MembersoftheClassof2019,Stanfordfacultyandstaff,formerandcurrenttrusteesofouruniversity,governmentofficials,distinguishedguests,andcherishedfamilymembersandfriends:
IthankyouforjoiningusonthisveryspecialdaytocelebrateStanford’s128thCommencement.It’smygreathonortowarmlywelcomeallofyou.
Toallthosewhoarereceivingdegreestoday,Iofferaveryspecialwelcome:
Ourseniorclassmembersandourgraduatestudents–congratulationstoeachandeveryoneofyou.Today,wecelebrateyouraccomplishmentsduringyourtimeatStanford,andwelookaheadwithanticipationthateverythingyouwilldonext.
Nowwegatherthisweekendinjoyandcelebration.Butaswedo,wearealsothinkingofthoseinourcommunitywhohaveleftusthisyear–including,tragically,withinthelastfewdays.
ThelossofanymemberofourStanfordcommunityisalosstoallofus.
Andso,aswebeginthismorning’sprogram,I’dlikeustotakeamomenttoacknowledgetheirpassingandtoreflectonhowtheyhaveenrichedourlives.
Pleasejoinmeinamomentofsilence.
Thankyou.