Ceremony Information

5/30 Update: Live webcast has concluded.

Check out the Commencement 2013 Guide

Schedule

HSPH students have two ceremonies to attend, one in the morning at Harvard Yard and one in the afternoon at HSPH.

Students are required to wear academic regalia which consists of a cap, gown and hood, to both ceremonies.

Harvard Yard Commencement Ceremony  -  Morning Exercises

The Morning Exercises, which convene in the outdoor Tercentenary Theatre, are attended by approximately 32,000 degree candidates, family members, faculty, alumni, and guests. The morning session includes students from all parts of the University and features the awarding of honorary degrees and the collective conferral of the degrees to each school’s graduates by the president of Harvard University. Each graduate is limited to two tickets for the morning exercises.

(Times listed are subject to change.)
6:45 AM - Gates open for guests to start taking seats.

8:05 AM - Graduating students line up in Harvard Yard, Cambridge.

8:35 AM - The academic procession begins.

9:45 AM - The ceremony begins.

11:30 AM - (approximately) The ceremony ends.

Viewing Alternatives: Because guest seating in Harvard Yard is limited and not guaranteed, HSPH offers guests the opportunity to view the morning proceedings in FXB G-11, G-12 & G-13. The benefits of this option include: ample and more comfortable seating in a climate controlled area and improved viewing and restroom facilities.  Please inform your family and guests of this viewing alternative. The ceremony at the Yard will also be available via webcast.

11:30 AM -12:30 PM - Travel between Cambridge and Longwood campuses. After the morning ceremony, shuttle buses will bring students and their guests back to HSPH free of charge for both graduates and all guests.

HSPH Commencement Ceremony – Afternoon Exercises

HSPH Afternoon Commencement: live webcast now available

HSPH Commencement is held in the Kresge courtyard between the Kresge Building and the Countway Library. There is a maximum of 4 tickets allocated to each graduating student.

12:00 PM - Seating opens in the HSPH tent in the Kresge courtyard.  We strongly encourage guests to arrive early as seating in the courtyard is not guaranteed. 

12:00 – 1:30 PM - Box lunches will be available – free for graduates / $15.00 for guests (must be pre-ordered by graduates in April). Because there is limited time between the ceremonies and few dining options in the Longwood area, many graduates choose to order lunches for their family and eat on the HSPH campus. Some families make other arrangements.

1:30 PM - Graduates begin to line up for the academic procession.

2:30 PM - The academic procession begins; ceremony immediately follows.  The ceremony includes greetings from the Dean, a student speaker and an address by an invited speaker.

5:00 PM - (approximately) The HSPH ceremony ends and the reception begins.  The ceremony is followed by a reception for graduates and their guests. The distribution of diplomas will take place during the reception.

Viewing Alternatives: The afternoon HSPH ceremony will be broadcast in FXB Ground Floor. The ceremony will also be available via webcast.

If you have questions, please contact:
Office for Student Affairs, (617-432-1036), studentaffairs@hsph.harvard.edu.