Commencement

Alexander Nemerov, the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Provostial Professor in the Arts and Humanities, offers the New Student Orientation first lecture on the purpose of a liberal education and how students will become more than their major.

Speaking at the 2013 Stanford Baccalaureate ceremony will be alumna Valarie Kaur, an award-winning filmmaker, civil rights advocate and interfaith organizer. She is the founding director of Groundswell, a nonprofit initiative at Auburn Seminary that mobilizes people of faith in social action. Currently a fellow at Yale Law School, Kaur is the founding director of the Yale Visual Law Project, where she makes documentary films and trains students in the art of visual advocacy.

More than 30,000 family members and friends gathered for Stanford's 122nd Commencement Weekend. The keynote of Sunday's Commencement ceremony was an address by Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York, NY. He spoke to the graduates who entered Stanford Stadium with the traditional Wacky Walk.

More than 30,000 family members and friends gathered for Stanford's 122nd Commencement Weekend. The keynote of Sunday's Commencement ceremony was an address by Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York, NY. He spoke to the graduates who entered Stanford Stadium with the traditional Wacky Walk. Highlights on Saturday included the Baccalaureate address by Valarie Kaur, award-winning filmmaker and founder of Groundswell; the Class Day Lecture by Mehran Sahami, an associate professor of computer science.

At Stanford's 121th Commencement, the university conferred 1,763 bachelor's, 2,302 master's and 1,023 doctoral degrees. Cory Booker, the Mayor of Neward, New Jersey, delivered the commencement address. (June 17, 2012)

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Larry Diamond draws on Stanford's motto, "the wind of freedom blows," as he traces the rise of democracy in a final lecture to the class of 2012, followed by a few words from the Senior Class Presidents. (June 16, 2012)

Cory Booker, the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, challenges Stanford graduates to be courageous, never lose faith and always work together during Stanford's 121st Commencement. (June 17, 2012)

At Stanford's 120th Commencement, the university conferred 1,720 bachelor's, 2,167 master's and 1,054 doctoral degrees. Felipe Calderón, the President of Mexico, delivered the commencement address. (June 12, 2011)

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(June 11, 2011) Rob Reich addresses the class of 2011 on the promise and peril of the new social economy and their role as Stanford graduates to do social good in whatever profession or sector of the economy they pursue.

Reverend Gail E. Bowman comments on the role faith has played in the graduates' tough four years at Stanford. Imperfection and the unexpected will always be in their lives, but graduates do not need perfection to be successful. (June 11, 2011)

In her remarks at Stanford University's 119th Commencement on Sunday, Susan Rice, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, challenges the graduates to innovate and serve; to shape change and be that change. (June 13, 2010)

In her remarks at Stanford University's 119th Commencement on Sunday, Susan Rice, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, challenges the graduates to innovate and serve; to shape change and "be that change." (June 13, 2010) 

Selected by the graduating class, Professor Debra Satz urges students to "take an interest in the lives of others" in her parting lecture for the class of 2010. (June 12, 2010)

Stanford's Baccalaureate Celebration is a multi-faith service. Keynote speaker Eboo Patel delivered his hope that graduates have one person in their lives who is a "little bit crazy." (June 12, 2010)

Selected by the graduating class, world renowned professor and researcher Robert Sapolsky, delivered the class day lecture. Drawing on his research of the animal world, he spoke on the uniqueness of humans. (June 13, 2009)

Selected by the graduating class, world renowned professor and researcher Robert Sapolsky, delivered the class day lecture. Drawing on his research of the animal world, he spoke on the uniqueness of humans in relation to the rest of the animal kingdom. (June 13, 2009)

Stanford University held its 118th Commencement. Supreme Court Justice Kennedy urged graduates to spread freedom and law throughout the world. (June 14, 2009)

Stanford University held its 2009 Baccalaureate Celebration. This multi-faith celebration featured Ruth W. Messinger, president of the American Jewish World Service, as the keynote speaker. (June 13, 2009)

Stanford University held its 2009 Baccalaureate Celebration. This multi-faith celebration featured Ruth W. Messinger, president of the American Jewish World Service, as the keynote speaker. (June 13, 2009)

In his address to Stanford's class of 2009, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy tells the graduates to spread freedom and the rule of law. (June 14, 2009)

In his address to Stanford's class of 2009, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy tells the graduates to spread freedom and the rule of law. Sunday's Commencement marked the awarding of 1,735 bachelor's degrees and 2,039 master's degrees. (June 14, 2009)

Family and friends gathered in Frost Amphitheater on June 14, 2008 to honor this year’s 445 graduates, including 374 who received the Master of Business Administration degree. (June 14, 2008)

For over forty years, Class Day Lecture has featured a world renowned Stanford professor, as selected by members of the graduating class. Professor William Durham delivers the 2008 Class Day Lecture. (June 14, 2008)

The Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in The Memorial Church at Harvard University delivers the Baccalaureate address at Stanford University's commencement ceremonies. (June 14, 2008)

Oprah Winfrey, global media leader and philanthropist, spoke to the Class of 2008 at Stanford's 117th Commencement on June 15, 2008. (June 15, 2008)  

Oprah Winfrey, global media leader and philanthropist, spoke to the Class of 2008 at Stanford's 117th Commencement on June 15, 2008. (June 15, 2008)

Stanford University conferred 1,702 bachelor's degrees, along with 2,017 master's degrees and 947 doctoral degrees before an audience of over 25,000 at the university's 117th Commencement ceremony. (June 15, 2008)

The Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in The Memorial Church at Harvard University delivers the Baccalaureate address at Stanford University's commencement ceremonies. (June 14, 2008)

Dana Gioia, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, delivered Stanford University's 116th Commencement address at a ceremony awarding 1,600 undergraduate degrees and 3,000 graduate degrees. (June 17, 2007)

Dana Gioia, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, delivered Stanford University's 116th Commencement address at a ceremony awarding 1,600 undergraduate degrees and 3,000 graduate degrees. (June 17, 2007)

With an estimated 27,000 family members and friends in attendance, the university's 116th Commencement culminated Sunday with the ceremony to award degrees to more than 4,600 students.

This celebratory gathering is for senior graduates, families and friends and is a bookend to the Opening Convocation held four years ago -- a time to acknowledge the spiritual contribution to the education of the whole person.

Steve Jobs' address given at the 115th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 12, 2005.

Tom Brokaw, broadcast-news icon and author, delivered Stanford University's 115th Commencement address at Elliott Field at a ceremony awarding 1,700 undergraduate degrees.

Gregorian, the former president of Brown University and since 1997 the president of the Carnegie Corporation, delivered the Commencement address at Elliott Field at a ceremony awarding 2,147 master's degrees and 954 doctoral degrees.

Video highlights of Stanford's Wacky Walk tradition at Commencement 2006.

Approximately 1,000 students and 50 faculty members and administrative officials participated in the graduate commencement ceremony. Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation delivered the keynote address.

Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and Pixar addresses the Stanford University graduating class of 2005 at commencement exercises in June.

Tom Brokaw, broadcast-news icon and author, delivered Stanford University's 115th Commencement address at Elliott Field at a ceremony awarding 1,700 undergraduate degrees.