At Harvard Divinity, Claudine Gay Sees ‘Aspirations for What We Can Achieve as a University’

“Those who founded the nation’s first non-sectarian theological school in 1816 would be astounded by this gathering, which represents these ever-widening circles of inclusion.”

Harvard President Claudine Gay shared those words while addressing a crowd of nearly 200 Harvard Divinity School community members on Thursday during the School’s 208th Convocation. She pointed out that two centuries later, the School’s mission has evolved beyond “to quote early advocates, ‘the serious, impartial, and unbiased investigation of Christian truth’ to ‘a just world at peace across religious and cultural divides,’” noting that the student body now represents more than 40 different faith traditions—as well as those of no faith tradition.

“Your extraordinarily diverse School demonstrates the possibility of reinvention and renewal, and achieving that reinvention and renewal through really deep engagement across difference,” said Gay. “Here you contend seriously with the work of belonging—work that is deeply meaningful to me—building an open and supportive culture that enables every member to thrive, which is what should be our ambition.”

Gay spoke at the Divinity School just days into the new academic year and just two months after starting her new role as Harvard’s 30th president. 

Among her first tasks was appointing the Divinity School’s next Dean. (Marla Frederick will begin her tenure as HDS’s next Dean in January 2024.) Gay said that during the months-long search process, she “got to know HDS in news ways; ways that have influenced and really enlarged my aspirations for what we can achieve as a university in the years to come.” 

“Your explicit commitments to cooperation, to trust, to understanding, reach well beyond what is expected to grasp what’s actually desired. You are a community that not only expresses ideals but also lives up to them, and that is work that we all need to be engaged in across the University,” she told the crowd. “You speak and act with conviction about the benefits of learning and living and working alongside people of different backgrounds and experiences. In that way you are a very powerful example for the rest of the University.” 

Gay’s remarks during the Convocation ceremony focused on how HDS’s values and mission have so far informed her presidency and parallel with her ambitions for the University. Gay pointed to the School’s master of religion and public life degree, launched in 2020 as HDS’s first new degree program in 50 years. For Gay, that complex effort served as a “bold statement about the centrality of traditions and values, and a recognition of their influence in nearly every sphere of human achievement.” 

“That kind of ambition, and frankly fearlessness, really resonates with me, and that, too, sets a powerful example for the University,” Gay said. “I hope that we can build a university that takes more chances like that; asking ‘why not’ as readily as we ask ‘why.’” 

Noting some of the most pressing challenges of our time, Gay urged those at the event to think more deeply when considering these issues. 

“Addressing climate change, understanding and combating inequality, extending and improving human life; these aspirations are deeply human, and we need to explore not only how we fulfill them, but also why they are worth fulfilling,” Gay said.

Gay was introduced by Professor David N. Hempton, who stepped down as HDS Dean on August 31 after 11 years. Hempton and Gay both served as Harvard Deans at the same time as Gay was previously Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Hempton told the crowd that Gay’s deep love of Harvard and its Schools, commitment to values of fairness, equity, and justice, advocacy for pragmatic improvement, and infectious sense of fun and enjoyment, will no doubt characterize her presidency. 

The event included readings by Elom Tettey-Tamaklo, MTS candidate, and Ariel O’Donnell, MDiv candidate, as well as musical performances by HDS students and staff. Interim HDS Dean David F. Holland wished those in attendance and the larger HDS and Harvard communities a generative and satisfying year, and thanked Gay for her remarks and her leadership. 

“We offer President Gay the support of this School as she generously shoulders the burdens of leadership and wisely charts this University’s course into a critical stage in its history,” said Holland.

—by Michael Naughton