Schedule
Schedule
Anticipated schedule of events for Class Day & Commencement. Questions? Contact MBA Student & Academic Services: sas-studentactivities@hbs.edu.
Wednesday, May 24
Dean’s Award Breakfast
Deans House
The Dean’s Award honors graduating MBA students for making a positive impact on the
HBS community and contributing to the well-being of society through exceptional acts
of leadership.
Award recipients and their guests are invited.
Leadership Fellows Brunch
Yi Ren Room, Chao Center
The HBS Leadership Fellows program gives a select group of graduating HBS students
the chance to make an impact in nonprofit and public-sector organizations at a competitive
salary for one year. Fellows and their guests are invited.
George F. Baker Scholar Luncheon
Spangler Center, Williams Room
Students who receive an MBA with High Distinction degree are known as Harvard Business
School’s Baker Scholars. Baker Scholars and their guests are invited.
Portrait Project
Chao 120
This photo and essay project features Class of 2023 students.
Class Day Ceremony
Baker Lawn (rain or shine)
Remarks by Class of 2023 Co-Presidents, followed by student Class Day speaker, faculty
awards presentation, and Class Day Distinguished speaker. Open to graduates, their
guests, and HBS faculty and staff (no tickets required).
Thursday, May 25
Opening of the Gates to Harvard Yard
Gates to Harvard Yard open for Morning Commencement Exercises (tickets required). Limited seating; early arrival recommended. Each graduating student receives two tickets to give to two guests.
Morning Commencement Exercise Assembly
Chao Center
Degree candidates assemble in front of the Chao Center for the procession to Harvard
Yard for the Morning Commencement Exercise. Academic regalia is required. Graduating
students only need their Harvard ID to enter Harvard Yard.
Harvard University Commencement Exercises
Harvard Yard (rain or shine)
Each graduating student receives two tickets to give to two guests. Graduating students
only need their Harvard ID to enter Harvard Yard.
MBA Luncheon
Shad Hall and Tennis Courts
MBA graduates are each given 5 tickets, 1 for the graduate and 4 for invited guests.
HBS Diploma Ceremony
Baker Lawn
Guests, faculty, and staff are invited to watch graduates receive their diplomas on
stage, rain or shine.
No tickets required.
Note: Graduates sit with their section.
Doctoral Lunch
Williams Room, Spangler Hall
Doctoral graduates and their guests are invited.
Reception
Shad Tennis Courts
No tickets required.
Parking
Security
Harvard Business School Campus
In an effort to provide a safe and secure environment on Baker Library Lawn for the Class Day and Commencement celebrations, normal-size handbags, purses, and camera bags will be allowed and will be subject to search by security personnel. Please do not bring large-size bags, backpacks, luggage, briefcases, gift bags, wrapped gifts, packages, or balloons to the lawn area. Do you have a family member or guest traveling with a security detail? Please contact MBA Student & Academic Services for more information.
Harvard Yard Ceremony
Harvard Yard gates open at 6:45 AM. All guests will be required to show a Commencement ticket to security personnel at the gate. Guests should be seated by 8:30 AM for the start of the Commencement ceremony. Guest will be screened with hand wand magnetometers by security personnel. No backpacks, strollers, duffle bags, or pouches will be allowed into the Harvard Yard. Handbags and pocketbooks will be searched by security.
Text Updates & Alerts
Extreme Weather
- Ceremonies will be held outdoors, rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather (lightning, high winds), HBS will implement a Severe Weather Plan.
- In the case of severe weather on Class Day, only graduating students with Harvard IDs go to Klarman Hall Auditorium. All guests will be directed to Spangler Auditorium, Aldrich, and Hawes classrooms for simulcast.
- In the case of severe weather for the HBS Diploma Ceremony on Thursday, MBA graduates are directed to Klarman Hall; guests are directed to watch the livestream in Spangler Auditorium, Aldrich, or Hawes (limited seating will be available); the ceremony for Doctoral graduates and guests will take place in the Spangler Center Williams Room.
- Harvard will feature a live webcast of the exercises on its website.
- Commencement Exercises may be seen on Comcast Cable (channel 283) in Boston/Brookline and Cambridge/Greater Boston.