2025 Year in Review
A year of celebration, opportunity, and progress.
2025 brought forth a transformational year of growth, achievement, and connection at Harvard College.
From groundbreaking research and student accomplishments to new campus initiatives and unforgettable experiences, new faces were welcomed, major milestones were celebrated, and the community bonded in exciting, meaningful ways.
This Year in Review highlights just a small portion of thousands of moments from the year, large and small, that shaped academic excellence, relationships, and sense of what's possible.
Three students sit on the Harvard H ahead of the Harvard vs. Brown football game in September 2025.
Photo by Sameer Khan.
Beloved Traditions
From Housing Day to House formals, Yardfest to Harvard-Yale, annual traditions connected seniors and first-years alike in a uniquely Harvard experience. With endless possibilities for self-expression and participation, students were able to expand their horizons and enjoy a multitude of fun offerings each semester.
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At the end of the semester, Houses host fun community formals, such as December's Quad Formal, pictured here. Photo by Tolu Ademola '26 and Malchiel Rodrigues '22.
In April, Yardfest featured headline performer Natasha Bedingfield, and students were overjoyed at singing along to her famous hits. Photo by Lauren Fabiszak.
Anugraha Raman ’12 (left) and Kohal Das warm up for their performance on Science Center Plaza, as a part of May's annual Arts Fest. Photo by Dylan Goodman.
Harvard packed Yale Stadium to cheer on the football team during this year's Harvard-Yale rivalry match. Photo by Sameer Khan.
The Harvard Undergraduate Candela Latin Dance Troupe performing in April's Cultural Rhythms event. Photo by The Harvard Foundation.
Harvard Yard overflowed with costumes and cheers during March's Housing Day. Photo by the Harvard College Office of Communications.
New Adventures
As Harvard continues to grow, so does its opportunities to ignite intellectual curiousity and meet new people. 2025 brought new campus initiatives such as Mattering, Measure Mather, and festive connection with the Harvard Holiday Caroling group. Campus also welcomed new members to the community, including the Class of 2029 and a new Danoff Dean of Harvard College, David Deming.
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The Mattering Initiative inspired students to further a culture of belonging on campus. Photo by the Dean of Students Office.
The Measure Mather team smile with their posterboard explaining their new project, Measure Mather, which gives Houses informed data on improving their sustainability efforts. Photo by Dustin Weyand '28.
New Danoff Dean of Harvard College, David Deming, welcomed the Class of 2029 during their move-in day in August. Photo by Sameer Khan.
In December, the Harvard Holiday Caroling group performed in its first annual Harvard Holiday Caroling event to spread holiday cheer throughout campus. Photo by Megan Martinez '28.
Campus was eager to greet the incoming Class of 2029 when they moved onto campus in August. Photo by Sameer Khan.
In the fall semester, students gathered at Harvard's 4,000-acre research forest for a weekend Rooted Accountability Retreat to learn about climate science and Indigenous history. Photo by Catherine Jeon '28.
Cause for Celebrations
Harvard's storied history brings annual milestones to celebrate how the College evolved, and where its going. In 2025, Harvard celebrated the 374th Commencement, the Office of the Arts' 50th anniversary, a record-breaking attendance at Harvard Powwow, and more. It also recognized multitudes of student academic excellence, including elects to the Marshall Scholarship, prototype development at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and representing Harvard at the United Nations Commission.
The 374th Commencement welcomed the Class of 2025 to its alumni community. Photo by Sameer Khan.
Sponsored by the Harvard College Women's Center and Intellectual Vitality, four students were selected to represent Harvard at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Photo by Sameer Khan.
On February 13th, the Office of the Arts celebrated its 50th anniversary. Pictured here are cast members of Starville, the 2028 First-Year Musical. Photo by Marin Gray '26.
In September, a record-breaking 3,500 attendees were present at the 27th annual Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP) Powwow. Photo by Chatty Photography.
4 Harvard College students and 1 alumna recieved the prestigious Marshall Scholarship for postgraduate study in the UK. Photo illustration by Liz Zonarich/Harvard Staff.
A group of SEAS students designed two new therapeutic shoe prototypes for New Balance Athletics. Photo by Eliza Grinnell/SEAS.
