414 Graduates Hear from Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker

June 5, 1960

[Download Audio: "Hear Prime Minister Diefenbaker's Address" - 12,612kb]

[Download Video: "Film Montage of Commencement Day 1960" - 12,874kb]

June 5, 1960, Greencastle, Ind. - "To each and every one of you, my best wishes," the Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker, prime minister of Canada, said to DePauw University's Class of 1960. Speaking at the 121st commencement this afternoon, Diefenbaker wished DePauw's 414 graduates, "The best wishes of every American and every Canadian that you, in your day, will bring about the ideals of peace on Earth, goodwill to men, with justice and equality of opportunity, and denying discrimination everywhere in every part of the world."

During his speech, a major policy address on world affairs, Prime Minister Diefenbaker reaffirmed his faith in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as a strong alliance, endorsed President Eisenhower's "open skies" policies, and called for careful consideration of Khrushchev's latest disarmament proposals.

Diefenbaker called upon DePauw graduates to "make your contribution to the attainment of that world which we did not in two world wars achieve." He urged the young Americans to embrace and protect "Freedom, the right to search for truth, the right of men and women everywhere in the world to a measure of freedom, freedom from fear and freedom from want."

Following his address, DePauw conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on the prime minister, the same honor British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan received when he delivered the speech at commencement exercises in 1958. (at left: DePauw President Russell J. Humbert with the distinguished guest)

Hear audio of Prime Minister Diefenbaker's complete address here: [Download Audio: "John Diefenbaker's Commencement Address" - 12,612kb]. A video montage is embedded below.

Today's graduates included 405 seniors and nine graduate students. Three retiring faculty members -- Andrew W. Crandall, professor of history; Herrick E.H. Greenleaf, professor of mathematics and astronomy; and Ermina Mills, professor of English -- were honored during the ceremony. A crowd estimated at 3,500 witnessed the event, which took place at DePauw's Blackstock Stadium.

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