Celebrating the Presidential Inauguration of Claudine Gay

The Harvard community will celebrate the inauguration of Claudine Gay as Harvard University’s 30th president on Friday, September 29. An academic symposium, including many members of the HGSE faculty, will lead off festivities in the morning, with the inaguguration ceremony to follow in the afternoon. After the ceremony, the celebration will continue at a gathering in Harvard Yard.

The academic symposium, inauguration ceremony, and celebration will be open to all members of the community with an active Harvard ID, as well as to invited guests, registered delegates, and inauguration ticket holders.The official inauguration website has detailed information for attendees. For those unable to attend in person, the inauguration ceremony will be available via livestream.

Schedule of Events

10:15-11:45 a.m. Academic Symposium (Concurrent, in-person panels open to all Harvard ID holders)

Challenging Inequality in the US: New Ideas and Approaches
Panel: Peter Blair, Imani Perry, Robert Sampson, Crystal Yang; Moderator: Sara Bleich
Location: Science Center D

Confronting the Impact of Climate Change Across Society 
Panel: Stephen Ansolabehere, Tamarra James-Todd, Laura Schifter, Karen Thornber, Steven Wofsy; Moderator: Kari Nadeau
Location: Jefferson 250 

Harnessing Generative Artificial intelligence for Learning, Teaching, and Working
Panel: Amanda Claybaugh, Isaac Kohane, Karim Lakhani, Claire Leibowicz; Moderator: Latanya Sweeney
Location: Science Center B 

Innovating for Impact: Science for the Mind and Body in the 21st Century 
Panel: Amitabh Chandra, Irene Faravelli, Nadine Gaab, Kara McKinley, Arlene Sharpe; Moderator: Amy Wagers
Location: Science Center A

Looking ahead: The Future of the Academy
Panel: Durba Mitra, Megan Panzano, Matthew Potts, Julie Reuben; Moderator: Robin Kelsey
Location: Science Center C

Revitalizing Democracy 
Panel: Danielle Allen, Archon Fung, Yanilda Gonzalez, Jill Lepore, Daniel Ziblatt; Moderator: Guy-Uriel Charles
Location: JFK Forum, HKS

2 p.m. Inauguration, Tercentenary Theatre 

For those unable to attend in person, the inauguration ceremony will be available via livestream, with commentary by Professors James Mickens and Julie Reuben.

Note: Faculty who would like to be part of the Procession into Tercentenary Theatre should assemble outside Boylston Hall at 1:15 p.m. in their academic regalia.

4 p.m. Community-wide Celebration, Harvard Yard

Performances by artists from Harvard and local communities will take place on two stages, with food from HUDS and Crimson Catering as well as a range of locally owned food trucks.