News HGSE Celebrates Commencement 2020 The HGSE community came together — virtually — to celebrate the accomplishments of 713 graduating students from over 50 countries. Posted May 28, 2020 By News editor Despite a challenging spring semester that saw the spread of the novel coronavirus and the unprecedented move to remote learning by schools and universities across the country, the HGSE community came together for virtual festivities on May 28 to celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2020 – HGSE’s centennial class. Highlighting the vast ways in which the world and the field of education has changed over the 100 years since HGSE’s founding, Dean Bridget Long acknowledged how much more has changed just in the course of this year, and how much of the future of education remains uncertain. But in uncertain times, there is potential for profound and lasting impact, she said. “Graduating classes before you could never have envisioned the change they would help to bring,” she said in her speech, “Education’s Critical Role During an Uncertain Time.” “Certainly, we are living in the midst of tremendous upheaval, which has spurred innovation and new ideas but also exposed long-standing inequities in distressing ways. If the future is what we create, then you, the class of 2020, will surely be important in the determining the pathway ahead for all of us, even if we can’t see that future just yet.” Sharing her wish that the celebration could be in person, Long provided a virtual message of inspiration to the 713 graduates receiving degrees as they embark on the critical mission of improving education in this ever-changing landscape. Thirteen graduates received a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), 16 received a Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.), 23 received a Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.), seven received a Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in School Counseling, and 654 received a Master of Education (Ed.M.). In his remarks, “Let Your Presence Be Heard,” student speaker Philip Chew, Ed.M.’20, a graduate of the Technology, Innovation, and Education Program, spoke about the importance of sharing perspectives, even – and, perhaps, especially – if you feel like you are in the minority. “When you don’t show up by speaking up, who will?” he asked, noting that it is now their job to speak up not just for themselves, but for others whose voices cannot be heard. “While it may not be immediately evident to us now, more doors are opened to us than closed,” Chew said. “Yet, those same doors remain closed for many others. So, my hope and charge for us is that we embrace this privilege with humility; that we use what we have learned to raise voices and open doors — to hear and welcome those who, out of circumstances beyond their own control, have been silenced and kept out; to show up and speak up for those who could not and still cannot.” This year’s ceremony included the presentation of awards, with Long acknowledging the recipients of the Intellectual Contribution Award, the Class Marshal awards, and the Phyllis Strimling Award. Academic Dean Nonie Lesaux presented the Morningstar Family Teaching Award to Professor Andrew Ho. To watch complete Commencement 2020 coverage, including Harvard University’s morning exercises and individual programs’ presentation of diplomas, visit gse.harvard.edu/commencement. Full list of awards: Morningstar Family Teaching Award: Andrew Ho Phillis Strimling Award: Nia Evans, Allison Jegla Intellectual Contribution Award AIE – Jesa Rae Richards EPM – Kwame Adams HEd – Kristen Robinson HDP – Phoebe Co IEP – Felicity Burgess L&L – Eliza Harris L&T – Tomihiro Ono MBE – (Sam) Zheng Ming Chan PSP – Ella Wechsler-Matthaei SLP – Steven Askar SSP – Arushi Mittal TEP – Melanie Shea TIE – Alex Grady Commencement Marshals Ed.D./Ph.D.: Maung Nyeu and Daphne Penn Ed.L.D.: James Mercer and Mariel Novas CAS: Margaret Chumley AIE: Lily Gottlieb EPM: Michelle Vaughn Lopez HTF: Jerry Nelluvelil HEd: Dona Rehm HDP: Aashna Poddar IEP: VK Reddy L&L: Emily Allen L&T: Karan Lodha MBE: Adfer Muzaffar PSP: Matt Clements SLP: Morgan Best SSP: Jiezhen Wu TEP: Bobbye Hampton TIE: Duna Tatour News The latest research, perspectives, and highlights from the Harvard Graduate School of Education Explore All Articles Related Articles News HGSE Sets Virtual Commencement Distant but still festive, HGSE will gather online — and everywhere — for a celebration of its 2020 graduates on May 28. News 2020 Morningstar Award Goes to Andrew Ho Ho was honored for his imaginative approach to teaching, his availability to students, and an uncommon ability to convey challenging topics — with humor, grace, and inventiveness. News Meet Ph.D. Marshal Daphne Penn Understanding schools as a microcosm of society — and exploring questions of whether and how education can truly be a tool for mobility.