Stanford University: A University born out of Great Love and Determination

  

Jane, Leland and Leland Stanford Jr.

Stanford University - officially Leland Stanford junior University is a private research university located in Stanford California. It is one of the worlds most prestigious institution with top position in numerous rankings and measure in the US.

The Stanford University story begins with a couple distraught and bereaved over the loss of their son and they couldn't bear to have his memory forgotten.

Jane and Leland Stanford lost their only son, Leland Jr.  a 16- years old young man to illness while traveling abroad; so the Stanford resolve to give young adult the opportunity their son never had, so they opened the university.

Shortly after that Jane lost her husband, leaving the dream resting solely on her shoulders. 

Some articles define Jane as "indefatigable advocate for educating youths and building prominent university for them; so much so that she was willing to sell her personal jewelries  to fund the university".

Jane's values and impact: 

She wrote "I hope your lives will be truly earnest, not in the sense of going forth to acquire great wealth and great names but conscientious workers, to be helpful to others, to send cheer and goodwill to those who need lifting up, and always follow the Golden Rule, to do unto others as you would have others do unto you". 

Jane was born August 25th, 1828 in Albany, New York and she died February 28th, 1905.

Stanford faculty and Alumni have founded many companies including google, Hewlett-Packard, Nike, Sun microsystem, Instagram and yahoo; and companies founded by Stanford alumni generates more than 2.7 trillion on annual revenue, equivalent to the 10th- Largest economy in the world .

It is the alma mater of 30 living billionaires, 17 Astronauts, 18 Turing award Laureates. It is also one of the leading producers of members of US state congress. The University has affiliated 59 Nobel laureates and 2 field medalists.

This is an inspiring story of turning one's tragedy into blessings for others who are not in any position to repay your kindness; and also adding values to the lives of others.

Imagine how one couple act of selflessness is transforming the lives and destiny of the other generations after them.