The Harvard commencement is a celebration of diversity and education, where thousands of students and their families gather to honor the graduates' accomplishments. The speakers at the commencement offer insight into the challenges graduates will face in a rapidly changing world. The orations provide inspiring messages to their fellow graduates and encourage improvisation and adaptation. The Harvard commencement serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding different cultures and the value of lifelong learning.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Harvard's 359th Commencement was streamed live on Thursday, May 27, 2010, with Morning Exercises held in Tercentenary Theater. Hosts Jim Anderson and Diana Eck welcomed roughly 30,000 friends and family gathered to celebrate 7,100 graduates from Harvard College, all Graduate Schools, and the Harvard Extension School.

• The ceremony follows ancient rituals. The procession passes the John Harvard statue, whose toe visitors touch for academic luck, before President Drew Faust, led by University Marshal Jackie O'Neill, moves to the stage. Overseers wear top hats, and corporation members sit beside the president under the tented canopy.

• Degrees open with PhDs in crimson robes and close with Harvard College undergraduates. The Sheriff of Middlesex County theatrically calls the assembly to order, a tradition from rowdy Puritan-era celebrations. The day begins at 6:30 AM with bagpipes awaking undergraduates before the festival gathers all of Harvard's schools in one place.