Julia Bergman | Nov. 2, 2009
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| Courtesy of Indiana University |
| IU alumnus Tavis Smiley talked to an audience at SPEA Friday. The school renamed the atrium in his honor. |
“I came to this campus with one suitcase, $35 dollars in my pocket and my letter of acceptance,” he told his audience at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs Friday. SPEA renamed its atrium in honor of Smiley, an alumnus of the program, and invited him to speak before the dedication.
A Kokomo native, Smiley talked about his time at IU, his work, the implications of the previous presidential election and the importance of love and quality of service in public discourse. Smiley also donated $50,000 dollars to SPEA in recognition of those who’ve helped him along the way and in dedication of deserving students.
Smiley, the eldest of 11 children, said he spent the first 10 days of his freshman year sleeping on the floor in the Willkie Quad. Without money, Smiley said he had to figure out on his own, with help from the financial aid office, how to fund his education.
Smiley also found his own internship. In 1986, his senior year, Smiley worked for Tom Bradley, then mayor of Los Angeles. At the end of Smiley’s internship, Bradley offered him a job. But Smiley was nine credits short of a degree. Taking the job meant delaying his degree 15 years. He credits his adviser, who persistently called him each year to urge him to finish. He received his bachelor’s degree in public affairs in 2003.
Smiley went on to work as a radio commentator before moving to television. Smiley is currently the host of the late night television talk show, Tavis Smiley, on PBS and The Tavis Smiley Show distributed by Public Radio International. He also has written several books and has served as a moderator for national political forums.
Smiley talked about the election of Barack Obama, saying that just because a country elects its first African American president doesn’t mean the work is done.
“We don’t live in a nation that is as good as its promise,” he said.
Smiley also criticized those who consider the election of Obama the fulfillment of Martin Luther King’s dream.
“It’s a very good down payment on the dream,” Smiley said, “ but it’s not the fulfillment of the dream.”
However as a result of the election, Smiley explained, people have the opportunity to have conversations about what it means to be accountable for loving and serving everyday people.
“You can’t lead people if you don’t love people, and you can’t save people if you don’t serve people,” Smiley said.
Smiley told students in the audience that their roles are to do their part to create a nation that is as good as its promise, a theme he writes about in his book, Accountable: Making America as Good as Its Promise. Smiley also advised students not to look for jobs but rather to find their calling, their vocation and their purpose.
Smiley visits IU often, serving as commencement speaker in 2007 and receiving the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award that same year. He also has an honorary doctorate from IU.
