832 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

As the chief executive of the State of Maryland, I am pleased to
be present with you on this important occasion. As Governor of the
State of Maryland — I believe this position would correspond to that
of a Ministerpresident of a Bundesland — I do not want to forego the
opportunity to bring to my German friends the warmest regards of
the people of the State of Maryland, a State which always had very
close ties with all European countries, but in particular with Germany.
Since the middle of the 17th Century, shortly after the founding of
Maryland, Germans have settled in the Chesapeake Bay — in the land
of pleasant living. In 1660, one of the first Germans to become a resi-
dent of Maryland was Augustin Herrman. The many German soci-
eties and clubs that exist in Maryland today are evidence of these close
ties.

The Munich campus is a tribute to the vision of our military leaders
who sought to provide full-time higher education for the dependents
of United States personnel stationed in Europe. Since 1950, almost
five thousand students have matriculated on this campus. Eighteen
years ago, the campus opened with thirty-four students; today there
are five hundred and twenty enrolled. This is one kind of military
escalation that wins universal support.

No doubt you realize that as overseas students you are very special
people with very special advantages. Yours is not a cloistered campus
but a living laboratory. You have studied European history at its
source; you have studied foreign languages where you can and must
speak them. You have benefited from a truly international faculty.
You have unparalleled opportunities to travel, to experience other
cultures and other people. You are sophisticated in the best sense of
of the word, worldly because you are at home anywhere in the world.

Many Munich students have transferred to Maryland's College Park
campus and to other colleges and universities. The transition for some
has proved challenging. Suddenly, they have moved from a small ho-
mogeneous setting to a large multiversity. Yet, this experience is not
limited to the overseas student. It is the same challenge which con-
fronts many students who transfer from America's junior and com-
munity colleges to a large university. This adjustment is an adventure
in itself.

Your present class represents families stationed in thirty-two coun-
tries and we are proud that our University of Maryland in Munich
serves as your academic focal point.

I congratulate each of you on your academic progress and your
personal achievements. I wish you great joy in your present activities
and great success in the future.