To all assembled in this majestic theatre to cheer for the members of the Class of 2024, welcome!
Members of the dazzling Class of 2024, this is your day, a day to celebrate and shine. Congratulations!
We are gathered here today鈥攁t the heart of our campus鈥攚ith family and friends who have traveled from across the country and around the world鈥攖o acknowledge achievement, to celebrate the conferral of degrees, and to listen to and learn from our distinguished speaker.
As our ceremony proceeds, some among us may choose to take the liberty of expressing themselves to draw attention to events unfolding in the wider world. It is their right to do so. But it is their responsibility to do so with our community鈥攁nd this occasion鈥攊n mind.
That said, I acknowledge that this moment of joy for us coincides with moments for others that we cannot comprehend鈥攎oments of fear and dread, grief and anguish, suffering and pain. Elsewhere, people are experiencing the worst days of their lives. Here and there, we are all human beings, seeking connection and contentment, finding comfort in community and rituals, trying simply鈥攁s difficult as it may be鈥攖o make sense of things as they are, to make sense of one another and of ourselves.
Sympathy and empathy atrophy without exercise. We will now observe a minute of silence.
Every Harvard Class enters a world in need. Yours is no exception. No matter your field or discipline, you will have opportunities to help fulfill those needs and to make things better. May you continue to approach your dealings with diligence and integrity鈥攖o treat others with care and compassion鈥攁nd to support and encourage one another as you have done these many days.
If, along the way, you find yourself disheartened鈥攐r doomscrolling in bed (we all do it!)鈥攆ortify yourself with the work of the research university. Having spent most of my career at two of the best of them, I can say with confidence鈥攚hile admitting a slight bias, of course鈥攖hat no other type of institution does more good in the world.
Much of what stirs people鈥檚 hearts and gives them hope鈥攆or longer and better lives, for stronger and safer communities, for a sustainable future鈥攃an be traced back to institutions like this one鈥攁nd to people like you.
Members of the Class of 2024, go forth today in celebration, and wake tomorrow with determination. Meet the world in need with open arms, knowing always th黑料专区 will be here to welcome you back. Thank you鈥攁nd congratulations.