• Commencement 2008
• Academic Year 2007- 2008
• Summer 2008
• Academic Year 2008-2009
• Course Planning Calendar 2008-2009

Commencement 2008

2008 HKS Commencement Schedule

The 2008 HKS Commencement Schedule is now available.  Please note that this schedule is subject to change.  Check back for further updates and added events.

2008 HKS Commencement Schedule (Links to PDF)

2008 HKS Commencement Final Details Memo (Links to PDF)

Commencement Day Activities

Commencement Day is a long honored tradition at Harvard. The program on Harvard's Commencement day involves three major segments:

Part One:

The Morning Exercises in Tercentenary Theatre are mostly ceremonial, and all graduates of the university participate. Graduates from each school sit together, and at the appropriate moment, they rise and are presented by the school's Dean to the President of the University. The President confers the degrees en masse. Individual diplomas are not given at this time.

Seating for guests is very limited and cannot be guaranteed. Graduates receive two tickets for the morning exercises. (Joint students will receive their tickets from the school who's diploma ceremony they are attending.)  There is no exception to the number of tickets students receive. Seating is limited, and a ticket is required for all guests except for a small child who will be sitting on a guest's lap and does not need his or her own seat. If the child requires a separate seat (generally three years old and up), he or she will need a ticket.

Some families and friends may prefer to avoid the large crowd and view this segment on the television monitors at the Forum, various Houses and Graduate Schools, or enjoy the large-screen viewing at the Science Center and Sanders Theatre. It is important to note that diplomas are not awarded at the Morning Exercises in Tercentenary Theatre.

Part Two:

Diplomas for HKS graduates are individually awarded in the presence of family and friends during the HKS Diploma Ceremony held immediately following the morning session. This ceremony is located in the JFK Memorial Park, which is next to the Littauer Building and overlooks Memorial Drive. The Diploma Ceremony is followed by an informal luncheon. The luncheon is also held in the JFK Memorial Park under tents. Students must order lunch tickets in advance for themselves and their guests. Although there is no limit to the number of guests a graduate may invite to the HKS Diploma Ceremony and Luncheon, there is a fee for guests' lunch tickets.

Part Three:

The Afternoon Exercises in Tercentenary Theatre feature talks by the President of the University and a distinguished Commencement Speaker. The Afternoon Exercises are generally less crowded, and your attendance is encouraged. Similar to the Morning Exercises, all graduates receive two tickets to the Afternoon Exercises.

Harvard Yard Ceremony Security

Harvard Yard gates open at 6:45 am.

All guests will be required to show their ticket to security personnel at the gate and must be seated by 8:30 am.

All persons, upon entering, will be screened with hand wand magnetometers by security.

No backpacks, strollers, duffle bags, or pouches will be allowed into the yard. Handbags and pocketbooks will be searched by security.

Reserved and Accessible Seating

There is a reserved and accessible seating section available for individuals with disabilities in Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Day. To make reservations, obtain tickets and/or have questions answered regarding any available services, graduating students need to contact Marie Trottier, University Disability Coordinator, Holyoke Center, Room 547 by calling 617-495-1859(v)/617-495-4801(TTY) or via email: marie_trottier@harvard.edu. Seating in this section is by confirmed reservation and ticket only.

The deadline for these arrangements is Friday, May 16, 2008, however, it is recommended that you call prior to the deadline, as soon as you know that guests need these services. The University Disability Coordinator is responsible for all central services as they relate to accessibility for Commencement Week. Each decision is made on a case by case basis, and only this office can authorize any of these services. If you have any questions or concerns — please be in contact with Ms. Trottier's office as soon as possible.

Transportation and Parking

The Harvard Square stop on the MBTA's Red Line subway is directly across the street from Harvard Yard. The Harvard CommuterChoice Program describes the various routes to Harvard Square using public transportation.

Parking at Harvard University during Commencement Week is extremely limited. Please review the information regarding Commencement Parking for planning your travel.

All questions regarding Parking at Harvard University should be directed to:

Parking Services
46 Blackstone Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
617.495.3772

Email: parking@harvard.edu

Webcast of Commencement Week Activities

2008 HKS Commencement Week Activities will be webcast live.  This link will be live 15 minutes before the event begins.  These events will be webcast live via Real Player.

2008 HKS Commencement Weeks Webcast

Your computer must have Real Player installed for the link to work correctly. If you do not have Real Player installed, please visit Real and download "RealPlayer Free".

For more information on this service, please contact StudioKSG at 5-0493 or media_services_request@ksg.harvard.edu.

Webcast Schedule

Tuesday, June 3
1:00pm – HKS Class Day Awards, JFK Jr. Forum
Wednesday, June 4
2:00pm – HKS Commencement Speaker, TBD
Thursday, June 5
9:00am – Harvard Yard Morning Exercises
(also available on Comcast Cable – Cambridge channel 54 and
Boston/Brookline channel 12)
12:15pm – HKS Degree Ceremony, JFK Memorial Park
2:30pm – Harvard Yard Afternoon Exercises
(also available on Comcast Cable – Cambridge channel 54 and
Boston/Brookline channel 12)
NOTE:  there will be a short break in streaming between each of these events

Commencement Portraits

Commencement/Employment portraits can be arranged through the Office of Career Advancement.  Please review the flyer below for details.

Commencement/Employment Portrait Flyer (link to PDF)

Commencement Videos and Photographs

Please use the following forms to order videos of the Harvard University and HKS commencement videos.

HKS Class Day and Commencement Video Order Form (Links to PDF)

Harvard University Commencement Video Order Form (Links to PDF)

Professional photographers will be on hand during the HKS Commencement Ceremony.  Please review the additional information in the flyer below.

Commencement Photography Flyer (Links to PDF)

Instructions for HKS Graduation Announcements

The Harvard Kennedy School Office of Communications and Public Affairs will distribute an announcement about your graduation to your hometown newspaper.

HKS Graduation Announcement Form (Links to MS Word document)

Further Assistance

If you require further information, please contact Sheron Russell, Commencement Coordinator, at 617-496-3782 or sheron_russell@ksg.harvard.edu for assistance.