Stanford

School Info:

Located between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford University is recognized as one of the world’s leading research and teaching institutions.

Leland and Jane Stanford founded the University to “promote the public welfare by exercising an influence on behalf of humanity and civilization.” Stanford opened its doors in 1891, and more than a century later, it remains dedicated to finding solutions to the great challenges of the day and to preparing our students for leadership in today’s complex world. (http://www.stanford.edu/about/)

Stanford is unusual among great universities in having seven schools on one campus: Humanities and Sciences, Law, Medicine, Business, Earth Sciences, Engineering and Education.

This breadth provides students with unparalleled freedom to cross departmental boundaries and discover intellectual and personal passions. Creative thinking, problem-solving and research are central to the academic programs at Stanford, and learning takes place in an environment of intimate collaboration. Around three-quarters of Stanford’s classes have fewer than 20 students. (http://www.stanford.edu/academics/)

How Stanford Ranks:

Three of Stanford University’s seven schools offer undergraduate and graduate coursework, and the remaining four serve as purely graduate schools. Graduate programs include the highly ranked School of Education, School of Engineering, Law School, School of Medicine, and the top-ranked Graduate School of Business. The Woods Institute for the Environment oversees collaboration between environmental research, teaching, and outreach. Stanford has a number of well-known theatrical and musical groups, including the Ram’s Head Theatrical Society and the Mendicants, an all-male a capella group. Notable Stanford alumni include former U.S. President Herbert Hoover, famed NFL quarterback John Elway, actress Sigourney Weaver, and golfer Tiger Woods, who began his professional career at Stanford. (http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/stanford-1305)

The History of the Stanford Cardinal:

The unique origins of Stanford’s mascot and have a history that dates back to the University’s founding in 1891. While the Cardinal has always been one of the school’s official colors, the nickname has gone through a series of changes, student votes, controversy and confusion.

Since 1981, Stanford has been known as the Cardinal. Stanford was known as the “Indians” from 1930-72. As for the mascot, Stanford does not officially have one. The “Tree,” which is a member of the Stanford Band, has been mistaken as the school’s mascot, but it is not.

Below is a brief history of the nickname, the mascot and the school colors:

The Nickname:

The nickname for Stanford is the Cardinal – in reference to one of the school colors (and is therefore in the singular). Stanford’s history with its nickname began on March 19, 1891 when Stanford beat Cal in the first Big Game. While Stanford did not have an official nickname, the day after the Big Game local newspapers picked up the “cardinal” theme and used it in the headlines.

Stanford did not have an “official” nickname until Indians was adopted in 1930. For years prior, the Indian had been part of the Stanford athletic tradition. Perhaps it grew out of the fact that Cal’s symbol was the Bear, or it may have come from the large Indian population of the area, or from Indian paraphernalia in abundance in the late 1800’s. Whatever the origin, it was accepted by sportswriters and gradually gained wide recognition.

(http://www.collegefootballhistory.com/stan_cardinals/history.htm)

Stanford Football Homepage: http://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-footbl/stan-m-footbl-body.html

2011 Stanford Football Schedule: http://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/stan-m-footbl-sched.html