Harvard Graduating Class of 2025 Celebrates with Joy and Pride at Commencement Ceremony – In Photos
On May 29, 2025, Harvard University’s iconic Harvard Yard transformed into a vibrant stage of celebration as the graduating Class of 2025 donned caps and gowns for the institution’s 374th Commencement Ceremony. The air was filled with cheers, clapping, and triumphant smiles from graduates of the Divinity School, Kennedy School, Graduate School of Education, School of Dental Medicine, and other academic arms of the university. From whimsical balloons floating above the crowd to emotional reunions with loved ones, the day was steeped in tradition and pride — yet took place under the growing shadow of political strife between Harvard and the Trump administration.
At the heart of the celebrations was a message of resilience. Students, faculty, and administrators gathered to honor years of academic dedication, personal growth, and professional development. But in contrast to the academic joy, the federal government’s recent decision to revoke contracts valued at nearly $100 million loomed large, infusing the event with a politically charged undertone.
One particularly emotional scene came from the Harvard Divinity School, where graduates cheered and embraced each other as their names were called out. “We made it, despite it all,” one graduate said, referencing both the academic journey and the political challenges that dominated their final year.
Meanwhile, graduates from the Kennedy School marched proudly through Harvard Square, accompanied by the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums. The parade-like moment evoked historical connections to public service and civic duty, a legacy Harvard cherishes and promotes among its alumni. “Harvard shaped us to be leaders, not just graduates,” said a public policy student, smiling as she clutched her diploma.
The commencement also featured musical performances, including a moving rendition by Carolyn Hao and Rita Moreno, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. A unique guest at the ceremony, a poodle named Darling, even sported a miniature graduation cap, capturing the lighter side of the day.
But not all moments were purely celebratory. Near the periphery of the Yard, a protest erupted, echoing global calls for justice. A demonstrator holding a placard reading “There are no universities left in Gaza” was escorted away by police, highlighting the backdrop of international unrest that underscored the day’s events. These scenes underscored how universities have become flashpoints for broader social and political debates.
Further fueling the tension was U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of Harvard. On commencement day, he intensified his call for the university to cap foreign student enrollment at 15% and accused the school of promoting “woke liberal ideology” and tolerating anti-Semitic sentiment. His administration’s earlier decision to cancel Harvard’s federal contracts was framed as a response to the university’s refusal to comply with demands for greater oversight of hiring and admissions practices.
Harvard, for its part, maintained its commitment to academic freedom and diversity. University President Alan Garber, who attended the ceremony, reiterated the institution’s stance: “We must continue to protect the freedom to learn and teach without political interference. This is what Harvard has stood for since 1636.”
Graduates like Katie Derr of Las Vegas, accompanied by her service dog Stich, embodied the personal stories of perseverance that dotted the crowd. “Harvard gave me more than an education,” Derr said. “It gave me a purpose, a platform, and a community.”
In Harvard Square, a student walking alone in cap and gown captured the essence of quiet reflection on the long academic journey. Meanwhile, crowds of families took photographs, capturing memories that would last a lifetime. The graduates’ joy was palpable, their voices united in chants, laughter, and expressions of hope.
In spite of the external pressures — including political rhetoric, funding threats, and media scrutiny — the Class of 2025 emerged defiant, proud, and ready for the next chapter. Many students stated their desire to use their education to challenge systemic issues and promote truth, justice, and equity.
While the Trump administration’s decisions have sparked legal and public relations battles that are likely to continue, Harvard’s graduating class marched ahead — literally and figuratively — with the confidence and determination for which the university is known.
Harvard’s 374th Commencement was thus more than a graduation. It was a statement: that even in times of political strife, intellectual freedom and academic excellence will not be silenced. It reflected not only on what Harvard students had achieved but also what they now stood to protect — the values of inquiry, leadership, and global responsibility.
As mortarboards flew into the air and families cheered, the message was clear. The future belongs to those who celebrate in the face of adversity, who speak truth to power, and who, even in uncertain times, believe in the transformative power of education.
