Condoleezza Rice

Written November 9,2011

Tonight, an overwhelming crowd of 2200 people filled the seats of Baylor University’s Waco Hall to hear former Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice discuss her new book with Baylor President Ken Starr.  

Rice’s appearance was the second part of an ongoing series, “On Topic with President Ken Starr,” and her book No Higher Honor shaped the conversation between the two notable figures.

As the conversation began, Rice reflected on education in her segregated hometown of Birmingham, Ala.

“Faith and family came together in education in my family” Rice said, “because my folks always had me to believe that you might not be able to control your circumstances but you can control your response to your circumstances and your honor in dealing with prejudice and segregation was education.”

Rice continued with a short segment on her grandfather, John Wesley Rice Sr. As she explained his background and history in education she explained that the one of the main reasons why she went to college was because of her grandfather’s ambition and his value of education.

In response to segregation in the south and the value of education Rice said that,

“If you work hard and you’re twice as good [as non-blacks] then you can be president of the United States. I became secretary of state instead.”
As students, faculty, Waco residents and friends filed out of Waco Hall upon Rice’s exit, inspiration filled the air.

“What an incredible opportunity it was to listen to Condoleezza’s journey to and through Washington. No Higher Honor may have been the name of her book, but for me there was no higher honor than to listen to her incredible story.” Sophomore Business Major, Julie Mothershead commented.

Although Presidency, according to Rice, is not in her future, what an honor it was for the Baylor community to host such an esteemed speaker as Condoleezza Rice