George W. Bush in SMU commencement speech: ‘C’ students, you too can be president
UNIVERSITY PARK — Former President George W. Bush said his decision to speak at Southern Methodist University’s centennial commencement Saturday was a “practical one.”
“I got a call from my landlord…{SMU President} Gerald Turner,” Bush said. “Rather than raising the rent or threatening to withhold our security deposit, I was relieved to hear President Turner ask me if I believed in free speech.”
Bush said he did. Turner replied, “perfect, here’s your chance to give one.”
Thousands of students and their families packed Moody Coliseum for the ceremony, which marked the 100th anniversary of school’s spring commencement. Bush was both light-hearted and serious during his speech. He was self-deprecating at times about his speaking and painting skills, and he invoked his faith while prodding graduates to participate in the civic life.
Saturday’s speech was the first Bush has given since leaving office, but his second at SMU. He first spoke at the university in 1999 while governor of Texas. His presidential center is on the campus.
Read more: http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2015/05/george-w-bush-gives-commencement-speech-at-smus-100th-graduation-ceremony.html/
Cross-posted in the Texas Group.
= new reply since forum marked as read
A bad one.
