Rites of Spring: Public Addresses to Graduates

Stanford University, 1941 By Matthew Schaefer While in a research dalliance regarding Allan Hoover’s graduation from Stanford, I learned that his father, Herbert Hoover, was tapped twice to deliver the commencement address at Stanford.  This brought me up short.  Even though I recognize that commencement addresses are largely forgettable exercises in oratory, I was abashed … Continue reading Rites of Spring: Public Addresses to Graduates

Rites of Spring: Lou Henry Hoover’s Commencement Address at Stanford, 1941

While on the subject [howsoever narrow] of Hoovers speaking at Stanford commencements, I would be remiss not to note that Lou Henry Hoover contributed to the oeuvre.   Lou Henry Hoover was one of three speakers tapped to address the graduates at Stanford’s fiftieth anniversary, June 15, 1941.  She was the first woman to address Stanford’s … Continue reading Rites of Spring: Lou Henry Hoover’s Commencement Address at Stanford, 1941

Are You Ready for Some Football?

by Matthew Schaefer From the time he was a Stanford student, Hoover was a fan of football.  In his memoirs, Hoover plays up his role as the financial manager of the Stanford football team that won ‘The Big Game’ against Cal in ’94.   The Stanford eleven no doubt benefited by the coaching prowess of Walter … Continue reading Are You Ready for Some Football?

Rites of Spring: June Edition

By Matthew Schaefer Just as spring follows winter and Mother’s day follows Easter, every June brings graduation ceremonies.  This particular rite of passage is familiar to all.  Those about to graduate don the requisite cap and gown. Friends and family convene to mark the occasion. Speakers gather up their most sonorous pearls of wisdom to … Continue reading Rites of Spring: June Edition

Stanford’s “Animal House”

Lou Hoover encounters Stanford’s “Animal House”   College is a time for both refining one’s education as well as gaining important life lessons.  Often these lessons consist of doing things that seem like harmless fun until one realizes how incredibly stupid they were in retrospect.  Such is the case with former First Lady Lou Henry … Continue reading Stanford’s “Animal House”

Divided Loyalties: Herbert Hoover and the Rose Bowl

by Spencer Howard The 2016 Rose Bowl Game will be a contest between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Stanford Cardinal.  The two football teams have never met on the gridiron, but the universities share a unique connection:  the thirty-first President of the United States, Herbert Hoover. Herbert Hoover was born August 10, 1874 in West … Continue reading Divided Loyalties: Herbert Hoover and the Rose Bowl

Isis, the Wandering Goddess

by Spencer Howard Visitors to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum and the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site who have made the short walk to the Birthplace Cottage will have encountered the seven and a half foot tall statue of Isis that overlooks the Cottage and Hoover Creek. The bronze allegorical statue of Isis, the ancient … Continue reading Isis, the Wandering Goddess