‘Incredibly Surreal’: Harvard College Seniors Receive Diplomas at House Ceremonies After Turbulent Spring

After morning Commencement proceedings in Tercentenary Theatre concluded, graduating seniors made their way back to their residential Houses for the last time to receive their diplomas at House ceremonies. The ceremony brought a mixed bag of emotions, as students grappled with saying goodbye amid a tumultuous political landscape.

Harvard’s ongoing fight with the Trump administration marked Thursday morning’s Commencement affairs, which came just days after the Trump administration said they would revoke Harvard’s ability to host international students.

In his keynote Commencement address, Stanford professor Abraham Verghese lambasted the Trump administration’s attacks on Harvard as undergraduates pinned white flowers to their regalia’s lapels in support of international students. And Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 received a nearly one-minute long standing ovation as he took the stage.

The political atmosphere seeped into the House ceremonies as well, with many residents and House Deans acknowledging the federal government’s threats to the University.

At the Dunster House ceremony, faculty dean Sean D. Kelly said that “Harvard is making news for all the right reasons.”

“As you may have heard, a judge in Boston, just an hour ago, placed an injunction on the Trump administration’s plan to exclude international students,” Kelly added, garnering cheers from the crowd. “I hope that you’re as proud to be part of this institution at this point in history as I am.”

The judge’s decision to extend Harvard’s temporary restraining order — though she did not yet rule on the University’s request for a preliminary injunction — sent ripples of relief across Commencement. But the situation for international students remains uncertain as the Trump administration continues to rain threats on their status.

Sky D. Jung ’25, a resident of Eliot House, said that graduating “feels incredibly surreal,” especially with “an undercurrent of fear or anxiety about what is going to happen.”

Fellow Eliot resident Lily B. Roberts ’25 said the ruling to block revocation of Harvard’s ability to enroll international students fought back against the administration in a “really satisfying way,” serving as a call-to-action for her peers.

“To have graduated amidst all of this, it’s like ‘Yeah, we need to be the ones to make the change,’” Roberts said.

The graduation ceremonies also brought an emotional moment as students prepared for their life beyond Harvard’s gates.

At Kirkland House’s graduation ceremony, which convened in the House’s courtyard, faculty dean and incoming Harvard College Dean David J. Deming acknowledged the mixed feelings that graduation brings. For Deming, who will trade his House deanship for his College-wide role on July 1, this year’s ceremony brought a new set of bittersweet emotions.

“Every year, commencement brings us joy — tinged with a little bit of sadness,” Deming said. “Those feelings are especially mixed this year, at least for me, because you are the last Harvard class — Kirkland class — that we will have the honor of sending off with Harvard diplomas in hand.”

“Congratulations, Class of 2025,” Deming said, choking back tears.

Victoria Wijerathnayapa ’25, a resident of Eliot house, said that she is “really nervous, but also glad” to graduate.

“It’s kind of bittersweet because I know this will be the last time I am able to live with my friends at Harvard together,” she added.

Kirkland House resident Subul Ahmad ’25 said that she was “so glad” the diploma ceremony convened within her House.

“These are the people who have really watched me grow,” Ahmad said. “They’ve seen the dining hall breakdowns, but they’ve also been there for the happy times.”

“At Harvard, we’re so lucky your House becomes your family. So it’s like you started with your family, you’re ending with your family,” she added.

Kate E. Vandermel ’25, a resident of Eliot House, said the time her peers spent at Harvard have “equipped us to handle the next chapter of our lives.”

“It’s been a very tumultuous four years,” Vandermel said. “Being able to end and begin this new chapter is really a testament to how much our class has been able to do.”

—Staff writer Ayaan Ahmad can be reached at ayaan.ahmad@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @AyaanAhmad2024.

—Staff writer Chantel A. De Jesus can be reached at chantel.dejesus@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X @c_a_dejesus.

—Staff writer Darcy G Lin can be reached at darcy.lin@thecrimson.com.