KSG Graduates Prepare for Harvard's Oldest Tradition
Ana Budin
Issue date: 5/4/06 Section: Features
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On Thursday June 8th Harvard Square will be considerably more hectic than the usual summer weekend. Graduating students from all Harvard schools, both undergraduate and graduate programs, will become new alumni and alumnae of Harvard University.
In the morning, approximately 32,000 people including degree candidates, family members, faculty, alumni and guests will gather on the lawn between the Widener Library and the Tercentenary Theater in Harvard Yard. In a general ceremony called the Morning Yard Exercises, the respective Deans will confer degrees en masse.
After the Yard, individual diploma ceremonies and luncheons take place at the respective schools. KSGers will receive their diplomas in the JFK Park.
"The Morning Yard Exercises are built on rituals and traditions which have not changed much since the 17th century", explained Grace Scheibner, Harvard University Commencement Director.
"The very first Commencement was held in September, and involved nine commencers. Now we have around 5,000 graduate and 1,700 undergraduate candidates. Other than that, nothing has changed."
"In those days, Commencement was attended by folk from all over the surrounding counties. The merriment lasted for several days, and public law and order had to be ensured. That is why to this day the sheriffs from the Middlesex and Suffolk counties are part of the ceremony. The Middlesex Sheriff opens the ceremony by pounding a staff three times against the floor and declaring: 'The meeting will be in order'."
The Morning Exercises are a formal and solemn affair, but unexpected things can produce lighter moments. Several years ago, the Sheriff pounded the staff so vigorously that the sliver-encrusted bowl at the top of the staff fell off and rolled across the platform. The Sheriff picked it up and proclaimed: "Made in Connecticut," remembers Ms. Scheibner.
The KSG commencement speaker, who will speak in the Forum, is scheduled for the day before the graduation ceremonies. Harvard's speaker Jim Lehrer will speak during the Afternoon Yard Ceremony on Commencement day, which is part of the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association.
In the morning, approximately 32,000 people including degree candidates, family members, faculty, alumni and guests will gather on the lawn between the Widener Library and the Tercentenary Theater in Harvard Yard. In a general ceremony called the Morning Yard Exercises, the respective Deans will confer degrees en masse.
After the Yard, individual diploma ceremonies and luncheons take place at the respective schools. KSGers will receive their diplomas in the JFK Park.
"The Morning Yard Exercises are built on rituals and traditions which have not changed much since the 17th century", explained Grace Scheibner, Harvard University Commencement Director.
"The very first Commencement was held in September, and involved nine commencers. Now we have around 5,000 graduate and 1,700 undergraduate candidates. Other than that, nothing has changed."
"In those days, Commencement was attended by folk from all over the surrounding counties. The merriment lasted for several days, and public law and order had to be ensured. That is why to this day the sheriffs from the Middlesex and Suffolk counties are part of the ceremony. The Middlesex Sheriff opens the ceremony by pounding a staff three times against the floor and declaring: 'The meeting will be in order'."
The Morning Exercises are a formal and solemn affair, but unexpected things can produce lighter moments. Several years ago, the Sheriff pounded the staff so vigorously that the sliver-encrusted bowl at the top of the staff fell off and rolled across the platform. The Sheriff picked it up and proclaimed: "Made in Connecticut," remembers Ms. Scheibner.
The KSG commencement speaker, who will speak in the Forum, is scheduled for the day before the graduation ceremonies. Harvard's speaker Jim Lehrer will speak during the Afternoon Yard Ceremony on Commencement day, which is part of the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association.
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