University of Virginia Library

Indiana Senator

Hartke Speaks At Graduation

By Terry Jasperson
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Vance Hartke, senior United States
Senator from Indiana, will speak at the
graduation exercises on June 6.

The announcement was made by
Robert A. Nigro, president of the class of
1971. "We are very pleased that Mr.
Hartke is coming," Mr. Nigro said. "I am
sure that he will give a speech that will
interest and enlighten the entire audience,
rather than the usual set graduation
address."

Mr. Hartke was officially invited by
Edgar F. Shannon, president of the
University, at the suggestion of the
Executive Board of the graduating class. His
name was offered after several speakers who
had been suggested at a class meeting last fall
had declined the speaking invitation.

Mr. Hartke was one of the primary speakers
at the April 24 antiwar rally in Washington. He
is also the author of two books, "The American
Crisis in Vietnam" and "Inside the New
Frontier."

Since coming to the Senate in 1958, he has
served on several committees, including the
Finance Committee and has been a member of
the Democratic Steering Committee and
chairman of the Democratic Senatorial
Campaign Committee.

Previous to his election, Mr. Hartke served as
mayor of Evansville, Indiana, and deputy
prosecuting attorney for Vanderburgh County.

In past years the commencement address has
been given by a member of the University
community. At the request of the graduating
class the Public Occasions Committee looked
into the possibilities of an outside speaker.

Recommendations from the class meeting
for a graduation speaker included news
commentators Walter Cronkite and Chet
Huntley. These names were accepted by the
Public Occasions Committee, which makes final
recommendations to the president.

These men were invited to speak, but
refused. At this time, in early April, the Public
Occasions Committee held another meeting to
consider further graduation speakers.

A short list emerged from this meeting,
including four men suggested by the class. Mr.
Shannon was informed that Mr. Hartke was the
preference of class officers and those members
of the class who had been polled.

In its initial presentation to the Public
Occasions Committee, the class Speaker
Committee indicated that it had two criteria for
consideration in choosing a speaker: "Such a
person must be, first of all, a good speaker, who
by his or her manner, voice and polish will
command the attention of a large and diverse
audience. The speaker should not be someone
who by his previously expressed views is likely
to alienate a significant segment of the audience
even before he rises to speak."