Yeshiva University held its 38th annual commencement exercises today. Dr. Samuel Belkin, president, conferred 807 degrees on graduates of the university’s five undergraduate schools and six of its post-graduate and professional schools and divisions.
Dr. Belkin presented 11 honorary degrees to leaders in the arts, science and education. The Mordecai Ben David Award was presented to Arthur J. Goldberg, former Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, who delivered the keynote address, The award cited Ambassador Goldberg for his “promotion of self-respect, independence and courage among members of the Jewish faith.”
A total of 477 bachelor’s degrees, 189 master’s and 50 doctoral degrees were awarded as well as 91 certificates and diplomas. One of the graduates was Mrs. Esinet Mwendapole, of Zambia, who became the first Central African woman to hold a master’s degree in social work. Another master’s recipient in education was Mrs. Kathleen Stassen Berger, daughter of the former Governor of Minnesota and Presidential candidate Harold Stassen.
Mr. Goldberg devoted his remarks to the current crisis of alienation among American youth arising from the Vietnam war, the problems of the urban ghettos and the disparity in the distribution of wealth in American society. He said, “We are troubled by the increasing alienation of our young people and are too inclined to overlook the fact that this may be more due to their virtues rather than their vices.”
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