Mexican President Felipe Calderón told Mexican students with whom he met after the Commencement ceremony that they were a source of pride for him personally and for their country. L.A. Cicero
During his visit to Stanford this weekend, Mexican President FELIPE CALDERÓN took time out to share some intimate, behind-the-scenes moments with Stanford students.
At the formal Saturday evening Commencement dinner, which recognizes the Commencement speakers and the Gores, Dinkelspiel and Cuthbertson award winners, guests were entertained by Mariachi Cardenal de Stanford, which performed traditional folk music with members of Ballet Folklórico de Stanford. Calderón and First Lady MARGARITA ZAVALA sang along through the entire performance.
Calderón then personally pinned each Mariachi with a presidential emblem, to cheers from an audience of 160 that included former Secretaries of State CONDOLEEZZA RICE and GEORGE SHULTZ, Congresswoman ZOE LOFGREN and members of the Board of Trustees and the University Cabinet. At the urging of the crowd, Mariachi Cardenal obliged with an encore—and violinist OSCAR OSCOBEDO, a graduating senior in civil engineering and the group’s music director, found himself sharing a microphone with Calderón, who belted out the lead on a rousing song about the love of Mexico. There was not a dry eye on the stage or in the audience. Among the many guests who could not resist recording the rare event on their mobile phones: President JOHN HENNESSY and Rice.
On Sunday immediately after the Commencement ceremony, Calderón asked to meet personally with about 50 graduates from Mexico, who he said held the future of the country in their hands. He spoke to the graduates and family members about his personal pride—and that of their country—in their accomplishments. Posing for pictures with beaming students in caps and gowns in a brief reception at Sunken Diamond, he stayed until he had met every student.
— Lisa Lapin
“Steve Jobs was an extraordinary man, and I am deeply saddened to learn of his death. A pioneer in the computer industry, his creativity and vision are legend. But he was also a great communicator, who was able to cultivate innovation in others. When he spoke at Stanford’s 2005 Commencement, he told our students that the key to doing great work is to love what you do. Steve Jobs loved what he did, and he inspired us all to think differently. He will be profoundly missed.”