Elliott Field selected as venue for Commencement ceremonies

Elliott Field, also known as the football practice field, will host separate Commencement ceremonies for advanced degree candidates and for the undergraduate Class of 2006 while Stanford Stadium, the usual venue for Commencement, is being renovated.

Elliott Field has been selected as the site of the 2006 Commencement ceremonies by President John Hennessy after consultation with senior class leaders, students and their parents.

Elliott Field, also known as the football practice field, will host two separate Commencement ceremonies: one for advanced degrees on Saturday, June 17, at 9:30 a.m. and one for the undergraduate Class of 2006 on Sunday, June 18, at 9:30 a.m. Stanford Stadium, the usual venue for Commencement ceremonies, is currently being renovated.

More than 750 students and parents responded to a survey about possible sites. Elliott Field emerged as the clear favorite because it allows graduates approximately nine tickets for family members and friends, as opposed to only four tickets at the number two pick: Frost Amphitheater. Additionally, the university will be working with senior class presidents to set up a ticket-exchange system so that students who do not require their full allotment of tickets will be able to redistribute them to students who need additional tickets, said Elaine Enos, executive director of Stanford Events.

Elliott Field will be set up with the same stage used at past commencement ceremonies and will have folding chairs for the audience, Enos said. Two jumbo screens also will be set up in the field for better viewing, she said. The traditional Wacky Walk, in which students run amok around the field before the ceremony begins, also will likely be accommodated, Enos said.

“At this time, all indications point to there being enough space for a Wacky Walk,” Enos said.

An overflow viewing area using a live video feed will be set up inside the adjacent Maples Pavilion, and the ceremonies also will be broadcast live on KZSU, the student-run radio station. “The overflow site being at Maples, which is right behind Elliott Field, is really advantageous because it will help us handle special needs and accommodate people,” Enos said. “And at the end of the ceremony, the families can easily gather and proceed to other events during the day because the two sites are so close.” Parking in the area is also plentiful, Enos said.

The university’s Commencement website, http://commencement.stanford.edu, will be updated later with more information about the ceremonies. Additional materials will be mailed to students and families in the spring, Enos said, and anyone with questions is encouraged to email commencement@stanford.edu or call 725-1957.