"He really did give us a challenge for the work ahead at the Center," Sachs said.

"Not only does he raise the vision of people all over the world, but he is also very clear about what needs to be done," Sachs added.

But President of the Black Students Association Dionne A. Fraser '99 said Harvard over-emphasized its commitment to South Africa and African studies.

"Harvard did a disservice to Mandela by making it sound like Harvard cared about Africa all along," she said.

"It didn't add up that we would have Harvard professors on stage with him who have done very little to help his con- tinent," Fraser said.

Despite such criticisms of the University,Mandela displayed appreciation for theanti-apartheid activism that dominated Harvard'scampus in the 1980s.

Dr. S. Allen Counter of the Harvard Foundationsaid that for 28 years he watched students protestapartheid.

"It was in honor of all those students that[Mandela] made that impromptu gesture of shakinghands," Counter said, referring to Mandela'sdecision to shake the hand of every student singerwho performed at the ceremony.

David L. Evans, a senior admissions officer forthe College, said he remembered a time when fewbelieved that Mandela would live through hisimprisonment on Robben Island.

"This was a miracle," Evans said after Friday'sevent.

Mandela's personal warmth permeated theceremony, inspiring some audience members with asense of pride in Harvard.

Donham Professor of Business AdministrationLinda A. Hill, who recently became a member of theUniversity's honorary degree committee, said shefelt more affinity for the school than ever beforeon Friday afternoon.

"Honoring an African made my heart startbeating very, very quickly," Hill said.

"I can't think of a moment when I've felt moreexcited in my 15 years here," she added.

Grimmelmann said simply listening to Mandela'svoice was exhilarating.

"I was struck by the quality of his voice,"Grimmelmann said. "It's very distinctive. The wayhe puts his words together is beautiful."