HES Commencement Week Schedule of Events
Event times and locations are subject to change. All events are held rain or shine.
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Class Photo
9:15 a.m. ET
Widener Library, Harvard Yard (rain or shine)
1 Harvard Yard, Cambridge, MA 02138
Graduating students meet on the steps of Widener Library in Harvard Yard for a class photo.
HES Program Receptions (rain or shine)
10 – 11:30 a.m. ET
Various Locations
The Program Receptions are an opportunity for graduating students to celebrate with classmates, friends, family, and administration in a more intimate setting. Remarks will feature Program Directors and special guests, and a toast to the Class of 2024. Graduating students may bring two (2) guests to the HES Program Receptions. Graduates are required to register for their program reception simultaneously while registering to attend Commencement through the Marching Order platform.
HES Program Reception Locations
ALB
One Brattle Square: East Wing
1 Brattle St. Cambridge, MA 02138
ALM Creative Writing and Literature & Journalism
Student Organization Center at Hilles (SOCH): Room 104
59 Shepard St, Cambridge, MA 02138
ALM Math for Teaching
Student Organization Center at Hilles (SOCH): Room 105
59 Shepard St, Cambridge, MA 02138
ALM Life Sciences (Biology and Biotechnology)
Student Organization Center at Hilles (SOCH): Room 105
59 Shepard St, Cambridge, MA 02138
ALM Liberal Arts (Anthropology and Archaeology, Dramatic Arts, English, Government, History, International Relations, Legal Studies, Psychology, Religion, and Visual Arts)
Student Organization Center at Hilles (SOCH): Quad Tent
59 Shepard St, Cambridge, MA 02138
ALM Management, Finance & Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Commencement Tent 1: Harvard Museum of Natural History Lawn
26 Oxford St. Cambridge, MA 02138
ALM Museum Studies
Commencement Tent 2: Harvard Museum of Natural History Lawn
26 Oxford St. Cambridge, MA 02138
ALM Information Technology (Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science. Digital Media and Design, Information Management Systems, Software Engineering, and Systems Engineering)
Northwest Building: Lower Level B100
52 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 021383
ALM Sustainability & Global Development Practice
Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement (HILR): Ground Floor
34 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Dean’s Leadership Luncheon
12:00 p.m./Noon ET
The Dean’s Leadership Luncheon honors HES 2024 Commencement speakers, select award winners, and graduating Harvard Extension School student leaders for their commitment to enriching the HES community. This event is by invitation only.
Thursday, May 23, 2024 | Commencement Day
Graduating students must wear full official academic regalia at all Commencement Day celebrations. Graduates receive two (2) guest tickets to Commencement events. Please note, we are unable to provide extra tickets.
Viewing of the University Morning Exercises will also be available via live web streaming on the Harvard website.
Harvard University Morning Exercises Assembly
6 – 7:30 a.m. ET
Harvard Museum of Natural History Courtyard (rain or shine)
26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138
A continental breakfast is provided to graduates before the procession to Harvard Yard for the Morning Exercise. Academic regalia is required. Graduates will also need their commencement lanyard to enter Harvard Yard.
This is also an opportunity for graduates to pick up their tickets, and commencement lanyard if not done so earlier in the week.
Opening of the Gates to Harvard Yard
Approximately 6:45 a.m. ET
Harvard Yard
2 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA 02138
For Guests: Gates to Harvard Yard open for Morning Exercises. There is limited seating; early arrival is recommended. This is a ticketed event. Each graduate is allowed two (2) guest tickets.
Graduate Procession & Seating into Tercentenary Theatre
7:30 – 8:15 a.m. ET
Harvard Museum of Natural History Courtyard
26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Graduates begin line formation to process into Tercentenary Theatre for the University-Wide Morning Exercises.
Harvard University Morning Exercises
9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET
Tercentenary Theatre, Harvard Yard (rain or shine)
2 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Viewing of the Morning Exercises will also be available via live web streaming on the Harvard website.
Morning Exercises is a University-wide event that is held rain or shine, on the lawn in front of Widener Library. Graduating Harvard students sit with their schools to participate in the celebration.
The deans of each school introduce their graduates as a class and the university’s president confers degrees upon the class as a whole.
Please note graduates will not be awarded their diplomas here. Exercises include the traditional commencement speeches and orations. Harvard University honorary degrees are awarded. This event will include remarks from the principal Commencement speaker. This is a ticketed event. Graduating students receive two (2) guest tickets for Morning Exercises.
Lunch
12:30 p.m. ET
Harvard Museum of Natural History Courtyard (rain or shine)
26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Boxed lunches will be available for advance purchase for graduates and ticketed guests attending the HES Commencement Ceremony; however, they must be purchased in advance.
For those who do not purchase lunch in advance, you are welcome to bring your own refreshments. Please be advised there are limited food options near the HES Commencement Ceremony site.
HES Commencement Ceremony
2 – 5 p.m. ET
Harvard Museum of Natural History Courtyard (rain or shine)
26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Viewing of the HES Commencement Ceremony will also be available via live web streaming.
Dean Nancy J. Coleman and other special guests will speak, and all graduates will be invited to the stage to be recognized by our school’s leadership. Please note, diplomas will be mailed following Commencement.
Graduates & guests must arrive no later than 1:30 p.m. as the ceremony will begin promptly at 2 p.m. ET. This is a ticketed event. Graduating students receive two (2) guest tickets for the HES Commencement Ceremony.
