University of Portland faculty, staff, and students were treated to an unexpected visit by Senator Robert F. Kennedy, (D-NY) on March 26, 1968, just ten days after he declared his candidacy for U.S. President. Senator Kennedy’s surprise visit (?) found a crowd of over 1,000 gathered in the University Commons to hear him during his Oregon tour before the local Presidential primary. Among his supporters nationally were the poor, minorities, Catholic voters, and naturally, Democrats. Emerging as one of the leaders for the Democratic nomination for president, Senator Kennedy was assassinated a couple months later in California on June 5, 1968.
(Photo Gallery from the University Archives, click on images to enlarge)
Rev. Paul Waldschmidt, C.S.C.; Senator Robert F. Kennedy, D-NY, Rev. Joseph Powers, C.S.C. (back to camera), Representative Edith Green, D-OR, March 26, 1968
Camelot Again, Robert F. Kennedy Speaks to UP Crowd in the Commons, March 26, 1968
Senator Robert F. Kennedy, D-NY, Campaign Speech in the Commons, March 26, 1968
Students listening to Senator Robert F. Kennedy in the Commons, March 26, 1968
Senator Robert F. Kennedy Campaigns at UP, The Beacon, March 28, 1968
Capacity Crowd Fills the Commons to Hear Senator Robert F. Kennedy, March 26, 1968
Media Cameras Record Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s Campaign Speech in the Commons, March 26, 1968
Student with Senator Robert F. Kennedy, March 26, 1968