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Commencement 2024

In Focus

Celebrating the Class of 2024

Last updated June 2024
Revisit the 2024 Commencement ceremony
Two Harvard graduates holding hands behind the backs of two graduates

Reflecting on a joyous day

Graduates gathered with family, classmates, and faculty in Harvard Yard to celebrate, reminisce, and mark the University’s 373rd Commencement.

Reflecting on a joyous day

Radcliffe Medal

Justice Sonia Sotomayor reflects on the importance of civic engagement, youth involvement, and giving back.

Sonia Sotomayor receiving the Radcliffe Medal
Radcliffe Medal

Honorary degrees

Recipients include an educator, a conductor, a theoretical physicist, an advocate for the elderly, a writer, and a Nobel laureate.

Jennie Chin Hansen, Sylvester James Gates, Jr., Lawrence S. Bacow, Joy Harjo-Sapulpa, and Gustavo Adolfo Dudamel Ramirez; John Manning, Alan Garber, and Maria Ressa.
Honorary degrees

Baccalaureate

In his Baccalaureate address, interim President Garber praised the fortitude and resilience of the Class of 2024.

Alan Garber at the podium during the Baccalaureate address
Baccalaureate

Class Day ceremonies

Class Day speakers, including leaders in business and government, offered graduates perspective and inspiration.

Nicholas Burns at a podium
Class Day ceremonies

Photos from the day

Caps, gowns, and bright futures

Hundreds of graduates sit in seats in Harvard Yard during Commencement
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Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer

Coming together to celebrate the hard work and scholarship of the Class of 2024.

A large group of graduates from Harvard Kennedy School smile and pose holding inflatable globes
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Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer

Harvard Kennedy School graduates celebrate with inflatable globes.

A decorated graduation cap that says
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Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer

An inspiring message from a Harvard Graduate School of Education student.

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Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer

Students pose in Tercentenary Theatre.

Students wearing graduation regalie celebrate with crimson clappers at Commencement.
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Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health graduates celebrate with clappers.

Harvard Honorands on stage during Commencement
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Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer

Honorary degree recipients Gustavo Adolfo Dudamel Ramírez, Jennie Chin Hansen, Sylvester James Gate Jr., and Joy Harjo-Sapulpa during the ceremony.

Harvard Law School students in cap and gown with gavels
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Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer

Harvard Law School students celebrating graduation with gavels.

Introducing the graduates

Explore our student profiles to learn about the dedicated scholarship and ambitious plans of graduates from all of Harvard’s degree-granting Schools.

Meet our graduating class of 2024

More from the celebration

Maria Ressa talking into a microphone

“This is the tipping-point year”

Learn more about Maria Ressa, the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner and principal speaker for Harvard’s 373rd Commencement.

“This is the tipping-point year”

The 373rd Commencement began with the ringing of bells

The bells at the top of Lowell house
The 373rd Commencement began with the ringing of bells

Harvard's 23 new military officers took their oath of service

Military Officers standing on stage for the ROTC ceremony
Harvard's 23 new military officers took their oath of service

The Class of 2024 got a do-over on the prom that the pandemic took away

Students in dress clothes standing on the stairs
The Class of 2024 got a do-over on the prom that the pandemic took away

The Harvard Medal was awarded to three extraordinary community members

Katie Lapp
The Harvard Medal was awarded to three extraordinary community members

Student orators spoke about equity, uncertainty, and connection

Three Harvard students
Student orators spoke about equity, uncertainty, and connection

School events

Harvard College and the graduate and professional Schools host additional commencement events unique to their communities.

Harvard College

Harvard Business School

Harvard Divinity School

Harvard Extension School

Harvard Graduate School of Design

Harvard Graduate School of Education

Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Harvard Kennedy School

Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Harvard Law School

Harvard Medical School

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health