Opening Convocation Ceremony

Stanford welcomed 1,950 new first-year and transfer students on Tuesday at a Convocation ceremony inaugurating the new academic year.

In welcoming the Class of 2030, Levin celebrated Stanford’s culture of exploration, expertise, and optimism. “The future is something you build rather than something that happens to you.”

“College is much more about asking questions than about knowing all the answers.”

Stanford’s 135th annual Convocation ceremony welcomed 1,870 new first-year students and 90 transfers to the campus community.

New students and their families heard from President Levin, student speaker Diego Kagurabadza, and more at the formal open to their time at Stanford.

The following is the prepared text of remarks by Stanford President Jonathan Levin at the 134th Convocation Ceremony on September 17, 2024.

Jonathan Levin urged new first-year and transfer students to ask big questions in his address at Tuesday’s Convocation ceremony.

The gathering welcomed new first-year and transfer students to the campus community and marked President Richard Saller’s first weeks at the helm of the university.

Stanford President Richard Saller delivered these remarks at the 133rd Opening Convocation ceremony on Sept. 19, 2023.

Stanford welcomed the largest incoming undergraduate class in its history – 2,131 first-year and 66 transfer students – and their families, friends and loved ones Tuesday during the 131st Opening Convocation Ceremony. The event, which inaugurates the academic year and marks the first day of New Student Orientation, was held at Frost Amphitheater.