Spring Break
'Voyages of Discovery' lecture series continues at ECU
Natalie Jurgen
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: News
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Walter Isaacson, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, gave his lecture, "Creative Thinkers Who Have Shaped Our World."
The lecture, which was sponsored by the David Julian and Virginia Suther Whichard Fund, began with opening remarks from both the dean of the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Alan White along with Chancellor Steve Ballard.
Isaacson's lecture focused on the importance of being creative and open-minded.
"Being creative and open-minded is such an important part of leadership and making great contributions to this world," Isaacson said.
Isaacson mentioned that he knows a lot of smart people but they often don't amount to much unless they are imaginative and creative.
He then focused on two great American figures that he believed made it so far because of their creativity and open-mindedness: Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein.
Isaacson explained that both of these men started off with absolutely no recognition or support, but because of their strong will were able to go on to do incredible things.
"We are who we create ourselves to be," Isaacson said.
He also mentioned his belief that the U.S. is more interested in partisanship than working together is plaguing the country.
"The openness and creativity of America has always made us strong," Isaacson said.
He then ended the event by taking questions from the audience and signing books.
Isaacson received his bachelor of arts in history and literature from Harvard College and a master of arts in philosophy, politics and economics at Pembroke College of Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
He began his career in journalism at the Sunday Times of London and then the New Orleans Times-Picayune/States-Item. He joined Time magazine in 1978 and served as a political correspondent, national editor and editor of new media before becoming the magazine's 14th managing editor in 1996. Isaacson then became chairman and CEO of CNN in 2001, and two years later, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute.
Isaacson is the author of several best-selling biographies including Einstein: His Life and Universe (2007), Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (2003) and Kissinger: A Biography (1992).
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