Schedule - Commencement 2023 - Harvard Business School

Anticipated schedule of events for Class Day & Commencement. Questions? Contact MBA Student & Academic Services: sas-studentactivities@hbs.edu.

May
24

Wednesday, May 24

8:30 - 10:00 AM

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.

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

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.

10:30 AM – 1:30 PM

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.

1:00 – 2:00 PM

Portrait Project

Chao 120
This photo and essay project features Class of 2023 students.

View Past Portrait Projects

2:30 – 4:00 PM

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).

May
25

Thursday, May 25

6:45 AM

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.

6:55 AM

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.

8:00 – 11:30 AM

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.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

MBA Luncheon

Shad Hall and Tennis Courts
MBA graduates are each given 5 tickets, 1 for the graduate and 4 for invited guests.

12:30 – 2:45 PM

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.

1:30 – 4:00 PM

Doctoral Lunch

Williams Room, Spangler Hall
Doctoral graduates and their guests are invited.

3:00 – 4:30 PM

Reception

Shad Tennis Courts
No tickets required.

Parking

Parking will be available at HBS (free on Commencement Day) in the Spangler Lot and the SFP and OWA parking garages. Historically, the parking garages have had enough capacity to accommodate all guests. Overflow parking is available at the Harvard Football Stadium using the Gate 8 entrance.

Campus Map & Directions

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

To receive event updates, including for severe weather, or emergency messages while on campus, text HBSGRAD to 888777. You'll receive an automated confirmation. Following Commencement Day, you'll be removed automatically from the system. Standard text-messaging/data rates may apply.

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.

Dress Code

May weather in Boston can be variable (hot and humid, cool, or raining), so use your judgment when deciding what to wear. For Class Day, HBS recommends business casual attire. Other useful accessories to bring include sunscreen, sun hats, umbrellas/ponchos, blankets, sunglasses, and water bottles.

Photography & Video

Photographers & videographers will be on campus recording Class Day & Commencement activities. Your presence and comments may be captured and appear in photos and videos in School publications and websites. Photographs of each graduate receiving his or her diploma will be available for purchase after the event.