Snapshots from Commencement ceremonies across campus

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.

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.”

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.”