george w._ bush The American Studies Institute brought many outstanding speakers to campus through its lecture series, including British Prime Min1ster Margaret Thatcher, writer and actor Ben Stein, Chicfil-A founder Truett Cathy and former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto. Howeve1-, the speaker who may have caused the biggest buzz on campus came during the spring of 2010, when former President George W. Bush was asked to speak on April 22 about life afte1· the Oval Office and his experiences during his presidency. "I have never seen Harding students so excited about an ASI speaker," graduate Holly Steger, spring 2010 ASI vice president, said. AS I lectures were usually open to anyone, but because of the h1gh demand to see President Bush, this lecture was a ticketed event. On the morning of AprilS, students stood for hours in a line that wrapped all the way around the Benson, waiting for the box office to open. "Most students realized that th1s may be the only chance they eve1· have to see a living former president in person," graduate Haley Steger, ASI co-vice president, said. "The American Studies Institute always presents informative and interesting speakers each year, but being able to hear from George W. Bush was the event of a lifetime." Secret Service arrived on campus days in advance to check the premises and ensure the president's safety. Despite the precautions and extra security measures taken, however, President Bush was welcoming and open toward students who greeted him when he arrived. Holly Steger said he was "engaging and personable" as he reflected 2 30 organizations on tough decisions he made during his presidency, and he added humor throughout his speech. ASI President for 2010 Tiffany Parish was able to talk with the president more extensively during the ASI dinner before the lecture, speaking with Bush about social security issues. Parish said Lor1Kle1n's publ1c policy class had prepared her for carrying on a conversation with the president. "[It was] kind of cool to say I've f1nished the sentence of the President of the United States," Parish said. President Bush's main message during his speech was very positive, notmg how great the U. S.truly was and what a blessing it was to live in such a country. Bush also acknowledged the values that Harding upheld and was proud that such institutions like Harding existed in the U.S. Overall, the student body reacted with respect, and in Parish's opinion, "a very Christ-like attitude." Parish and Haley and Holly Steger described the night as one they would neverforget. "I've been at Harding for 22 years, and the reaction, just in general, has never been greater for a speaker," ASI Director Dr. Jim Carr said. "We all estimated that if we had had a venue that would have held 12,000 people instead of 4,000 people, we would have filled it up." After an outstanding event, Bush joined ranks with his mother, Barbara Bush, and his father, George H.W. Bush, as part of the long list of distinguished speakers who had presented at Harding. Gabrielle Pruitt
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