Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Richard Clark Keynote Address | 2026 ROTC Commissioning

Why It Matters

By linking historic sacrifice to modern leadership lessons, Clark’s speech aims to embed character‑driven values in the next generation of officers, directly impacting military readiness and institutional reputation.

Key Takeaways

• Harvard ROTC graduates embody integrity, humility, and excellence in service
• Lt. Gen. Clark highlights historic Harvard‑Armed Forces partnership since 1789
• Medal of Honor story of Lt. Skinner illustrates ultimate sacrifice
• Clark’s Iraq deployment anecdote reinforces delegating authority and servant leadership
• Future officers urged to prioritize character, continuous improvement, and team uplift

Summary

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Richard Clark delivered the keynote at Harvard’s 2026 ROTC commissioning, honoring the graduating class and thanking university leadership for sustaining the institution’s long‑standing military partnership.

Clark framed the ceremony around three core values—integrity, humility and excellence—citing the 1952 Medal of Honor actions of Harvard alumnus Lt. Sherrod Skinner as a timeless example of those principles in combat.

He reinforced the message with a personal anecdote from his 2008 Iraq deployment, where he delegated authority to a tech sergeant and practiced servant leadership, echoing Lao Tzu’s maxim that thoughts become destiny.

The address underscores Harvard’s role in shaping future officers, urging the new cohort to internalize character‑based leadership, continuously improve, and lift teammates, thereby strengthening the Armed Forces’ effectiveness.

Original Description

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Clark addressed the 19 graduating seniors who were commissioned as second lieutenants and ensigns into the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Space Force on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 during Harvard’s 2026 ROTC Joint Commissioning Ceremony.