President George W. Bush Addresses Spring Convocation
St. Mark’s School of Texas welcomed a distinguished surprise guest at its All-School Spring Convocation: the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. President Bush delivered a thoughtful and stirring address to the assembled student body, faculty, and staff. In his opening remarks, Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini drew a connection between the founding principles of the United States and the St. Mark’s community, noting that “with great opportunity comes great responsibility,” a theme that would carry through the morning.
“I was in the neighborhood,” President Bush quipped, before turning to the occasion at hand — the recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. He shared reflections from an essay he was invited to write about George Washington, whom he affectionately called “the first George W.” “Washington modeled what it means to put the good of the nation over self-interest or self-ambition,” President Bush told the students. “He embodied integrity and modeled why it is worth aspiring to.”
President Bush highlighted Washington’s decision to relinquish his military commission after the Revolutionary War and his choice not to seek a third presidential term as defining acts of selfless statesmanship, adding that the Office of the Presidency is greater than any single occupant.
The President then turned directly to the young men before him, challenging them to engage actively in the life of their country. Invoking a phrase he has long championed, he urged the St. Mark’s community to be “citizens, not spectators,” whether through military service, volunteering, civic engagement, or simply casting a vote. “You don’t have to be George Washington in order to serve,” he said.
Looking ahead to the future of our nation, President Bush expressed genuine confidence. “I’ve studied a lot of history,” he said. “I hope you do as well, but when you do, you’ll realize this is not the first time our nation has been stressed. Yet every time, because of our institutional protections and the self-healing aspects of democracy, we have survived.”
President Bush concluded: “I have confidence in timeless American values like freedom and opportunity and compassion. And I have confidence in the idealism and energy of the young people in this room to carry us forth.”
The convocation carried additional significance, marking St. Mark’s 120th year as a School. In remarks preceding President Bush, Dr. John Perryman, Director of Civic Responsibility, spoke about how the Declaration of Independence emerged from a long tradition of ideas about liberty and government, and he challenged students to carry forward its ideals by becoming virtuous, informed, and responsible citizens.
“History repeatedly tells us that human endeavors worth pursuing require the partnership of generations to achieve,” Dr. Perryman told the students. “Whether you realize it or not, Marksmen, you've already embarked on a great journey of your own: to be an engaged, informed, and responsible citizen of this republic born out of the idealism of 1776.”
Before departing, President Bush joined the assembled students in singing The Star-Spangled Banner, led by the St. Mark’s choir; a fitting close to a morning centered on the promise of enduring American values.
Watch a recording of President Bush's remarks below, and click here to watch the full Spring Convocation recording.
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“I was in the neighborhood,” President Bush quipped, before turning to the occasion at hand — the recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. He shared reflections from an essay he was invited to write about George Washington, whom he affectionately called “the first George W.” “Washington modeled what it means to put the good of the nation over self-interest or self-ambition,” President Bush told the students. “He embodied integrity and modeled why it is worth aspiring to.”
President Bush highlighted Washington’s decision to relinquish his military commission after the Revolutionary War and his choice not to seek a third presidential term as defining acts of selfless statesmanship, adding that the Office of the Presidency is greater than any single occupant.
The President then turned directly to the young men before him, challenging them to engage actively in the life of their country. Invoking a phrase he has long championed, he urged the St. Mark’s community to be “citizens, not spectators,” whether through military service, volunteering, civic engagement, or simply casting a vote. “You don’t have to be George Washington in order to serve,” he said.
Looking ahead to the future of our nation, President Bush expressed genuine confidence. “I’ve studied a lot of history,” he said. “I hope you do as well, but when you do, you’ll realize this is not the first time our nation has been stressed. Yet every time, because of our institutional protections and the self-healing aspects of democracy, we have survived.”
President Bush concluded: “I have confidence in timeless American values like freedom and opportunity and compassion. And I have confidence in the idealism and energy of the young people in this room to carry us forth.”
The convocation carried additional significance, marking St. Mark’s 120th year as a School. In remarks preceding President Bush, Dr. John Perryman, Director of Civic Responsibility, spoke about how the Declaration of Independence emerged from a long tradition of ideas about liberty and government, and he challenged students to carry forward its ideals by becoming virtuous, informed, and responsible citizens.
“History repeatedly tells us that human endeavors worth pursuing require the partnership of generations to achieve,” Dr. Perryman told the students. “Whether you realize it or not, Marksmen, you've already embarked on a great journey of your own: to be an engaged, informed, and responsible citizen of this republic born out of the idealism of 1776.”
Before departing, President Bush joined the assembled students in singing The Star-Spangled Banner, led by the St. Mark’s choir; a fitting close to a morning centered on the promise of enduring American values.
Watch a recording of President Bush's remarks below, and click here to watch the full Spring Convocation recording.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
About Us
St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
