ASHLAND — Young people are hungry for a cause to join, according to entrepreneur, author and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
In Ramaswamy’s estimation, that’s why it’s important to believe in and promote the ideals present at America’s founding. Those include merit and the pursuit of excellence, he told an audience at Ashland University during the annual John M. Ashbrook Memorial Dinner.
The dinner, which took place Wednesday night, serves as a fundraiser for AU’s Ashbrook Scholar Program.
Founded in 1983, the Ashbrook Center has hosted several figures who loom large in conservative politics at the event annually, including former President Ronald Reagan, Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas and former Vice President Mike Pence.
The Ashbrook Scholar program at the university offers scholarships for “promising students majoring or minoring in political science, political economy or history.”
Ramaswamy on ‘being American’
Ramaswamy, a 38-year-old Biotech entrepreneur from Cincinnati, served as the keynote speaker for the 36th dinner. His comments focused on a theme of what it means to be an American.
Jeffrey Sikkenga, the Ashbrook Center’s executive director, said Ramaswamy gave his speech without using notes, displaying his characteristic “thinking out loud.”
“It’s in his bones,” Sikkenga said. “He knows it and believes it.”
During his campaign, he stated that he wanted to eliminate federal agencies like the Department of Education, that identifying as transgender is a “mental health disorder,” wanted to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, and called climate change a hoax.
He dropped out of the presidential race in January, after the Iowa caucuses, and endorsed former President Donald Trump.
Many of his statements Wednesday echoed sentiments from his presidential campaign.
He argued that America is at a “1776 moment,” referring to the year America’s founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. Creating a country that will be greater in the future than it is now requires sacrifice, he argued.
“The only way we’re going to get this right is by all of us starting to speak our minds in the open and to stand up for the truth without apology, to say the things that we know to be true, that you just can’t say anymore,” Ramaswamy said.
He then listed several examples of what he meant: “… that fossil fuels are a requirement for human prosperity. That reverse racism is racism. That an open border is not a border. That parents should determine the education for their children…”
Ramaswamy followed his speech with a question-and-answer session, hosted by Sikkenga.
He addressed what he learned running for president, how his policy positions have evolved, factors that go into choosing a running mate, his thoughts on a potential TikTok ban and more.
Mixed reception
Sikkenga, the Ashbrook Center’s executive director, said he thought Ramaswamy connected with the crowd. He noted that Ramaswamy displayed his “characteristic intelligence, energy and thinking out loud.”
A number of Ashbrook scholars told Ashland Source they didn’t necessarily agree with some of Ramaswamy’s speech.
“I don’t personally agree with Vivek (Ramaswamy),” said David Maloney, a sophomore and Ashbrook Scholar.
Maloney, who studies political science and history at AU, said Ramaswamy’s comments came across as “hard-line.” He had mixed feelings following the speech.
Destiny Bittinger, a sophomore studying religion and fashion merchandising with a minor in political science, said his ideas were well thought-out. But, she described him as “very right wing politically.”
Madeline Christie, another sophomore Ashbrook Scholar, said one of her minors is in environmental science. She deemed Ramaswamy’s comments about climate change being a hoax as “controversial.”
But, Christie, Bittinger and Maloney all pointed out that part of AU’s creed is to teach students how to think, not what to think. They feel their professors excel at offering them space to practice that.
Maloney said while he disagreed with Ramaswamy personally, other speakers the Ashbrook Center has hosted have aligned more with his views.
He added that often, he looks forward more to speakers like Ramaswamy that he disagrees with, and the chance to engage with them in a meaningful way.
Sikkenga said that’s what the Ashbrook Center is about. He was impressed with the students for having respectful, mutual exchanges, even with disagreements.
“That’s something we could use more of,” Sikkenga said. “I commend the students on pushing him in a respectful manner.”
Ashbrook honors
The event also recognized Ashbrook program alums, giving out several awards. Award recipients are:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Fred A. Lennon, co-founder of the Ashbrook Center
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Marv J. Krinsky, Ashbrook Center board chairman
- Outstanding Ashbrook Scholar Alumni Award: James Turoff, Senior vice president, general counsel and secretary for the Hershey Company
- Outstanding Teacher Award: Henry Adeoye, eighth grade American history teacher at Morehead Junior High School in Conroe, Texas
Adeoye, the recipient of the Outstanding Teacher Award, offered a long quotation from Abraham Lincoln and shared how Ashbrook has spurred him to be a better teacher.
For Maloney, one of the Ashbrook scholars, Adeoye exemplified the Ashbrook Center’s mission.
“I would’ve come just to listen to him,” Maloney said.
Sikkenga, the executive director of the Ashbrook Center, also announced a new $20 million campaign the center will launch July 4.
That campaign, called “If We Can Teach It,” will aim to reach all 50 states with an Ashbrook education. Sikkenga said that includes an understanding of America’s history and founding principles.
The center is set to see changes beyond the campaign, too. Krinsky, who’s served as the center’s board chair for 22 years, announced Wednesday he is stepping down. State Sen. Mark Romanchuk will take over Krinsky’s position.
Sikkenga said for him, the event was characterized by “great energy and warmth.”
“It’s important to honor our past and our legacy, and to build toward the future,” Sikkenga said.