Stetsko's original submission to the Committee on Commencement Parts had to include both the Latin speech and its English translation, and she says she has always thought of the two as a "unit."
"The overwhelming majority of non-classicists in the audience just makes it more fun," she says.
Those who know Latin will have their fun, too--Stetsko reveals that "there are several places where the Latin itself is a bit of a joke."
"Granted," Stetsko adds, "there are only about 10 people in the crowd that might get the joke, but that's half the point, really."
Though the tone of Stetsko's oration is light, administrators see the Latin Oration as a symbol of Harvard's dignified history.
"Its survival is lost in the mists of time, but I think it is a nod to tradition and a certain sign that Harvard still takes ancient learning seriously," says University Marshal Richard M. Hunt.
Will the Latin Oration ever die a quiet death? Probably not.
Commencement traditions are reviewed regularly, but administrators stick to the "if it ain't broke" school of thought.
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