‘It’s the best day of my life’

Father: “It’s been a thrill. This is a day we’ve anticipated for many years. And it certainly exceeded our expectations in terms of the ceremony and the whole evening itself. We’ve had a most memorable time. It’s been hard to get quality time with Vinay and we’ll have him for the next several weeks [while he studies for the bar exam]. So we’re very much looking forward to celebrating together.”

David, Sr.: “I’m just amazed. I’m absolutely amazed. And it’s finally come to an end. But I couldn’t be more proud. Five generations of ranchers and now we’ve got a Harvard lawyer. It just doesn’t get any better than that. That’s amazing.”

Pastor Friday, Chidera’s father: “I’m very much excited. The major reason is because you know, going to Harvard is this big thing in the world, not just in America. And then having my daughter graduating from Harvard Law. The dean, when he was talking, he said, You are now lawyers, Harvard lawyers. He emphasized Harvard lawyers, and that means so much to me.”

Chidera added: “Life dealt my dad a lot of hard cards, and he always wished for his children to go further than he was ever able to go. So it’s just a privilege to be here and an honor to be able to make him proud. His mother can’t read. His father couldn’t read. So to go from complete illiteracy to — in just two generations — having a child with three degrees and graduating from Harvard Law School is just incredible.”

Erick: “I’m incredibly proud, man. You don’t understand the struggle that we went through to get here. [Tearing up] I didn’t want to cry today, but just, seeing from when she was a baby to today … I’m incredibly happy for her. No one else deserves it more than she does. The sky’s the limit for her. She didn’t think she could get here, but I always knew she could. We’re from Chicago. Our teams for the most part suck, but I’m a fan of Ennely’s and this week feels like my team winning the Super Bowl, and I plan to celebrate it like that.”

Diana: “I’m very very proud to see her achievements and see her goals come true. And I know she’s still not done.”

Brooke, warning that she might start crying: “We’re just so proud of him. He did something that was hard and scary to do, and he’s done so well.”

Mallory: “It’s been amazing to see Connor’s dedication and I feel like we’ve gained a whole new family here. Our families are far away so it’s been incredible to connect with people here in a way that feels so personal and close.”

Brooke: “It’s been sweet to watch them parent her. All their friends are single and I think Emi’s really brought a new dimension to their lives as well. They babysit her and they’ve just been a great support.”

Angela: “For us, we’re really proud. Because, you know, she’s definitely the first in our family that has accomplished a higher education such as a law degree from Harvard. Also, I’m really proud of how hard she had to work to get into Harvard. We’re excited to see what she does.”

Chris: “I’m just very proud of her work ethic. She’s a graduate of Cornell — 4.0 — and now law school, obviously. And she has a job secured already in New York City with a very successful and prominent law firm. And Britney’s brother’s here, he plays college football, division one, at Louisiana Monroe. And just, they’re growing up way too quickly.”

Qianfeng, translating for his parents who visited from China: “We are very happy. We know coming to Harvard wasn’t easy, but he persevered and we did this as a family.”

Roya: “I’m feeling so proud and so happy — and relieved.” [laughing]

John: “This has been a great week for us. First [our daughter’s] graduation, then his graduation. This is like the ultimate. Nothing tops this. My son is now moving to New York and will be working at an amazing law firm. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Reina: “We’re so very proud of Mark for achieving this amazing degree here at Harvard.”

Andrea: “Mark’s always been a very curious kid. And it’s so amazing to see him come so far from the burbs of Metro Detroit, here to the Halls of Harvard. He’s always had a way of connecting with the people around him. And it really came through here in his time at Harvard. He’s built so many amazing relationships. Mark was really ready for this opportunity and he took every chance he could to grow and develop himself.”

Rachelle: “He’s so humble, but also just so ambitious, and always wanting to fight for the people and for what’s right.”

Mark, Sr.: “It’s the best day of my life. I’m really proud of him. All I asked him to do is to be a good citizen and do his best every day — never waste a day. And he never has.”

Bryan: “We’re all just incredibly proud of him for how hard he’s worked to achieve this. He has a job already lined up in Chicago, so we’ll be helping him move to Chicago after moving him back to Ohio for a month or two. We’re really excited for him to start this next chapter in his life.”

Anita: “It has always been Luther’s dream to study at HLS. We are proud of his hard work and what he has achieved at Harvard. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors.”