Do you remember your last Stanford encounter? You know what I'm talking about. It's that moment when you meet someone new who went to Stanford or you find out for the first time that someone you already know went to Stanford. The connection is immediate. My first post-graduation Stanford encounter happened when I was walking somewhere wearing a Stanford t-shirt. An older alum approached me and told me that he went to Stanford. He asked when I graduated and, the next thing I knew, 20 minutes went by as we swapped stories about how the Farm had changed over the years and he asked about my plans for my initial post-graduation years. At the time, I didn't fully appreciate what had happened. However, over the years, I have found myself lost in those types of conversations again and again when I talk to Stanford alums. Time flies. The conversation rarely stalls. And I leave each one feeling intrigued, amazed and often humbled by the accomplishments, the dreams and the life experiences of other Stanford alums.

Come have a Stanford Encounter of your own at the annual Stanford Club of San Diego Holiday Party on December 11 or any upcoming SCSD event. We'll see you there!

Lara Strauss, '99
President, Stanford Club of San Diego