Grove City College will welcome U.S. Senator and best-selling author Ben Sasse to deliver the 139th Commencement Address to graduates on May 18, 2019.
Sasse, a Nebraska Republican, has been described as a legislator who seeks consensus without sacrificing his principles and as a truth-teller unafraid to call out bad behavior on either side of the political aisle.
Reminiscent of Ronald Reagan’s legendary ability to articulate convincingly the first principles of a free society, Sen. Sasse deftly articulates a compelling message for civic order and the common good. He was elected to the Senate in 2014 on a common-sense platform of restoring the Constitution to its rightful place and encouraging a more constructive politics, where every public official works to make the American Dream achievable. He believes in term limits and a humbler Washington, where the federal government does fewer, but more important things transparently and with less partisanship. Sasse is focused on reforming entitlements, telling the truth about fake federal budgets, modernizing national security and helping the next generation recover a sense of optimism about the American Dream.
“Ben Sasse is a unique voice in Washington. His remarkable intellect, extraordinary communications skills, refreshing independence and, most importantly, deeply-rooted convictions and exemplary moral character make him an ideal person to inspire and challenge our graduating class,” Grove City College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said. “I’ve had the privilege of being his friend for more than 20 years, and I’m extremely grateful for his willingness to serve our country at this important time in history.”
Sasse is also a best-selling author, writing several books that have significantly impacted the national conversation on our values and social climate. “Them: Why We Hate Each Other – and How to Heal” (2018) is Sasse’s prescription for putting political tribalism on the backburner, rediscovering “human-to-human relationships” and love of neighbor. “The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis – and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance” (2017) is a New York Times best seller on the undeniable connections between how we raise our children and the future of our country.
Previously, Sasse served five years as president of Midland University in Fremont, Neb. The 130-year-old Lutheran college was struggling when he arrived and became one of the fastest-growing higher education institutions in the country by the time of his departure. He holds a Ph.D. in American history from Yale University and an M.A. from St. John’s College focusing on that school’s signature Great Books program. Sasse earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard University where he was recruited for the wrestling team.
Most of his career has been focused on guiding companies and organizations through times of crisis with straight talk about core issues while working at the Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey and Company, as well as private equity firms and not-for-profit organizations. He also served as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and as Counselor to the Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.