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Columbus School a “Great Experience”
Students from across central Ohio flocked to our
Columbus Leadership School held at the Hyatt Regency
on April 3, 2008 to learn about the Founders and
American federalism.
Brian Wright, a student at the Moritz College of
Law at Th e Ohio State University, explained how
it worked: “Th e Center’s seminars are exactly what
today’s conservative college and high school students
need to hear --a basic, no-frills articulation of the Western concepts of freedom and limited government.
I recommend them highly to any student who wants
something to say back to teachers who assume national
government is the best solution to local problems. Dinner
with Bob Novak was like being back in Washington for
an evening for an up-close look at current political events
with the razor-sharp analysis of one of Washington’s
greatest journalists. Add in the company of intelligent
conservatives from around the cityand it was a terrific experience.”
Center schools are based upon the principle that true
leadership must rest upon philosophical understanding,
specifically upon the federalist thinking of America’s founders.
The United States can only be successful if these principles--
illustrated best by its greatest founding writing, The Federalist
Papers--are as viable and central to its leaders and citizens today
as they were at the nation’s birth.
To make these ideals concrete to our students, syndicated
writer and Fox television commentator Robert Novak spoke
at a dinner that was also open to the adult community about
how Federalist principles are related to current events in
Washington, D.C., a city he has covered in depth for over a
half century. Professor Donald Devine led seminars on the
Founders’ values and the Constitution and what is needed to
make them alive for students today.
John Blue of Youngstown State University told us:
The Federalist Leadership School was a great experience. I
am pleased and grateful that that I could attend. Donald
Devine’s whirlwind tour through history is a must-hear for
anyone who is interested in going into politics, or concerned
with what is going on in our government. This school has
made me more aware of the function of government and
exactly how far we are removed from those principles. I look
forward to putting into practice the principles I learned
from Dr. Devine, as well as Mr. Novak. Thanks again to the
Federalist Leadership School for coming to our area.
The dinner was attended by students and local notables
including Don and Dianne Brey, David Durell, Terry
Flemming, John Hummel, Jonathon McGee, Charles
Oellermann, William Todd, Ken Blackwell, David Hansen,
president of the Buckeye Institute, and other prominent
members of the Columbus area community.
As adult coordinator of the Madison Youth Project, Columbus,
Teri Fehrman, summed it up:
The Columbus Leadership School was a great success.
Everyone loved the dinner, and Mr. Novak was entertaining,
but the kids really took more to Dr. Devine. I think it
became apparent to them that he was speaking TO them,
not AT them the way he addressed them throughout the
day. He spoke right to their generation as the only hope,
which is something we already teach our kids, but to hear it
so thoughtfully put by someone of such prominent thinking/
position made the big difference to them. I caught one
tremendous statement he said that touched my heart as a
mom and as an educator---he said he’d spend his dying breath
teaching these truths-because it mattered. I believe he will,
but I am going to pray God lengthens his days and keeps
him on this earth longer than he expected so he can do just
that. Dr. Devine’s demeanor was sincere, and enjoyable to
watch as he interacted with different people. He is authentic.
The Columbus School was held under the auspices of the
Buckeye Institute of Columbus and the Bellevue University
Federalist Leadership Center.
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