Stanford Alumni Speaker Events

In a world of increasing turmoil, should America be acting as the global “moral police?” When is our nation responsible for stopping genocide, fighting poverty and addressing other pressing issues we face as a country “with a conscience?” And how do we balance our domestic concerns with those outside of our borders? Fareed Zakaria, host of CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS discusses these challenges. This event was recorded on Tuesday, May 10, 2016."

Nightline anchor Juju Chang, ’87 interviews New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, ’91, MA ’92 about public service, diversity in the political arena and his new book United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good. (Photo Credit: Kelly Campbell). This event was recorded on Saturday, February 20, 2016.

Stanford physics PhD candidate Natalie Paquette studies the interactions between physics and pure mathematics. In this talk, she proposes that string theory can prompt interesting questions in the field of mathematics, and vice versa, using the Calabi-Yau quintic manifold as an example.

Stanford psychology PhD candidate Eleanor Chestnut is interested in whether the way we talk about the world can influence how we think about it. In this talk, Eleanor discusses the biases that underlie a deceptively simple statement about boys and girls, and talks about how language can reinforce or undermine gender equality.

Stanford anthropology PhD candidate Dean Chahim studies how people come to believe in the overwhelming power of technology to resolve environmental crises—and whether that faith is misplaced. In this talk, Dean describes how early solutions to Mexico City’s water crisis diffused, rather than completely solved, the problem over time.

Stanford chemistry PhD candidate Devleena Samanta researches new, better ways to treat disease through nanoscience. In this talk, she describes a wireless, electric drug-delivery system that could improve treatment for numerous conditions.

Stanford Modern Thought and Literature PhD candidate Brian Johnsrud studies how the Crusades and other violent histories have served as popular metaphors for relations between the U.S. and Middle East since the First Gulf War, especially after 9/11. In this talk, Brian describes those metaphors and discusses his interdisciplinary journey.

Is American masculinity harming our boys, men and society at large? Join the Program in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies for a special panel discussion featuring Jennifer Seibel Newsom, the filmmaker, and Dr. Judy Chu, lecturer in Human Biology.

Acclaimed historian and political scientist Jack Rakove focuses on the longevity of this nation’s grand innovation—a written constitution as supreme law—and discusses how judicial decisions continue to shape decision-making.

Class Day Lecture gives graduates, their family and friends a unique occasion to experience what makes a Stanford education so special. For over 40 years this event has featured a popular Stanford professor, delivering a last talk at Commencement.

Four Stanford faculty experts discuss civil unrest in the Arab World. (March 15, 2011)

Dr. Jennifer Aaker, General Atlantic Professor of Marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, analyzes what people think makes them happy and then contrasts that to an experiment that provides an unexpected answer. (May 24, 2010)

Dr Jennifer Aaker, General Atlantic Professor of Marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, analyzes the idea of memory decay in the context of happiness, specifically discussing the memory versus the reality of Disneyland. (May 24, 2010)

Dr. Jennifer Aaker, General Atlantic Professor of Marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, tells the inspirational story of Sameer Bhatia and Vinay Chakravarthy, two friends who were diagnosed with leukemia. (May 24, 2010)

David Kennedy and Thad Kousser raise the question 'is California ungovernable'? With budget stalemates and gridlock in the legislature, public outcry for the constitutional change is clear, but there is little agreement on the solution. (April 18, 2010)

Stanford Professor of History, David Kennedy, discusses the history and future of population redistribution across the arid western United States in relation to water management. (October 24, 2009)

A panel of Stanford Alumnae women, students during World War II, discuss aspects of campus life from academics to social life and how they changed when the men went away to war. (August 25, 2009)

A panel of industry experts share their insights about the future of the many "screens" and their integration. (May 20, 2009)

panel discussion sponsored by the Stanford Alumni Club of Philadelphia. Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama both seek to convince voters that their positions and presidencies might represent a a brighter future. (October 12, 2008)

The discussion will focus on the conflict and cooperation among Mexican immigrants, Mexican Americans and African Americans in Los Angeles neighborhoods. (September 8, 2007)

In recent years, Non-European immigration to the United States has challenged conventional understandings and classifications of race.  Join Professor McDermott as she explores how these changes are making an impact. (September 8, 2007)

Amado M. Padilla discusses the educational and psychological challenges that immigrant students face as they adapt to the culture of school in this country. (September 8, 2007)

Pediatrics Professor Fernando Mendoza will discuss the increasing number of health issues facing immigrant Mexican and Mexican-American children. He also explores how creating new public health policies could improve their well-being. (September 8, 2007)

The national conversation about immigrants and immigration — in the media, in the legislature, and around the dinner table unfolds with particular representations - images, ideas and frameworks of understandings. (September 8, 2007)

This discussion focuses on the pros and cons of proposed immigration laws currently working their way through Congress, and how, if passed, these laws will impact both legal and illegal immigration to the United States. (September 8, 2007)

This discussion explores the challenges that Congress confronts in creating immigration policies and looks at how the issue serves as a case study for understanding how the legislature confronts a divisive national issue. (September 8, 2007)

Immigration reform is among the most contentious policy issues faced by Congress and the American people. This panel, made up of faculty from different disciplines across the university with varying perspectives on the topic. (September 8, 2007)

Over 350 students, alumni, faculty, and staff participated in this tribute to Professor Luis R. Fraga which commemorated his contributions to the Stanford community. (May 4, 2007)

A tribute to Professor Luis R. Fraga which commemorated his contributions to the Stanford community.  Over 350 students, alumni, faculty, and staff participated in the celebration.  (May 4, 2007)

For much of the 20th Century, Iran has been a bell weather state for the Muslim Middle East. Today, radical Islam is on the rise in much of the region. What role has Iran and its Islamic revolution played in the spread of this movement? (04-22-07)

Panel discussion on the Green Ribbon Task Force, a partnership between Palo Alto and Stanford University focused on reducing green house emissions in our neighborhoods. (04-15-07)

A Stanford Salute to Justice Sandra Day O'Connor '50, LLB '52" was brought to you by the Washington, DC Stanford Association (WDCSA), the Stanford Law Society of Washington, DC, the Stanford Alumni Association,and the Stanford Law School.

Professor Ogletree leads a spirited discussion that spans his work with securing reparations for survivors of a race riot near Tulsa, OK in 1921; the lasting impact of Brown vs. Board of Education.

Larry Kramer, Richard E. Lang Professor and Dean of the Stanford Law School, critically examines the balancing act between Congressional lawmakers acting on behalf of "the people," and the federal courts who shape the laws.

Dr. Drexler is a widely published research psychologist, writer and lecturer who has worked extensively with children over many years. Her talk is based on extensive research of boys raised in two-parent heterosexual, lesbian, and single mothers by choice.

The Spectator Bird, which won the National Book Award in 1977, is the story of one of life's spectators. Pulitzer Prize-winner Wallace Stegner recorded this excerpt from Chapter Three at his home in 1987.

It often seems that the world of live theater in America, including New York, is in danger of becoming formulaic and predictable. What changes lay ahead for this art form, now that producing innovative new work is fraught with so many risks?

Pulitzer Prize-winning Stanford historian and alumnus, David Kennedy, weaves the account of a cross-continent voyage by love-smitten Robert Louis Stevenson, the educational brainstorm of empire-builder Leland Stanford.

Professor Diamond is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, professor of political science and sociology (by courtesy) and coordinator of the Democracy Program of the new Center for Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law at the Stanford Institute.

The Stanford Alumni Association and the University of British Columbia Alumni Association present a special seminar featuring top environmental professors from both institutions.