March 9

Liberty without learning is always in peril; learning without liberty is always in vain.

John F. Kennedy, 35^th President, 1961-1963

Remarks in Nashville at the 90th Anniversary Convocation of Vanderbilt University, May 18, 1963. On college campuses, the month of May is generally one of celebration as students graduate, earn their diplomas, and move on into adulthood and participate in society. Kennedy congratulates the leaders of Nashville and the state of Tennessee and Vanderbilt University and its graduates on its 90th anniversary. He pairs his congratulations with an educated citizen's obligations. Kennedy speaks only two weeks after other students in Birmingham, Alabama, a three hour drive to the south, had demonstrated and marched for civil rights. Those students and their demonstration had been broken up by police dogs and fire hoses. Kennedy acknowledges the challenge and tension of the times and puts the roles of a university and education in perspective: "We live in an age of movement and change, both evolutionary and revolutionary, both good and evil--and in such an age a university has a special obligation to hold fast to the best of the past and move fast to the best of the future." Kennedy states that not only do Americans have rights but that we also have responsibilities. "...liberty and learning will be and must be the touchstones of Vanderbilt University and of any free university in this country or the world." "This State, this city, this campus, have stood long for both human rights and human enlightenment--and let that forever be true. This Nation is now engaged in a continuing debate about the rights of a portion of its citizens. That will go on, and those rights will expand until the standard first forged by the Nation's founders has been reached, and all Americans enjoy equal opportunity and liberty under law...But this Nation was not founded solely on the principle of citizens' rights. Equally important, though too often not discussed, is the citizen's responsibility. For our privileges can be no greater than our obligations. The protection of our rights can endure no longer than the performance of our responsibilities. Each can be neglected only at the peril of the other." He lays out three basic tenets that an educated citizen ought to follow: "Of the many special obligations incumbent upon an educated citizen, I would cite three as outstanding: your obligation to the pursuit of learning, your obligation to serve the public, your obligation to uphold the law." Speaking from political experience, Kennedy encourages the students to engage in public service and not merely seek profit and security for themselves. The rewards would not necessarily be monetary. "You will find the pressures greater than the pay. You may endure more public attacks than support. But you will have the unequaled satisfaction of knowing that your character and talent are contributing to the direction and success of this free society." He concludes by saying the educated citizen has the obligation to uphold the law. He states, "... the educated citizen has a special responsibility by the virtue of his greater understanding.", and that, "He knows, too, that every fellowman is entitled to be regarded with decency and treated with dignity." Kennedy equates liberty with learning and rights with responsibilities. He puts forth a vision that the university and its students will "uphold learning, encourage public service, and teach respect for the law. It will neither turn its back on proven wisdom or turn its face from newborn challenge." (http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=9218&st=liberty&st1=learning)