Adapted from Remarks of President Hennessy of Stanford University
at 2011 Opening Convocation Ceremon

　Parents, transfer students and members of the Class of 2015:

　　Good afternoon and welcome to Stanford University. Today, we celebrate the arrival of 1 709 new freshmen and 47 transfer students.　

　I trust that as you prepared for this day, you must have taken some time to contemplate what you are searching for in your undergraduate education. Today we are living in a time of great change. New medical discoveries in science are revolutionizing the way we treat human disease as well as challenging us with deep and complex ethical questions. The changes we have brought in our environment — from global warming to the reduction and extinction of various flora and fauna — force us to face the question of how we will build a model for sustainable existence. Events around the world remind us that we share a small planet among peoples with different beliefs, hopes and cultures, and that understanding and appreciating their ambitions and their history will be critical to building a better world for all.　

　Now that you have accepted the invitation to join this university, the question I expect you are all asking is, “How should I make the most of my time here?” I can offer a few suggestions based on my 34 years as a member. 　

　My first suggestion is to get to know the faculty, who have chosen to pursue the academic life because of their passion for learning and their desire to share their knowledge with others. We have an extraordinary faculty — get to know them and discover why they are passionate about their scholarly pursuits.　

　Over the next few years, you will get to know students whose backgrounds, cultures or beliefs are different from yours. You may find that your values — and your prejudices — are challenged. I hope that you will discover a new understanding and appreciation for the pluralistic society in which we live and find constructive ways to contribute to the world. The opportunity to learn from your fellow students is an important part of a Stanford education.　

　You have chosen to attend a university that is not only a great educational institution but is also a great research institution. I encourage you to take advantage of that. Take courses and attend seminars that explore the frontiers of fields where new knowledge and understanding are being created. For me, participating in research as an undergraduate led me from my major in electrical engineering to my graduate major in computer science, and it ignited a passion for being on the leading edge of discovery. This passion sustained me through my PhD and continues to excite me after more than 30 years as a Stanford faculty member. Being at the forefront of discovery and taking part in the creation of new knowledge is an immensely rewarding and life-altering experience.　

　As you begin your time at Stanford and plan your four years here, I would urge you to remember that your undergraduate education is a foundation for life. It is a once-in-a-lifetime journey. It is much more than your ticket to your first job. It is an opportunity to develop the skills and passion for being a lifelong learner in areas related to and outside of your future career.

　To the parents in the audience, I assure you that Stanford will provide a variety of possibilities for growing and learning during the next few years. But it is your children, as individuals, who will choose what excites them, what generates intellectual passion and what engages their very able minds. I hope that you will support that choice.　

　I welcome all our new students and their parents to the Stanford family. Students, I hope your time here transforms your lives, just as it has transformed the lives of so many alumni. And, finally, I hope your time here will help to provide a foundation on which you will make your contributions to a better future for yourselves and the generations that will follow.　

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