Speeches & Writings
...back to main Speeches and Writings pageColumns in Stanford Magazine
2015
How Far We've Come:
Nov/Dec '15
The university's 125th anniversary offers a chance to reflect. |
Heeding the Call to Service:
Sep/Oct '15
New program strengthens commitment to helping others. |
'Usefulness' Education:
Jul/Aug '15
The powerful pull of experiential learning. |
A Presidential Visit:
May/Jun '15
White House Summit on the Farm offered a rare opportunity. |
Progress Meets Preservation:
Mar/Apr '15
Building for the future, with an eye on the past. |
A Prizeworthy Faculty:
Jan/Feb '15
In a banner year, recognition follows achievements. |
2014
The Brain: The Final Frontier?:
Nov/Dec '14
Neuroscience institute is poised for breakthroughs. |
Optimism Meets Empathy:
Sep/Oct '14
The Gateses' Commencement message echoes our heritage of service. |
First the Farm, Then the Planet:
Jul/Aug '14
Sustainability begins at home, and we're doing our best to be good stewards. |
What We've Learned About MOOCs:
May/Jun '14
Online education won't replace the residential experience, but it has a place. |
In Praise of True Student-Athletes:
Mar/Apr '14
Leadership and success, on and off the field. |
Preparation That Lasts a Lifetime:
Jan/Feb '14
The humanities remain at the center of a Stanford education. |
2013
A Cauldron of Innovation:
Nov/Dec '13
The Clark Center has incubated pathbreaking inventions and transformed our thinking. |
Doing Well by Doing Good:
Sep/Oct '13
Nonprofit start-ups harness energy and idealism to make positive change. |
Restoring Balance, Increasing Access:
Jul/Aug '13
It's time to consider growing undergraduate enrollment. |
Financial Strength Enables Innovation:
May/Jun '13
Updated facilities, robust student aid are key to Stanford's excellence. |
Money Well Spent:
Mar/Apr '13
Federal funding for research fosters discover and nurtures industry. |
An Unwavering Commitment to Access:
Jan/Feb '13
Financial aid, limiting debt are crucial for keeping college affordable. |
2012
A Force for Better Health Care:
Nov/Dec '12
Landmark efforts will advance medicine in lab and at bedside. |
Leadership That Inspires Reminds Us Why It Matters:
Sep/Oct '12
Lyman and Booker, generations apart, demonstrate courage and character. |
Remodeling Our Curriculum for the 21st Century:
Jul/Aug '12 Breadth and depth, and a new emphasis on critical thinking. |
Our Strong China Connection Gains a Firmer Foothold:
May/Jun '12 The opening of a Stanford center in Beijing launches a new era of collaboration. |
What the Stanford Challenge Meant, and Where the Money Went:
Mar/Apr '12 The promise and progress enabled by a historic fundraising success. |
Educating Entrepreneurs to Leverage Growth and Development:
Jan/Feb '12 Two recent initiatives aim to capitalize on Stanford's unique success. |
2011
What It Will Take to Improve K-12 Schools:
Nov/Dec '11 Education reform is a Stanford priority, and a national imperative. |
A Landmark Gift Propels Arts Education to a New Level:
Sept/Oct '11 The Anderson Collection is the latest addition to a burgeoning initiative. |
A Closer Look at the Costs of College:
Jul/Aug '11 Above all, we must maintain access to higher education. |
Imagining Stanford in New York:
May/Jun '11 A proposal, and a plan, for a second campus. |
Hail to the Victors, a Study in Self-Discipline:
Mar/Apr '11 Our student-athletes' dedication enables a win-win situation. |
To Save Innovation, Tame Entitlements:
Jan/Feb '11 Growing deficits and health care costs threaten federal research dollars. |
2010
Higher Education's New Challenges:
Nov/Dec '10 We must equip students with the ability to adapt to changing careers. |
Public Service—a Stanford Tradition:
Sep/Oct '10 Eunice Kennedy Shriver exemplified the drive to make a difference. |
At Last, a Place to Play:
Jul/Aug '10 The Bing Concert Hall exemplifies our commitment to the arts. |
Our Best Investment: Students:
May/Jun '10 Financial aid offers opportunity and access—and produces leaders. |
A Growing Presence Overseas:
Mar/Apr '10 Stanford's outreach and impact stretches around the world. |
When
Less is More:
Jan/Feb '10 Stanford's sustainability commitment will save energy and money. |
2009
Solving Problems Is Our Business: Nov/Dec '09 Faculty and alumni contribute ideas and innovation to make the world better. |
Imagining the Possibilities: Sep/Oct '09 Thinking and acting boldly continues a long Stanford tradition. |
Graduates
Who Give Back: July/Aug '09 Resourceful and committed, our students set out to change the world. |
Nourishing
the Arts in All Forms: May/June '09 From Wallace Stegner to cell phone 'concerts,' a tradition of imagination. |
Looking
for Answers on Energy: March/April '09 The Precourt Institute leads a new emphasis on sustainability solutions. |
What
Leadership Looks Like: Jan/Feb '09 At this crucial moment, we need courage, compassion and character. |
2008
Why
Our Hospitals Need Renewal: Nov/Dec '08 Upgrades will meet patient needs and improve the level of care. |
100
Years of Breakthroughs: Sept/Oct '08 Medical School poised for another century of innovation. |
A
Legacy of Advocacy: July/Aug '08 Mel Lane reminds us some land belongs to everyone. |
The
