It is important that students don't just sit back, "we need to stand up, speak out, and create change," political analyst Juan Williams said.
Williams intended to challenge students to overlook their doubts and actually go out and do something. In his speech Williams, "one of America's leading political writers and thinkers," motivated students to think of themselves as a "prized commodity."
Williams gave his speech, "American Leadership - Stories of Inspiration and Power Behind Proven Leaders," Monday at Pruis Hall with about 400 in attendance.
Telling the stories of famous leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Thurgood Marshall, Williams said people don't know when they will be called upon to lead. Williams said these individuals were not expecting to be leaders: Nelson Mandela, grew up rebelling against his parents; Martin Luther King, Jr. was asked to take the leadership role at a time when he felt he was not ready.
Williams said people might be surprised when their time comes.
Williams wanted students to see themselves as more than someone who dates the popular kid in school, who makes good grades or who is looking for a job. When doing this, he said, time flies by.
Instead, Williams said, students should see themselves as others see them, as elite and college educated. Williams warned students not to continue to take the "sleeping pill" and instead get out and be the leader that they can be.
People will tell others they can't do something and will try to define their lowest moment or scrutinize them, he said. Instead of taking the defeat, he said, people should simply be aware of who they are because the greatest obstacles only exist in the mind.
Tony Farmer, a student affairs administration in higher education major, said "Williams was engaging and inspirational." Farmer said he liked the concept of the "sleeping pill" and felt the topic was good for college students to hear.
Williams concluded the event by telling the audience to "wake up and keep your eyes on the prize," which is also the title of one of his books. Students at the speech felt that it was beneficial for college students to hear.
Lindsey Cox, a library media and communications education major, said she enjoyed the speech.
"I liked that he gave examples of historical leaders," she said. "It was motivational.
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