JFK DELIVERS COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS IN NASHVILLE
Nashville, Tennessee (JFK+50) On May 18, 1963, President John F. Kennedy visited Vanderbilt University* here in Nashville to give the commencement address to the faculty and graduates.
The President was the honored participant in the 90th commencement exercises held at Dudley Field on the campus just west of downtown.
More than 30,000 people attended the event with the President's address beginning at 11:10 a.m.
The day of commencement was also the 30th anniversary of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Guests included members of the Army Corps of Engineers of the Tennessee Valley.
The President began his address by thanking the Governor of Tennessee, Frank G. Clement, and the Mayor of Nashville, Beverly Briley, as well as the people of the city and state "for a very generous welcome."
JFK said...
"Vanderbilt University...has grown from a small Tennessee university...to one of our Nation's greatest, with 7 different colleges, and with more than half of its 4200 students from outside...the state.
The essence of Vanderbilt is still learning. The essence of its outlook is still liberty. And liberty and learning will and must be the touchstones of any free university in this country. For liberty without learning is always in peril and learning without liberty is always in vain."
*Vanderbilt University, founded in 1873, was named for Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt who hoped his $1 million endowment would help heal the wounds brought by civil war. In 2012, VU was ranked 17th among all universities in the United States and #1 in the fields of special education, audiology and educational administration.
Nashville, Tennessee (JFK+50) On May 18, 1963, President John F. Kennedy visited Vanderbilt University* here in Nashville to give the commencement address to the faculty and graduates.
The President was the honored participant in the 90th commencement exercises held at Dudley Field on the campus just west of downtown.
More than 30,000 people attended the event with the President's address beginning at 11:10 a.m.
The day of commencement was also the 30th anniversary of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Guests included members of the Army Corps of Engineers of the Tennessee Valley.
The President began his address by thanking the Governor of Tennessee, Frank G. Clement, and the Mayor of Nashville, Beverly Briley, as well as the people of the city and state "for a very generous welcome."
JFK said...
"Vanderbilt University...has grown from a small Tennessee university...to one of our Nation's greatest, with 7 different colleges, and with more than half of its 4200 students from outside...the state.
The essence of Vanderbilt is still learning. The essence of its outlook is still liberty. And liberty and learning will and must be the touchstones of any free university in this country. For liberty without learning is always in peril and learning without liberty is always in vain."
*Vanderbilt University, founded in 1873, was named for Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt who hoped his $1 million endowment would help heal the wounds brought by civil war. In 2012, VU was ranked 17th among all universities in the United States and #1 in the fields of special education, audiology and educational administration.
JFK at Vanderbilt
Cornelius Vanderbilt Statue
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee
Photo by John White (2011)
