George W. Bush and Condoleezza Rice pay a visit to SMU

by Courtney O'Callaghan of The Daily Mustang

Sunburnt and hidden in the shadows of trees for shade, SMU students waited for hours behind Crum Auditorium Tuesday afternoon in hopes of getting a glimpse of former President Bush.

Unaware of the former President’s scheduled arrival on campus, SMU freshman Thomas Elliott was alerted by four black Suburbans with men in black suits, sunglasses, and ear-pieces. He was immediately drawn to the site.

“I was on my way to Business Calculus this morning. Laura Bush and George Bush walked in [the building] so I decided it would be worth it to spend a day out here waiting for both of them,” said Elliott in an on-camera interview.

According to Rob Saliterman, Bush’s Communication Director, the former President was on campus for an informal strategy session regarding the George Bush institute, an addition to the former President’s library run by the Bush Foundation. The meeting included top aides from his White House administration, such as former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, and advisers, Karen Hughes and Dan Barlett.

Bush foundation officials said that the institute will be a harbor for fellows to discuss principles of “freedom, opportunity, responsibility and compassion” and will sponsor programs starting this fall, as stated by The Dallas Morning News.

SMU seniors Catherine Homier and Erin Devlin joined Elloitt early in the morning. Homier was woken up by Devlin’s multiple phone calls. “She was very dedicated,” Homier said.

The girls joined the forming crowd around 9:30 a.m. where they staked out until the former president for hours, missing classes in the meantime.

Many students caught on and joined their effort, also missing class to have a chance to greet the former President and his staff.

After a few hours of waiting, and with several to go, the Secret Service joined students in conversation. Although friendly and personable, the Secret Service were not giving students knowledge of what was going on.

Devlin joked, “Are you Condelina’s secret service?” mispronouncing the former Secretary of State’s name. An agent retorted, “Are you from America?”

Some were surprised that there were no protestors amongst the crowd, as there has been much debate over the library, museum, and institute. Some SMU faculty are worried that it “will be a political think tank that promotes Bush policies on divisive issues such as the Iraq war,” according to The Dallas Morning News.

Bush exited the building around 1:30 p.m. and addressed the cheering crowd with waves and thank yous. After a long day of meetings, the former President headed straight for his get away car.

About an hour later, Rice greeted the diminished crowd of students and faculty, posing for pictures. She replaced “cheese” with “go mustangs!”

Michael Clarke, Director of the International Center at SMU, thanked Rice for her time and worldly input. Rice graciously commented that the addition to the library is going to be a very exciting place and they are working to “make the institution a great asset.”

According to The Dallas Morning News, Bush’s former speechwriter, Michael Gerson, and 20 advisers are expected to attend the next of several informal meetings within the following week. The library, museum, and institute development is planned to open in 2013.

Reflecting on his conversation with Rice, Clarke said “the institution will prove beneficial for the University,” with its “embedded international aspects.”

Condoleezza Rice greets students outside Crum Auditorium (PHOTO BY LINDSEY WASHBURN / THE DAILY MUSTANG).