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Harvard Dad Stories
Fathers leave lasting impressions that shape identity, values, and aspirations. This Father's Day, Harvard community members reflect on their fathers' lessons, examples, and encouragement that have influenced their journeys.
Bronwynn Vance AB ‘28 on Courtney B. Vance AB ‘82
When Harvard student Bronwynn Vance AB ‘28 reflects on the influence of her father, actor and producer Courtney B. Vance AB ‘82, the main lesson she’s learned from her dad is kindness.
“Be kind, even when others don’t deserve it,” is one of the most important lessons her father ever taught her. Be kind to oneself and kind to others. Kind is a small word, but might be one of the hardest actions humans practice. Being kind to everyone –family, friends, acquaintances, and especially those one may not like– can be challenging. Yet her dad is one of the kindest and most personable people she knows, and he has instilled that value in her twin brother and her since they were young. His example continues to guide the way she treats others every day.
One of the greatest gifts her father gave her is an unshakeable belief in her capacity. When she was younger, her dad had bigger dreams for her than she ever had for herself. When she started the swim and fencing team, he thought she was going to be an Olympic athlete; when she made a really funny joke he asked if she ever thought of being a comedian. He bought her a camera because he thought she and her brother had the eye of professional photographers. It wasn’t that he wanted her to be a professional in any of these areas; he believed that she was talented and hard-working enough to be successful at anything. That is why, Bronwynn grew up knowing that she had the capacity to succeed at anything as long as she practiced it enough, just because her dad willed that into her at a young age.
Her dad’s imparted wisdom leaves her hopeful to grow up to resemble what he stood for, so people think of her the way she thinks of him. She hopes to pass on the value of never letting oneself ruin one’s own day. It is so easy to be stuck in an emotion or a situation from the day, which can derail the rest of the day. Trying to control what one can and let go of what one can’t is difficult to master, but is something her dad always told her to strive for.
Bronwynn is immensely grateful for her father’s love and devotion to their family.
“Thank you, Dad, for loving our family, this life has been paved perfectly by your wisdom and love.”
Devin McGhee Kirkland on Joseph Deon McGhee MBA ’90
To Deon Libra Co-Founder and CEO Devin McGhee Kirkland, her dad, Joseph Deon McGhee MBA ’90, is a key source of motivation and inspiration. His example, which centered people, guides her years after his untimely passing.
She remembers him as the kind of person who could make anyone feel seen—from family members to strangers. He believed in showing up for people, working hard, maintaining resilience, and operating from a place of love. He didn't preach those lessons often; he lived them.
As a founder, a caregiver, and a wife, she still finds herself asking, “How would Daddie navigate this?" More often than not, the first answer is with love.
When reflecting on her favorite memories, Devin recalls a particular competition. Her dad was a man's man, but the day she had a matchplay competition, he was more than a Girl Dad—he was Cheer Dad! She could spot him front and center, jumping up and down as they perfectly executed every stunt, every tumbling pass. They won that day, and it often brings tears to her eyes when she thinks about it. There was a childlike joy exuding from him, and she believes that may be the first time she ever witnessed that from her Dad. His reaction was as if she’d scored the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl!
Devin credits her dad’s belief in her long as a key motivation, reflecting that he saw leadership in her before she recognized it. Nothing was ever too ambitious in his eyes. He had a way of making her feel capable, even when she was uncertain. She misses his raw perspective and the level of intentionality he had as her father and her friend.
He encouraged her to think independently, trust her instincts, and pursue things relentlessly. That confidence became the foundation she would later build her business and her life upon.
The loss of her father from a massive, stress-induced heart attack in his sleep in 2018 at 54 years old opened her eyes to chronic stress for many Black people, inspiring her to create DEON LIBRA to help people regulate, release, and rest. The name is a tribute to him, drawing from his middle name, Deon, and his astrological sign, Libra.
Even now, years after his passing, she still draws motivation from the belief he had in her
Today, Devin hopes to carry forward the ambition, relentlessness, resilience, passion, and love her father embodied. She wants the people around her to know that they can dream big, work hard, and remain kind. She wants them to understand that success means very little if you don't bring others along with you.
Most of all, she wants to pass on the belief that people should be cared for deeply and intentionally. That's the legacy her dad left with her.
“Thank you, Daddie, for loving me so deeply that I still feel it guiding my life every day—even in your physical absence. I'm so honored to be your daughter, and to look in the mirror and see your face in mine. I love you. I love you. I love you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you.”
Cameryn Boyd MBA ‘26 on Charles Boyd MD ’91
The father-daughter relationship between celebrity plastic surgeon Charles Boyd MD ‘91 and recent HBS grad Cameryn Boyd MBA ‘26 is marked by laughter and self-belief.
One of her favorite memories with her dad was one Christmas morning, when her older sister, Christian, was leading the cooking. Instead of helping, her father was skating around their kitchen in his roller skates trying to whip out some of his old moves, yelling “I still got it!” Then, at that exact moment, there were a series of long, dramatic crashes and thuds–he’d slipped, caught himself on the pan of sweet potatoes, and taken both the food and himself to the ground. Christian was irate, everyone else was trying not to laugh, and all of it was on video.
The humorous moment captures the qualities Cameryn’s dad had spent years teaching by example. Her dad instilled a competitive nature in her to be the best at whatever she did, but always in competition with herself. Growing up, she’d join him for University of Michigan football and basketball games, for card games at home with her sisters, and to watch whatever sports he had on the TV. He very helpfully taught her the art of smack-talking in a competitive game, which she’s sure he regrets now when they play each other. More than that, he taught her to go after the things that she wants, and to have fun doing it.
Her dad’s unwavering belief in her was always felt. There’d never been a time when he’d made her feel like she couldn’t do anything she put my mind to. That belief contributed to the confidence she needed to start her own venture during her time at HBS. Cameryn noted that her dad worked incredibly hard to build his own business, and that it’s been very special to pursue her own entrepreneurial journey at the same place he spent four years for medical school, navigating the ups and downs with him supporting and rooting for her.
She hopes she can pass forward her dad’s creativity, work ethic, curiosity for the world, and the genuine enjoyment he gets out of life.
She is deeply grateful for the countless ways her dad has influenced and inspired her.
“Thank you, Dad, for your love and support, for being my biggest cheerleader, and for putting up with a lifetime of roasts from me and my sisters. I love you! Happy Father’s Day!”
Anne Morris Reid AB ‘04 on Walter H. Morris Jr. AB ‘73, MBA ’75
Among the many notable qualities of retired prinicpal at Ernest & Young Walter H. Morris Jr. AB ‘73, MBA ‘75 is his dedicated to serving others. He purposefully approaches responsibility with generosity of time and spirit.
His service to the Harvard alumni community through his many roles in the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) reflects his character and convictions. A selfless volunteer and tireless advocate, he has endeavored to strengthen alumni engagement, cultivate meaningful connections, and foster goodwill across generations. A lifelong learner, he has consistently championed new opportunities for alumni to expand their knowledge, engage with fresh ideas, and remain connected to one another and Harvard.
The HAA recently recognized his invaluable contributions with the 2026 Harvard Medal honoring his decades of dedicated, impactful service.
Yet for all of his exploits, what stands out most to his daughter, Funders Forum on Accountable Health project Policy Director Anne Morris Reid AB ‘04, is his devotion to his loved ones.
“Thanks, Dad, for your commitment to family.”