Portrait of Mark Zuckerberg
Business · organisation
Wikipedia (opens in new tab)

Mark Zuckerberg on Harvard University

Alumnus & Orator (strong)

TL;DR

Mark Zuckerberg maintains a strong, positive association with Harvard University, where he launched Facebook before dropping out to lead the company.

Key Points

  • He launched Facebook in February 2004 while briefly attending Harvard College before dropping out in his second year to focus on the company.

  • Zuckerberg received an honorary degree from Harvard at the 366th commencement ceremony on May 25, 2017, where he delivered the main address.

  • He recalled meeting his wife, Priscilla Chan, at a party while he was facing expulsion following the launch of his precursor site, Facemash.

Summary

Mark Zuckerberg’s relationship with Harvard University is defined by his time as a student where he famously dropped out to pursue Facebook. While at Harvard in 2004, he co-founded Thefacebook with his roommates, growing it from a campus-only service to a global platform. This significant history led to the university awarding him an honorary degree on the 366th commencement day in May 2017, where he delivered a well-received address.

During his commencement speech, the entrepreneur acknowledged his unconventional path, joking that finishing the speech would be the first time he truly completed something at Harvard. He used the platform to advocate for pursuing big ideas, promoting equal economic opportunity, and addressing societal issues like student loan debt. This address confirmed his ongoing connection to the institution, even as he built a business empire that began within its dorms.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Mark Zuckerberg did not graduate from Harvard University. He was a student there but dropped out during his sophomore year in order to move to California and fully develop Facebook. The university later acknowledged his success by awarding him an honorary degree in 2017.

Mark Zuckerberg delivered a commencement address to the Harvard graduates in 2017, focusing on creating a sense of purpose for his generation beyond personal success. He spoke about the freedom to fail and advocated for a financial safety net for those struggling with student loans. He also shared a personal story about meeting his wife at the university.

His association began when he enrolled at Harvard College in 2002, where he studied computer science and psychology. It was during this time that he created the precursor to Facebook, initially calling it Thefacebook, in his dorm room with roommates. This is the institution where his world-changing company originated.