University of Virginia Library

Kirk Keynotes Ceremonies

Founder Honored By University

By Thom Faulders
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

"America's first priority for the
future is to get out of Vietnam,"
said Grayson Kirk, president of
Columbia University, last Friday
in his keynote address for the
University's Founder's Day observance.

He went on to say, "No other
item on the national agenda can
be dealt with effectively until this
has been done. Other points leading
his list of national priorities
were economic stability, equality
of status and opportunity, and an
updating of the government to
make it adequate to the needs of
today.

Led by Dean B. F. D. Runk
down the Lawn, the procession of
all the deans of the various
schools, as well as the professors
of the departments, filed into Old
Cabell Hall auditorium to hear
the address by Mr. Kirk.

The annual Thomas Jefferson
Award was presented to Dr.
Gordon Thomas Whyburn, alumni
professor of mathematics at
the University. The Award, presented
last year to the past dean
of the Law School, Hardy Cross
Dillard, is given to the outstanding
member of the University
community and the winner is not
announced until the actual ceremonies.

Mathematics Chairman

Dr. Whyburn, who came to
the University in 1934 as a professor
and the chairman of the
mathematics department, served
in that capacity until 1966 when
he was named one of the first
three members to the University's
center for advanced studies in the
sciences.

When presenting the Award to
Dr. Whyburn, President Edgar F.
Shannon Jr. said, "Mr. Whyburn's
excellence as a teacher is
known to all of us. The fact that
the recent surveys of opinions of
the country's leading mathematicians
have rated the University's
mathematics department among
the best in the nation is striking
evidence of his good judgment
and leadership in building up departmental
strength."

Surprise Move

In a surprise move responding
to the assassination of Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr., the Seven Society
established an award to be
given next year to an individual
chosen for his pursuit of human
freedom and equality.

Announced by President Shannon
at the ceremonies, the letter
from the secret society referred
obviously to Dr. King although
it did not by name. "A leader
has fallen," it began, "A family
grieves. A nation mourns. And
somewhere in the emotion of it
all, between the tears, the pity,
and the disbelief, many people
have stopped, but for a moment,
to reexamine themselves."

The letter requested the appointment
of a committee of men
and women affiliated with the
University to be charged with
the responsibility of selecting the
recipient to be presented by the
Seven Society at the Founder's
Day ceremonies next year.