Groundbreaking lectures from Harvard Horizons graduate scholars. Firsthand accounts of the impact of financial aid on the lives of recent graduates. News of incredible support for The Harvard Campaign for Arts and Sciences. These were all part of a daylong program for the Harvard College Fund’s Leadership Summit, held at the Harvard Club of New York City. More than 200 of Harvard’s most dedicated volunteer leaders, alumni, and friends came together on January 30 to take a closer look at how donor and volunteer generosity advances the Harvard experience and Harvard's future.

The day began with an update on The Harvard Campaign for Arts and Sciences from Harvard College Fund (HCF) Co-Chair Mike Kerr ’81. As of December 31, the Campaign has received more than 150,000 gifts, totaling $1.55 billion toward the $2.5 billion goal. 

“This milestone demonstrates the incredible response that we’ve had to The Harvard Campaign and the hard work of the Harvard College Fund staff,” said Kerr. “I want to thank everyone in this room for being part of that and helping us get there.”

Kerr then spoke about the program's focus on the three pillars of the College’s liberal arts and sciences education—access, opportunity, and entryways—to highlight the impact of financial aidDean’s Leadership Fund, and House Renewal on the undergraduate experience.

Investing in Access 
Three recent graduates living and working in New York then took part in a panel discussion to share their personal stories as financial aid recipients, illustrating how Harvard’s commitment to access and excellence launches careers and changes lives. “Financial aid impacts three stages: helping people get in, the experience while you’re there, and the trajectory when you leave,” said Brian Young ’76, who moderated the panel, which featured Madeleine Bennett ’11, Peter Boyce ’13, and Erin Drake ’14. 

“The opportunities at Harvard made it easy to ask the questions about the world I wanted to ask,” said Drake, noting that Harvard's networks mean opportunities after graduation. “These connections are unmatched and an excellent resource.”

Investing in Opportunity
The Dean’s Leadership Fund—flexible and renewable resources—helps to bring the most talented minds to Cambridge, said John Moon ’89, PhD ’94. “When Harvard’s leaders are able to invest in new ideas, seed groundbreaking research, and promote work across departments and disciplines, amazing things can thing happen,” he said.

One such example is Harvard Horizons, a “Ted-talk” style symposium, funded by unrestricted giving, that gives Harvard graduate students a platform to showcase their cutting-edge scholarship. Moon moderated a second panel featuring three recent Horizons Scholars who shared a slice of their world-changing research, including Heather Olin’s examination of how deep-sea microbes living on underwater volcanoes may shed light on the origins of life; David Roberson’s findings that charged local anesthetics could help manage pain without side effects; and Adam Anderson’s work analyzing ancient texts to reveal the social networks of a civilization 4,000 years ago.

Investing in Entryways
Sandy Edgerley ’84, co-chair of the Harvard College Fund and co-chair of The Harvard Campaign for Arts and Sciences, shared an update on House Renewal and opportunities to support this rich living and learning environment, including the Hutchins Family Challenge and the House Circle Program. House Renewal is an ambitious project that will optimize House spaces to provide an unparalleled undergraduate experience at the College and equip students with what they need for a 21st century education.

“It’s not just about House Renewal: it’s about the transformational student experience that is so impacted by life in the Houses,” said Edgerley.  “[House life] is such an important part of our time as undergraduates.”

Making It Possible
Donor momentum is crucial in advancing the Campaign and none of the progress would happen, said Kewsong Lee ’86, co-chair of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences New York Campaign Committee, without the commitment and dedication of Harvard alumni and parents. “New York is critical to the success of the Harvard Campaign,” said Lee. “Thank you for everything you do.” 

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