Knight-Hennessy Scholars

06/08/2026

Introducing a new addition to the art at Denning House: “Cadence - Sprawling” by Otobong Nkanga. Now installed in the classroom where scholars gather for studying, talks, and workshops, this woven textile represents one section of a monumental, 60-foot-tall multipaneled tapestry commissioned by MoMA The Museum of Modern Art in 2024. It is built in four layers of weave, making some stories visible and others hidden beneath the surface.

By manually pulling and shifting the warp and weft of the machine-made textile to reveal what lies beneath, the artist employs a structure that mirrors the tapestry’s subject: multiple worlds, bound together, each one dependent on the others.

The art collection at Denning House features global artists whose works inspire dialogue and reflection, fostering curiosity and different perspectives. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4v39FIs

📷: Micaela Go and Karen Santos

06/03/2026

What started as an idea at the dining room table of KH scholars Bunmi Fariyike and Niisoja Torto has now reached more than 50 pediatric patients in hospitals across the globe. The project, Through Their Eyes, was developed into a KHS KHeystone Project that centers shared human experiences amid illness.

In the latest Scholar Insight, Bunmi and fellow scholar Kathy Hu reflect on the project's success and highlight the importance of empathy and storytelling in healthcare. To date, Through Their Eyes has brought together nearly 30 Stanford graduate students from a range of fields – medicine, design, engineering, journalism – around a shared goal: to help patients tell their stories.

“Through friendships across scholar cohorts and disciplines, and through gallery exhibitions at Denning House, we’ve brought people together around storytelling — a fundamental building block of the Knight-Hennessy experience,” writes Kathy. “Those evenings at Denning—when patients, families, and scholars stand side by side, looking at and talking about photos they took—have been among the most revealing, meaningful moments of this work.”

Read more about Through Their Eyes ⬇️

Bunmi Fariyike (2021 cohort) and Kathy Hu (2022 cohort) highlight the importance of empathy and storytelling in healthcare, sharing how Through Their Eyes, a KHS KHeystone Project, centers shared human experiences amid illness.

06/02/2026

KHS spring retreat 🌲🛶🥾

06/01/2026

The application to join the 2027 cohort of Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) is now open! Tap the link in bio to learn more and apply to join this fully-endowed, multidisciplinary leadership development program for graduate students at Stanford University.

Scholars, who come from around the globe, receive up to three years of financial support to pursue graduate studies at any of Stanford’s seven schools while engaging in experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders capable of taking on the world’s most difficult challenges.

To help you plan and prepare your application, we have resources to help you through each stage of your journey. We hope you find inspiration as you learn about the KHS community and clarity as you explore the admission process.

Find information on how to apply for the next cohort of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, the largest fully-endowed, university-wide graduate fellowship in the world.

05/27/2026

Looking for an engaging graduate school experience – one that prepares you to be a visionary, courageous, and collaborative leader ready to address the world’s most complex challenges?

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) admission team is hosting info sessions online and in cities around the world throughout the spring and summer. Hear all about KHS, the admission process, and the application.

Scroll through ➡️ for dates and locations, and save your spot: https://bit.ly/4tWcWb5

The application to join the 2026 cohort of Knight-Hennessy Scholars opens on Monday, June 1.

05/21/2026

Scholars joined fellows from the Stanford Distinguished Career Institute (DCI) for a shared meal and conversation on topics related to the KHS spring quarter theme: building trusting relationships. As part of the global Generations Over Dinner initiative, DCI’s established career professionals also shared about their lived experiences, career paths, and opportunities for intergenerational collaboration and mentorship.

📷: Micaela Go

05/12/2026

Meet the 2026 cohort of Knight-Hennessy scholars!

These 87 new scholars make up the most global Knight-Hennessy Scholars cohort to date. They will pursue degrees in 45 graduate programs across all seven graduate schools at Stanford while engaging in experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders capable of taking on the world’s most difficult challenges.

More about the 2026 cohort:
➡️ The 87 scholars are citizens of 31 countries, including the first scholars from Croatia, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan
➡️ Scholars have earned undergraduate degrees at 58 different institutions, including 23 institutions outside of the U.S. and 21 institutions represented for the first time
➡️ 21% of scholars are the first in their family to graduate from college

Congratulations, and a warm KHS welcome!

The 2026 cohort of Knight-Hennessy scholars represents 31 countries and 45 graduate degree programs across Stanford University.

05/06/2026

This summer, after a decade of leading Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) since founding it with Nike co-founder and chairman emeritus Phil Knight, MBA ’62, cofounder and Shriram Family Director John Hennessy will transition to the KHS Advisory Board, remaining involved in teaching and advising scholars. As part of his send-off, John sat down with Imagine A World hosts Willie Thompson and Eli Cahan to mark this new chapter and talk about what comes next.

In this inspiring conversation, John offers a look into the experiences that have shaped his life and career – from meeting his wife as a grocery store bagger, to engaging with global figures like the Dalai Lama and leading Stanford University through periods of tremendous growth and change. John shares insightful lessons about building and developing culture, and opens up about the world he imagines – where the next generation of leaders will be better equipped to tackle the world’s most difficult challenges.

It’s a conversation not to be missed. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.

John Hennessy, co-founder and inaugural director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, imagines a world where the next generation will provide the leadership that is so desperately needed in all walks of life.

05/01/2026

The application to join the 2027 cohort of Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) at Stanford University opens June 1. If you’re interested in joining a multidisciplinary community of graduate students from around the world, united by independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and civic mindset, we hope you’ll join the KHS admission team at an upcoming information session to learn more about KHS.

Sign up: https://bit.ly/4w3gmLz

04/30/2026