Harvard painted the town red yesterday.
Harvard University held its 367th commencement ceremony Thursday, and let's just say it was the Academy awards of graduation ceremonies -- The university conferred seven honorary degrees, invited exemplary speakers like Congressman John Lewis, one of the foremost leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and Nigerian novelist and short story writer Chimamanda Adichie.
8,042 degrees and certificates were awarded in total including 1,533 from Harvard College, of which only 34 were awarded for a Bachelor of Science. The Harvard Extension School (1,047) and the university’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (952) presented the second and third-most degrees, respectively. On the other end of the spectrum, Harvard’s Divinity School awarded 140 diplomas, and just 50 people accepted degrees from the school of Dental Medicine. The full breakdown can be found here.
Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis was this year’s commencement speaker.
“Take a long deep breath, and take it all in,” Lewis said. “But tomorrow, I want you to roll up your sleeves. The world is waiting for talented men and women to lead it to a better place.”
In addition to Lewis, honorary degrees were awarded to oceanographer Sallie (Penny) Chisholm, poet Rita Dove, public health leader Harvey Fineberg, former president of Chile Ricardo Lagos, composer George Lewis, choreographer Twyla Tharp, and filmmaker Wong Kar Wai.
Award-winning novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie spoke at Harvard’s annual Class Day on Wednesday. Adichie, best known for her novel “Americanah,” stressed the importance of honesty and truth in her speech.
“The world is calling you. America is calling you. There is work to be done. There are tarnished things that need to shine again. There are broken things that to be made whole again,” she said. “You are in a position to do this. You can do it. Be courageous, tell the truth.”
This prelude to commencement has featured speakers chosen by the senior class since 1968, when Martin Luther King, Jr. accepted the invitation but was killed before he could attend. His wife Coretta Scott King spoke in his place.
