HVAO Welcomes its first chaplain

Please join Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization in welcoming our first chaplain. We are thrilled to include pastoral care for all faiths as part of our offerings to the Harvard Veteran Alumni community.

Chaplain (Colonel) Tim Ryu, U.S. Army, M.Div. ’01, Harvard Divinity School, currently serves as the Pentagon Chaplain. For more than 22 years, he has walked alongside Soldiers at every level of the Army—from battalion formations to the halls of the Pentagon—serving through a combat deployment to Iraq and later teaching at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School.

In addition to his pastoral and leadership roles, Tim holds certifications as an executive coach, hospital chaplain, Army strategist, suicide intervention trainer, and resource manager. He has also translated two devotional classics into Korean: Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence and Loving the Jesus Way by Maxie Dunnam. He is married to Jamie, and together they have three grown children.

Tim is honored to serve as the HVAO Chaplain, drawing on his diverse experiences to care for and connect with members of all faiths and backgrounds within the Harvard veterans community. If you would like to contact Chaplain Ryu, he can be reached at chaplain@harvardveterans.org.

Crimson Line Mentorship Program Launched

The Crimson Line Mentorship Program connects veterans, active duty, guard/reserve, and ROTC students with Veteran Alumni to foster leadership, resilience, and professional growth. By bridging generations of service, the program equips current veteran students and future officers with the guidance and perspective needed to excel in their academic and civic responsibilities.

Grounded in the principles of service, discipline, and leadership, the program is designed to provide current student veterans, active duty, reserve/guard, and ROTC students with the guidance, perspective, and support of veterans who have successfully transitioned from military service to academic and professional pursuits, and vice versa.

Through structured mentorship, participants engage in one-on-one advising, professional development workshops, and community-building opportunities. Veterans share their experiences and insights to help students and cadets strengthen their leadership skills, navigate academic and career challenges, and prepare for future responsibilities as military officers, public leaders, and private citizens.

Program Leadership

Dr. Adam Pierson Milano (US Army) is the HVAO Chair of Special Initiatives and creator of the Crimson Line Mentorship Project. He is a practitioner-scholar in the fields of social work, education, and leadership. He is Clinical Faculty at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work where He also serves in the Global Engagement office and as core faculty with the Global Social Development Innovations Research Center.

Additionally, he is a teaching fellow for Harvard University Graduate School of Education and a Teaching Faculty member for Professional Programs at Harvard Graduate School of Education in their Mental Health in Higher Education course (inaugural faculty). He has taught at Mission Critical Team Institute and the Warrior Scholar Project. He completed his doctoral degree at the University of Southern California, his master’s degrees at Harvard University and Columbia University, and his bachelor’s degree at Middlebury College.

How to become a Mentor or Find a Mentor through the Crimson Line

To become a mentor, or to be connected with a mentor, contact the Program Manager, Dr. Adam Milano, at mentorship@harvardveterans.org.

HVAO Marks third Annual Wreath Laying at Arlington National Cemetery

By Joslin Joseph

**ARLINGTON, Va. —** On Saturday, October 18 at 1:15 p.m., members and supporters of the Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization (HVAO) gathered at the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery for their Third Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony. The event took place at the cemetery’s symbolic heart, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a solemn tribute to the men and women who have served the United States.
The ceremony brought together Harvard‐affiliated veterans, alumni, and guests in a moment of shared reflection and gratitude.
The wreath, carefully placed before the stone marking the Tomb, served as the focal point for the gathering. Attendees observed a moment of silence, followed by the traditional playing of “Taps” and the echoing presence of service uniforms in the amphitheater.
HVAO brings together veterans, active-duty students, and alumni from the Harvard community and has established this annual ceremony as a fixture in its calendar. The 2025 event marks the third iteration of their wreath‐laying tradition.
In addition to the formal ceremony, participants were invited to an informal lunch at the Shake Shack in Crystal City.

How to Participate

For those interested in attending next year’s ceremony, HVAO will announce the date in May 2026 and open registration one month before the event. Guests, current students, spouses, and family members are welcome. Information about parking, cemetery access, and timing is included in logistical notes distributed by the organization in advance. (See HVAO’s events page for updates.)

When Harvard Honored a Revolutionary: George Washington’s LL.D. of 1776

By Lydia Rossman

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — On April 3, 1776, as the echo of cannon fire still hung in the spring air of Boston Harbor, Harvard College took an unprecedented step. The University’s overseers and president voted to confer an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) degree upon General George Washington, commander of the Continental Army and the man who had just liberated Boston from British control.

