Marking a milestone behind the lens

Whether it’s carefully assembling students on the front steps of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) for their very first class photo or capturing the triumphant smiles and warm embraces of graduates on Class Day, Steve Gilbert has been a steady and familiar presence behind the lens.

For five decades, he has documented the experiences of dental and medical students, photographing their milestone moments, and also showcasing the spirit of the HSDM and Harvard Medical School (HMS) communities. 

“What I love most about photography is the doors that it has opened,” said Gilbert. “The nature of my work has allowed me access to incredible individuals, cutting-edge science, and thought leaders who shape our society.”

Gilbert majored in electrical engineering and political science in college. On a whim, he used his student loan money to purchase a camera. He took two elective courses in basic photography and documentary film, which helped shape his love for the visual medium. Realizing that law school was not the right path for him, he pursued a master’s in broadcasting and film. 

In 1976, after taking a stab at fame and fortune in Hollywood, Gilbert wandered into the Harvard University employment office and saw an opening for a media specialist position. That May, he started working at HMS, where his first assignment was capturing Class Day. 

“Obviously, I was green and nervous about documenting this auspicious occasion,” he said. “I always consider myself honored to be able to capture these moments.”

A little over two years later, he officially joined the ranks of HSDM, beginning what would become a decades-long relationship with the School. For more than 20 years, he served as HSDM’s dedicated photographer and videographer, capturing countless moments and documenting generations of students, faculty, and alumni. 

After retiring from his official role in 1991, his connection to HSDM has remained strong. To this day, he continues to serve as a freelance photographer, lending his talent and familiarity with the community to events such as the annual White Coat Ceremony, Student Research Day, Alumni Days, and other key occasions that mark the rhythm of life at HSDM.

“I have known and worked with Steve for over 30 years, first during my student days at HSDM and now in my role as dean,” said Dean William Giannobile. “He is truly a delightful member of our community in all ways and cares deeply about our students, staff, faculty, and alumni.”

“My memories working at Harvard are fond ones. I have always said that I am blessed in the fact that I love what I do and it is never lost on me where I get to do what I love,” said Gilbert.

One of Gilbert’s most cherished assignments each year is HSDM and HMS’s annual Class Day. For fifty years, he has stood just offstage, camera in hand, ready to capture the jubilant expressions of students as they cross the stage to receive their diplomas. 

“My favorite moment from a Class Day was also a personal best day for me,” Gilbert said. “Crossing the stage to receive his diploma was Mark Adickes, a former NFL player who had returned to get an MD after his playing career ended. Mark had three of his children in tow, and as he descended the stage, he had one child under each arm, carrying them as if they were footballs. I ran up to the edge of the stage and had Mark crouch in a football pose while still holding the kids, and I took the shot. My photo ran in The Boston Globe and was picked up by The Associated Press for nationwide distribution. It was one of those ‘extra angle’ moments.”

His photographs have become lasting mementos for graduates and their families, preserving the emotional moments that mark the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

Through his lens, Gilbert hasn’t just documented the stories of HSDM, he’s become an enduring part of it, leaving behind a visual legacy that will inspire generations to come. And after fifty years, he’s still right where he belongs: behind the camera, smiling alongside the students whose stories he helps to tell.

“Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than to know that I was along for the ride and somehow in some small way I had made an impact.”