GSD honors graduating students at Commencement Ceremony June 4
Family friends, faculty, and staff gathered in Gund Hall to honor the 217 graduating students on June 4. Stripped of studio furniture, models, and pin-ups, The Trays were transformed into seating for several hundred people attending the commencement ceremonies. After addressing the graduates and guests, Dean Mohsen Mostafavi gave special tribute to Jerold Kayden and Rodolfo Machado, outgoing Co-chairs of the Department of Urban Planning and Design, and to Niall Kirkwood, who steps down as Chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture, which prompted a standing ovation.
Prior to the GSD Commencement Ceremony, Joseph Claghorn, who received his degree in Landscape Architecture, delivered the Graduate Oration in English at the Harvard University Commencement Morning Exercises—the first time a GSD graduate received this honor. Inspired by the increased biodiversity of Harvard Yard, Joseph championed diversity as a way to ensure not only sustainability but resilience for humankind. For the complete article on Joseph and other Commencement Orators see The Harvard Gazette. For a podcast of the Morning Exercises, including Joseph’s oration, see Morning Exercises.
Pre-Commencement events included a BBQ on June 2 for graduating students hosted by GSD Alumni Relations to welcome them to the Harvard Alumni Association and to inform them about alumni benefits. Alumni Council members Doris Cole, MArch ’63, and Brett Stillwell, MArch ’02; Peter Madsen, MArch ’72; Dean Mohsen Mostafavi; and Associate Dean of External Relations Hannah Peters addressed the more than 100 soon-to-be-alumni.
GSD Commencement Procession.
Photo by Justin Knight
Soon-to-be-alums are welcomed into the Harvard Alumni Association at a BBQ hosted by GSD Alumni Relations.
Photos by Kelly Masstracchio
The next evening, Class Speaker John Peterson, LF ’06, gave an inspiring presentation, urging this year’s graduates to improve social justice and find new ways to create community dialogue as they pursue their design projects. While this is the worst economy in 70 years, he said, it is a good time to be an architect, “because we are facing important issues—especially in our cities—that need to be addressed.” His firm is well known for its impressive pro-bono program, which inspired the creation of Public Architecture, an independent, nonprofit design organization. For more information about Peterson Architects, visit www.petersonarch.com.