It was the first such degree ever awarded by Harvard and the first honorary Doctor of Laws in American history.

“As an expression of the gratitude of this College for his eminent services in the cause of his country and to this society,” Harvard declared in its citation.

The parchment, written in Latin by President Samuel Langdon, was not merely a ceremonial nod. It was a signal: Harvard, one of the oldest institutions in the colonies, was aligning itself with the Revolution and honoring the leadership shaping a new nation.

A Nation and a College in Rebellion

In the early months of 1776, the Siege of Boston had reached its climax. Washington, recently appointed commander-in-chief, had transformed a ragtag colonial militia into an organized fighting force. By March 17, the British had evacuated the city, a victory that electrified the colonies.

Just weeks later, Harvard, whose campus had itself been occupied by Continental soldiers during the siege, sought to express its gratitude. The degree was more than an academic gesture; it was a declaration of patriotic loyalty.

Harvard’s records describe the decision as unanimous. The university’s leaders praised Washington, not only for his military achievement, but also for his “wisdom, prudence, and virtue”, qualities that mirrored Harvard’s own ideals of disciplined leadership and moral purpose.

The Diploma and Its Symbolism

Washington’s honorary LL.D. was formally approved by the Harvard Corporation and Overseers on April 3, 1776. The diploma, inscribed on vellum, bore Harvard’s seal and Latin script, “Doctor of Laws” translating to Legum Doctor, or “teacher of laws.”

Washington never attended the ceremony as he was still in command of the army. The document was likely dispatched to him by courier and, though his personal reaction was never recorded (he kept no diary that year), the degree remained among his papers at Mount Vernon, preserved as a symbol of his early acclaim.

The Honorary LL.D awarded to George Washington by Harvard University. The document is housed at Mount Vernon.

“It was both a scholarly and a political act,” notes historian J.L. Bell, who has studied the episode. “By honoring Washington, Harvard was declaring its allegiance not only to learning, but to liberty.”

The First of Its Kind

Before 1776, Harvard had never awarded a Doctor of Laws degree, honorary or otherwise. The degree type itself was rooted in English academic tradition, often bestowed upon jurists, statesmen, or monarchs. In recognizing a general rather than a lawyer, Harvard expanded the meaning of the honor, transforming it into a tribute to civic virtue and national service.

That innovation would ripple outward. The practice of awarding honorary degrees for public achievement, now a fixture of commencement season across America, arguably began with this moment.

An Intellectual Salute to a Soldier

The minutes from the meeting of the Harvard Corporation awarding George Washington his LL.D. *Photo courtesy of Tom Chamberlin*.

Harvard’s degree was as much an act of faith as of recognition. The war for independence was far from won. By conferring its highest honor on Washington, the college was proclaiming confidence in his leadership and in the revolutionary cause itself.

The gesture also reflected the duality of Washington’s image: a man of arms who embodied reason, restraint, and integrity. To the learned men of Harvard, he represented the Enlightenment ideal; the citizen-soldier guided by law and principle rather than ambition.

Legacy and Reflection

Nearly 250 years later, Washington’s honorary LL.D. remains one of the most storied moments in Harvard’s long academic history. His degree established a precedent that universities continue to follow: recognizing excellence not just in scholarship, but in service to humanity.

Harvard’s 1776 diploma survives today in the archives at Mount Vernon and is occasionally exhibited; a yellowed relic of parchment that captures a revolutionary blend of gratitude, intellect, and nation-building.

For Harvard, the degree symbolized the university’s entry into the American experiment. For Washington, it was one of the earliest acknowledgments of his leadership, long before the presidency, before the Constitution, before the myth.

It was, in essence, a vote of confidence from the nation’s oldest college to the man who would soon lead its newest country.

Sources: Harvard University Archives; The Harvard Crimson (1937); Boston Magazine (2014); Boston 1775 Historical Blog; Harvard Gazette; Lydia Rossman; Tom Chamberlin

Upcoming Events

Harvard College to Host Veterans Day

Harvard College and the Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization (HVAO) will host a Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11, at 4:00 p.m. in Memorial Church.

