During Stanford University’s 131st Commencement Ceremony on June 12, 2022, Stanford alum and Netflix co-founder and co-CEO Reed Hastings reminded graduates of the power of inventions and stories. “One is about harnessing the natural world; the other is about harnessing the human spirit,” said Hastings, who was unable to attend in person and provided remarks via a recorded video. Hastings urged graduates to focus on inventing solutions to one challenge in particular – climate change – and to devise new stories for a modern world, ones that encourage compassion between people and help prevent war.

This year’s Commencement weekend also featured a ceremony to recognize the Class of 2020, whose in-person Commencement ceremony was delayed due to pandemic-related restrictions. Around 2,600 alums from the Class of 2020 reunited at Stanford Stadium on June 11, where they heard France A. Córdova, an astrophysicist and a former leader of major universities and government agencies, reflect on how her career path pivoted from literature to physics and then to outer space. She encouraged graduates to look out for the unexpected possibilities that emerge in life’s path.

“Keep your eyes open for side streets and bike lanes,” Córdova said. “You may end up on an even more incredible journey than you had foreseen if you remain open to possibilities in unlikely places.”

Go to the web site to view the video.

Kurt Hickman & Stanford Video

Class of 2022 Commencement highlights: Alum Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix, encouraged graduates to harness the power of inventions and stories to drive societal change.

Go to the web site to view the video.

Kurt Hickman & Stanford Video

Class of 2020 Commencement highlights: France A. Córdova, an astrophysicist and leader in higher education and government, encouraged graduates to remain open to possibilities in unlikely places at the Class of 2020 Commencement ceremony.

Full-length videos of the 2022 Commencement ceremonies are available on the Stanford YouTube channel:

Reed Hastings urges Class of 2022 to harness the power of inventions and stories

Reed Hastings, Stanford alum and co-founder of Netflix, encouraged graduates to harness the power of inventions and stories to drive societal change.

Stanford Class of 2022 Commencement address by Reed Hastings

Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix, delivered the address to the Stanford Class of 2020 on June 12, 2022.

Real life is not somewhere else, it’s inside of you, France A. Córdova tells the Class of 2020

France A. Córdova, an astrophysicist and leader in higher education and government, encouraged graduates to remain open to possibilities in unlikely places at the Class of 2020 Commencement ceremony.

Stanford Class of 2020 Commencement address by France Córdova

France Córdova, president of the Science Philanthropy Alliance, delivered the address at the pandemic-delayed ceremony for the Stanford Class of 2020 on June 11, 2022.

Stanford’s 2020 & 2022 Commencement Wacky Walks

No Stanford Commencement would be complete without the “Wacky Walk,” the university's nontraditional tradition where graduating seniors parade in homemade costumes that range from the satirical to the sublime to sometimes silly.

Stanford classes of ’20 and ’22 gather for Baccalaureate ceremonies

This year’s two Baccalaureate speakers called on graduates to see the interconnectedness of the world and to diversify their lives in the face of adversity.

Commencement Weekend 2022 in photos

Commencement Weekend was a double celebration for the graduating classes of 2020 and 2022, with an estimated 23,000 family, friends, and grads gathering on the Farm to mark the occasion. Photographer Don Feria captured the highlights.

2022 Cuthbertson, Dinkelspiel, and Gores awards

The awards recognize Stanford faculty, students, and staff for their exceptional contributions to the university. The winners are honored at Commencement.

Medical school graduates celebrate in person for first time in three years

Doctoral, medical and physician assistant students hear messages of hope and compassion as they celebrate graduation.

Celebrating a transformative time in learning

Graduates were encouraged to play a part in solving challenges in education, as the Graduate School of Education held an in-person ceremony for three class years.

Graduates urged to stay engaged, remain hopeful, keep learning

More than any class before, the 2022 graduates of the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences are prepared to navigate uncertainties in the pursuit of a life that brings happiness and meaning, according to Dean Stephan Graham.

Stanford Law celebrates Class of 2022, reunites classes of 2020 and 2021

On June 11, 288 graduating Stanford Law School students celebrated their accomplishments and each other in an outdoor tent covering the lawns in front of the law school’s Canfield Courtyard.

‘Disrupt stereotypes,’ and be ready to serve, speakers tell GSB graduates

In dual ceremonies honoring graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2022, speakers at commencement exercises for Stanford GSB urged graduates to lean into the lessons provided by the pandemic and push through toward new challenges.

Undergrads earn graduation awards, national honors

Undergraduates have earned national and university awards recognizing academic, research, and writing excellence. Graduation honors include departmental awards; national and university awards; Golden, Firestone, and Kennedy Thesis awards; and undergraduate honors society notations.

In the Spotlight: Outstanding graduates of the Class of 2022

In art and science, absorbing the vastness of the human experience

Helena Zhang graduates with a bachelor’s degree in human biology and a minor in art history. After a year serving the community as a Haas Center Community Impact Fellow, she plans to pursue a career as a doctor.

Seeing sustainability’s bigger picture

Adam Nayak, winner of the 2022 J.E. Wallace Sterling Award for outstanding leadership and service, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering and a minor in comparative studies in race and ethnicity. He plans to complete a degree in management science and engineering next year, then pursue a PhD with a sustainability and social impact focus.

A passion for international understanding

In her first quarter at Stanford, Maya Guzdar decided to sign up for a Mandarin Chinese class. After graduating, she’ll begin a master’s program in Beijing.

Building communities centered on care and learning

Alex Bradfield, who grew up in Louisville, Colorado, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering and a minor in education. After working at Stanford Sierra Camp this summer, he plans to pursue a career in STEM, and later, become a high school teacher.

Aiming for space, with eyes on a more inclusive home planet

Mary Cooper, who grew up in a military family, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and computer science. After a summer working at SpaceX and a semester of study at Oxford, she’ll return to earn a master’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering.

Stepping out of his comfort zone and into the world of dance

Gaurab Banerjee, a leader in Stanford’s social dance community and a member of the Axe Committee, graduates with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science. He plans to work in the artificial intelligence industry and later in community development.