Vice President Mike Pence delivered the commencement address Saturday at Grove City College, a small Christian liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. His reception there was much more positive than what he's expected to face Sunday, when he is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Notre Dame.
Pence is a devout Christian and used this opportunity to share the role his faith played in his life and career choices and eventually led him to political office.
After two unsuccessful runs for Congress, Pence said:
"I looked at my young bride...and I said to her, Well, maybe that's not for us. But I never let go of that dream. I never did. For Karen and me, it [not letting go] meant going into a completely different business. It meant starting a family, starting a life. It meant really pushing on and trusting God for the path that he'd called us on. And then that dream came back around, and I had the chance to serve in that Congress, serve as governor of my state. I stand before you today deeply humbled to serve as Vice President of the United States of America.So hold on to your calling. Never let it go."
In addition, he told the graduates they all, regardless of the field in which they work, have a duty.
"I believe that you leave here today with one particular responsibility. It's what I came here to tell you. You leave here with a responsibility to lead. All of you without exception are called to be leaders, no matter where you go from here."
The elements of successful leaders, Pence said, are character, a servant's heart, and courage.
"If you aspire to lead, you'll need courage because leadership brings both honor and opposition.
After Pence's commencement remarks, he headed to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, for Armed Services Day events.