Ken holding the large poster that was used at Swarthmore. He was impressed with its quality and size
Note – visit Ken Hechler’s website to see newly posted photos of his military career, first campaign in WV, and more.
Ken Hechler returned to his alma mater, Swarthmore College, near Philadelphia on Tuesday, September 23rd, to talk about “The Human Cost of Coal.” His good friend Larry Gibson was the co-presenter with Ken. One of the organizers, Mark Schmerling wrote this report -
The program was fabulous! Much thanks to you and Carr for all you did to bring this together. Those who attended (at least 40) were glued to Ken’s and Larry’s presentations, asked meaningful questions, and were deeply moved. They will continue to be involved in this issue, and help solve some of our most vexing problems, with their collective energy, intelligence and social conscience
Carr videotaped the program so that Swarthmore will have a copy. Before the program, Ken went around the room, engaging many individual students in conversation. I’m sure they will come to treasure the experience of meeting such an extraordinary individual. The school newspaper, the Swarthmore Phoenix, published/posted this story about the event.
Here is a story written about the event. Below is a story about Ken’s famous version of the Swarthmore song that he sang when he received an honorary doctorate in 2001.
From the 2001 Swarthmore Commencement: SINGING OUT
Instead of delivering a speech, Ken Hechler ’35 led the audience in a spirited sing-along of verses he wrote to the tune of Swarthmore’s alma mater (see the March Bulletin, page 38). The lyrics were a call to action, something Hechler has heeded throughout his illustrious career. Hechler earned an M.A. and Ph.D. from Columbia University, where he taught before enlisting in the Army in 1942. Assigned to the European theater as a combat historian, he interrogated Hermann Goering and other Nazi leaders, for which he was awarded a Bronze Star. After the war, he taught at Princeton before serving under President Harry Truman as a research director and special assistant. He represented the state of West Virginia in Congress from 1959 to 1977 and served as secretary of state from 1985 to early this year. In both roles, he led the fight for fair elections; mine safety; environmental protection; and, most recently, campaign finance reform. He was the only member of Congress to meet with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Ala. Last year, he accompanied the 90-year-old Doris Haddock (“Granny D”) for 530 miles of her California-to-Washington, D.C., walk on behalf of campaign finance reform. Hechler has written several books on politics and American history, including The Bridge at Remagen, which was made into a motion picture in 1969.
Swarthmore webpage bio of Ken – “A Swarthmore Tapestry”
Swarthmore story on Hechler’s induction into WV Labor Hall of Honor
Famous people at Swarthmore graduations
Photos from his years at Swarthmore – on his own website
Ken Hechler ‘35 -
Graduation Speech, 4 June 2001
(sung to Swarthmore’s Alma Mater)
I
As we leave old Swarthmore College
and this campus fair,
Join the fight for racial justice,
show the world you care!
You will be remembered one day,
not for wealth or power,
But your work for all the people
-that’s your finest hour.
II
There’s a need for more crusaders;
give your heart and soul;
Fight against the special interests;
that should be your goal.
We must get along together,
with all peoples too;
Differences should be respected
and their points of view.
III
Mother Earth needs conservation-
can’t you hear her cry?
We must work for preservation,
or the earth will die.
Peace and freedom for all nations;
feed and house the poor.
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater,
Hail, All Hail, Swarthmore!
Ken with the poster hanging….from the smile you can tell how much he enjoyed his trip, the event and the poster
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