Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III spoke Friday afternoon about his time in the White House to inaugurate the "Time and The Presidency" exhibit opening today at the Miller Center of Public Affairs.
An audience of students, faculty and community members filled Old Cabell Hall Auditorium to hear Baker's speech, "Making History: A View from Inside the White House."
Long active in national politics, Baker has served in senior government positions under three United States presidents.
Baker began his career in public service as Gerald Ford's Undersecretary of Commerce in 1975. Under Ronald Reagan, he was Chief of Staff from 1981 to 1985, as well as Secretary of the Treasury and Chairman of the President's Economic Policy Council from 1985 to 1988.
Under George Bush, he was the nation's 61st Secretary of State from 1989 to 1992, at which time he wrote "The Politics of Diplomacy."
In 1991, he organized the first comprehensive Middle East peace conference. Baker concluded his service as White House Chief of Staff and senior counselor to Bush from 1992 to 1993.
Baker's numerous accomplishments have earned him a place as "one of the most effective and distinguished American public servants of the 20th century," said Philip Zelikow, Miller Center director and history professor.
Baker reflected on his role as White House Chief of Staff, sharing some of the most important lessons he learned on the job - honesty and humility.
"The people who wouldn't return your phone calls before you were chief of staff won't return them when you go home. If you remember that, you won't become arrogant," he said.
With election time approaching, Baker offered advice on how to choose a president.
"Pick someone you can trust, someone who surrounds himself with the very best staff. I worked for three presidents, all of whom I trusted and respected a great deal," he said.
University students who attended the speech agreed with Baker.
"It's very important that the President places the nation's needs above his own personal agenda," third-year College student J.Y. Brown said.
Baker concluded the forum by answering questions from audience members.
When asked about the state of the union and foreign policy, Baker voiced his concerns about them "not being in very good shape," and stressed the deterioration of the United States' relationship with Russia and other countries.
The "Time and The Presidency" exhibit features Time magazine photographs of presidents from Roosevelt to Clinton. It will be on display at the Miller Center through March 25 and will then move to the libraries of former presidents Johnson, Bush and Reagan.
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