1990
In 1990, West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl came to Harvard.
In his speech, he called for the United States to work with Germany to help in the establishment of a united states of Europe. He also used his speech to quell fears that a united Germany might not respect Poland's borders. He added that the European Community would not exclude any countries.
"The united states of Europe must therefore be open. It must not exclude the Poles, Czechs, Slovaks or any other Europeans who want to join this federation," he said.
And with Helmut Kohl ended yet another decade of Harvard's Commencement exercises.
Bok, who will speak this Thursday, is guarding the text of his speech closely. And although he may not be a head of state, a member of royalty or a wellknown culture hero, rumor has it his address will discuss more than education policy. Yet 44 years after the Marshall Plan, Bok has a hard act to follow.