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May 30th, 2019| 0 min read

A look back at Stanford University Commencement speakers

On June 15, 1892, the Rev. Myron W. Reed, president of the National Charities Association, addressed Stanford’s first graduating class. Since then, a host of accomplished business leaders, politicians, academics, journalists, artists and philanthropists have helped graduating seniors and graduate students mark the end of their Stanford careers. From Steve Jobs and Oprah Winfrey to Bill and Melinda Gates, here’s a look back at some of Stanford’s Commencement speakers.

Actor and Stanford alumnus Sterling K. Brown, ’98, delivers the keynote address at the 2018 Commencement.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Commencement speaker Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar encouraged the graduates to snap their fingers while he rapped part of his Commencement address. — 2017 Commencement speaker and California Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar encouraged the graduates to snap their fingers while he rapped part of his Commencement address.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Ken Burns — Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns delivers his address in 2016.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Richard Engel — Stanford alumnus Richard Engel, chief foreign correspondent for NBC News, at the 2015 Commencement.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Bill and Melinda Gates — Philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, who are also Stanford parents, shared the podium as the 2014 Commencement speakers.
Image credit: Aaron Kehoe

Michael Bloomberg — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was the Commencement speaker in 2013.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Cory Booker — Alumnus and then-Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker was a hit with the crowd when he gave the Commencement address in 2012.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Calderon — Felipe Calderón, president of Mexico, took time after the 2011 Commencement ceremony to address and take photos with some of the Mexican students graduating from Stanford.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Susan Rice — Alumna and then-U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, who gave the 2010 Commencement address, smiled as she recounted how Stanford Stadium held a special meaning for her and her husband: They had their first romantic moment there.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Anthony Kennedy — In 2009, Provost John Etchemendy, Commencement speaker U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and University President John Hennessy leave the stadium.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Oprah Winfrey — All graduates were given books as a gift by 2008 Commencement speaker Oprah Winfrey, whose goddaughter is a Stanford graduate.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Gioia — Renowned poet, literary critic and then-chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Dana Gioia, a Stanford alumnus, spoke at the 2007 Commencement ceremony.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Brokaw — Tom Brokaw, renowned journalist and author, as well as a Stanford dad, was the Commencement speaker in 2006.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Jobs — Steve Jobs’ moving Commencement address in 2005 is considered one of the most memorable graduation speeches ever and remains one of the most visited pages on the Stanford website.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

O'Connor — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, a Stanford alumna, was a very popular Commencement speaker in 2004.
Image credit: Steve Castillo

Rice — Stanford faculty member Condoleezza Rice was serving as U.S. National Security Adviser when she gave the 2002 Commencement address.

Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Fiorina — After the Stanford Commencement ceremony in 2001, Commencement speaker and Stanford alumna Carly Fiorina, then CEO of Hewlett-Packard, exited the stadium with President John Hennessy.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Annan — U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan delivered the Commencement address in 2000.
Image credit: Rod Searcey

Pinsky — Stanford alumnus and U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinksy in 1999 urged graduates to remember the past as they head into the future.
Image credit: Steve Castillo

Koppel — Broadcaster and Stanford alumnus Ted Koppel listened to University President Gerhard Casper at the 1998 Commencement ceremony.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

Breyer — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, a Stanford alumnus and parent of a graduate, spoke at the 1997 Commencement ceremony.
Image credit: L.A. Cicero

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