JK Rowling to speak at Harvard Commencement!!!

[ysolde]

J.K. Rowling, author of the world-renowned “Harry Potter” novels, will be the principal speaker during the Afternoon Exercises of Harvard University’s 357th Commencement on June 5, 2008.

“Perhaps no one in our time has done more than J.K. Rowling to inspire young people to experience the excitement and the sheer joy of reading,” said President Drew Faust. “Her tales of Harry, Ron, and Hermione and their Hogwarts adventures have cast a spell on millions of readers around the world. Harvard isn’t exactly Hogwarts, but I’m sure that her visit with us this June will be a moment of magic for J.K. Rowling’s many admirers across the University.”

http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2008/02.07/99-speaker.html

Well, it's not exactly Hogwarts, but I am quite sure Ms. Rowling will be enthralled by the students being led out of Quincy House by a bagpipe player (the same one who leads the Annual Exorcism in October -- I wish she could see that!), the homage paid to the alumni, and all the other somewhat odd traditions that have developed over the centuries. :D

[GoCougs]

That's pretty cool, but I have to admit, I'm totally interested in this "annual exorcism" that happens every year!

[chaichaitea]

I think that PRIMAL SCREAM also quite interesting.

Seriously, this is so amazing that J.K. Rowling will be speaking at Commencement. Hope it doesn't rain this year!

[laura]

Well that is an interesting choice.

[salysaturn]

Cool! I wanna go :)

hee hee, the banner at the bottom of the screen is an ad to get Harry Potter on my phone.

[ysolde]

The Annual Exorcism started with Quincy House Master Charles Dunn, way back in the day (waaayy back in the day). He was a Scotsman and a Celtic scholar (and, by all reports, a tad eccentric). In the early days, the point was to exorcise the house of demons, ghosts, and banshees.

"He brought a taste of Scotland to the House, initiating an annual rite of exorcism in September to cleanse the place of evil spirits, during which a Scots bagpiper led a march of residents around the courtyard and Charles intoned an incantation while waving a large baton, banishing ghosts and other harbingers of ill will. His leadership was at its best during magnificent evenings in the Master's lodging when he taught guests Scottish country dances. Students were fond of him, and he of them."

http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2006/08.24/99-dunn.html

By the time I got to Quincy House (1987-1990), the ritual also included exorcising the place of roaches, and involved a pretty much mummified dead roach (Let this be the only roach any of us will see in the House this year). And, yes, there was a bagpipe player, in a kilt and sort of the full attire, involved in the exorcism.

Here is a bit of history:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=143000

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=147078

[betsyboop]

My cousin is graduating from Harvard this year. What a fun speaker to have at his graduation, though I have to wonder what she'll talk about that has to do with graduating:confused:

[ysolde]

Harvard Commencement speakers tend to talk about big, bold ideas, historic events, social and cultural trends. It's not the kind of place where the traditional commencement address is given. My year (1990), it was Helmut Kohl, and his address was on German reunification (he said the borders would stay the same and the US should play an active role in this new Europe). http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE5DA1F3EF93BA35755C0A9669582 60

Back in 1947, Secretary of State George Marshall laid out what was to become known as the Marshall Plan at Harvard Commencement. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1947marshallplan1.html

[GoCougs]

The Annual Exorcism started with Quincy House Master Charles Dunn, way back in the day (waaayy back in the day). He was a Scotsman and a Celtic scholar (and, by all reports, a tad eccentric). In the early days, the point was to exorcise the house of demons, ghosts, and banshees.



http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2006/08.24/99-dunn.html

By the time I got to Quincy House (1987-1990), the ritual also included exorcising the place of roaches, and involved a pretty much mummified dead roach (Let this be the only roach any of us will see in the House this year). And, yes, there was a bagpipe player, in a kilt and sort of the full attire, involved in the exorcism.

Here is a bit of history:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=143000

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=147078

Cool. Thanks for posting!