ASHLAND — A clear theme emerged Friday during Mike Pompeo’s keynote address at the Ashbrook Center’s 35th John M. Ashbrook Memorial Dinner.
“The wisdom of our founding is under assault,” the former U.S. Secretary of State said to a crowd of around 450, a third of which comprised of Ashbrook scholars.
For the 13 minutes he spoke, Pompeo noted the importance of teaching America’s young generation the significance of the nation’s history and its founding principles.
Pompeo’s keynote address served as a cap on a day in which he spent time touring Ashland University and interacting with some of its Ashbrook scholars. He praised Ashland University professors, Ashbrook Center scholars, donors and underwriters for continuing to “make America better” through education.
“You all, tonight, have been an inspiration to me,” he said. “You make America better. You build the America that make it worth fighting for.”
Pompeo, 58, served as the 70th United States Secretary of State under Donald Trump from April 2018 through January 2021 and as Director of the CIA from January 2017 to April 2018.
The annual event serves as the center’s fundraiser, which formed in 1983 as an independent academic center at Ashland University. It was named after the late John M. Ashbrook, who represented Ohio’s 17th congressional district for 21 years.
His second wife, Jean Spencer, was in attendance on Friday. Pompeo thanked her personally during his speech.
Each year, Ashbrook faculty honor certain people with awards. The most prestigious is the Ashbrook Award, and is given to people who “exemplify the ideals so splendidly upheld by the late John M. Ashbrook,” which include “integrity of thought and conduct; the knowledge of what is right and a determination to do right … they include a determination of fight — alone if need be — for worthy goals.”
Pompeo received that award Friday. He joins a high-profile list of people who have received the award before him, such as Mike Pence, Ronald Reagan, John Boehner and many others.
At the end of his speech, Pompeo answered questions from the scholars in attendance. Questions varied from his position on energy to his thoughts on the Chinese communist party to his time as a cadet at West Point.
One questioner asked what his plans are for running for president in 2024, a bid he has considered publicly. He told CBS News last week that he would run for president even if his former boss, Donald Trump, decided to run.
He has said if he does choose to put his name in the hat, he will likely announce his bid in the spring.
Friday night, Pompeo was a little more reserved with the prospect — despite the admitted fact he’s spent much time in the last few months in important election states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
“But the truth is, Susan — we — my wife, Susan, and me have not made a decision. We are thinking about whether this is the right place, whether the Lord has put us there … I’ve been close to it. It’s an incredible task,” he said.
Other awards presented Friday were:
• Lifetime Achievement Award — James P. Buchwald (awarded posthumously).
• Teacher of the Year Award — Greg Balan, Teacher, Riverdale High School.
• Ashbrook Scholar Alumni Award — Rebeccah Heinrichs, Class of 2004,
