A Letter from the 2026 Class Marshals

Dear Class of 2026,

Y’all are the best.

It’s been an honor to serve as your First and Second Marshals. Most student organizations aim to bring people together towards a shared goal; however, the Class Committee’s mission is to bring people together, full stop. So today at Commencement, we want to take a moment to say thank you, the Class of 2026, for making our jobs so easy.

From our more intimate gatherings — Winter Wonderland, Valentines Day Soiree, Poker Night, and Wine Tasting — to our largest parties where over a thousand of you danced your hearts out to senior bands and DJs, you all consistently packed the house. It was magical to spend these events with you and have a hand in the joy that came with being together.

We learned this year too. First, about life ahead at “Personal Finance 101” with David I. Laibson ’88. Then, about each other at “Shared Tables, Shared Stories,” where 20 cultural organizations shared food with hundreds of members of our class. Then, about ourselves, reflecting on our time at Harvard at the House reflection events. And finally, about love (or something like that), when you submitted your crushes to Match 26.

Honestly, it’s been a blast. With all of these moments, however, the fun didn’t come from the activities or food alone. The fun came because – through theses, finals, and post-grad applications – you all showed up.

And we showed up through strange and turbulent times. We arrived at Harvard in the aftermath of the pandemic. During our freshman fall, ChatGPT was released, and as we graduate, artificial intelligence is shaping our education and career choices. We witnessed major changes at the University: three Harvard presidents, the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action, and federal funding cuts. These experiences were far from easy, but the special force of shared love for our class community kept us together.

In many ways, senior year has felt like being freshmen all over again. When we arrived at Harvard, we shared excitement for the novelty of it all. Over the years that novelty faded, but this year that excitement returned with a new force. We said yes more. We made plans with people we hadn’t seen in a long time. We approached every ordinary interaction as an opportunity to make memories we’d carry with us long after we leave. Our classmates might have been here all along, but our attitudes switched and that is what has made this year uniquely special.

Post-graduation, our wish is for us all to carry this attitude forward. The energy doesn’t stop here. Harvard will always be a place you can return to, both as a physical campus and as a group of remarkable people. We’ll have reunions every five years, but you don’t have to wait for a reunion to partake in the community. Send the text. Join the city GroupMe and plan something with Harvard students in your area (we even have funding set aside for you!). Be the one to initiate a hangout. And we’re your friends too — call us up!

For now the only thing left to say is — with so much love and warmth — congratulations.

Your First and Second Marshals,

Charisma & Mohan

Charisma W. Chen ’26 is a Government concentrator in Lowell House and First Marshal of the Class of 2026. Mohan A. Hathi ’26, a former Crimson News editor, is an Integrative Biology concentrator in Mather House and Second Marshal of the Class of 2026.