Remarks at Amherst College on the Arts

[3] Kennedy and the poet Archibald MacLeish were awarded honorary Doctor of Law degrees by Plimpton at the convocation ceremony.

[5] Following the ceremony Kennedy rode to the groundbreaking event for the new Robert Frost Memorial Library in an open-topped motorcade with the President of Amherst College, Calvin Plimpton.

[6] MacLeish said in his speech that "The people of this countryside may forget in ordinary human course what anyone says on this occasion, but they will remember, for many, many years that a young and gallant President of the United States, with the weight of history heavy upon his shoulders, somehow found time to come to our small corner of the world to talk of books and men and learning".

[7] Supporters of Kennedy's position on civil rights held a silent vigil in front of the Kirby Theatre.

[9] The JFK Library wrote that Kennedy spoke of the "role of the artist in society" the "nature of strength and power" and the "importance of public service from educated citizens".