2026 Harvard Statistics Commencement Highlights

On Thursday, May 28, the Statistics Department community gathered in the Maxwell Dworkin Second-Floor Lounge to honor the exceptional achievements of our newest alumni. The room was filled with energy, pride, and celebration as graduates, alumni, faculty, staff, family, and friends came together to mark this special milestone. The afternoon provided a wonderful opportunity to mingle, reminisce on shared academic journeys, and send our graduates off into the next chapter of their lives and careers.

Event Highlights

• Warm Welcome & Faculty Tributes: The formal program kicked off at 4:45 p.m. with opening remarks from Senior Director of Education Joe Blitzstein. This was followed by moving advisor and faculty tributes dedicated to our PhD graduates, celebrating their research and contributions to the department.
• Departmental Awards: We recognized student excellence by presenting the Senior Concentrator Prize to Leo Vanciu and the Concurrent Master's Prize to Emma Finn and Samuel Hwang, and awarding the Dempster Award to Xiaodong Yang and Nathan Cheng.
• Toasts to the Future: The community raised their glasses in a series of celebratory toasts by Joe Blitzstein and Director of Master's Study and Joint Director of Graduate Studies Mark Glickman, honoring the hard work, resilience, and unique spirit of the Class of 2026.
• Capturing the Moment: The festivities moved outside as graduates and faculty posed on the lawn in front of Pierce Hall for group photos.

Congratulations to all of our graduates! We look forward to seeing where their talents lead them and hope that they stay in touch.