Shining Commencement moments, captured

Treasure our freedoms, German Chancellor Angela Merkel advised Harvard’s 368th graduating class on Thursday. “Our individual liberties are not givens. Democracy is not something we can take for granted,” she told the crowd during Afternoon Program in Tercentenary Theatre. “Neither is peace, and neither is prosperity.”

Photo by Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

Campus & Community
Shining Commencement moments, captured

Portraits of embraces, laughs, goodbyes, cheers, and triumphs

Juan Siliezar

Harvard Staff Writer

May 31, 2019 5 min read

Despite a cool, overcast day, Harvard’s definitive ritual of revelry and accomplishment ultimately shone brightly with displays of grandeur and moments of warmth.

From time-honored ceremonies such as the Baccalaureate Service and the Phi Beta Kappa induction to the call to order by the sheriff of Middlesex County and the pealing of the Harvard and Cambridge Bells, the week was filled with scenes that have come to epitomize Commencement.

Yet hardly lost in all the spectacle was those the day was ultimately for — the 6,665 graduates whose long years of labor and sacrifice led them to the cap and gown, and, of course, their families, who now got to celebrate them with pride.

The 368th Commencement saw long embraces between close friends, laughs among strangers, goodbyes from roommates, cheers and ovations for words well spoken, and, most of all, a palpable feeling of triumph buzzing throughout campus as graduates took the first steps toward what lies ahead.

Ian Saum ’20 on drum and Allison Law ’20 on piccolo lead the procession to Memorial Hall for the 2019 Phi Beta Kappa Literary Exercises.

Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer

Hopi Hoekstra (from left), Logan McCarthy, and Harvard President Larry Bacow process through the seniors on their way to Phi Beta Kappa Literary Exercises on Tuesday morning. Seniors enter Sanders Theatre.

Photos by Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer

Peter Hartnett (from left), David Schachman, Adrian Magana, and Alana Davitt received their first commissions at a joint ROTC ceremony in Tercentenary Theatre on Wednesday.

Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer

A family member congratulates Alana Davitt (right) at the ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.

Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer

Jonathan Walton urged the soon-to-be-graduates to find a cause greater than themselves, and commit their lives to service and sacrifice during the Baccalaureate Service on Tuesday in Memorial Church.

Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

Former Vice President Al Gore ’69 warned against “would-be-autocrats” and a warming world during his Class Day speech, but reminded the audience that “Veritas — truth — is not only Harvard’s motto … it is also democracy’s shield.”

Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

Nicolas Hornedo delivers the Ivy Oration, “Make It Count,” at Class Day Exercises on Wednesday.

Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

During Harvard Business School’s Class Day, held Wednesday on the Baker Lawn, student speaker Brandon Rapp takes the mic.

Photos by Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer

This year’s graduates crowd onto the steps of Widener Library for their class photo.

Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

Joyous seniors share smiles and hugs after Class Day Exercises.

Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

Commencement begins as the Class of 2019 processes to Morning Exercises beneath Veritas flags and the John Harvard Statue on Thursday.

Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer

Azeddine Chetoui (center) passes by the Maxwell Dworkin Building to find a spot to sell flowers, as he has for the past seven years on Commencement Morning.

Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer

Harvard President Larry Bacow (left) welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Professor Nick Burns to Massachusetts Hall. Honorary degree recipients and their escorts line up before processing into the Yard for Commencement.

Photos by Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer

Vaibhav Mohanty (left) and Ethan Craigo make a joyful noise during Senior Class Chapel Service in Memorial Church on Thursday. Mather House Faculty Deans Amala and L. Mahadevan and their son Aditya Mahadevan (center) enjoy the service.

Photos by Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer

Marshal Jonathan Sapers ’84 waits outside Harvard Hall for Morning Exercises to begin.

Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian walks ahead of Harvard President Larry Bacow as Harvard’s 368th Commencement begins.

Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

Guests crowd the Yard and fill the steps of Widener Library during Commencement on Thursday. Excited graduates spot German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Commencement procession.

Photos by Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer

Larry Bacow waves during his first Commencement as Harvard’s president.

Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer

Old and new graduates cross paths during the alumni procession preceding the 368th Harvard University Commencement.

Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

Khalil Abdur-Rashid (left) and Cornel West share a moment onstage during Morning Exercises. Doctor of Philosophy Daniel Haehn seems to ponder a deep question.

Photos by Stephanie Mitchell and Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographers

Kennedy School of Government grads wave a symbol of their studies.

Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer.

Angela Merkel acknowledges applause after receiving her honorary degree.

Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer.

Graduates cheer on a classmate. Yong Shao and Yanqun Wang spot their son, Edward Wang, in the line of graduates.

Photos by Stephanie Mitchell and Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

The Harvard Band salutes the Harvard Alumni Association during the Afternoon Exercises.

Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer

Medical School students wave their stethoscopes at the 368th Commencement in Harvard Yard.

Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

A student rushes through Eliot House on Commencement day.

Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

Newly graduated Michael Liu (center) from Winthrop House poses with his family along the Charles River. Kirkland House resident Moriah Lee wears a mortarboard adorned with a lei made by her grandmother, Joleen Cordeiro.

Photos by Stephanie Mitchell and Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

After degree conferment ceremonies in the Houses, guests head back to the Yard for the Afternoon Exercises.

Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer

More like this

Campus & Community
Merkel advises graduates: Break the walls that hem you in

Part of the Commencement 2019 series

May 30, 2019 7 min read

Campus & Community
Gore decries attacks on facts, science, reason

Part of the Commencement 2019 series

May 29, 2019 5 min read

Campus & Community
Gathering of the Crimson clan

Part of the Commencement 2019 series

May 30, 2019 long read