JFK SPEAKS OF TIES OF AMERICAN LEADERS & GREAT UNIVERSITIES
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 3, 1961, President John F. Kennedy addressed the graduates of George Washington University* here in the District of Columbia after being presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
JFK acknowledged the close ties between American political and military leaders and great universities. In addition to President Washington and GWU, he mentioned John and John Quincy Adams (Harvard), General Robert E. Lee (Washington and Lee). He also mentioned Woodrow Wilson (Princeton) and Theodore Roosevelt (Harvard).
President Kennedy said...
"I don't think that there has ever been a time when we have had greater need for those qualities which a university produces. The job of schools and colleges (is) to provide the men and women who will...contribute to the maintenance of free societies here and around the world."
*George Washington University was created by Congress in 1821 fulfilling the vision of the 1st POTUS. Today it is the largest institution of higher learning in the District of Columbia with more than 20,000 students from 50 states and 130 countries. The university offers a range of study from forensic science to the law and public policy.
JFK+50 NOTE
While President Kennedy was a product of Harvard, Jacqueline Kennedy was a graduate of George Washington University. He joked that it took his wife 2 years to get her degree from GWU while it took him 2 minutes.
SOURCES
"Remarks at George Washington University Upon Receiving an Honorary Degree, May 3, 1961," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, January 20 to December 31, 1961, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1962.
www.gwu.edu/
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 3, 1961, President John F. Kennedy addressed the graduates of George Washington University* here in the District of Columbia after being presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
JFK acknowledged the close ties between American political and military leaders and great universities. In addition to President Washington and GWU, he mentioned John and John Quincy Adams (Harvard), General Robert E. Lee (Washington and Lee). He also mentioned Woodrow Wilson (Princeton) and Theodore Roosevelt (Harvard).
President Kennedy said...
"I don't think that there has ever been a time when we have had greater need for those qualities which a university produces. The job of schools and colleges (is) to provide the men and women who will...contribute to the maintenance of free societies here and around the world."
*George Washington University was created by Congress in 1821 fulfilling the vision of the 1st POTUS. Today it is the largest institution of higher learning in the District of Columbia with more than 20,000 students from 50 states and 130 countries. The university offers a range of study from forensic science to the law and public policy.
JFK+50 NOTE
While President Kennedy was a product of Harvard, Jacqueline Kennedy was a graduate of George Washington University. He joked that it took his wife 2 years to get her degree from GWU while it took him 2 minutes.
SOURCES
"Remarks at George Washington University Upon Receiving an Honorary Degree, May 3, 1961," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, January 20 to December 31, 1961, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1962.
www.gwu.edu/
The George Washington University
Georgetown, District of Columbia
Photo by John White (2011)
