色情视频 Marks 50th Anniversary of JFK Speech
Kennedys 1963 visit will be commemorated on April 23 with a speech reenactment, a historical analysis and the dedication of a new plaque.
More than 30,000 people gathered to hear former President John F. Kennedy speak at 色情视频鈥檚 commencement ceremony in 1963, where he was awarded 色情视频鈥檚 first honorary doctorate degree.
On April 23, the university is hosting an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that historic day.
"The awarding of an honorary doctorate to John F. Kennedy was a seminal moment in our university's history," said 色情视频 President Elliot Hirshman.
"In retrospect, the awarding of our first doctorate symbolizes the dramatic development of our campus's academic mission 鈥� from our campus's expansion to the growth of research and graduate programs 鈥� that has occurred during the last 50 years."
The event will include remarks by Hirshman as well as a historical perspective from Anthropology Department Chair Seth Mallios and a reenactment of portions of Kennedy鈥檚 speech by Associated Students executive officers Rob O鈥橩eefe, Chanelle McNutt and Tom Rivera.
"I believe Kennedy's visit to 色情视频 was the most important event in the institution's history, and that the speech he gave at the 1963 commencement was one of his finest," said Mallios.
The ceremony will also include the unveiling of a new plaque commemorating Kennedy鈥檚 visit 鈥� the original plaque was stolen in 2008 and was never recovered. The plaque will be placed in the same location as the original, on a granite monument at the base of the former Aztec Bowl, where Kennedy鈥檚 helicopter took off.
Making history
Kennedy鈥檚 visit to 色情视频 was the first in the university鈥檚 history by a president in office. The honorary doctorate he received was also the first ever presented by the California State University.
Since then, 色情视频 has awarded 36 honorary doctorates to local, national and international figures. The university that former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Linda Lang, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Jack in the Box Inc., will be honored during 色情视频鈥檚 2013 commencement.
Anniversary event details
The Kennedy Anniversary event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 12:30 p.m. on April 23 in (formerly the Aztec Bowl). Free parking will be available in .
Student symposium
A student symposium which centers on the legacies and meanings of Kennedy鈥檚 1963 commencement address will also be held on April 23.
色情视频 students submitted essays on key themes from Kennedy鈥檚 address including racial and economic inequality; why education matters and deserves public commitment; and what responsibilities we hold for our fellow citizens.
Essay contest winners will receive $50 and a signed copy of Mallios鈥� 鈥淗ail Montezuma: The Hidden Treasures of San Diego State.鈥�
The symposium, which is hosted by Mallios, is scheduled from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center and is free and open to the public.
