‘Champion the truth’

Even amidst ongoing opposition, uphold your beliefs and champion the truth, Harvard President Alan Garber encouraged 19 soon-to-be graduates on Wednesday at the annual joint Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) commissioning ceremony.

Surrounded by family and friends in Sanders Theatre, the Army, Air Force, and Navy cadets pledged to support and defend the Constitution and were adorned with two gold bars signifying their promotion to military officer ranks. Each received their inaugural salute as a newly appointed officer from a chosen family member, friend, or mentor.

In his address, Garber reflected on British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s notable visit to Harvard on Sept. 6, 1943, when he received an honorary degree at a pivotal moment in World War II. Churchill had long cautioned about the threats posed by Adolf Hitler and Germany, but faced skepticism and derision “from those who opted to ignore the reality unfolding before them,” Garber stated.

“Although labelled paranoid and marginalized, Churchill exhibited the bravery to persevere, to remain perceptive and unwavering. His assurance even amid persistent opposition provides a strong, timeless lesson for anyone striving to champion the truth,” he remarked. “I hope you will embrace this lesson as you support and defend the Constitution.”

Garber gifted each student a biography of Churchill by William Manchester (“The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Alone, 1932-1940”) alongside a coin featuring Memorial Hall on one side and a Veritas shield along with 1916 — the year Harvard first embraced ROTC on campus.

The students are set to undertake a diverse array of responsibilities. Some will participate in fundamental officer leadership courses at military bases throughout the nation, while others will begin training to become intelligence officers, members of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, pilots, and missile and nuclear operations officers.

Lt. Gen. Joseph P. McGee of the Army, serving as the keynote speaker and advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that the world is experiencing “substantial geopolitical transformations” across Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific, with the U.S. military swiftly adapting to the evolving circumstances.

Many of the graduates have a background in STEM education, McGee pointed out, a vital asset that will prove increasingly important as AI, drone combat, nanotechnology, robotics, and cybersecurity are “reshaping the future of warfare and its landscape.”

What remains unchanged, McGee asserted, is the diversity of the individuals comprising the military.

“You’re about to integrate into a military community that embodies every facet of American society,” he stated. “It remains the true melting pot of the United States. Your success will hinge on diligence, leadership, peer guidance, and your capability to connect with your fellow Americans and assist them in overcoming substantial challenges.”

As future military leaders, McGee stressed, “It will be your responsibility to guide this unique group of individuals to realize their potential, cultivate cohesive, high-performing, and effective teams, and guide them toward the future.” United by a shared sense of purpose and love for the country, “You will all be astonished by what you can achieve in the forthcoming years.”

Army graduates included Matthew Fitch, Eytan Goldstein, Chloe Hansen, Conner Huey, Morgan Kim, Carly Lehman, Andrew Lim, Matthew Sau, Jack Schwab, and Isaac Tang. Jasmine Zhang was sworn in for the Navy. Air Force graduates comprised Sarah (Sally) Barksdale, Caitlin Beirne, Blake Chen, Emily McCallum, Jenny Peters, Elizabeth Sasse, Faith Schmidt, and Charles Whitehead.