The American Studies Institute presented Dr. Ben Carson on March 18. Carson is currently a professor emeritus of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University after working as a professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
“He has a dream for America, and he’s published the book ‘America the Beautiful’,” Bob Reely, associate executive director od ASI, said. “His dream for the future will be the dream of our students.”
Carson explained his dream about America by encouraging the audience to go out and talk to people within their spheres of influence.
“This is America, the land of opportunity, a land where people think about what they can do, not about what they can’t do,” Carson said. “Students, take [classes] that will make you flexible in a technological society. Don’t just go for the easy stuff.”
His lecture, based off of his New York Times bestseller, is titled “America the Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great.” In the book, Carson offers insight on how to understand what is good about America, how the country has gone off track and which important beliefs have led America to its excellence among other nations.
“We need to understand it is okay to live by godly principles,” Carson said. “All we have to do is eliminate fear and I think we are going to see some incredible things happen.”
Carson is known for being the first surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins, joined at the head, in 1987. A surgical team of 70 people worked for 22 hours until the completion of the surgery. The twins now survive independently. Senior Jonathan Crews, president of ASI, said that Carson’s story will be motivating and uplifting to many students on campus.
“Dr. Carson is one of the greatest models of our time.” Crews said. “His desire and passion to pursue his dream is an inspiration to our generation; his love for our country is a reminder to appreciate the amazing liberties we often take for granted and to never let them be taken away.”
Carson said because we are responsible for choosing our leaders, we are then responsible for the direction of this nation and there needs to be a system where everyone’s vote counts.
“This is America,” Carson said. “This is supposed to be a place for, of and by the people, not a place for, of and by the government.”
On March 6, the movie based on Carson’s life, “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story” was shown in the Heritage Auditorium. The film outlines the many obstacles that Carson had to overcome before becoming a world-renowned neurosurgeon.
“He’s an educational success story; he’s the American dream story.” Reely said. “He came from one of the toughest backgrounds as a kid and ends up being one of the most world renowned pediatric neurosurgeons and to hear his story is inspiration, regardless of what you’re majoring in, to keep on keeping on pursuing your dream.”
