MSO IN THE NEWS...

SHERIFF DIPAOLA CONTINUES HARVARD TRADITION

On Thursday, June 4, 2009 the High Sheriff of Middlesex County James V. DiPaola opened and closed the 358^th Commencement of Harvard University.

This annual tradition, written into the original Harvard charter, is accentuated each year when Sheriff DiPaola enters Harvard Yard riding a white horse, mingling through the crowd of alumni and faculty before making his way to the statue of John Harvard where he tips his top hat and wishes him a “good morning.”

Each year the Sheriff leads the faculty and guest procession through Harvard Yard. Upon arriving at the stage the University Marshal asks the Sheriff to call the meeting to order.  Sheriff DiPaola taps the Harvard truncheon three times and exclaims, “As the High Sheriff of Middlesex County I now proclaim this meeting will be in order!”

At the close of the proceedings, the Sheriff again taps the truncheon and pronounces, “this meeting will be adjourned,” to the delight and thunderous applause of the recent graduates.

Sheriff DiPaola would like to thank Harvard University for a wonderful ceremony and wish the 2009 graduates the best of luck.

PUBLIC SAFETY IS OUR PUBLIC SERVICE!