Harvard Honors Six Distinguished Figures at 374th Commencement Ceremony

BOSTON — Harvard University celebrated its 374th Commencement on Thursday, conferring honorary degrees upon six distinguished recipients, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Rita Moreno.

This year’s ceremony honored three men and three women for their significant contributions to society. The honorary degrees were conferred during a ceremony that took place at Tercentenary Theatre before a crowd of graduates, families, and faculty.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a legendary basketball player and social activist, was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree. Known as one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, Abdul-Jabbar won six championships and earned six Most Valuable Player awards. In his Class Day address on May 28, he spoke about social justice and the importance of education. He remarked, “Only my jersey is retired,” highlighting his ongoing commitment to social issues.

Richard B. Alley, a renowned geoscientist from Pennsylvania State University, received a Doctor of Science. He is celebrated for his research on climate change and ice sheet dynamics. His expertise has earned him critical recognition, including the National Medal of Science in 2025. Alley’s work warns about the pressing reality of climate change and sea-level rise.

Esther Duflo was honored with a Doctor of Laws. As a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she has gained fame for her experimental approaches to poverty alleviation, winning the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2019. Duflo emphasized that “evidence-based policies are the key to solving complex social issues.”

Elaine H. Kim, a professor emerita at the University of California, Berkeley, also received a Doctor of Laws. As an advocate for Asian American studies, Kim’s work has focused on representation and the immigrant experience. She is known for her efforts in establishing the Asian American studies program at her university.

Rita Moreno, recipient of a Doctor of Arts, is celebrated for her iconic roles in several classic films. The first Latina performer to achieve an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, Moreno remains influential as both an artist and a social activist. Her career spans over seven decades, pioneering representation for Hispanic actors in Hollywood.

Finally, Abraham Verghese, a physician and novelist, was this year’s principal speaker, receiving a Doctor of Humane Letters. He fosters the physician-patient relationship at Stanford University. Verghese noted Harvard’s resilience in the face of political challenges, remarking on the importance of upholding principles in the medical field and beyond.

The ceremony encapsulated the spirit of achievement and the ongoing fight for justice and equality, closing with a moving rendition of “Somewhere” from West Side Story, captivating all attendees, including Moreno, who was visibly moved.