Harvard College Class Day 2021 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In his Class Day speech, Jeremy Lin reflects on his own journey and the importance of embracing one's identity and purpose. He encourages the Class of 2021 to be present, celebrate their achievements, and use their backgrounds and experiences to bring about positive change in the world.

Key Insights

• 😃 Success without being present and finding joy in the journey is ultimately unfulfilling.
• 🥺 Embracing one's identity and understanding one's purpose can lead to a more fulfilling and impactful life.
• ❓ Celebrating accomplishments and appreciating the support of communities is important.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] [APPLAUSE] Welcome, graduates, family, friends, alumni, faculty, and staff, to the 2021 Class Day Exercises. My name is Samyra Miller, and it is my greatest honor to serve as the First Marshal of the Class of 2021. Today we celebrate our journey to and through Harvard, as well as everyone who has been a part of it. We started our jo... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Jeremy Lin overcome his initial hesitation to speak at Class Day?

Jeremy Lin initially tried to decline the invitation, feeling that he was not skilled in public speaking. However, he eventually accepted and used humor to engage the audience, making light of his own experiences and joking about his previous academic struggles.

Q: How did Jeremy Lin discover the importance of being present and finding contentment in the journey?

Jeremy Lin reflects on his own basketball career and the pressures he faced to constantly achieve and prove himself. He realized that success without being present and finding joy in the process is ultimately unfulfilling. This understanding led him to embrace his identity and his purpose beyond the court.

Q: What advice does Jeremy Lin give to the Class of 2021?

Jeremy Lin emphasizes the importance of embracing one's identity and using their backgrounds and experiences to make a positive impact on the world. He encourages the graduates to celebrate their achievements, appreciate the support of their communities, and strive to bring others up along their own journeys.

Q: How does Jeremy Lin address the challenges faced by Asian-American students?

Jeremy Lin acknowledges the racism and stereotypes that Asian-Americans often face and shares his own experiences as an Asian-American athlete. He encourages graduates to challenge stereotypes and work towards changing the lives of those who are oppressed, marginalized, or underrepresented.

Summary

This transcript is from the Class Day Exercises of the 2021 Harvard graduating class. The speakers, including the Class Marshal, Dean of Harvard College, and the incoming president of the Harvard Alumni Association, reflect on the challenges and accomplishments of the graduating class, particularly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The speakers touch on themes of resilience, unity, and the importance of creating a more inclusive and equitable future.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the Class of 2021's time at Harvard?

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the Class of 2021's time at Harvard. They had to leave campus in March 2020 and transition to virtual learning. This led to challenges in finishing classes, keeping student organizations intact, and supporting themselves, their families, and their communities through the pandemic.

Q: How did the Class of 2021 adapt to the challenges of the past year?

The Class of 2021 demonstrated resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges. They continued their education, research, and extracurricular activities despite the changing landscape. They embraced public health guidelines, fought for social and racial justice, and worked to reimagine systems for a more inclusive society.

Q: What did the Danoff Dean of Harvard College, Marvin Bower Professor, and Professor of Sociology discuss in his speech?

The Danoff Dean of Harvard College discussed the challenges the Class of 2021 faced during the pandemic and praised their resilience and determination. He highlighted the need for courage and patience in the face of change and uncertainty. He encouraged the graduates to use their education and talents to create a more inclusive and equitable future.

Q: What did the incoming president of the Harvard Alumni Association, Vanessa Liu, discuss in her speech?

Vanessa Liu discussed her own journey as an alumna of Harvard and emphasized the importance of the Harvard alumni community. She encouraged the Class of 2021 to tap into this community for support and inspiration. She also urged them to use their gifts and talents to make a positive impact in the world and to create a different future for all.

Q: What is the significance of the Richard Glover and Henry Russell Ames Memorial Award?

The Richard Glover and Henry Russell Ames Memorial Award is given each year to honor two members of the graduating class who have shown exceptional leadership and dedication to serving others. The recipients are recognized for their selflessness and commitment to making a difference in their communities and in the world at large.

Q: Who were the recipients of the Richard Glover and Henry Russell Ames Memorial Award?

The recipients of the Richard Glover and Henry Russell Ames Memorial Award in the Class of 2021 were Nhu Dang and Thomas Bassett. Nhu Dang was recognized for her work in providing free chronic kidney disease screenings to marginalized communities and her commitment to social justice. Thomas Bassett was honored for his advocacy and support for veterans at Harvard and his efforts to improve the undergraduate experience for military veteran students.

Q: How did the Ivy Orator, Marie Konopacki, reflect on the events of the past year?

The Ivy Orator, Marie Konopacki, used humor and levity to reflect on the events of the past year. She joked about the abruptness of being sent home due to the pandemic and the uncertainty of the future. She also highlighted the mysteriousness of Harvard and its ability to make accurate predictions, referencing the early decision to send students home.

Takeaways

The Class of 2021 faced unprecedented challenges during their time at Harvard due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the difficulties, they showed resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. The speeches emphasized the importance of unity, inclusivity, and creating a better future for all. The recipients of the Richard Glover and Henry Russell Ames Memorial Award were recognized for their exceptional leadership and dedication to service. The Ivy Orator used humor to reflect on the past year and the uncertainty of the future but expressed gratitude for the time spent at Harvard.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jeremy Lin initially tried to decline the invitation to speak at Class Day but eventually accepted, sharing his journey and the lessons he learned along the way.

• He emphasizes the importance of being present and finding contentment in the journey, rather than solely focusing on the destination.

• Lin explores the significance of embracing one's identity and using it as a superpower to connect with others and inspire change.

• He encourages the Class of 2021 to celebrate their accomplishments, appreciate the support of their communities, and strive to make a positive impact on the world.