This event is dedicated to **honoring the** courage, sacrifice, and service of our nation’s veterans. The ceremony will bring together veteran students, ROTC cadets and midshipmen, veteran alumni, faculty, and members of the Harvard community to pay tribute to those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
As part of the program, the Medal of Honor Plaque will be **re-dedicated** following the addition of Clinton Cilley and Alexander Vandegrift to Harvard’s memorial, ensuring that their heroism and commitment are remembered for generations to come. Congressman Seth Moulton will give the keynote remarks.
HVAO warmly **invites all** veteran and active-duty alumni, along with their families, to join this special occasion of remembrance and gratitude. Uniforms are encouraged.

Harvard University has a long and proud connection to America’s veterans, one that stretches back to the Revolutionary War and continues to this day. From the earliest days of the Republic, Harvard graduates have answered the call to serve, and the University has honored that tradition by supporting those who have worn the nation’s uniform.

During World Wars I and II, thousands of Harvard students, faculty, and alumni enlisted or were commissioned into the armed forces, and the campus transformed into a hub of military training and research. In the modern era, Harvard has strengthened its commitment to veterans through programs designed to foster their academic and professional success.

The Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization (HVAO) and the Harvard Veterans Student Organization (HVSO) ensure that the voices of service members are heard and that veterans have a strong community within the University’s schools. Today, hundreds of student veterans study across Harvard’s colleges, bringing with them the leadership, resilience, and global perspective forged through military service.

The University’s participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program further demonstrates its dedication to making a Harvard education accessible to those who have served. On Veterans Day, Harvard pauses to honor the courage and sacrifice of its veteran students, alumni, and faculty—individuals who exemplify the University’s highest ideals of service, leadership, and learning.

Interested in Starting an HVAO Chapter in Your City? Join Our Info Session!

The Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization (HVAO) invites members to an information session for those interested in founding or revitalizing local HVAO chapters.

📅 Friday, November 14
🕗 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
💻 Via Zoom

This session will offer practical guidance on how to start a chapter, build your local network, and connect with Harvard veterans in your region. HVAO leaders will share resources, success stories, and best practices, followed by an open Q&A.

Local chapters are the heart of our growing community—creating opportunities for mentorship, service, and connection among veteran alumni, students, and supporters.

The virtual event will provide guidance, resources, and inspiration for alumni and veteran members who wish to strengthen Harvard’s veteran community at the local level.

👉 Register today: https://qualtricsxmfrqf7c4bh.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9ujjuLKiG7QfQhM

Building Community Across the Country

As the network of Harvard-affiliated veterans continues to grow, HVAO is encouraging members to take an active role in establishing local chapters—hubs for connection, service, and shared experience. Local chapters play a key role in bringing together veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and supporters to celebrate service, mentor students, and advance professional and civic engagement.

Session Overview

During the information session, attendees will learn:

How to form and charter a new HVAO chapter
Available support and resources from HVAO leadership
Examples of successful chapter activities, from community service projects to career networking events
Best practices for building partnerships with local Harvard Clubs and university programs

The event will conclude with a Q&A session, giving participants the opportunity to discuss their goals and explore collaboration opportunities with other alumni in their regions.

How to Join

The session is open to all HVAO members and Harvard-affiliated veterans who are interested in establishing or revitalizing a local chapter. Registration details, including the Zoom link, are available on the HVAO Events page at https://qualtricsxmfrqf7c4bh.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9ujjuLKiG7QfQhM.

Advance registration is encouraged to ensure participants receive materials and follow-up resources after the meeting.

Strengthening the Harvard Veteran Network

By creating local chapters, HVAO aims to build a stronger, more connected veteran network—one that reflects the values of leadership, service, and community shared by Harvard alumni and the U.S. Armed Forces.

Other News

HVAO Swag Store Open

The Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization (HVAO) Store offers a wide selection of branded apparel and accessories—from water bottles, mugs, and coasters to jackets, polos, hoodies, and embroidered patches. Whether you’re looking for a comfortable unisex tee, a sleek Under Armour® polo, or a vintage-corduroy cap, the HVAO Store provides quality items that showcase your support for this dedicated veterans community.

What makes this store especially meaningful is who it benefits. Every purchase helps support the veterans, student veterans, and alumni of Harvard University who are part of HVAO: the funds raised contribute to programming, scholarships, networking events, and mentorship opportunities aimed at helping veterans transition into academic life, professional careers, and civic leadership. In other words, when you buy HVAO-branded gear, you aren’t just buying a product—you’re contributing toward a community of service-members and alumni who bring their experience, leadership, and global perspective to campus and beyond.

