Clive Davis Honored by Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Institute
Clive Davis, the legendary music producer and the Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music, has been honored in a recent ceremony by the Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770. The Institute bestowed their highest honor, The Order of the Golden Sphinx, to Mr. Davis at a gala event held in The Plaza Hotel. The event took place on the 13th of April. The evening began with a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres such as foie gras and short rib quesadillas. After the reception, the guests and Harvard alumni filed into the main dining hall for an appetizer of tuna ceviche and avocado mousse. The main course consisted of filet mignon and cheesy gratin with a side of peas and asparagus. Unsurprisingly, dessert was a hasty pudding topped with vanilla ice cream.
Throughout the evening, the Chairman Andrew Farkas addressed the guests and discussed the club’s goals and the impact they have had over the years. The Harvard Krokodiles, the oldest a cappella group in Harvard performed “Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)” by Benny Goodman before the main course was served. The Hasty Pudding Theatricals also performed on the night with the highlight being their own rendition of “Empire State of Mind” by Alicia Keyes, but with the ode being to Clive Davis rather than New York City. Clive also treated the audience to a surprise performance by his newest talent, Avery Wilson, after talking about the people who had influenced his career and personal life. Wilson performed a version of “A Song for You” by Donny Hathaway.
Andrew Farkas has played a pivotal role in the history of the Hasty Pudding Institute. He was the president of the club for two years during his undergraduate degree. He is currently the Chairman and has recently made a donation to the University so the club’s theatre is now named Farkas Hall, after his father Robin L. Farkas. Farkas Hall is home to the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the Harvard Krokadiloes, the Radcliffe Pitches and plenty of other student-based productions and events.