Dr. Kurt Graham spoke to Cedar City residents on the subject of patriotism and leadership at this year’s Howard R. Driggs Memorial Lecture. His speech recounted the lives and accomplishments of past presidential legacies.
Graham has created his personal Mount Rushmore consisting of John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Harry Truman and George W. Bush. One commonality he found between the four was the lack of monuments dedicated to them. Additionally, they were all heavily involved in international affairs and faced challenges throughout the elections they ran in.
“I didn’t choose these (leaders) because I think they have the four best administrations we’ve ever had in our history,” said Graham. “I think they represent the kind of character and service and love of country that really defines what I think is the apex of leadership.”
It was these former U.S. presidents’ characters that brought Graham to admire them and ultimately, strive to be like them. He further explained that loving one’s country isn’t just having a warm feeling in their heart towards the nation, it’s the willingness to step up and serve. His philosophy: patriotism plus character equals public service.
“Patriotism by its very definition is diverse, it’s inclusive, nobody has a lock on it. Anyone who loves their country is a patriot,” said Graham. “Patriotism is positive, it leans neither right nor left, it’s not progressive, it’s not reactionary, it’s not woke, it’s not M.A.G.A., it’s not democrat, it’s not republican — it’s a love of country.”
His message was that leadership requires humanity and courage. One cannot lead without genuine concern and conviction. True leaders absorb the anxieties of those around them and dispel fear by instilling confidence. Furthermore, he believes a true leader places the wellbeing of others ahead of their own self interests.
“We will be well led again when we require our representatives to reach beyond their base voters and base instincts, to connect with what Linocln called ‘the better angels of our nature,’ he said. “Well my young friends, you are those angels. The spirit of America is alive because you are. The fate of the Republic is in your hands.”
The Howard R. Driggs Memorial Lecture us held annually during founder’s week in honor of Driggs, one of SUU’s founding faculty members and a passionate historian. Since 2009, SUU’s APEX program has invited distinguished speakers, like Graham, to campus in celebration of the university’s founding.
Author: Brooklyn Beard
Editor: Heather Turner
Photo by Brooklyn Beard
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