Former CIA director Porter Goss visits government classes, addresses future of national security

The next generation of national security and intelligence workers will either protect the Free World or share responsibility for her downfall.

Liberty University’s Helms School of Government welcomed former CIA director Porter Goss on Wednesday to share his industry experience and pass his breadth of vocational knowledge to the next generation of national defenders. He spoke in three classes (one class on terrorism and two on national security).

“This visit has been very inspiring for me,” said Goss, who also served in the U.S. House of Representatives. “I’ve done several of these over the past couple of years, and I’ve always come away confident in our youth to carry the next generation. Just knowing that there are people interested in caring for our country … means a lot. There’s such an energized student body here. I’m very impressed with the questions I’ve gotten. It shows that these students have done their research.”

Goss joined the CIA in 1962, two years after graduating from Yale University. He served as the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was appointed by President George W. Bush as CIA director in 2004. He spearheaded the CIA for one year.

During the first class, Goss spoke about terror attacks striking the country during his tenure.

“Our visit with former CIA Director Porter Goss was a stark reminder of just how much the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, changed America,” Dean Robert Hurt said. “The Helms School of Government was proud to be able to host a man who was on the front lines of responding to those attacks and ensuring that our country has not suffered a similar attack since that time.”

“Our students were inspired by his example and by his exhortation to always seek the truth – regardless of the vocation they choose,” Hurt added.

Along with sharing his CIA experience, Goss also encouraged students to distinguish between gossip and truth by always asking three important questions: Is this true? Why am I hearing this now? Where did this information come from?

Senior government politics and policy student David Korn appreciated Goss’s visit because he provided insight beyond textbooks.

“You only know when the intelligence (workers) fail when something goes wrong,” Korn said. “It’s especially important for people going into (intelligence and national security) to get a holistic view of what to expect.”

Goss also talked about the importance of good, America-loving, servant leaders delving into the intelligence and national security vocations.

“I want to talk to the next generation,” Goss said. “(My) generation has messed things up pretty badly, and I want to encourage and inspire the best I can, the next generation, about what a great country we live in, and how important intelligence and security are to the future and people of our country.”