University of Virginia Library

Sesquicentennial Surprises

Who would have guessed that the first
auspicious event of the University's Sesquicentennial
Year would take place in Washington
instead of Charlottesville? What we refer to,
of course, is the election of alumni of the
University to serve as both majority and
minority whips in the Senate of the United
States. Such a coincidence could hardly be
more appropriate as Mr. Jefferson's University
begins to celebrate its 150th birthday.

The list of the University's alumni who
have served in the Senate or in other high
public offices or prominent positions, and of
alumni who currently hold such positions, is
rivalled by few American universities. And Mr.
Jefferson would have had it no other way. He
dedicated the University, one of his three
proudest achievements, to the education of
men for public service. It is certainly living up
to his ambitions for it in that respect - that
two of its alumni should be elected to
corresponding positions of such significance in
both the majority and minority parties of the
nation at the same time, during the first week
of its sesquicentennial year, is dramatic testimony
to its success, and should be a source of
intense pride for everyone associated with the
University and with its celebration.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the new
majority whip, graduated from the University's
law school in 1959. He is remembered as
a very active president of the Student Legal
Forum for his success in attracting notable
speakers to Charlottesville.

Senator Hugh D. Scott, Jr., of Fredericksburg,
the new minority whip, graduated from
the law school in 1922. He was a member of
the editorial staff of the Virginia Reel and a
member of the Jefferson Society while at the
University. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
has recently proclaimed him "Collector of the
Year."

These two alumni have brought much
credit to the University in the past and now
especially in its big year. We are very proud of
them and grateful to them for their achievements.