You have achieved a distinguished career in the law. Some of your clients have been among the most famous people and corporations of our times. Today’s honorary degree praises your achievements in your profession.

But even more we honor you as a profile in courage for our students. Because when you were younger than our graduates today you set out on a life of attention and service to those whose rights are threatened, in your work for voter registration in the Freedom Summer of 1964 in Mississippi.

I tell every entering class that Wabash is a place that will expect leadership and responsible action not at some point in their future development, but here and now. David, you have modeled in your life that readiness for action, that kind of engagement and commitment to, in the words of our mission statement, “act responsibly."

—President Pat White, introducing 2010 Honorary Degree Recipient David Kendall ’66