The Justice

Former President Bill Clinton addresses nearly 5,000 students, faculty and staff at the inaugural lecture for the Eli J. Segal Leadership Program.

The most important skill we need as citizens is the ability to take a vision and turn it into reality, former President Bill Clinton said at the inaugural address for the Eli J. Segal Leadership program last Monday, commending Eli Segal '64 for his gift in bringing civic endeavors to life.

As snow began to fall outside, the Branches Pan Groove steel orchestra warmed up the audience, which enthusiastically awaited the President's arrival. Clinton was received by and left the stage with a standing ovation, and was accepted with warm applause throughout his speech. He exited to upbeat music and a thumbs up to the crowd.

Clinton, the 42nd U.S. president and current head of the Clinton Global Initiative, stressed the need to work together as a "common humanity" in order to overcome growing global social inequalities and to create a sustainable world.

His speech in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center to more than 5,000 students, faculty, staff, program donors and special guests was the first event in the lecture series for a fellowship program within the Heller School for Social Policy and Management initiated by Segal's widow, Phyllis Segal '66. Her goal is to raise $4 million for the program's endowment, and as of late October she had raised $2.5 million.

Clinton and Segal met in 1969. Three years later, Segal hired Clinton to work on South Dakota Sen. George McGovern's presidential campaign. Clinton and Segal remained friends, and 20 years later their roles were reversed when Clinton hired Segal to work on his own presidential campaign, and later to become his special assistant. Clinton described Segal as a blessing to his life.

University President Jehuda Reinharz introduced Clinton, calling him a "pre-eminent global volunteer" and the greatest living example of Brandeis' traditions of activism and social justice. Reinharz said that Clinton was speaking as a tribute to the memory and legacy of Segal, who created the Welfare-to-Work program and AmeriCorps while he served as Clinton's assistant.

Clinton opened in a lighthearted manner, complimenting the pre-event entertainment and expressing his excitement about being on stage with a "president without term limits."

Continued...

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