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The Bill of Rights was not written to protect uncontroversial speech, rather controversial speech. These words, imparted by former Secretary of State General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), kicked off the Business School’s ninth annual Celebration of Success. “It is our obligation to allow academic freedom to flourish,” Powell said. “But we must educate students to know the difference between wisdom and nonsense. It is the responsibility of the student to discern from nonsense and not accept it just because it comes from someone who has a degree.”

Powell spoke to more than 900 guests on "Diplomacy: Persuasion, Trust and Values” June 6 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel on the 16^th Street Mall. Marilyn and Pete Coors, Mayor John Hickenlooper and Business School Dean Sueann Ambron gave opening remarks.

Mixing humor and life experiences, Powell spoke of a United States that is kind, welcoming and unflinchingly strong. “On 9-11, we were under attack in a way we’d never been attacked before,” he said, noting at that time it was right to impose restrictions on those wishing to enter the United States. But after two years, it was time to loosen those restrictions, especially on students wishing to attend U.S. universities and colleges. “We need people to come to America. We had to show the rest of the world we are an open and welcoming nation.

“Anti-American attitudes can be dealt with as long as we don’t let the terrorists change the kind of people we are,” he stressed. “We will not let terrorism change the kind of people we are.”

Though it might not always seem like it, we’re living in good times, he said. “Neither in Asia nor in Europe do we face the possibility of [regional] war,” he said. “Europe is war free, at peace for the first time in hundreds of years.” The Cold War is not only over, there is no threat of a return. Powell recalled first meeting former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbechev, who told him “ ‘I am so very sorry you’ll have to find a new enemy,’ ” Powell recalled thinking. “ ‘I don’t want to. I’ve invested 30 years in this enemy!’ ”

The world turns to the United States to solve its problems, he said.

“We seek governance over no one, we have a nation of great values . . . above all we have the power of our values,” he said, noting that a section in the Declaration of Independence is known and coveted by the great leaders of the world: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

 “People will always look to the United States. You name it, they come to us.” And our country will always be there for them, he stressed. “Personal relations and trust – it’s what diplomacy and business are all about. The world will continue to look to us to be that light for the rest of the world.”

The event was organized by Sherry Maloney, event manager, and Linda Theus-Lee, event manager and program assistant at the Business School. It was Powell’s second time as speaker at Celebration of Success. He spoke at the inaugural event in 1996. Celebration of Success is the largest gathering of the business community in the region and supports student scholarships and faculty fellowships.