Stanford “is hallowed by no traditions. It is hampered by none,” David Starr Jordan said on being installed as the university’s founding president on its opening day, Oct. 1, 1891.
In its 125 years, Stanford has installed 11 presidents, almost all in October. The inaugural pageantry has waxed and waned with Stanford’s fortunes and the world’s, and with the tone – celebration, solemnity, aspiration, tough love – that the incoming president has aimed to convey.
Only two Stanford presidents have forgone a formal inauguration – Donald Tresidder in 1943 amid World War II austerity and Richard Lyman in 1970 amid campus unrest. The others, including University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne on Oct. 21, 2016, set their personal stamp on a solemn and memorable event.
This photo history of Stanford presidential inaugurations through the years is annotated by Barbara Wilcox.
Image credit: A.P. Hill / Stanford University Archives
Image credit: Stanford University Archives
Image credit: Stanford University Archives
Image credit: Stanford University Archives
Image credit: Stanford University Archives
Image credit: Stanford University Archives
Image credit: Stanford University Archives
Image credit: Stanford University Archives
Image credit: Stanford University Archives
Image credit: Stanford University Archives
Image credit: Stanford University Archives
Image credit: Stanford University Archives
Image credit: Chuck Painter / Stanford News Service
Image credit: L.A. Cicero
Image credit: L.A. Cicero
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