graduates look on during ceremony

Celebrating 2025 HDS Commencement

"This service represents pluralism in action. Bridging cultural and religious divides is not easy work—but Harvard Divinity School remains committed to the vision for a just world at peace even when the work is incomplete. Even when the work is difficult—especially then." –Dean Marla F. Frederick

Harvard Divinity School celebrated the Class of 2025 during the Multireligious Commencement Service on May 28 and the Diploma Awarding Ceremony on May 29. Below is a selection of photos showcasing graduates with HDS faculty, proud family members and friends, alumni, and staff. 

graduating students in gowns wave ribbons in front of a campus building ahead of commencement

Members of the Class of 2025 prepare to process towards the Campus Green ahead of the Multireligious Commencement Service. Photo by Liesl Clark.

Two graduating students dressed in graduation robes sing side by side

During the Multireligious Commencement Service, graduating students shared their musical gifts with the HDS community. Here, Nicole Marie, MDiv '25, and Sarah Capers, MDiv '25, sing "Glorious" by MaMuse, a song that ends with the line, "even endings can be sweet." Photo by Liesl Clark.

three graduating students recite a prayer during a commencement service in front of a red backdrop

A central feature of the Multireligious Commencement Service was the graduating students’ recitation and sharing of religious texts, prayers, and poems that reflected their faith traditions. Here, Chloë-Arizona Fodor, MTS '25, Becca Leviss, MTS '25, and Nevia Selmon, MTS '25, recite the Shehecheyanu, a traditional Jewish blessing. Photo by Liesl Clark.

Two graduating students dressed in graduation robes sing side by side

Hannah Desouza, MDiv '25, and Rucha Modi, MTS '25, perform before the 2025 graduating class. Photo by Liesl Clark.

a group plays instruments and sings during a commencement service

Noor Noman, MRPL '25, and the HDS Commencement Choir and Band perform "Beginningless Love." Photo by Caroline Cataldo.

students walk in a line dressed in graduation robes during commencement

Taylon E. Lancaster, MDiv '25, gives a thumbs up ahead of Wednesday's Multireligious Commencement Service. Photo by Caroline Cataldo.

students process in a line wearing graduation robes

Marisol Andrade Muñoz, MTS '25, processes with her fellow graduates on the Campus Green before the Multireligious Commencement Service. Photo by Caroline Cataldo.

faculty adorned by academic gowns walk in a line with a building behind them

With a ceremonial bagpipe accompaniment, Professor David Holland (left), Dean Marla F. Frederick, and the HDS faculty process towards the Campus Green. Photo by Liesl Clark.

a person in clergy garments speaks at a podium

Gloria White-Hammond, the Swartz Resident Practitioner in Ministry Studies at HDS, delivers the opening invocation during Thursday morning's Harvard University Commencement exercises. Photo by Niles Singer.

a person in a formal academic gown smiles and delivers remarks at a podium in front of persons seated in gowns

Matthew Ichihashi Potts, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at HDS and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church, offers the closing benediction at Thursday's Harvard University Commencement exercises in the Tercentenary Theatre. Photo by Niles Singer.

two people clap for a third person in the middle who received a diploma

Kythe Letitia Heller, ThD '25, is hooded by HDS Professors David Holland (left) and Charles Stang during Thursday's Diploma Awarding Ceremony. Photo by Liesl Clark.

More Photos from Commencement

Banner photo: HDS graduates applaud a Commencement speaker during Thursday's Diploma Awarding Ceremony. Photo by Liesl Clark