A Harvard mom

Landing in Boston over the last weekend to dreary, grey skies, and a light drizzle, there was endless discussion about a hopelessly wet graduation day. So wardrobes became increasingly less elaborate, as did the footwear. And we, the family and friends of the class of 2011, were told to be prepared to swim across the river Charles, by some grim sages

who remembered an earlier graduation which had been literally swept away. But the class of 2011 turned out to be luckier than most others and, instead of a wet and windy time huddled in unsightly raincoats, we got a gloriously sunny day, just right for awarding degrees and picnicking under the many tents spread over this vast campus.
Even though the university was awarding degrees to over 7,000 undergraduates as well as graduates, everything ran smoothly, without a hitch. Bands played invigorating music, choirs sang, flowers bloomed, speeches (including one by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf) were made, large amounts of food and wine were consumed and parents glowed as their progeny strode forward to receive their award. It was the kind of day that makes great memories and even better photographs.
My only problem was actually a very happy one. I had two children graduating from Harvard — but the degrees being awarded meant that we would begin the day at Harvard Yard for the joint commencement, scamper over to the Harvard Kennedy School and then race across the bridge to the Harvard Business School for the grand finale. One child is a “jointee”, i.e., she was getting a double masters and our son was getting his Master of Business Administration (MBA), and there was a severe clash in the timings. Heartbreaking! So the day had to be scrupulously planned, distances timed and footwear chosen not for the weather (luckily) but for the sprinting one would have to do. Thus, I rejected the saree I had carried all the way, alas, and chose a dress which I could hitch up, giving me ample scope for running, along with a sturdy pair of shoes. But that was not the only hurdle to be crossed. As many already know (and as we found out) Harvard takes its ceremonies very seriously. Which meant that parents and friends of the class of 2011 had to be ready and waiting outside the gates of the Harvard Yard which houses the famous Tercentenary theatre by 6.30 am — if they wanted to be seated comfortably. There would be a three-hour wait, however, before the ceremony began.
Nonetheless, let me assure you, most Harvardians have parents with unbending, steely resolve. Even before we reached the Harvard Yard gates, at quarter-to-seven, the queues were half-a-mile long. Then there was tough negotiation for the seating, and a determined scramble to get as near the front row as possible. I was happy to note that all parents of all nationalities were behaving like little children over getting “good seats”, albeit with bonhomie, keeping a pleasant smile on their faces. It must be these “Type A” personalities which make our kids go to Harvard. I was completely overwhelmed at the number of countries represented here. I was told that students from at least 100 countries are studying here, almost a mini-United Nations.
Soon, family and friends were popping out of every available nook and cranny as over 20,000 people jostled for a view. As this was a joint ceremony, the class of 2011 was declared graduate according to their subjects. The individual degrees were given later at each separate school.
In the week I was there I noticed the carnival atmosphere everywhere on the campus. Of course, the celebrations leading up to the graduation day have been many and the students have kept up a steady round of parties, including the aptly named “The Last Chance Dance”, just prior to the graduation and “The Last Hurrah” on the night following it. There was a determination to enjoy every moment and the university seemed geared up for the fun and frolic as much as it has encouraged innovation and hard work.
Perhaps, in keeping with this merriment and to celebrate the arrival of a much-awaited day, some of the students had given quirky adornments to their graduating caps and gowns. The usually somber black caps had been decorated according to subjects: for instance, some of the students studying Design had stuck cutouts of colourful buildings on top of their caps, while the students of Divinity had actually attached angelic wings to their shoulders.
There were other humorous touches: instead of the caps being flung into the air this time, graduates from the medical school flung up cheery yellow plastic stethoscopes, while law graduates waved gavels around in jubilation. Students from the Kennedy School threw plastic globes in the air.
But some other past traditions have completely changed. In the past, I have been told, students from the Harvard Business School used to fling dollar bills into the air at the time of their graduation… remember the philosophy of “greed is good”? But new Dean Nitin Nohria is said to have changed all that. Given the current financial climate, post-recession, perhaps it is only befitting that business be harnessed to ethics and ideals. Thus, much like the Hippocratic Oath for medicine, he has introduced an oath for MBA students, so that perhaps when they step out into the real world, they will try to change it for the betterment of others, not just for themselves.
And then, next to the existing building of the business school, I also walked on the lawns which are soon going to be turned into another centre of excellence with the millions donated by Ratan Tata. Like everywhere else, Indians are well represented here too, and this investment in education in a world class institution will also ensure that the image of India as only a receiver of funds will be changed forever. Thus, as graduation day draws to a close, I have, like other parents around, a perfectly silly smile on my face. And I take out the award I got for myself. A special coffee cup which says clearly to the whole world that I am a (very proud) “Harvard Mom”. Twice over.

Kishwar Desai can be contacted at kishwardesai@yahoo.com