Commencement
I finished my coursework a while ago so I didn’t have to participate in commencement exercises this year, but everyone encouraged me (by everyone, I really mean my Mom and aunts) to walk. And so I did. All the graduates gathered by 7am one morning in late May to march to Harvard Yard.
I grew up in Cambridge, so I knew that on graduation day, it was best to avoid driving anywhere in Harvard Square. Imagine, all the schools of Harvard—education, business, government, medical, public health, divinity, design, engineering…..get the drift—descend upon the Yard.
Once we arrived at our spots, we had to wait in line for over an hour, at which point I took this picture of Memorial Hall with my point and shoot.
There was more waiting.
I went for a leisurely walk with some of my classmates to get coffee. One classmate walked 20 minutes to her apartment to get her camera and came back to us still waiting in line.
And then we advanced towards the Yard….and waited some more as each school marched in.
And then we waited some more….but then we were ALL there! The students from the college, the dental school, the business school—EVERYONE! I admit, I felt quite a bit of kinship.
As each school’s dean approached the stage to confer the degrees, each school waved a token that represented their school. The dental school waved, as you would guess, toothbrushes, we at the school of education waved books. The Kennedy School of Government (below) waved globes.
Best of all, the University awarded honorary degrees. Can you guess who received one?
Now, I couldn’t see Ms. Streep from where I sat, but I know people (specifically Ms. Kara Martel! who was kind enough to share this picture) who confirmed that she was wearing the most awesome shoes (as if we expected any less). And as you would guess, I screamed, I love you Meryl. I’m sure she heard me.
All in all, it was a long day, but an experience that I will surely remember. For more pictures of commencement (and of Ms. Meryl) visit the Harvard Gazette.
I love graduation ceremonies. Like you, I grew up in Cambridge, so most of my experience with Harvard graduation is with the traffic nightmare it causes. Whenever I see people's pictures of the ceremony itself, however, I realize how lovely it is, especially when Meryl Streep is there! (I would've screamed, too.)
Meryl…how awesome! Congrats.
Love that photo! Thanks for sharing your graduation day. Ms. Streep is amazing. So great.
Wow, congratulations! You're right, you'll never forget that day.
What did you get your degree in?
PS Meryl Streep is phenomenal.
Hi Ryssee,
I received my degree in Education Policy. I looove Ms. Meryl, I always have. She has the ability to be so true and yet powerfully unassuming in her scenes.