Thursday, June 4
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Check-in at Headquarters
Cabot Library, Science Center, 1 Oxford Street
Please come to headquarters to check in when you arrive on campus. You will receive your name badge and additional Reunion materials.
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Tents near Holworthy Hall, Harvard Yard
8:15 a.m.
Shuttle to corner of Oxford & Kirkland St, Sever Quad (via gate at 32 Quincy St), Harvard Faculty Club (20 Quincy St)
Pick-up: Hyatt Regency
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Class Meeting and Survey
Science Center Hall B, 1 Oxford Street
The Quinquenial, all about us, 55th Reunion Survey will be presented by the survey committee following a brief class meeting. The survey has been completed by over 350 classmates who share their data as well as their thoughts on life, family, friendship, careers, politics, Harvard and spirituality. Be prepared to be inspired and entertained by the wit and wisdom of your classmates as comments will enrich the key data presented at this session.
12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Class Luncheon
Tents near Phillips Brooks House, Harvard Yard
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Memorial Service
Memorial Church, Harvard Yard
*Memorial Service Rehearsal, for those participating, to be held from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. in the Church
3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
There are three concurrent sessions from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Please pick just one of the following programs to attend.
1. The State of Harvard Athletics and Where do we go From Here?
Science Center Hall A, 1 Oxford Street
Participating on our Star-studded panel will be Erin McDermott (Athletic Director), Andy Aurich (Football), Gerry Byrne (Lacrosse), Carrie Moore (Women’s Basketball), and Daria Schneider (Men’s & Women’s Fencing).
Topics of interest will be (a) the future of recruited athletes, (b) the world of NIL and post-graduate eligibility, (c) current status of women in sport at Harvard, (d) post season competition, (e) Harvard/Yale/Fenway Park, (f) Soldiers' Field Redevelopment plans, and (g) whatever else might come up in questions.
2. Soup, Soil, and Sanity
Science Center Hall D, 1 Oxford Street
“The small rituals of daily life—making dinner, tending the garden, reading to children—are what keep civilization going when the larger world seems to have gone mad.” --- Adam Gopnik
The small rituals of cooking and gardening have been lifelong passions for some; for others, perhaps they have been discovered late in life. Whether a beginner or a seasoned expert, come share your discoveries and experiences. What are your successes in the kitchen and/or garden? What works for you? What would you never try again?
We will be transforming a classroom into a place to celebrate some of the finer things in life. We will have slides of HR71 gardens, recipes, and more. Class chefs, our own celebrity author Jeff Lowenfels ’71, and community gardener Helen Snively ’71 will lead off our discussions.
We hope you'll join us. Send us your garden slides and special heirloom recipes with the title, "Soup, Soil," to 55threunion_haa@harvard.edu!
3. Is This How Universities Die?
Science Center Hall C, 1 Oxford Street
Harvard’s principled resistance to assaults on its academic freedom and institutional autonomy has affirmed the university’s world-leadership as nothing else could. Cambridge, 2026, is not (yet) Berlin, 1933, or Beijing, 1950, but Trump's attacks are no less dangerous. Fortunately, America retains an independent judiciary and the rule-of-law. And it has, in Harvard, a powerful institution with the history, will and resources to resist. But if Harvard fails, we may witness the destruction of the singular realm—higher education—in which the U.S. is foremost. If American universities remain the envy of the world in 2026, the question must be: For how long?
Panelists include:
- Richard Fisher '71: former Harvard Overseer; former President, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
- Frank Raines '71: former President, Harvard Board of Overseers; current Chair, Smithsonian Board of Regents
- Jim Fallows '70: writer, journalist
4:30 p.m.
Shuttles to Hyatt Regency
Pick-up: corner of Oxford & Kirkland St, Sever Quad (via gate at 32 Quincy St)
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Clambake Dinner
Tents near Matthews Hall, Harvard Yard
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Class After Party
Nubar Restaurant (at the Sheraton Commander Hotel at 16 Garden Street)
Limited open bar and dessert. Please note there will be no transportation provided from Harvard Yard to the restaurant, or from the restaurant back to the Yard or the Hyatt.
8:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Shuttles loop to Hyatt Regency from Harvard
Pick-up: corner of Oxford & Kirkland St, Harvard Faculty Club (20 Quincy St)
