Our Mission & History

 

The Harvard Club of Chicago is committed to fostering a strong and welcoming community of local Harvard University alumni through engaging programs and events; to serving the interests of Harvard in the Chicago region; to promoting Harvard’s values of service, education, and leadership; and to providing alumni with opportunities to serve Harvard and benefit the local community.


Founded in 1857, the Harvard Club of Chicago (HCC), an Illinois 501(c)(3) organization, is the oldest continuously operating Harvard Club in the worldIt is also one of the largest urban clubs with a membership of more than 1,000 alumni/ae out of approximately 10,000 in the Chicago region.

 .

Limited Edition of 1857 - 2007 The Harvard Club of Chicago Book

Details the Club’s history as the longest running Harvard Club in the world (while supplies last)
 .

hcc-100-yr-book-400x

 .

Price:

HCC Members: $25 See Club Store

HCC 10 Year & Lifetime Members: Complimentary See Club Store

Alumni Non-Members: $50 Click here to purchase


Our primary service initiatives include:

  • Interviewing: Interviewing 1300+ local Harvard College applicants per year 
  • College Fairs: Representing Harvard at local college fairs and diversity events
  • Early College Awareness: Hosting an Early College Awareness Program to help pre-high school families plan for college
  • Interviewing Workshops: Hosting Interviewing Skills Workshops for high school students in preparation for college, job, and internship interviews
  • Prize Books: Awarding Harvard Prize Books to outstanding local high school juniors in recognition achievement and service
  • HCC Annual Award: Recognizing individuals who are leaders in serving the Chicago-area community with the HCC Annual Award, presented at the HCC Annual Award Dinner

In addition, we host numerous educational and community-building events throughout each year, including:

  • HCC Annual Award Dinner
  • HCC Annual Summer Supper
  • Educational Events and Guest Speakers
  • HarvardX Online Education Discussion Groups
  • Harvard-Yale Game Viewing Parties
  • Decade Group/Recent Grads Events
  • Welcome to Your City Events (with HAA)
  • Global Networking Nights (with HAA)
  • Radcliffe on the Road Educational Events
  • Cultural Events and Programs
  • Sporting Events
  • Family Events
  • Co-host events with other Harvard clubs and SIGS, including HBSCC and the Harvard Law Society of Illinois
  • Co-host events with other university clubs

All interested alumni/ae, students and parents, and current and former faculty are invited to Join HCC and participate in its activities.  Out-of-town alumni/ae are also more than welcome to participate in HCC activities at member rates when in town, but please note that HCC does not have a "club house," i.e. overnight accommodations or dining facilities.  To receive member rates for HCC programs and activities as an out-of-town alumni/ae, please Contact Us.