Commencement controversy: address by former civil rights lawyer, Vietnam supporter

June 4, 1967

Commencement controversy: address by former civil rights lawyer, Vietnam supporter

Nicholas deB. Katzenbach, Undersecretary of State, gave the 1967 Commecement address. In his previous capacities as Assistant Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, and Attorney General, Katzenbach had helped desegregate the University of Mississippi and the University of Alabama and also assisted in drafting the 1964 and 1965 Civil Rights Acts. Students and faculty lauded him for his role in civil rights but criticized his support of U.S. policy in Vietnam, which he commented on in the address.

Nicholas Katzenback Gives ’67 Commencement Address

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[Last updated on October 13, 2018]