CLINTON, N.Y. (WSYR) — Over 5,000 patrons roared as former President Obama walked across the stage to engage in a conversation with Hamilton College’s President Steven Tepper for the first time in a college setting, aside from his historical commencement speeches over the years.
Visitors flew in from as far as Europe and stood in a mile-long line with students for hours to listen to Obama speak about current affairs.
“I’m definitely interested in hearing what he’s going to talk about with the current climate and the political climate now, and what’s going to be happening in the future,” senior Seth Tobin said.
Obama spoke with Tepper for over an hour, running over time by nearly 20 minutes, to discuss globalization, the importance of the Paris Agreement, artificial intelligence, the American people’s trust in government, and how to find common ground with one another, despite political affiliation.
“These are things that we’re talking about on this campus, and the chance to have him reflect on them and help us think through them was just amazing,” Tepper said.
Before Obama bid Hamilton College adieu, he advised those who wish to make a difference in the world not to get discouraged because nothing can be fixed all at once.
“I think the word he used was resilience, and resilience means you have to have patience, and you have to know you’re playing a long game,” Tepper said.
Before Obama walked off the stage, he told the crowd, “If you work hard, you’re going to fail…but it’s worth trying.”
