Presidential Papers, Doc#48 To Grayson Louis Kirk, 19 February 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower
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Doc #49

Document #48; February 19, 1953
To Grayson Louis Kirk
Series: EM, AWF, Name Series: Columbia
The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XIV - The Presidency: The Middle Way
Part I: Charting a New Course; January 1953 to April 1953
Chapter 1: Developing a spirit of teamwork

 

Dear Grayson:1 You are quite right in your assumption that I have been forced to adopt a system of "priorities" with respect to the invitations that pour into the Executive offices.2 Consequently, I think it would be totally impossible for me to accept two engagements with the Columbia family within the course of a year.3 Actually for this current year I have already promised four universities that if I could accept any invitations at all, they would rank as one, two, three and four.

As I have already promised, I firmly intend to be with you at one of the Bicentennial convocations. Since I see that the date you have selected is June 1, 1954, I shall put this on my calendar, subject, of course, to the possibility of some emergency preventing final acceptance.

With respect to Dean Rappleye's celebration in the fall, I would try to prepare some message of greeting or congratulation if, at that time, he should think it desirable.4

Mamie joins me in best wishes to you and Marion.5 Sincerely

1 See no. 34.

2 In a letter of February 16 (AWF/N) the Columbia president had noted October plans to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the university medical center. Members of the arrangements committee wished to extend to Eisenhower a "most cordial invitation" to attend the ceremony; Kirk had warned them that the President's calendar might not permit such a visit.

3 Kirk reminded Eisenhower of an event that he gave "top priority," the second in a series of three university bicentennial observances, this one, set for June 1, 1954, to mark Columbia's national stature and contributions. "Obviously," Kirk observed, "the second convocation would be a dismal failure if we did not have the President of the United States with us on that occasion."

4 Willard Cole Rappleye, dean of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia since 1931, had assumed the vice-presidency for medical affairs during Eisenhower's tenure as university president (Galambos, Columbia University, no. 361).

5 Kirk's wife, the former Marion Louise Sands.

Bibliographic reference to this document:
Eisenhower, Dwight D. To Grayson Louis Kirk, 19 February 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 48. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/48.cfm

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