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- calendar_today October 13, 2026
Joe Biden Addresses University of Delaware Students in Op-Ed
Former President Joe Biden has written a new op-ed for the University of Delaware's student-run newspaper, The Review, encouraging students to view American democracy as a 'gift' rather than a burden. The editorial, published on Tuesday, offers advice for college students navigating the current polarized political climate.
Democracy as a 'Gift You'll Inherit'
Biden, an alumnus of the University of Delaware, began his message by addressing the challenges facing the United States and students' role in meeting them. "As you start a new school year amid an undeniably turbulent time for our country, I wanted to offer some reflections that I hope encourage you to see the messy state of our democracy not as a burden you'll bear, but as a gift you'll inherit," Biden wrote.
Biden's Personal Reflections and Historical Context
Recalling his own college years in the 1960s, Biden wrote about a nation rocked by the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Bobby Kennedy, as well as the unrest surrounding the Vietnam War. Despite these difficulties, he emphasized that positive change was often led by young people. "And throughout our history, it's been young people like you who have chosen to act, to pull us back from the abyss," he stated.
Encouraging Student Engagement and Leadership
The former president urged students to use their education to become informed and responsible citizens. He advised them to debate with others holding different views, read flyers from groups with differing perspectives, participate in classes about democracy, attend campus events featuring leaders, and exercise their right to vote. Biden emphasized the potential of the current generation, writing, "Your generation is the best educated, most talented, least prejudiced our country has ever seen. I know you're trying to make sense of all that's unfolding around you."
Biden's Ongoing Connection with His Alma Mater
Biden graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965 with a degree in history and political science and received an honorary doctor of letters degree in 2004. Over the years, he has been a frequent presence on campus, delivering speeches, commencement addresses, and even being inducted into the Alumni Wall of Fame. In September, Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden hosted an ice cream social for students at the university. "I got to spend some time talking with these students, and I mean it when I say they're our future leaders," he wrote in an Instagram post about the visit.
Biden's Broader Message on Democracy and Civic Responsibility
Biden is known for sharing his views in various publications, having previously penned opinion pieces in outlets like the New York Times and Washington Post on topics ranging from government issues to the conflict in Ukraine. In his latest university op-ed, he warned, "I won't sugarcoat it — these are dark days. But America is one of the only countries in the world that time and again has come out of every crisis we faced stronger than when we went into that crisis." He concluded with a call to young people to become active participants in preserving American democracy.
Source: phillyvoice.com.
