by Stephanie Butler
CU Lead event will explore America’s 250th anniversary and the next generation of leaders’ responsibility.
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, Cedarville University will welcome former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to campus for a conversation about liberty, courageous leadership and the next generation’s responsibilities.
Walker will headline Cedarville’s upcoming CU Lead event, “A Legacy of Liberty: Leading With Courage at America’s 250th,” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, in the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center auditorium. The event will invite students, faculty, staff and the general public to reflect on America’s founding ideals while considering what it means to lead with conviction in a complex and changing world.
At the heart of Walker’s presentation will be the connection between leadership theory and the realities of leading in the public arena. His discussion will challenge attendees to consider not only what they believe but how those ideals translate into action, citizenship and leadership. 
As America marks 250 years, this event provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of liberty and the principles that have shaped the nation. Rather than simply looking backward, Walker’s presentation will encourage students to consider how they can carry those ideals forward through thoughtful civic engagement, personal responsibility and courageous leadership.
Walker brings more than two decades of public leadership experience to the conversation. He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly as Milwaukee County Executive and as Wisconsin’s 45th governor from 2011 to 2019. During his career in public office, Walker focused on government reform, fiscal responsibility, economic development and leading through significant political challenges.
His leadership experience extends beyond elected office. Walker was active in national conservative politics, including a 2015 campaign for the Republican presidential nomination and leadership of the Republican Governors Association. Since 2021, he has served as president of Young America’s Foundation (YAF), where he works to develop young leaders and promote free speech, free-market principles and opportunities for students to engage in civic and political leadership. YAF is partnering with Cedarville for the Sept. 23 CU Lead event.
Walker’s experience makes him uniquely positioned to help students examine what courageous leadership looks like when decisions are difficult, unpopular or consequential. His career offers a firsthand perspective on navigating competing priorities, political opposition and public scrutiny while communicating convictions and accepting responsibility for difficult decisions.
The event also reflects Cedarville University’s commitment to exposing students to big ideas and leaders who can challenge them to think critically about their role in the world. Through CU Lead, students have opportunities to learn from experienced leaders and consider how principles such as freedom, civic responsibility and courageous leadership can shape their own lives and influence their communities.
For Cedarville students, the evening offers more than an opportunity to hear from a former governor. It provides a chance for students to ask the questions that extend beyond the classroom: What does it mean to be a good citizen? How should Americans understand the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution? What responsibility does the next generation have to preserve and advance the principles of liberty?
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,542 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
Event Details
What: CU Lead — “A Legacy of Liberty: Leading with Courage at America’s 250th”
Speaker: Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23
Presentation: 7 p.m., Scharnberg Business and Communication Center (SBCC) Auditorium
