#  Commencement 

 



##  Commencement 

Thank you for celebrating this year's Harvard Divinity School graduates on May 27-28, 2026.



 

 

 

       ![HDS students at Commencement](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-02/05252023-CommencementDiploma-446.jpg?itok=fHtckmkK) 

 

 



 

 



### **Multireligious Commencement Service**

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 3:30 pm, Harvard Divinity School Campus Green

### **Harvard University Morning Exercises**

Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 9:45 am, Tercentenary Theatre

### **HDS Diploma Awarding Ceremony**

Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 1 pm, Harvard Divinity School Campus Green

[**Full Commencement Schedule**](/news/commencement/events-schedule "Commencement Events Schedule")



 

 



###    Celebration Guidelines for Graduating Students  expand\_more  

The HDS Diploma Awarding Ceremony is a celebration and recognition of each of you and your accomplishments as valued members of our vibrant community. Friends, family, and invited guests come from all over the world to mark this joyous occasion with their loved ones.

You are welcome to wear pins, stoles, and tassels on your robes as well as decorate your mortarboard. Decorated caps should not extend above or beyond the cap’s perimeter to avoid obstructing the sightlines of those around you.

On Commencement Day, graduating students are not allowed to bring signs or other large items into Harvard Yard. In keeping with University-wide practices, we ask that those items also not be brought into the HDS Diploma Awarding Ceremony. Graduating students with young children and service animals may be accompanied by them across the stage.

Please note that Commencement and related ceremonies are subject to the University-wide [Statement on Rights and Responsibilities](https://provost.harvard.edu/university-wide-statement-rights-and-responsibilities) and [Campus Use Rules](https://evp.harvard.edu/campus-use-rules), along with other applicable policies found in the [HDS Student Handbook](https://www.hds.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/2026-01/HDS_Handbook_for_Students_2025-26_updated_2026-01-28.pdf). In addition, please review the University’s [policy on Commencement](https://commencement.harvard.edu/policies-and-degree-conferral). Under these policies, disruptive behavior (such as, but not limited to, speech on stage or chants in the audience) may be subject to review by the HDS Administrative Board.

Thank you in advance for creating a welcoming and memorable experience for all guests on campus during these treasured ceremonies.

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

##  More Information 

 



 question\_answer 

 [### Commencement FAQ

 ](https://www.hds.harvard.edu/news/commencement/hds-commencement-faq) 

 

 map 

 [### Maps & Directions

 ](/about/map-and-directions) 

 

 accessible\_forward 

 [### Accessibility Information

 ](/news/commencement/accessibility-info) 

 

 photo\_camera 

 [### For Media

 ](/news/commencement/information-media) 

 

 school 

 [### Harvard Policies and Degree Conferral

 ](https://commencement.harvard.edu/policies-and-degree-conferral) 

 

 email 

 [### Contact Us

 ](mailto:commencement@hds.harvard.edu) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

##  Commencement News 

 



  [### Celebrating the Harvard Divinity School Class of 2026

 ](/news/2026/06/03/celebrating-harvard-divinity-school-class-2026) June 03, 2026 

Harvard Divinity School celebrated the Class of 2026 during the Multireligious Commencement Service on May 27 and the Diploma Awarding Ceremony on May 28.



 

  [Tyler Sprouse](/people/tyler-sprouse)

 

   ![HDS graduates wave ribbons during Commencement 2026](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/05282026-Commencement-248%20banner%20resize.jpg?itok=qVQYuMl2) 

 



 

 

   [### Meet the 2026 HDS Graduates

 ](/news/2026/05/27/meet-2026-hds-graduates) May 27, 2026 

Read more about the spiritual, academic, and vocational journeys of some members of the class of 2026.



 

 

   ![HDS graduates sit in cap and gowns during Commencement](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/05252023-CommencementDiploma-13%20resize%20crop.jpg?itok=Mr78foFc) 

 



 

 

   [### Finding Common Ground: Ric Keller, MRPL '26, on Embracing Difference

 ](/news/2026/05/27/finding-common-ground-ric-keller-mrpl-26-embracing-difference) May 27, 2026 

Former Republican U.S. Congressman Ric Keller, MRPL ’26, explored difference both in and out of the classroom at HDS, gathering insights he’ll use to help leaders disagree better without losing trust.



 

  [Tyler Sprouse](/people/tyler-sprouse)

 

   ![Ric Keller headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/05262026-RicKeller-017.jpg?itok=W7yW_jUE) 

 



 

 

   [### Exploring Belief through Storytelling: Ellie Ashby, MTS ’26, on Religion and Journalism 

 ](/news/2026/05/26/exploring-belief-through-storytelling-ellie-ashby-mts-26-religion-journalism) May 26, 2026 

For graduating MTS student Ellie Ashby, the study of religion is inseparable from storytelling—tracing how faith is practiced, embodied, and understood in everyday life.



