Harvard University President Alan Garber’s speech to the Class of 2025 goes viral — here’s the full text

At the Tercentenary Theatre in Harvard Yard Harvard’s graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 happened on May 29. The event happened while Harvard was being criticized by the Trump administration, as per reports.

President Alan Garber started his speech by welcoming students from “down the street, across the country, and around the world.” He repeated “around the world” again for emphasis, which many saw as a dig at Trump’s effort to block international students. This line got him a standing ovation, according to the Harvard Website.

The Trump administration had recently tried to stop Harvard from admitting international students and cancel $100 million in federal research contracts. Garber responded to the funding cut by calling it “perplexing” and said, research funding isn’t a gift, it’s for important work the government wants done. Cutting it hurts the whole country, not just Harvard. He also said that linking these actions to antisemitism doesn’t make sense, as mentioned in the report by People Magazine.


Garber told students to keep being curious and stay “comfortable being uncomfortable”, starting with the folding chairs they were sitting on. He warned against “comfortable thinking” and being so sure of your opinions that you stop learning. He said being wrong can teach us humility, empathy, and growth, and told students to stay open-minded, as per the Harvard website.

Garber praised the graduates as proof that Harvard’s mission works and said their achievements will help communities around the world. Keynote speaker Dr. Abraham Verghese, who is a Stanford professor and author, praised students for defending Harvard’s values and America’s values, according to People Magazine.

He told students that “no recent events can diminish” what they achieved at Harvard. In April 2025, the Trump administration sent Harvard a list of demands about, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion programs, admitting international students, and handling of pro-Palestinian protests. After Harvard refused to comply, they became a target for the Trump administration, as per reports.

Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security Secretary, ended Harvard’s certification to enroll international students. But on May 23, a federal judge stopped the move temporarily. On May 27, Trump canceled all remaining government contracts with Harvard.

Salutatorian Aidan Robert Scully gave a Latin speech and said, “Neither powers nor princes can change the truth and deny that diversity is our strength.” Chinese graduate Yurong “Luanna” Jiang said meeting classmates from 32 countries helped her see that the world is “full of real people, with dreams and laughter.”

Thor Reimann, another graduate, said, “We’re leaving a campus very different from the one we joined. Harvard is now at the center of a national battle over higher education.” He admitted the university is “not perfect”, but said he’s proud to stand with his classmates, faculty, and President Garber, defending Harvard’s mission of truth, according to the People Magazine.

FAQs:

Q1. Why did Alan Garber get a standing ovation?
He supported international students during his speech, which many saw as a response to Trump’s policies.

Q2. What did Trump do to Harvard in 2025?
His administration tried to block foreign students and cut $100 million in federal research funding.