Condoleezza Rice Visits The Bishop’s School

Condoleezza Rice visited on Thursday. The former secretary of state taught a class and gave a presentation for the students, faculty and staff. During the assembly, Rice responded to questions submitted by Bishop’s students in grades six through 12.

Using material about Rice’s life and political career, Bishop’s teachers had prepared their students for her arrival on campus. Students in Dr. Jeff Geoghegan’s Advanced Placement United States History class had the opportunity to learn from Rice in their classroom.

“The opportunity to have the former secretary of state visit this class will be an unforgettable highlight of a Bishop’s education,” said Richard del Rio, chair of the school’s History and Social Sciences Department, prior to the visit. “Condoleezza Rice is both a scholar and top-level policymaker who brings enormous personal skills to her interactions with students.”

Students submitted 60 questions to ask Rice and 20 were selected to be asked, but Rice only had time for seven. Questions included “Who was your role model as you were growing up?” and “How do you argue against a president when you disagree with their action, statement or decision?”

From January 2005-2009, Rice served as the 66th secretary of state of the United States, the second woman and first African American woman to hold the post. Rice also served as President George W. Bush’s national security advisor from January 2001-2005, the first woman to ever hold the position.

Rice has been on the faculty of Stanford University since 1981 and is currently a professor of Political Economy in the Graduate School of Business and a professor of Political Science.

Rice’s appearance at The Bishop’s School was through the Endowed Leadership Lecture Series, which brings to the Bishop’s community individuals who are role models for the student body through their leadership and their extraordinary achievements in their communities and the nation. 

As an ELLS presenter, Rice was accorded the school’s highest honor – the Bishop’s Medal, presented to her by Head of School Aimeclaire Roche. Rice is the seventh recipient since 2004 to receive this prestigious award and joins past honorees: Paul Muldoon (2003 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry), Christopher Parkening (premier classical guitarist), Dr. David Baltimore (1975 Nobel Laureate, Physiology/Medicine), Bonnie St. John (Bishop’s Class of 1982, 1984 Paralympics silver medalist), Morris Dees (civil rights activist), and Trevor Hoffman (former Padres relief pitcher).