With traditional words of advice and congratulations – along with untraditional festooned mortarboards and wacky costumes – the Stanford community gathered to celebrate the Class of 2018 at Stanford’s 127th Commencement weekend June 15-17, 2018. Highlights included Saturday’s Baccalaureate celebration and Sunday’s Commencement ceremony, where actor and alum Sterling K. Brown gave the address. University photographers Linda A. Cicero and Holly Hernandez captured some of the festivities.
Meredith Shell relays an inspirational quote from her favorite movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on her mortarboard. Image credit: L.A. CiceroStudents get a chance to sit quietly in Memorial Church as they wait to process to Baccalaureate. Image credit: L.A. CiceroPoet Elizabeth Alexander, president of the Mellon Foundation, gives the Baccalaureate address. Image credit: L.A. CiceroSenior class president Ibrahim I. Bharmal leads the invocation, “A Prayer from the Ojibway Nation.” Image credit: L.A. CiceroSenior class presidents Madilyn Hope Ontiveros and Jack Robert Seaton read “To Be of Use” by Marge Piercy. Image credit: L.A. CiceroGraduating students listen to the Baccalaureate address by Elizabeth Alexander. Image credit: L.A. CiceroSenior class president Rachel Elizabeth Morrow reads Proverbs 4: 7-9. Image credit: L.A. CiceroAfter giving the student reflection, Eni Asebiomo is congratulated by fellow senior class president Ibrahim Bharmal. Image credit: L.A. CiceroThe a cappella ensemble Talisman sings “Wanting Memories” at the Baccalaureate. Image credit: L.A. CiceroFamilies and friends of graduates stand to catch a glimpse or photograph their student at Baccalaureate. Image credit: L.A. CiceroStanford Taiko plays “Tatsumaki,” a drumming blessing. Image credit: L.A. CiceroElizabeth Alexander and Marc Tessier-Lavigne recess after the Baccalaureate. Image credit: L.A. CiceroStudents reunite with their families after the Baccalaureate celebration. Image credit: L.A. CiceroTalisman sings with former members during their annual reunion after Baccalaureate. Image credit: Holly HernandezCommencement speaker Sterling K. Brown gets ready for the ceremony with the help of Elaine Ray. Image credit: Holly HernandezWacky Walk 2018 Image credit: Holly HernandezFlag bearers from the Stanford Axe Committee open the Commencement ceremony. Image credit: L.A. CiceroHuman biology major Maria Marta Rey attends Commencement after a recent appendectomy. Image credit: L.A. CiceroA group of students dressed as pizza slices form an entire pie during the 2018 Wacky Walk. Image credit: L.A. CiceroSpectators crowd the railing at the stadium to secure a photo of the ceremony. Image credit: L.A. CiceroThe incoming and outgoing Stanford Tree mascots participate in the Wacky Walk. Image credit: L.A. CiceroA group of graduates remember to say thanks to their parents. Image credit: L.A. CiceroBlack Femme (of the Black Community) Wakanda Warriors. Image credit: Holly HernandezThree seniors used Loteria cards as their theme in the 2018 Wacky Walk. Image credit: L.A. CiceroStanford faculty attend the Commencement ceremony in the regalia of the schools they attended. Image credit: L.A. CiceroCommencement at Stanford Stadium Image credit: Holly HernandezElen Mendoza, Karina Luna and Gianna Nino celebrate Oaxaca, Mexico during Wacky Walk. Image credit: L.A. CiceroGraduates celebrated their dads by dressing the part. Image credit: L.A. CiceroImage credit: L.A. CiceroPresident Marc Tessier-Lavigne, keynote speaker Sterling K. Brown and Provost Persis Drell receive applause as they process to the stage. Image credit: L.A. CiceroImage credit: L.A. CiceroPresident Marc Tessier-Lavigne greets the graduates. Image credit: L.A. CiceroGraduates turn to face the stands and thank the people who supported their education. Image credit: L.A. CiceroStephen J. Stedman, Amy Larimer and graduating senior Alexis Kallen receive the Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Award for Distinctive Contributions to Undergraduate Education. Image credit: L.A. CiceroMichelle Elam, Richard Nevle and graduating senior Delaney Sullivan receive the Walter J. Gores Award, the university’s highest teaching honor. Image credit: L.A. CiceroAnn Arvin is applauded as she receives the Kenneth M. Cuthberson Award for Exceptional Service to Stanford University. Image credit: L.A. CiceroDuring his introduction actor Sterling K. Brown acknowledges his role in Black Panther. Image credit: L.A. CiceroActor and alumnus Sterling K. Brown, ’98, delivers the Commencement address. Image credit: L.A. CiceroUndergraduates stand and celebrate the conferral of their degrees. Image credit: L.A. CiceroStudents receiving graduate degrees from the School of Engineering stand and celebrate. Image credit: L.A. CiceroExcited and relieved, speaker Sterling K. Brown recesses from the stadium with Provost Persis Drell, left, and President Marc Tessier-Lavigne, right. Image credit: L.A. CiceroThe Stanford Tree mascot dances with the Band at the exuberant finale to the Commencement ceremony. Image credit: L.A. CiceroThe Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band energizes the crowd after the Commencement. Image credit: L.A. Cicero
