"The Strength to Stand: When Morals Matter Most"

Harvard University is giving us a masterclass in what it means to stand firm in your values, even when the consequences aren't easy.

I’ve really got to give Harvard some credit. In a time when so many universities are quick to shift course under pressure, it’s refreshing to see an institution actually stand firm in its values. Not out of pride or stubbornness, but out of a deep respect for what the university has stood for over generations—intellectual independence, critical thinking, and the belief that higher education should remain a place for thoughtful dialogue, not reactionary decisions.

Lately, it feels like schools are constantly being pulled in every direction. One demand after another, mounting pressure from all sides—some of it well-intentioned, sure, but much of it coming with a heavy dose of urgency and expectation that decisions be made on the spot. And when they’re not? The consequences come fast—public backlash, threats to funding, investigations. It creates a climate where schools are afraid to take a breath before responding.

But Harvard? They didn’t cave. They took the time to evaluate, to think, to respond with care instead of fear. And that matters.

What stood out the most wasn’t just what they did or didn’t say—it was how they carried themselves. They stayed rooted in the idea that a university is meant to be a place where ideas can be tested, discussed, challenged—not dictated. That’s not always easy, especially when the stakes are high and the pressure is loud. But it’s essential.

Harvard’s response was a reminder that standing on principle doesn’t mean being inflexible—it means being thoughtful. It means recognizing that the mission of a university isn’t to please everyone or react to every headline—it’s to uphold a standard of integrity, reflection, and academic freedom.

And whether or not you agree with every decision they’ve made, it’s hard not to respect a university that remembers who it is—and refuses to lose sight of that when things get tough.

We need more of that. More institutions (and people) that lead with clarity, not panic. More places (and people) that remember the value of standing still when the world wants them to run in every direction.