Harvard University Latest COVID Information Search Menu Harvard Shields On Sept. 8, 1836, at Harvard’s Bicentennial celebration, it was announced that President Josiah Quincy had found the first rough sketch of the College arms – a shield with the Latin motto “VERITAS” (“Verity” or “Truth”) on three books – while researching his History of Harvard University in the College Archives. During the Bicentennial, a white banner atop a large tent in the Yard publicly displayed this design for the first time. Until Quincy’s discovery, the hand-drawn sketch (from records of an Overseers meeting on Jan. 6, 1644) had been filed away and forgotten. It became the basis of the seal officially adopted by the Corporation in 1843 and still informs the version used today. Today the Veritas shield (left) is a central element of the University’s graphic identity. The Veritas shield with wreath and banner (right), also known as the adorned Veritas shield, is used by the University for commemorative purposes, for other official University functions and purposes where the University is being represented as a whole. School shields Harvard Business School Harvard College Harvard Extension School Harvard School of Dental Medicine Harvard Divinity School Harvard Graduate School of Design Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Harvard Kennedy School Harvard Law School Harvard Medical School Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Other shields Harvard Radcliffe Institute Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences Harvard Law School to retire shield THE HARVARD GAZETTE Seal of approval Harvard’s motto, Veritas, has a long — and for two centuries, invisible — history. For questions related to the unauthorized use of Harvard’s trademarks worldwide or to report the misuse of Harvard’s trademarks; for inquiries about Harvard’s domestic or international licensing programs; or for questions about Harvard’s use-of-name policies and guidelines, please contact the Harvard Trademark Program. Security & Brand Report Copyright Infringement Report Security Issue Trademark Notice Website Accessibility Digital Accessibility Privacy Statement Get In Touch Contact Harvard Maps & Directions Jobs © 2021 The President and Fellows of Harvard College Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube 0:00 0:00

Harvard University Latest COVID Information Search Menu History of honorary degrees Honor roll Throughout our long history, Harvard has awarded thousands of honorary degrees. In 1753, Benjamin Franklin was granted a master of arts degree, which is generally considered to be the first true honorary degree awarded by Harvard. The first female recipient was Helen Keller, in 1955. Read more about our history of honorary degrees. View Gallery Past recipients 2000s 1900s 1800s 1700s 1600s Security & Brand Report Copyright Infringement Report Security Issue Trademark Notice Website Accessibility Digital Accessibility Privacy Statement Get In Touch Contact Harvard Maps & Directions Jobs © 2021 The President and Fellows of Harvard College Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube 0:00 0:00