Commencement Planning

For those of you set upon by inquiring relatives during the holidays, herein is some information Letha and I dug up on Commencement...

Most vital piece of information to pass on now is the importance of making hotel reservations as soon as possible. Harvard is but one of more than 100 local colleges and universities in a city that is geographically more like a large town. Start now.
Erin Ward Bibo anticipates few significant changes to last year's Commencement Week Activities. See below.

Depending on how much time you are inclined to devote to hosting friends and family, students generally advise guests to arrive as early as Monday or as late as Wednesday evening.

Erin conveys the following. In her own words,

"Class Day is a lovely event during which students receive awards for leadership, academic achievement, etc. and during which a representative from each graduating class delivers a graduation speech.

Wednesday's graduation address is usually good, and since this year President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is scheduled to deliver the address, it should be outstanding.

The program receptions are great, and a nice opportunity for families to meet one another."

Let us know if we can be of any further assistance in your planning. For those of you in denial, you are not alone...
-Betty

The central Harvard Commencement office site is here. They have resources for hotels, guests with disabilities and other logistics.
The HKS Commencement Site for 2007 is here.

The schedule below is posted just as a planning guide for 2008. Graduation week 2008 begins Monday, June 2nd. The exact times, places and activities may change some in the planning, but the overall order, particularly for the big events will likely remain.

Official Commencement Week 2007 Activities

Events for all Graduates
Monday, June 4 Class of 2007 Picnic
KSG Courtyard, Time: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 5 2007 Class Day Awards
JFK Jr. Forum, Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 6
KSG Commencement Speaker:(Ellen Sirleaf for 2008)
JFK Jr. Forum, Time: 2:00 p.m.

Reception: KSG Courtyard, 2:30 -3:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 7
Class Pictures, JFK Forum, 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
(please refer to photo schedule included in final details memo)

Morning Yard Exercises, Harvard Yard
Procession begins at 8:30 a.m.; Ceremony begins at 9:45 a.m.
(tickets are required for guests (in the past each student gets two and they don't guarantee seating. The exercises will be broadcast to the big screen TV in the Forum)

KSG Diploma Ceremony, JFK Memorial Park
12:15 p.m. (no tickets required)

KSG Diploma Luncheon, JFK Memorial Park (around 2 p.m.)
Immediately following Diploma Ceremony (tickets required)

Afternoon Yard Ceremony, Harvard Yard, Bill Gates (JK Rowling in 2008)
Procession begins at 1:45 p.m., Speaker begins around 3 p.m.
(tickets required for guests)

Friday, June 8 New Alumni Reception
Continental Breakfast
Taubman 5th Floor, Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Program Receptions
Sunday, June 3
Mason Program Reception
JFK Jr. Forum, Time: 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 6
Mid-Career Program Reception
JFK Jr. Forum, Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.