If you’re proud of your service, proud of your connection to Harvard’s veteran network, or simply want to support those facets of the community, the HVAO Store offers a meaningful way to show that pride—and to help others do the same. To shop, visit: https://www.harvardveterans.org/store

Award Winners

Congratulations to Joslin Joseph — Winner of the 2025 Military Reporters & Editors (MRE) Journalism Award for Commentary/Opinion (Division 1)

We are thrilled to announce that Joslin Joseph, our accomplished copywriter, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 MRE Journalism Award in the Commentary/Opinion (Division 1) category for his incisive work published with The Hill. (Military Reporters and Editors)

This recognition highlights not only Joslin’s individual talent but also the broader importance of veteran–voice journalism in shaping public discourse. His commentaries have brought clarity, perspective, and a veteran’s lived experience to issues of service, policy, and national identity.

A Look at Joslin’s Contributions and Why They Matter

While the full portfolio of his articles spans a variety of themes, several consistent threads emerge in Joslin’s work:

Grounded in experience. Joslin is a veteran himself (a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq) and a graduate of Harvard Extension School. (We Are The Mighty) His essays reflect the interplay of military service, higher education, and civic life.
Challenging stereotypes about service. One of his essays noted on LinkedIn:
“I had an op-ed published … about how we treat military service when it comes to politics.” (LinkedIn)
In this vein, he questions simplistic portrayals of veterans, and probes how service is both honored and misunderstood in public life.
Bridging the veteran community and policymaking. His commentary is anchored in the realities of service—rigor, sacrifice, identity—but also looks outward: at how institutions treat veterans, how policy reflects on them, how their narratives enter (or are excluded from) civic discourse. This dimension is precisely what the MRE judges spotlight when honoring commentary that explains the “military/military-connected” experience to broader audiences. (Military Reporters and Editors)
Clarity of voice with emotional resonance. His writing doesn’t just state facts, it engages readers emotionally, making the abstract real by highlighting individual stories, subtle institutional flaws, or the challenge of shifting from combat to campus to civilian life. In doing so, he elevates veteran voices in mainstream outlets and helps broaden understanding of service beyond uniform.

What This Means for Our Community

Recognition of veteran journalism’s value. Joslin’s award underscores that veteran voices do more than share personal stories, they contribute to national conversation, challenge assumptions, and offer insight into service, leadership, and reintegration.
Affirmation of our organization’s mission. As part of the Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization (HVAO) family, this achievement reflects our commitment to amplifying veteran alumni voices, supporting veteran-scholar communities, and fostering connection across Harvard’s veteran network.
Inspiration for others. Joslin’s path—service to scholarship to journalism—serves as a powerful model for veteran alumni and students alike. It shows how the skills developed in uniform translate into influence in writing, media, and public engagement.

Please join us in congratulating Joslin Joseph on this remarkable accomplishment! His work brings honor not only to himself but to our entire veteran and Harvard alumni community. We look forward to the many meaningful commentaries yet to come.

Bravo, Joslin — and thank you for helping us all understand service in new and important ways.

HVAO Recognized by Harvard Alumni Association

Congratulations to Lydia Rossman, ALM ’24, on receiving the 2024–2025 Harvard Alumni Association Clubs and Shared Interest Groups Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award. This distinguished recognition celebrates her exceptional service and dedication to the Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization (HVAO) and the broader Harvard alumni community. Through her tireless leadership, Lydia has strengthened the bonds between Harvard and its veteran community, ensuring that those who have served our nation continue to have a strong voice, network, and sense of belonging within the University.

In accepting the award, Lydia shared: “I am honored to serve the Veteran community through the Harvard Alumni Association. Thank you to all who serve in the Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization, Inc. This award is for you, too.” Her words reflect the true spirit of service and collaboration that define both the veteran experience and the Harvard community.

Under Lydia’s leadership, HVAO has expanded its outreach, built meaningful programming, and created opportunities for mentorship and fellowship among veterans, service members, and their families. Her work embodies the Harvard tradition of “Veritas” — truth through service, leadership, and shared purpose.

This award not only honors Lydia’s individual contributions but also recognizes the collective efforts of all members of the Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization, whose commitment continues to enrich the University’s legacy of public service and excellence. The entire Harvard community joins in congratulating Lydia Rossman on this well-deserved honor and in celebrating the continued partnership between Harvard and those who have served.

November 2025 Newsletter