As noted previously, J.K. Rowling will be giving the commencement address at Harvard University today at 2:30pm (EST). The Harvard Crimson has a preview of the event, and notes that the Harry Potter author will also be receiving an honorary degree today. The paper, which also has a new photo of Jo at a special reception at Harvard’s Loeb house last night, cites reps who are looking forward to the speech from J.K. Rowling.
Comparing Rowling to yesterday’s Class Day speaker, Federal Reserve Chair Ben S. Bernanke ’75, Professor Maria Tatar, who teaches a course on childhood, said she thinks Rowling will deliver “a witty, inspiring talk that steers clear of the subprime crisis and gas prices but will still engage with tough, real-world issues.”
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“Just because she’s not doing the nitty-gritty of the economy or politics doesn’t mean that she’s not bringing something to the table that’s very powerful,” the former dean for the humanities said. At a Class of 2008 dinner two days ago, parents debated copyright issues as students nearby speculated about Rowling’s next project, Tatar said, adding that the writer has “cross-generational appeal.”
“Commencement should be a sort of family-friendly time to think about imagination as well as the economy,” she said.
On a related note, the Glasgow Daily Record is reporting that fans are paying big money for tickets to the event that are normally free to students and graduates of Harvard. The paper says: HARRY Potter fans are paying up to £100 for “free” tickets on the black market to hear JK Rowling speak in America today.
The author is making a special transatlantic trip to talk for 20 minutes to around 20,000 of the brightest and best students in the US and their families.”
Very intresting. Any chance it will be filmed, or was that just a rumor do you think? A transcript? Anything? :) I hope that anyone attending had a great time.
There has to be some justice in the world when a “children’s book” author can command $200 a ticket on the black market for a commencement speech! It’s a good bet most of the audience will have read at least some of the Potter books. They are the right age group. If I were graduating Harvard today I would rather listen to Jo than the Fed Chairman!
Posted by Ravenclaw from Glenn on June 05, 2008, 12:24 PM
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This ranks, right up there, with some of the most prestigious honours given to Jo, so far!
I would love to have a copy of her speech, but truly, I think this moment belongs to the Students, Faculty and Families of Harvard. It is sure to be a wonderful and insightful address, as we all know, only JKR can make! Congratulations, Graduates of Harvard and congratulations JKR for giving of your time and inspiration! That’s why we love you! [‘Hermione’ would be proud!] Sign me: an equally Proud Gryffindor!
I’m sorry, but I burst out laughing when I saw Ben Bernanke spoke, too. Seeing Harry Potter connected with the Federal Reserve chair after Neil Cicierega and Ryan Murphy’s Ben Bernanke video is just priceless.
I am an undergrad at Harvard and we are all really excited that she is here! My friends and I have been trying to figure out if she would visit any place of significance here…(our bookstore “The Coop” or libraries or houses…) Unfortunately I can’t attend the ceremony either, but it is definitely an exciting time for everyone here. I am not sure, but past speeches have been available post-commencement but I am not sure if you have to have to be an affiliate to access it. If nothing else, I am pretty darn sure it will end up on youtube.com.
At my University we refer to it as commencement because achieving your degree is a beginning of a new chapter. We believe that your education never ends you simply begin learning in a different way.
I wouldn’t exactly say you are definitely the brightest or ‘best’ student if you go to Harvard, just that your family probably has a lot of money. Also, being the ‘best’ school is entirely subjective, going to a small school like I do I feel is the best choice for me because you get a more personal education, however someone going to a larger school might feel that was the best choice for them for whatever reasons. Sorry, it just irks me when schools like Harvard think they’re better than everyone else when there are other great schools out there as well.
btw I make no offense at Harvard, I have friends that go there after all and it is a very good school with many gifted students just as many other schools have. just making a statement.
Very intresting. Any chance it will be filmed, or was that just a rumor do you think? A transcript? Anything? :) I hope that anyone attending had a great time.