HGSE Welcomes 661 New Graduates

Rain and chilly air did little to keep away the hundreds of supporters who turned out to watch 661 students earn their degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education yesterday.

"This is your day," said Dean Kathleen McCartney as she greeted a sea of crimson and black robes. Of the 661 graduating students, 70 were earning their doctorate, 580 were earning their master's degrees, and 11 received certificates in advanced studies of education.

Earlier in the day, HGSE graduates gathered in Tercentenary Theater in Harvard Yard for the annual morning Commencement ceremony, where their degrees were officially conferred. HGSE students cheered loudly and held up children's books as McCartney announced the "leaders in education practice, policy, and research."

Directly following the ceremony in Harvard Yard, the newly conferred graduates marched to Radcliffe Yard to receive their diplomas. Family and friends packed the tent spilling out into the rain with their umbrellas to catch a glimpse of the excited graduates.

Sharing her recent experience in Mexico, where she traveled with a group of HGSE faculty to conduct research in March, McCartney reiterated how the "strength of education" had the power to change lives everywhere. "Education," she said, "is the single most important ingredient for a just society."

McCartney urged graduates to continue being students throughout their lives. She also extended permanent open doors to HGSE grads and encouraged them to return to the campus "whenever you can come back and visit us," she said.

As the graduates from all ages crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, many had their children in tow. While most graduates hugged and took photographs following the ceremony, some pondered the moment in different ways.

Anne Martin who received her master's in education policy and management said the impact of this major event still hadn't hit yet, but she enjoyed the symbolic celebration and being in Harvard yard. At the same time, Martin said the graduation was a "bittersweet" sign of the end of her work at HGSE and the beginning of a new uncertainty.


Events Features & Releases e-Newsletters Ed. Magazine HGSE in the Media Webcasts Harvard Education Publishing Group	News Features & Releases HGSE Welcomes 661 New Graduates Rain and chilly air did little to keep away the hundreds of supporters who turned out to watch 661 students earn their degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education yesterday. "This is your day," said Dean Kathleen McCartney as she greeted a sea of crimson and black robes. Of the 661 graduating students, 70 were earning their doctorate, 580 were earning their master's degrees, and 11 received certificates in advanced studies of education. Earlier in the day, HGSE graduates gathered in Tercentenary Theater in Harvard Yard for the annual morning Commencement ceremony, where their degrees were officially conferred. HGSE students cheered loudly and held up children's books as McCartney announced the "leaders in education practice, policy, and research." Directly following the ceremony in Harvard Yard, the newly conferred graduates marched to Radcliffe Yard to receive their diplomas. Family and friends packed the tent spilling out into the rain with their umbrellas to catch a glimpse of the excited graduates. Sharing her recent experience in Mexico, where she traveled with a group of HGSE faculty to conduct research in March, McCartney reiterated how the "strength of education" had the power to change lives everywhere. "Education," she said, "is the single most important ingredient for a just society." McCartney urged graduates to continue being students throughout their lives. She also extended permanent open doors to HGSE grads and encouraged them to return to the campus "whenever you can come back and visit us," she said. As the graduates from all ages crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, many had their children in tow. While most graduates hugged and took photographs following the ceremony, some pondered the moment in different ways. Anne Martin who received her master's in education policy and management said the impact of this major event still hadn't hit yet, but she enjoyed the symbolic celebration and being in Harvard yard. At the same time, Martin said the graduation was a "bittersweet" sign of the end of her work at HGSE and the beginning of a new uncertainty.

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HGSE Welcomes 661 New Graduates