This time, the bells toll for her — Harvard Gazette

A collection of features and graduate profiles covering Harvard’s 375th Commencement.

Cynthia W. Rossano passed away on March 21, 2026. In 1987, Rossano was instrumental in establishing the tradition of the bells to mark Commencement Day.

In celebration of the city of Cambridge and of the country’s oldest university, neighboring churches and institutions will ring their bells in recognition of Harvard’s 375th Commencement.

Cynthia Rossano.Harvard file photo

For the 39th year the bells will begin to ring at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, just after the sheriff of Middlesex County declares the Commencement Exercises adjourned. They will ring for approximately 15 minutes.