Harvard Business School Celebrates 116th Commencement
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BOSTON—Harvard Business School celebrated its 116th Commencement yesterday with a diploma ceremony on its campus in Boston.  After an all-University celebration in Harvard’s Tercentenary Theatre in the morning, 925 students received their MBA degrees in front of the School’s Baker Library | Bloomberg Center. The top five percent of the MBA Class of 2026 (49 students) graduated with high distinction as Baker Scholars (named after the School's initial benefactor, George Fisher Baker). Sixty students earned their diplomas with distinction and 180 earned second-year honors. Also participating in yesterday’s ceremony were five MBA graduates who were awarded their degrees earlier; four this past March and one last November. Members of the class also completed joint degree programs offered in collaboration with Harvard Law School (JD/MBA), Harvard Medical School (MD/MBA), Harvard Kennedy School (MBA/MPP and MBA/MPA-ID), and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences and MS/MBA Engineering Sciences). In addition, 26 students in the Doctoral Program earned PhD degrees in the fields of business administration, business economics, organizational behavior, and health policy management, and one student a master’s in business economics. In February 2026, one student earned a PhD in business administration, and in November 2025, one student a master’s in business economics. Dean Srikant Datar presented the 2026 Alumni Achievement Awards to H. Lawrence Culp Jr. (MBA 1990), chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace; Paul J. Finnegan (MBA 1982), cofounder and chairman of Madison Dearborn Partners; Jennifer Eplett Reilly (MBA 1990), civic partner and former chair of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation; and the Honorable W. Mitt Romney (MBA 1974/JD 1975), former U.S. senator from Utah and former governor of Massachusetts. The awards recognize alumni whose leadership and contributions exemplify the mission and values of Harvard Business School. In his Commencement address, Dean Srikant Datar reflected on the experiences that shaped the MBA and Doctoral Classes of 2026 and spoke about the responsibilities graduates will carry into a period of technological, economic, and societal transformation. Datar highlighted the ways students supported one another during moments of uncertainty and encouraged graduates to pair innovation and ambition with judgment, empathy, and service. “I will always remember the way the Class of 2026 faced moments of adversity with a spirit of adaptability and resilience,” Datar said. Reflecting on the uncertainty many international students faced last spring as evolving visa restrictions disrupted travel and raised questions about returning to campus, he praised the way students, faculty, and staff came together. “This was an anxious moment for all of us; every student is a valued member of our community, and our learning environment is predicated on the richness of experiences and perspectives you bring with you.” Datar noted that classmates “stood together” while faculty and staff prepared contingency plans to ensure students could continue their education if needed. Datar also urged graduates to approach leadership with humanity and purpose as they navigate a rapidly changing world. “History has shown us that the more we speak about technology, the more we also need to think about people,” he said. “In this era of AI, our humanity—represented by wisdom, empathy, and emotional intelligence—will become even more vital. As will judgment.” He later encouraged graduates to “act with integrity, empathy, and humility,” adding, “Take every opportunity to create purpose and meaning—in your life, and for others.” |
Mark Cautela
mcautela+hbs.edu
617-495-5143
About Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.