Marc Tessier-Lavigne

Remarks by Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne at the 2019 Convocation ceremony.

Following is the prepared text of remarks by university President Marc Tessier-Lavigne for delivery at Stanford’s 128th Commencement on June 16, 2019.

This spring’s admissions fraud scheme poses challenges for higher education.

Yesterday, I joined Provost Drell, Redwood City Mayor Ian Bain, and other leaders from Redwood City, San Mateo County, and Stanford to officially open Stanford’s Redwood City campus. This was a historic moment, marking our first significant footprint outside of the main campus and a strategic investment in Stanford’s future.

Earlier today, President Trump issued an executive order calling on federal agencies to “take appropriate steps, in a manner consistent with applicable law, including the First Amendment, to ensure institutions that receive Federal research or education grants promote free inquiry, including through compliance with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies.” At Stanford we have had a longstanding commitment to freedom of expression.

Provost Drell and I are providing a further update to our community on the steps Stanford is taking to respond to the recent admissions fraud scheme. We know that this episode has jarred the trust of many Americans in the college admissions process, and it has prompted many questions from the Stanford community. We are determined to take the right steps at Stanford to ensure the integrity of our process and to work toward rebuilding that trust.

We write to express our shock and deep sorrow following today’s attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Our profound sympathies and support go out to the families and loved ones of the victims, and to all members of the Muslim community in New Zealand and around the world.

By now many of you have seen the news that Stanford’s head sailing coach was charged today, along with many others around the country, in an alleged scheme that involved payments intended to influence the admission of students to a number of U.S. colleges and universities. To the two of us, this is nothing short of appalling.