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Praises as Harvard Dean Khurana prepares to step down
“It has been the greatest honor and pleasure of my life to serve as dean of Harvard College.”
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Sat, 14, Jun 2025
- 02:04 EDT
- 51
Rakesh Khurana receives warm applause at a celebration of his time as Dean of Harvard College / Harvard University/ Niles Singer
Colleagues and family of the Dean of Harvard College, Rakesh Khurana, came together in his honor as he prepares to step down from his role by the end of June, 2025.
Harvard President Alan Garber described Khurana as “a person who sees others for who they truly are,” and added, “how lucky we are that you are with us, to have met you as a friend, colleague, and mentor.”
Appointed in 2014, Khurana was a beloved figure as per his colleagues. Michael D. Smith, former Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, oversaw Khurana’s appointment.
ALSO READ: Harvard dean Khurana reflects on his journey
Smith, talking about Khurana’s appointment, said, “we found someone who cares deeply for our students, and that has been evident every day that you’ve been in the Dean’s office,” he said. “I know that you will forever remain a friend to me, an important friend to my family, and of course, a huge friend to all of Harvard.”
Dean of Undergraduate Education Amanda Claybaugh, extolled Khurana’s leadership and said, “he’s a leader who is also, always, a true intellectual; someone who reminds us that we can—and should—bring into our administration of this institution that commitment to inquiry and knowledge.”
Early in his tenure, Khurana revised the College’s mission statement—an act that sparked a series of ambitious initiatives, including a revitalized General Education program, programs in civic engagement and public service, a deep commitment to inclusion and belonging, and most recently, an emphasis on Intellectual Vitality.
As part of the celebration, Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Hopi Hoekstra planted an elm tree in Khurana’s honour, making sure that Khurana’s legacy lives in the grounds of Harvard.
Responding to all the affection he received, Khurana said “It’s impossible to overstate how much this means to me,”
He added, “It has been the greatest honor and pleasure of my life to serve as dean of Harvard College.”
Khurana expressed his gratitude to his family and called them the “reason for everything.”
Khurana also thanked the faculty, staff, and the students he worked alongside and said, “Everything we got right, we got right together”.
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