 

  [Jonathan Beasley](/people/jonathan-beasley)

 

   ![Ellie Ashby, MTS '26](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Ashby-Banner-V2.jpg?itok=wMLZRKy6) 

 



 

 

   [### Manisha Agarwal, MRPL ’26, on Bridging Spirituality, Ethics, and Business

 ](/news/2026/05/22/manisha-agarwal-mrpl-26-bridging-spirituality-ethics-and-business) May 22, 2026 

At HDS, Manisha Agarwal explored the connections between spirituality and business, developing a framework to help business leaders make ethically informed decisions.



 

  [Tyler Sprouse](/people/tyler-sprouse)

 

   ![Manisha Agarwal Headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/051926_Manisha_3%20crop%20resize.jpg?itok=lAVt9U8P) 

 



 

 

   [### From DivEx to MDiv: Ke'Von Singleton, MDiv '26, on Finding Pathways of Leadership at HDS

 ](/news/2026/05/19/divex-mdiv-kevon-singleton-mdiv-26-finding-pathways-leadership-hds) May 19, 2026 

After three years of formational academic work and ministry experience at HDS, Ke’Von Singleton is poised to lead and serve in a variety of sectors—religious, academic, corporate, and beyond.



 

  [Tyler Sprouse](/people/tyler-sprouse)

 

   ![Ke'Von Singleton Headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/051326_Ke%27Von_3.jpg?itok=1cHVahMk) 

 



 

 

   [### Rooted in Community, Reaching into History: Sarah Adegbite, MTS ’26, on Her Academic Journey 

 ](/news/2026/05/15/rooted-community-reaching-history-sarah-adegbite-mts-26-her-academic-journey) May 15, 2026 

At Harvard Divinity School, Sarah Adegbite explored the religious histories of slavery and the power of ritual—and will continue that work at Harvard as a PhD student.



 

  [Jonathan Beasley](/people/jonathan-beasley)

 

   ![Sarah Adegbite](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/Sarah-Adegbite-Banner.jpg?itok=HQvtDGkx) 

 



 

 

   [### ‘Where Hearts and Minds Meet': Sabbi Lall, MDiv ’26, on Her Call to Chaplaincy 

 ](/news/2026/05/01/where-hearts-and-minds-meet-sabbi-lall-mdiv-26-her-call-chaplaincy) May 01, 2026 

Through study of Buddhist and Hindu texts, mentorships with faculty, and affirming ministry experiences, Sabbi Lall’s call to chaplaincy was answered at Harvard Divinity School.



 

  [Tyler Sprouse](/people/tyler-sprouse)

 

   ![Sabbi Lall headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/043026_Sabbi_3%20banner%20resize.jpg?itok=tUnn251C) 

 



 

 

   [### Video: 2025 Multireligious Commencement Service

 ](/news/2025/06/05/video-2025-multireligious-commencement-service) June 05, 2025 

The 2025 HDS Multireligious Commencement Service was developed by members of the graduating class and featured readings, prayers, music, poetry, and more representing the religious and spiritual traditions of the class of 2025.



 

 

   ![students in graduation caps and gowns stand in a line clapping](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-06/05292025-CommencementDiploma-156%20banner.jpg?itok=HI2vAZDO) 

 



 

 

   [### Celebrating 2025 HDS Commencement

 ](/news/2025/06/03/celebrating-2025-HDS-commencement) June 03, 2025 

HDS's rich multireligious identity was on full display during the 2025 Commencement exercises.



 

 

   ![graduates look on during ceremony](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-06/05292025-CommencementDiploma-159_0.jpg?itok=8KDIeXjK) 

 



 

 

   [### Michael Fuhrman, MDiv ’25, on Living a Philosophy of Presence

 ](/news/2025/05/07/michael-fuhrman-mdiv-25-living-philosophy-presence) May 07, 2025 

Michael Fuhrman, MDiv '25, is graduating from HDS with a robust philosophy of presence and listening, one shaped by study and community.



 

  [Jonathan Beasley](/people/jonathan-beasley)

 

   ![Michael Fuhrman](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/05022025-MichaelFuhrmanHeadshots-010.jpg?itok=V_l_4Ld-) 

 



 

 

   [### Joy Castro-Wehr, MDiv ’25, on Listening to Stories as Spiritual Care

 ](/news/2025/05/07/joy-castro-wehr-mdiv-25-listening-stories-spiritual-care) May 07, 2025 

As she prepares to graduate from HDS, Joy Castro-Wehr, MDiv '25, leaves with a unique understanding of spiritual care, one informed by compassionate and creative listening.



 

  [Tyler Sprouse](/people/tyler-sprouse)

 

   ![Joy Castro-Wehr](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/04302025-JoyCastroWehrHeadshots003.jpg?h=fde43e31&itok=H6m2OHRL) 

 



 

 

  

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