Kicking Off a New Academic Year at the Kempner

By Deborah Apsel LangSeptember 08, 2025

Welcome reception brought together the Kempner’s growing community of students, faculty, and researchers to connect and start the academic year

Almost 100 Kempner community members gathered in Winkour Hall on September 5th for this year's Kempner Institute welcome reception.

Photos: Anna Olivella

Cambridge, MA– On Friday September 5th, as the first week of classes wrapped up at Harvard, the Kempner Institute community gathered for its opening reception, celebrating the growing and vibrant Kempner community.

Almost 100 new and returning students, researchers, and faculty members came together in Winokur Hall on the first floor of the Science and Engineering Complex to get to know one another, share research interests and goals, and generally set the stage for creative collaboration within the institute.

Slideshow: 2025 Kempner Institute Welcome Reception

Watch the slideshow for images of our 2025-26 Kempner welcome reception on September 5th. The event brought together Kempner community members for introductions, welcome activities, community building, and a game of Kempner Bingo! (Photos by Anna Olivella)