The University Marshal’s Office supports Harvard’s schools, centers and central administration by serving as Harvard’s most visible and historically appropriate “front door” for visiting dignitaries and delegations. With the goal of making Harvard truly accessible to the world, the Marshal’s Office makes every effort to welcome as many legitimate international visitors as possible. The Office provides the university’s distinguished guests with a warm and thoughtful welcome that helps demystify Harvard for first-time visitors.
Inviting Heads of State, Dignitaries and Other High-Profile Visitors to Speak at Harvard
Harvard University regularly hosts distinguished visitors of many different nationalities, backgrounds, and beliefs. In doing so, the University encourages intellectual and educational enrichment while also honoring the principles of free speech and open inquiry that are appropriate and essential to an institution of higher learning.
The First Lady of Costa Rica, Claudia Dobles, visited the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) to discuss her country's efforts toward decarbonization. Her day began with a welcome at Wadsworth House with Margot Gill. Pictured left to right: University Marshal Margot Gill, Deputy Minister of Housing and Human Settlements Patricio Morera, First Lady Claudia Dobles, GSD Director of Recruitment and Student Affairs John Aslanian, and GSD Loeb Fellow Mike Smith.
The President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, spent a day at Harvard in conjunction with the opening of the student-run African Development Conference, for which he delivered the opening public address in the JFK, Jr. Forum. The Harvard University Center for African Studies (CAS) hosted a student and faculty meet-and-greet for the President, and a dinner in his honor that evening at the...
The President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, visited Harvard at the invitation of the Harvard University Center for African Studies. Professor Emmanuel Akyeampong, Faculty Director of the Center, convened a full day of meetings and events for the President, culminating with a seminar held at the Harvard Law School featuring Dr. Paul Farmer of Partners in Health, Professor Fernando Reimers of the Harvard... Read more about President of Sierra Leone
On Friday, October 5, 2018, Harvard University formally installed Lawrence Bacow as its 29th President. The Marshal’s Office was involved in many aspects of the planning of this momentous event, but was principally responsible for the inviting and hosting of delegates from other institutions who participated in the academic procession. The Marshal’s Office oversaw the operation of the delegates hospitality area at Boylston Hall the day of the event, which involved coordinating the efforts of dozens of volunteers and orchestrating the formation of the procession that kicked off...
H.E. Lenin Moreno Garces, President of Ecuador, visited Harvard while in the U.S. for the UN General Assembly. The first part of his visit marred by rain, he and First Lady Rocio Moreno nevertheless enjoyed a visit to Widener Library in the morning. After meetings in Boston, they returned to the Yard in the afternoon to meet with President Bacow, before continuing on to the Kennedy School to deliver a...
The President of the Republic of Panama, H.E. Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, visited Harvard while in the U.S. for the United Nations General Assembly. His day began with a session at the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, followed by a walk to Harvard Yard where the flag of Panama was flying at University Hall in honor of his visit. He then met with President Bacow at Massachusetts Hall, and then went on to the Kennedy School where he gave a... Read more about Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, President of Panama
