BISMARCK, N.D.—Former Secret Service agent Clint Hill, a Washburn, N.D.-native, will be the keynote speaker at The Kennedy Legacy: 50 Years Later, a three day event Nov. 5-7, 2013, hosted by The Dakota Institute of the Lewis & Clark Fort Mandan Foundation, Bismarck State College and the State Historical Society of North Dakota on the BSC campus. The symposium explores the life, career, politics, vision, character, and legacy of John F. Kennedy 50 years after his death.
Hill, the Secret Service agent who leapt onto the back of the presidential limousine in the midst of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, will be joined by a line-up of nationally known Kennedy scholars and historians including retired NASA astronaut and U.S. senator Harrison Hagan "Jack" Schmitt, author and Pulitzer Prize-finalist H.W. Brands, and Cold War expert Lawrence Freedman, among others.
"Our goal is not to celebrate John F. Kennedy or wallow in the horrors of his assassination. This is a humanities symposium. What we want to do is explore the life, the achievements, the character, and the historical context of JKF's life," said Clay Jenkinson, director of The Dakota Institute.
In addition to the speakers, panels and presentations, the JFK symposium features a Bismarck Mandan Symphony performance that includes the world premiere of an original work by internationally-acclaimed composer Adolphus Hailstork. Commissioned by the JFK Symposium partners, the work is for orchestra, children's chorus and soprano setting the texts of some of President John F. Kennedy's most famous speeches on the subject of peace.
Leading up to the event, a free JFK Friday Film Festival will be held at the newly renovated Russell Reid Auditorium located in the State Museum of North Dakota Heritage Center. The film series brings five classic films to the big screen over five Fridays, beginning with a 15-minute talk exploring the movie topic and relating it to Kennedy and North Dakota.
"John Kennedy made five appearances in North Dakota from 1958 to 1963," said Kim Jondahl, Communications and Education director with the State Historical Society. "It's fascinating to explore his relationships with North Dakotans such as Governor William Guy, Angie Dickinson, and Clint Hill, as well as looking at how the Kennedy administration's responses to major issues of the time affected North Dakota."
The Kennedy Legacy: 50 Years Later is the third symposium presented by BSC and its humanities partners in a shared desire to bring history alive, make historical moments relevant to this generation, and to help our community gain a greater understanding of our common humanity.
Registration for the full three-day event, all activities and meals is $135. For a full agenda and to register, visit kennedylegacy.org.
Hill, the Secret Service agent who leapt onto the back of the presidential limousine in the midst of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, will be joined by a line-up of nationally known Kennedy scholars and historians including retired NASA astronaut and U.S. senator Harrison Hagan "Jack" Schmitt, author and Pulitzer Prize-finalist H.W. Brands, and Cold War expert Lawrence Freedman, among others.
"Our goal is not to celebrate John F. Kennedy or wallow in the horrors of his assassination. This is a humanities symposium. What we want to do is explore the life, the achievements, the character, and the historical context of JKF's life," said Clay Jenkinson, director of The Dakota Institute.
In addition to the speakers, panels and presentations, the JFK symposium features a Bismarck Mandan Symphony performance that includes the world premiere of an original work by internationally-acclaimed composer Adolphus Hailstork. Commissioned by the JFK Symposium partners, the work is for orchestra, children's chorus and soprano setting the texts of some of President John F. Kennedy's most famous speeches on the subject of peace.
Leading up to the event, a free JFK Friday Film Festival will be held at the newly renovated Russell Reid Auditorium located in the State Museum of North Dakota Heritage Center. The film series brings five classic films to the big screen over five Fridays, beginning with a 15-minute talk exploring the movie topic and relating it to Kennedy and North Dakota.
"John Kennedy made five appearances in North Dakota from 1958 to 1963," said Kim Jondahl, Communications and Education director with the State Historical Society. "It's fascinating to explore his relationships with North Dakotans such as Governor William Guy, Angie Dickinson, and Clint Hill, as well as looking at how the Kennedy administration's responses to major issues of the time affected North Dakota."
The Kennedy Legacy: 50 Years Later is the third symposium presented by BSC and its humanities partners in a shared desire to bring history alive, make historical moments relevant to this generation, and to help our community gain a greater understanding of our common humanity.
Registration for the full three-day event, all activities and meals is $135. For a full agenda and to register, visit kennedylegacy.org.