Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Visits Hopkins

On Thursday, September 27, 2012, Hopkins School was honored by a visit from Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State from 2005 to 2009. Rice spoke at the Academic Convocation commemorating the start of Hopkins’ 353rd school year. An audience of over 1,000 students, faculty, staff, parents, and Trustees, gathered in front of Thompson Hall for the event.

 

The Convocation began with a musical performance by student, Lloyd Chen ’13, who played “The Alcotts” by Charles Ives, on the piano. Dr. Rice, herself an accomplished pianist, applauded Lloyd’s skillful rendition of Hopkins alumnus Ives’ piece.

 

Dr. Rice’s address touched upon her childhood, education, career in academia and foreign service. Throughout her remarks she reiterated the “transforming power of education.” She emphasized that education has the power to take people from humble beginnings to greatness. She also urged the students, “Find your passion. Once you do, your life will never be the same.”

 

Following her remarks, Dr. Rice took questions from students before moving on to an intimate session with Hopkins’ Model UN and Congress in Thompson Hall’s amphitheater. Students were enthusiastic for the opportunity to ask some tough political questions of the former Secretary of State, and were enthralled by her candid responses. Hopkins’ students left an impression on Dr. Rice as well, as she mentioned if she could do it all over again, she would love to attend Hopkins as a student.