In The News
J.K. Rowling to Speak at Harvard Commencement June 5, 2008
J.K. RowlingJ.K. Rowling will be the principal speaker at the Harvard Commencement ceremony June 5, 2008. The Harry Potter author will be featured at the prestigious university’s 357th graduation ceremony this summer in Cambridge, Massachusetts and will also receive an honorary degree. The president of Harvard said:
“Perhaps no one in our time has done more than J.K. Rowling to inspire young people to experience the excitement and the sheer joy of reading,” said President Drew Faust. “Her tales of Harry, Ron, and Hermione and their Hogwarts adventures have cast a spell on millions of readers around the world. Harvard isn’t exactly Hogwarts, but I’m sure that her visit with us next June will be a moment of magic for J.K. Rowling’s many admirers across the University.”
“It will be an honor and a thrill to welcome J.K. Rowling to Harvard,” said Jonathan Byrnes, president of the Harvard Alumni Association. “There are countless Harry Potter devotees throughout the Harvard family, and we look forward to warmly welcoming one of the world’s best-read authors to our Commencement festivities.”
Harvard University is renown for having some of the leading figures of our time speak at their graduation ceremony each year; a full list of past speakers can be found here.
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Congrats to Jo! I wish I knew someone who goes to Harvard though.
Oh that is so nice! I’m a little jealous, but not too much… I had Bill Clinton speak at University of Michigan’s ceremony last April. That was pretty neat :)
Land Quidditch in Harvard Yard??? Naaaa, just can’t see that!!!!
Cool! Good choice, Harvard.
In my head im freaking out a little bit (OMFG JO IS GONNA BE IN MY STATE ONLY AN HOUR DRIVE FROM MY HOME MAYBE I CAN GO OR SOMETHING).
Dang, I wish I was graduating from Harvard instead of UNLV. Any chance you want to make a commencement speech in Sin City Jo?
Wow, that previous speakers list has a thick spread of prime ministers and presidents around the world. What a list to join. A find the entry of John Lithgow rather amusing though in comparison but well done to him too anyway. But more importantly, congrats to Jo and I am sure she will be using the platform to elevate awareness to her charities. Isnt it time though that she be made and OBE or MBE or even Dame There are lesser achievers (though still deserving) who have been made Dame.
NOT FAIR!!! I want Jo to speak at my graduation! My friend at Harvard will lord this over me for eternity… Having Jo at your college commencement ceremony is pretty darn close to the most amazing life experience any normal-ishperson could ever hope to have!
I knew there was a reason that I should have gotten better grades in high school!
Hahahahahahaaa!!! I can see a lot of uppity professors and authors who’ve critizised her in the past sucking on lemons right now. Eeexellent. _
My brother goes to Harvard! Wow! Now I’m excited.
I just freaked out about this. ahhhh Jo is going to be in the same state as me!!!
I have to say that is a very good list of books!!! Congrats Jo!!!
opppsss last post was suppose to be for pervious article!!!
MAN i wish i knew someone at Harvard. this is SO COOL.
That’s so cool. And that’s only like 45 minutes from where I live. Too bad I’m only in 10th grade instead of college :)
I can’t imagine a better way to honor Jo. She definitely deserves this. Snaps for Jo! (Yes, this is an allusion legally blond 2)
Jo is coming to cambridge, MA. oh my god. . those lucky harvard students!!!!!!!!
What a pity it’s not at Yale, cause Harold Bloom would surely die from heart attack! Cheers!
Argh! When my sister graduated from Harvard, the speaker was Tim freaking Russert. Why couldn’t she have graduated this year?? lol
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Sweet! Good choice, Harvard.