DNA of Innovation: May/June '08 Big ideas begin with fundamental new insights. |
Behind
the Bottom Line: March/April '08 Higher education financing takes many forms. Here's a primer. (by Provost John Etchemendy) |
Managing
Years of Change: Jan/Feb '08 In the spirit of Sterling and Terman, we need vision and foresight. |
2007
At Stanford, Speak Freely: Nov/Dec '07 Open dialogue and spirited debate are fundamental to the University’s mission. |
Should Stanford Expand the Freshman Class?: Sep/Oct '07 Historically low acceptance rates leave many deserving students out. |
One Who Made a Difference: Jul/Aug '07 Daniel Pearl’s story continues to inspire us. |
Keeping Stanford’s Doors Open to All: May/Jun '07 Financial aid improvements help protect our tradition of need-blind admission. |
A Recommitment to the Humanities: Mar/Apr '07 Now, more than ever, we need scholarship that examines and evokes the human condition. |
Keeping Stanford Great Far Into the Future: Jan/Feb '07 Inspired by the examples of Sterling and Terman, we must act boldly. |
2006
All of Us Own a Part of This Challenge: Nov/Dec '06 Solving today’s problems requires deep collaboration and intensive investment. |
Wisdom for the Next Generation: Sep/Oct '06 Our recent graduates and newest alumni inherit a responsibility to serve. |
In Athletics, the Right Person for the Job: Jul/Aug '06 New athletics director Bob Bowlsby understands our values, and knows how to win. |
What Art Can Teach Us: May/June '06 Several initiatives aim to foster a diverse and energetic creative climate. |
Crossing Borders: Mar/Apr '06 |
Thanks a Billion: Jan/Feb '06 The Campaign for Undergraduate Education was an unprecedented success. |
2005
A Tradition of Service: Nov/Dec '05 Stanford seeks to educate socially responsible leaders. |
Time for the Next Big Step: Sep/Oct '05 Our challenge now is to strengthen graduate education. |
Our Heritage, Our Mission: July/Aug '05 A century after Jane Stanford’s death, her vision lives on. |
Joining
Forces to Attack Big Problems: May/June '05 The initiative in international affairs capitalizes on our strengths. |
Preserving
the Farm Requires New Thinking: Mar/Apr '05 As Jane Stanford said, we can't be afraid to outgrow old ways. |
Brilliant
Success, Unfinished Work: Jan/Feb '05 With one milestone reached, CUE aims to support more students. |
2004
Getting
Serious About Science: Nov/Dec '04 50 years after Sputnik, the United States needs another push. |
A
Danger of a Different Kind: Sep/Oct '04 We can secure our borders without alienating international students. |
Keeping
an Avenue Open:
Jul/Aug '04 Strong financial aid underscores our commitment to access for all. |
In
China, a Seat at the Table: May/Jun '04 Our Beijing program is Stanford’s latest foray into the booming country. |
Pulling Together to Save the Planet: Mar/Apr '04 Our environmental institute brings a focused approach. |
Students Remind Me Why I Love This Job: Jan/Feb '04 Rhodes scholars exemplify curiosity, conviction. |
2003
Building
for the Future: Nov/Dec '03 Ushering in a new era of collaborative research. |
This
Place Hums with Artistic Energy: Sep/Oct '03 Embracing all forms of expression with gusto. |
Remembering
One Who Heeded the Call: July/Aug '03 Amy Biehl exemplified service to others. |
Committed
to Diversity in Many Forms: May/June '03 Expanding the intellectual base helps all students. |
The
True Test of Free Speech: March/April '03 Ideas can't thrive where voices are muzzled. |
These
Games Are Getting Out of Hand: Jan./Feb. '03 Major reform is needed to rebalance athletics with academics. |
2002
Why Foreign Students Are So Important: Nov/Dec '02 Security is crucial, but we must also be welcoming. |
The First Great American University : Sep/Oct '02 Innovation and vision have set Stanford apart. |
The
Promise of Collaborative Thinking: July/Aug '02 In the search for solutions, we must cross disciplinary boundaries. |
Three
Reminders About Why We're Here: May/June '02 Marvin Moore, Daniel Pearl and John Gardner share a legacy of service. |
Supporting
Students' Incredible Journeys: March/April '02 At the White House, in the lab or in a Kenyan village, opportunity leads to learning. |
Embracing
the Need to 'Learn and Relearn': Jan./Feb. '02 A 21st-century education requires a new kind of literacy. |
2001
'An
Influence on Behalf of Humanity':
Nov./Dec. '01 Citizen-building has always been our goal. |
The
Cost of Keeping Up: Sept./Oct. '01 Our endowment may look huge, but it's dwarfed by our needs. |
Dealing
with Disappointment:
July/Aug. '01 Our admissions quandary: many are worthy, few are chosen. |
The
Hard Work of Painful Choices: May/June '01 Like other academic hospitals, Stanford's is hurting. |
Supporting
the Mission, Protecting the Future: March/April '01 Two simple but profound principles guide the decisions of University leaders. |
Building
an Education That Won't Wear Out: Jan./Feb. '01 Study of the humanities remains the cornerstone of Stanford's undergraduate curriculum. |
2000
A
Bold Move Toward Better Learning: Nov./Dec. '00 The Campaign for Undergraduate Education will fund a teaching and research program second to none. |
Setting Out on the Journey: Sept./Oct. '00 |