University of Virginia Library

Handler Speech Finishes
Year Of Celebration

By Tom Adams
Cavalier Dally Staff Writer

The University ended the celebration
of its one-hundred and fiftieth anniversary
yesterday morning with a convocation
on the Lawn that drew an estimated
2,000 people, who heard Philip Handler,
President of the National Academy of
Sciences, list the accomplishments of
science and describe the part he expects it
to play in solving current world problems.

The academic procession, which included
dignitaries and representatives of
many student groups, began its march
from the Rotunda to the Cabell Hall end
of the Lawn a little after 10:30 to marches
played by the Second Marine Division Band,
under the direction of Chief Warrant Officer
Gordon K. Smith, Jr., USMC.

Counter Convocation

When most of the procession had arrived at
the South end of the Lawn, a group of about
100 students who were holding a counter convocation
in front of the Rotunda began
their march to the North end of the Lawn. (See
story below.)

Greetings from the Commonwealth of
Virginia from Governor Mills E. Godwin Jr.
were read by University Rector Frank Rogers as
Governor Godwin was unable to attend the
exercises.

Colin B. Mackay, President of the Association
of Universities and Colleges of Canada
presented the greetings of Sister Institutions in
the United States and Canada to the University.
Sir John Wheeler-Bennett, Honorary Fellow at
St. Anthony's College at Oxford, presented the
greetings from sister institutions abroad.

Convocation Address

Mr. Handler, in the Convocation address
entitled "The University in a World in
Transition," cited many examples of science,
which he said had "burgeoned in a manner that
on one would have predicted even two decades
ago. That technology has transformed the
world is visible all about us - sometimes
painfully so."

"Yet," Mr. Handler continued, "the scientific
endeavor and the universities which make it
possible have come to a time of reckoning."

Mr. Handler noted that "with other calls on
the public purse, most federal agencies no
longer find it possible to support fundamental
research somewhat remote from their missions
as generously as yesterday." He said that it was
time for scientific priorities to be formulated.

Mr. Handler then spoke of ways science can
and is being applied to solve the problems of
mankind, including what he considered to be
the world's most pressing need, "the search for
a stable world peace."

To aid in mutual disarmament of the world's
major powers, science has developed techniques
for the detection of radioactivity in the
atmosphere and seismographic equipment that
can detect underground explosions, he said. He
added that "in this sense, science has already

prepared the way for tomorrow's diplomacy."

As to a solution to he war in Vietnam, Mr.
Handler did not mention any scientific methods
that would aid in its solution. He did say,
however, that he believes that "our nation will
emerge the stronger for these days of travail.

"Our fortune," he said, "lies in the fact that
we are divided along so many cleavage planes:
young against old; black against white;
pro-Vietnam against anti-Vietnam; pro-ABM
against anti-ABM; pro-SST versus anti-SST; SDS
versus squares; pro-curricular reform versus
status quo... Happily, the issues are so
multitudinous that virtually none of these
groups are congruent; none are aligned with any
political or geographical entity of these United
States."

World Overpopulation

Another problem that science can solve, Mr.
Handler said, is that of world overpopulation.
He stressed the need for "massive educational
campaigns and the availability of cheap,
effective, safe, reversible contraceptive techniques."

Mr. Handler said that "the time has come
for American business to forego population
expansion as the basis for economic growth."
Along with reducing the population growth, it
is necessary to increase the world's food
production to avoid worldwide famine.

He noted the progress that has been made
already in increasing the world's food supply,
which has increased more rapidly than the
population, he noted, since 1950.

Mr. Handler spent a great deal of his
speaking time on the "disaffection which
affords me great concern," the belief "among
our young people that 'science is not relevant.'

"Our youth see a world in which was has
not yet been rejected as an instrument of
national policy, in which ancient injustice
persists. They are outraged that Americans are
hungry in Harlem, starving in Mississippi and
dying in Vietnam," he said.

He added that youth is not along in the
belief that "science is not relevant," that even
"representatives in government" have become
"disheartened" with science.

Youth Blame Science

"Ignoring the demonstrated potential of
science for the alleviation of the ills of
mankind, they join our youth in blaming the
scientific community for the threats posed by
nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and
all forms of environmental pollution."

Mr. Handler said that while the state o
mind exists, there can be "little likelihood of
renewed growth of Federal funding of scientific
research."

Later on in his speech, Mr. Handler asked
"By what means shall we make a better
tomorrow? I know of none but the wise
application of yet more technology rooted in
the science already available and that to be
developed in the years to come, but examining
carefully all conceivable consequences of each
new technology before its introduction into
society. Those who scoff offer no alternatives."

Throughout Mr. Handler's speech ripples of
applause drifted down the Lawn from the
speech near the Rotunda.

Following the benediction by The Right
Reverend Albert Rhett Stuart, Bishop of the
Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, and the recession,
the Sesquicentennial ended.

Photo By Bob Gill

U.S. Marine Corps Brass

Supplied Music At Ceremonies

Members Of Academic Procession Parade Down Lawn To Cabell Hall Convocation

Participants Included Dignitaries From Universities And Nations Around The World