Derek Bok Public Service Prize
All Class of 2026 graduates are invited and strongly encouraged to enter the Derek Bok Prize for Public Service competition. The prize is awarded to Harvard Extension School graduates who have contributed to creative initiatives in community service or have long-standing records of civic achievement.
Interested undergraduate and master’s graduates should submit the Derek Bok Service Prize form. The application deadline is the first Monday in March at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Commencement Speaker Prizes
Harvard Extension School Commencement Speaker Prize
All Class of 2026 graduates are invited and strongly encouraged to enter the Harvard Extension School Commencement Speaker Prize competition. The prize recipient will have the honor of delivering the prize-winning speech at the HES ceremony on Commencement Day to an audience of fellow graduates, faculty, administrators, and guests at the Harvard Extension School Ceremony.
For details, see the HES Commencement Speaker Prize information sheet. To apply, download and complete the Template for HES Commencement Speaker Prize. Speech submissions are due by the first Monday in March at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Student Orations Competition (University-wide)
In addition, all Class of 2026 graduates are also eligible to compete in the Student Orations Competition and deliver the prizewinning speech at the morning Commencement exercise in Harvard Yard to an audience of 30,000 + graduates and guests. The submission deadline is Friday, March 27. Late submissions will not be accepted.
For more information, go to the Student Orations Competition page on the Harvard University Commencement Office website.
