University of Virginia Library

1969 Brings To University
Sesquicentennial Jubilee

With the advent of 1969, the
University begins its 150th year of
existence.

Leading scholars from
throughout the world will come to
Charlottesville to teach and lecture
this year as part of the University's
Sesquicentennial celebration.

"The Illimitable Freedom of the
Human Mind" is the theme of the
150th anniversary celebrations. This
theme was taken from Mr.
Jefferson's own description of the
University: "This institution will be
based on the illimitable freedom of
the human mind. For here were are
not afraid to follow truth wherever
it may lead, nor to tolerate any
error so long as reason is left free to
combat it."

Public occasions will begin with
a Charter Day dinner on January 19,
while the official celebration will
end with a convocation on October
19 through 21.

The convocation will draw
leading figures in the academic
world to Charlottesville, as well as
state and national leaders in
government. The event will be
coupled with the Commonwealth
Day weekend when the University
is host to the governor of Virginia
and members of the Virginia
General Assembly and other state
leaders.

On January 23, Edgar F.
Shannon, Jr., the fourth president
of the University, will address the
Newcomer Society of America at a
dinner at the Hotel Pierre in New
York City.

The spring group of visiting
scholars, who will visit here from
March 11 through 15, will include the
noted poet, Robert Lowell: William
C. Seitz, director of Rose Art
Museum at Brandeis and Frederick

On Founder's Day, April 14, the
Honorable Esmond Wright,
conservative member of the House
of Commons and former professor
of modern history at the University
of Glasgow, will speak at the
traditional exercises. Mr. Wright
took his M.A. degree from the
University in 1940.

On September 23 to 27, the fall
group of visiting scholars will
include Peter Jay, economics editor
B. Thompson, professor of
philosophy and applied science at
the California Institute of
Technology. The theme for this
program will be "Creativity in an
Automated Society."

The sesquicentennial
convocation will bring to the
University scholars to discuss the
"Modern Man and the Finite
World," including Sir Peter
Medawar, director of the National
Institute of Medical Research in
London; Peter J. Gay, William
Shepherd Professor of History at
Columbia University; and Kenneth
B. Clark, professor of psychology,
City College of New York.

In addition to these major
events, there are a number of
lectures and symposiums in the arts
and sciences scheduled throughout
the year.