New Student Orientation

Opening Convocation Ceremony

133rd Opening Convocation Ceremony

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. PDT
Frost Amphitheater | Livestream
 

New undergraduate first-year and transfer students and their families will be welcomed to Stanford at the 133rd Opening Convocation Ceremony, the formal inauguration of the academic year. Together with their new classmates, students will participate in celebrating the beginning of Stanford's New Student Orientation at this time-honored tradition, held in Frost Amphitheater. All family members and guests are invited to attend Convocation. No tickets are needed.

2023 Convocation Program 

Processional 

Student Representatives 
The Board of Trustees
University Officials 

Invocation 

The Rev. Dr. Tiffany Steinwert, Dean for Religious & Spiritual Life 

Land Acknowledgement 

Antonio Vega '26, Pascua Yaqui Tribe 

Welcome and Remarks

Richard H. Shaw, Dean of Undergraduate Admission & Financial Aid
Sarah Church, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Mona Hicks, Senior Associate Vice Provost & Dean of Students

Student Address

Johan Sotelo ’25

Presidential Address

Richard Saller, President, Stanford University

Hail, Stanford, Hail!

Alexandra Breschini ’26 and Akshar Sarvesh ’25

Benediction

Dr. Amina Darwish, Associate Dean for Religious & Spiritual Life
The Rev. Dr. Colleen Hallagan Preuninger, Associate Dean for Religious & Spiritual Life
The Rev. Dr. Sakena Young-Scaggs, Senior Associate Dean for Religious & Spiritual Life

Carillon

Timothy Zerlang, Advanced Lecturer, Department of Music

Special Thanks

Bay Brass Quintet
Office of Special Events & Protocol

General Event Information

For the comfort of families and guests, the following suggestions may make Convocation more enjoyable:

Frost Amphitheater is located at 351 Lasuen Street, Stanford, CA 94305. Directions to Frost.

Complimentary nearby parking is available in the Galvez Parking Lot on this day.

Seating inside Frost is open. Guests are welcome to sit on their own or to sit with their student. Students are encouraged to walk to the event with their residence staff and dormmates. If you would like to sit with your student, we recommend that you meet your student at the Galvez Gate entrance to Frost and enter the venue together.

Frost Amphitheater has a clear bag policy. Small personal items such as purses and handbags are allowed. Backpacks, larger bags, and suitcases are not allowed.

Dress for the heat; light clothing is advisable.

Hats, visors, and sun block are highly recommended.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottle. Water filling stations will be provided.

Umbrellas will not be permitted, as they block the view of other guests.

Smoking is prohibited in outdoor spaces holding events during the weekend.

Accessibility Information

Accessible Entrance

The accessible entrance (step-free route to seating area) to Frost is via the Lasuen Gate near the corner of Lasuen Street and Roth Way. Once inside the gate, proceed through the tunnel to enter Frost. Review Frost's Accessibility & Services information. NOTE: The Galvez Gate is not on an accessible route to enter Frost for those using wheelchairs/mobility devices and/or have limited mobility.

Seating

Wheelchair seating and a limited mobility seating area is available and staff will assist guests as needed once inside the Lasuen Gate. While seating is outside and most seating will be in direct sunlight, there will be some shaded seating options available. All seating is first come, first served.

Accessibility Questions

For disability access information, please contact the Diversity and Access Office at disability.access@stanford.edu or call (650) 725-0326.