Rice Tells Auburn Students Democracy Is Their Job, Not Just Their Rights

Condoleezza Rice urged Auburn University students to play an active role in strengthening democracy during a public conversation that focused on civic responsibility, higher education, and the pressures facing democratic institutions. The former U.S. secretary of state said universities remain essential spaces for debate and idea-sharing because students learn to engage with viewpoints that challenge their assumptions.

Rice spoke at length about the role of colleges in preparing future civic leaders, saying universities do more than produce knowledge. She described them as places where students encounter different perspectives, build judgment, and practice the kind of discussion that democratic life requires.

A conversation centered on democracy and civic duty

The discussion, moderated by Margaret Hoover, covered several major themes, including global democratic trends, artificial intelligence, and the role of universities in shaping public-minded graduates. Hoover, who is a journalist, author, and host of PBS’s Firing Line with Margaret Hoover, guided the evening through questions on leadership, citizenship, and how institutions adapt to change.

Rice, who served as provost at Stanford University from 1993 to 1996, said higher education plays a unique role in fostering democratic habits. She argued that democratic systems depend not only on elections and institutions, but also on citizens who are willing to participate in public life and defend shared values.

Rice’s message to students

Rice told students that democracy survives only when people help sustain it. Her central message was direct: “Find the one thing you can do to make your democracy stronger and go out and do it,” she said. “It’s yours to keep.”

That call resonated with students in the audience, including senior Buckley Nettles, who is graduating with a degree in communication. Nettles said the event left a strong impression and highlighted the responsibility that college students have in shaping the future of democratic participation.

1. Attend public forums and civic events
2. Stay informed about local, national, and global issues
3. Take part in respectful political dialogue
4. Support institutions that encourage open debate
5. Vote and encourage others to vote

Rice framed these actions as practical ways for students to support democratic institutions rather than simply observe them from the sidelines. Her comments reflected a broader concern about the future of public trust and civic engagement at a time of rapid technological and social change.

Students and alumni respond

Former SGA President Owen Beaverstock, who will graduate next month with a degree in political science, also reflected on the value of the evening. He said the event showed how much ideas and dialogue matter, and how the future of the country depends on people choosing to participate in it.

The program highlighted Auburn’s semiquincentennial-related programming and its effort to connect students with public figures who can speak to the country’s civic traditions. University events like this often serve as a bridge between academic learning and public responsibility, especially for students preparing to enter careers in government, media, education, and business.

A wider discussion beyond the classroom

Beyond the democratic theme, the conversation included lighter moments that underscored Rice’s long public career and her continued visibility in sports and education. When asked whether golf or piano requires more discipline, Rice said the piano demands more commitment, while she joked about her own golf game.

Hoover also asked where Rice is recognized more often, on Stanford’s campus or at Denver Broncos games. Rice noted that students may know her name, but “mostly they just want to get into my class,” reflecting her continued connection to university life and teaching.

The event closed with a clear reminder that democracy depends on sustained participation from each generation. For Auburn students, Rice’s message placed citizenship at the center of college life and reinforced the idea that democratic institutions remain strongest when young people choose to engage, question, and contribute.