Religion, Ethics, Spirituality, & Meaning-Making at Harvard College

Religion, Ethics, & Spirituality

Meaning-Making at Harvard College
Memorial Church at Harvard

Harvard College recognizes that religion, spiritual practice, and meaning-making are an important part of wellness, learning, and growth. Our campus is home to students from around the world, representing many faiths and worldviews. We honor the perspective and values our diverse community, and want to foster growth among students seeking it through the exploration of faith. Our goal is to help each individual student live a life of meaning and purpose, and to prepare students to lead in multi-religious societies around the globe, critically analyze religious traditions while practicing them, and modeling respect and dialogue with practicing and non-practicing community members.

DSO-Sponsored Iftars

The Harvard College Dean of Students Office sponsors iftars in support of Muslim students observing Ramadan. The College Muslim community came together to break their fast alongside DSO staff.

Students getting served their meal during the DSO-sponsored iftar during Ramadan 2025.
Dean Alta Mauro poses for a photo with two students during the DSO-sponsored iftar during Ramadan 2025.
DSO staff member high-fives a student during the DSO-sponsored iftar during Ramadan 2025.
Harvard College student serving a meal to their peers during the DSO-sponsored iftar during Ramadan 2025.
Dean Alta Mauro shares an embrace with a student during the DSO-sponsored iftar during Ramadan 2025.
Student leaders from the Harvard Islamic society share a few remarks about the meaning and significance of Ramadan during the DSO-sponsored iftar during Ramadan 2025.

DSO Holi Celebration

The Harvard College Dean of Students Office sponsored Harvard Dharma's Holi Celebration. Holi is a major Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours to celebrate love, new life, and the Spring season.

Dean Alta Mauro at the Holi Celebration in Harvard Yard spraying an attendee with pink powder.
Two students smear blue-colored powders on their head and clothing during the 2025 Holi celebration in Harvard Yard.
Students pose for a group photo with their arms around each other in the midst of the 2025 Holi celebration in the Yard.
A student covered in different colors hurls a hand full of powders at a peer during the 2025 Holi celebration in the Yard.
Attendees from the 2025 Holi celebration gathered in front of Widener Library after the end of the program and throw up colored powders.
Dean Tom Dunne and Dean Alta Mauro pose with their families in front of Widener Library covered in colors during the 2025 Holi celebration.
Three students lined up next to each other and throw yellow powders up in the air during the 2025 Holi celebration.
Three students pose for a selfie in Haravrd Yard after the 2025 Holi celebration covered in colors.

Faith-Based Student Organizations

Harvard College is home to many different registered student organizations that span a myriad of religions, faiths, and beliefs. Organizations include the Harvard Community of Humanists, Atheists, and Agnostics, Harvard Hillel, Harvard College Latter Day Saint Student Association, Dharma: Harvard's Hindu Students Association, Catholic Student Association, and more. 

Explore religious & spiritual student orgs
students celebrating the Holi holiday
Photo by Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer

Dean of Students Office- Memorial Church Morning Prayers

Harvard Memorial Church · Thomas Dunne - Nov. 8, 2023 | Morning Prayers
Harvard Memorial Church · Meagan von Rohr - Nov. 18, 2024 | Morning Prayers