Snapshots from Commencement ceremonies across campus

Adams House resident tutors Sarah Gonzalez and Francesco Rolando directed visitors to the festivities. Eileen O’Grady/Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences

FAS graduates collected their diplomas at more than a dozen smaller gatherings

May 29, 2026 / Read time: 3 minutes

Once the proceedings wrapped at Tercentenary Theatre Thursday, graduates headed off to a series of smaller diploma-collecting ceremonies. Extension School grads converged upon the Museum of Natural History for their special event, while Harvard College seniors dispersed to the 12 undergraduate Houses.

These festivities, more intimate than the Morning Exercises, allowed graduates to connect with faculty, friends, and family. Across campus, the air was light — and thick with praise for all present. Groups of smiling faces were, by far, the afternoon’s most common photographic subject.

Harvard College graduate Tioluwalase Adelakun posing for photos with family members at Winthrop House — Tioluwalase Adelakun ’26 posed with his parents and sister at Winthrop House. Eric Moskowitz/Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences

At Winthrop House, Tioluwalase Adelakun ’26 was seen posing for snapshots with multiple configurations of the 20-plus relatives who came from across the United States to mark his achievement.

“Everyone was like, ‘We have to come! It’s Harvard! It’s your graduation!’” said Adelakun, who grew up in Illinois after his family immigrated from Nigeria in 2013.

“As one of my friends has been saying, ‘I’m my ancestors’ dream,’” Adelakun quickly added. “All my family, having everybody here, it’s a testament to how much has gone into this degree. It’s not just my work; it’s probably hundreds of years of people coming together to try to make sure I have the best possible opportunity.”

Also taking place were ceremonies for students completing advanced degrees at the John A. Paulson School of Engineering or Applied Sciences and the Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. At the David Rubenstein Treehouse, Stephanie Gil, John L. Loeb Associate Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences, celebrated with a group of newly minted Ph.D.s.

“You just see this metamorphosis in front of your eyes,” Gil marveled. “The student that comes in on the first day is completely different from the student that leaves on the last day. They mature so much. They learn how to think about problems very deeply. On the last day, they really do feel more like a colleague than a student.”

Graduates of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences celebrated outside their ceremony at Sanders Theatre. — Graduates of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences celebrated after collecting their diplomas at Sanders Theatre. Tony Rinaldo for Harvard Griffin GSAS

Harvard College graduate Maggie Peng posing for photos at the Adams House diploma ceremony with her parents, brother, and grandparents — Maggie Peng ’26 posed for photos at Adams House with her parents, brother, and grandparents. Eileen O’Grady/Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Engineering Professor Stephanie Gil posed with Ph.D. students Ninad Jadhav and Orhan Eren Akgün on Harvard University's Commencement Day. — Stephanie Gil, John L. Loeb Associate Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences, at center, with Ph.D. students Ninad Jadhav and Orhan Eren Akgün at the David Rubenstein Treehouse. Matt Goisman/Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Harvard College graduate Joseph Periello with family members before the 2026 diploma ceremony at Adams House — Joseph Periello ’26 chatted with family members before the Adams House diploma ceremony. Eileen O’Grady/Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Emma Dench, Dean of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, in red and blue at center, posed with graduates outside Sanders Theatre. — Emma Dench, Dean of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, in red and blue at center, with a group of 2026 graduates outside Sanders Theatre. Tony Rinaldo for Harvard Griffin GSAS

Lani Tran ’26 and her mother at Eliot House — Lani Tran ’26 posed with her mother — and her diploma — at Eliot House. Lauren Fabiszak/Harvard College

Also taking place were ceremonies for students completing advanced degrees at the John A. Paulson School of Engineering or Applied Sciences and the Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. At the David Rubenstein Treehouse, Stephanie Gil, John L. Loeb Associate Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences, celebrated with a group of newly minted Ph.D.s.

“You just see this metamorphosis in front of your eyes,” Gil marveled. “The student that comes in on the first day is completely different from the student that leaves on the last day. They mature so much. They learn how to think about problems very deeply. On the last day, they really do feel more like a colleague than a student.”