Media advisory: Commencement logistics (not for publication)

Oprah Winfrey, global media leader and international philanthropist, and the Rev. Peter J. Gomes, bestselling author and minister at Harvard University's Memorial Church, will be the 2008 keynote speakers during Stanford University's 117th Commencement Weekend, June 14-15.

Winfrey will speak to graduating seniors at the Commencement ceremony at Stanford Stadium on Sunday, June 15, at 9:30 a.m. The event begins with the "Wacky Walk," Stanford's nontraditional processional in the stadium.

As of today, the university expects to grant 1,723 bachelor's degrees, 2,013 master's degrees and 1,005 doctoral degrees at the Commencement ceremony. (These numbers are subject to change.)

Journalists interested in covering these events should contact Grace Evans at (650) 725-3124 or gmevans@stanford.edu by 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, to register. Once registered, they will be asked to present a press credential from an established news organization in order to pick up a special press badge. Freelance reporters and photographers should fax or e-mail a letter from the news organization for which they will be working to Grace Evans by the June 11 deadline. Badges will be available at the Stanford University News Service until 4 p.m. Friday, June 13. Press seating is not guaranteed. All bags are subject to search.

Journalists wishing to cover the Commencement ceremony from the stadium floor will need to present their passes at the media check-in table at the stadium's Gate 1 in order to be escorted to the press section. Broadcast trucks should arrive by 7:45 a.m. Broadcasters should contact Jack Hubbard at (650) 804-1576 about truck parking. All other media should arrive on campus between 8 and 8:30 a.m. They should enter the campus via Galvez Street and park in Lot 6, located at Galvez and Campus Drive.

Event and parking locations can be viewed at: http://commencement.stanford.edu/pdf/CommParkingMap08.pdf

Gomes will deliver his address at the Baccalaureate Ceremony in the Main Quad on Saturday, June 14, at 9:30 a.m. A press section will be set up for reporters who have secured press passes in advance.

The event location can be viewed at:

The Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live on KZSU, the student-run radio station, at 90.1 FM or on the web at http://kzsu.stanford.edu/.

Stanford University has an interest in ensuring that the privacy of all of its students, faculty and staff is respected. The university is private property. Media access to activities not included in this advisory is at the discretion of event organizers.

Editor Note:

A mult box will be available for broadcasters.

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