06/01/95

CONTACT: Stanford University News Service (650) 723-2558

Perry to discuss ethics of foreign policy at June 18 commencement

STANFORD -- Secretary of Defense William Perry is expected to discuss the ethics of foreign policy as the featured speaker at Stanford University's 104th commencement on Sunday morning, June 18, in Stanford Stadium.

About 3,000 graduates and 25,000 guests are expected to attend the annual rite, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a typically colorful undergraduate procession, followed by a graduate student procession at 9:45 a.m. and faculty procession at 10 a.m.

Perry (BS '49, MS '50, mathematics) told reporters for the News Service that he planned to talk about the ethical issues involved in sending forces into such troubled spots as Haiti and Bosnia. He also said that he wanted to encourage graduates to spend at least a portion of their careers in government service.

In addition to Perry's speech, this year's commencement ceremony will feature remarks by Stanford President Gerhard Casper, and presentation of awards for outstanding teaching and campus service. Individual diplomas will be awarded beginning at 12:30 p.m., after the main ceremony, at small departmental ceremonies scattered throughout the campus.

Stanford's commencement ceremony will be the culmination of numerous activities and exhibits planned for graduates and their families that weekend.

Phi Beta Kappa initiation will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, in Memorial Auditorium. The meeting will be chaired by David Abernethy, professor of political science, and will feature an address by noted playwright David Henry Hwang.

The university's annual baccalaureate service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 17, in the north portal of the Inner Quad. About 5,000 are expected to attend the interdenominational ceremony, which will feature music and spiritual readings by Dean of the Chapel Robert Gregg, students and ministers of major religious groups on campus.

Professor Azim Nanji, Islamic studies chair in the Religious Studies Department of the University of Florida-Gainesville, will be the featured speaker. His topic will be "A Convocation of Birds."

Dedication of the senior class plaque will follow at 10:30 a.m. in the Inner Quad, followed by the Class Day luncheon for seniors and their families beginning at 11 a.m. in Kennedy Grove, near the Bowman Alumni House. Speakers will include the Rev. Floyd Thompkins, associate dean of the chapel; President Emeritus Donald Kennedy, Bing Professor of Environmental Science; and Sally Dickson, director of the Office for Multicultural Development.

The annual president's reception for graduates, their families, faculty and alumni will be held in the gardens of President and Dr. Regina Casper's home, 623 Mirada Ave., from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17. Shuttle service will be provided; the buses will leave Tresidder Union for the reception every 10 minutes, beginning at 3:20 p.m.

The day will end with a Class of 1995 dance and reception from 8:30 p.m. to midnight on the Tresidder Union back patio.

Other weekend activities will include tours of the campus, Memorial Church and SLAC, and religious services and dinners sponsored by various campus organizations.

Commencement Weekend is organized by Stanford's Office of Events and Services. For more information, call (415) 723-2551.

-tmj-

NOTE TO EDITORS: For credentialing information, please contact Peter Rapalus at (415) 723-7162

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