Professor Randall Kennedy Presents as Part of Birmingham Lecture Series

Mr. Randall Kennedy P'13,'17 addressed students and faculty on Thursday, April 25, as part of the Birmingham Lecture Series. Kennedy is a graduate of St. Albans School, Princeton University, Oxford University, and Yale Law School. In addition to being the Michael R. Klein professor at Harvard Law School, he has authored several books and numerous articles relating to law and race; one of his recent contributions was an op-ed in The New York Times, relating to the Affirmative Action ruling in the Supreme Court.

Kennedy gave an inspirational lecture on success and how it relates to luck, love, and leadership. He reminded Arrows that whether they have found success in the classroom or on the field, they owe part of their success to luck and to the people who have helped them along the way, including parents, friends, teachers, and coaches. Kennedy also encouraged Arrows to never look down upon those who are not successful, as there are many people who work very hard, but are never given the same opportunities that our Arrows have received.

One such opportunity Kennedy reflected, is being able to attend a school like St. Sebastian’s that has a devoted faculty, a rigorous curriculum, and spiritual depth. Kennedy praised the camaraderie and brotherhood that he witnessed as a parent at St. Sebastian’s and expressed how fitting it is that “love” is the theme of the year. In closing, Kennedy expressed how grateful he was to be speaking as part of the Birmingham Lecture Series, said that he was “soaking in the moment,” and encouraged Arrows to do the same during their time at St. Sebastian’s.