Journalist and former moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press” David Gregory came to the School of International Service building to discuss his new book, "How's Your Faith?: An Unlikely Spiritual Journey" on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The event was held in the Abramson Family Founder’s Room and moderated by SIS Dean Jim Goldgeier. Gregory touched on several subjects during the discussion, including his lack of understanding of faith during childhood; his ambitious and studious persona as undergrad at AU living in Letts Hall; and his opinion about network news now that he has left NBC.
Gregory currently serves as a member of the Dean’s Council in SIS and graduated from the college in 1992.
Gregory, the son of a Jewish father, said he had no real belief in the Jewish faith until his wife asked him, “I know where you come from, but what do you believe?” Although his wife, Beth Wilkinson, was Protestant, she serves as his inspiration to return to faith as an adult. Gregory’s book, dedicated to Wilkinson, depicts the role faith has played in various points in his life and looks for answers in how to live a life of meaning and purpose.
“When I said it was very important that we were a Jewish family, she [Wilkinson] said okay, the kids can be Jewish — we can raise them Jewish — but you’ve got to know what you’re doing. If you’re going to lead us in faith, then lead us in faith. Lead us on a spiritual path,” Gregory said.
Gregory revealed during the discussion that his mom was an alcoholic, and he felt lost without faith in his childhood years. When he was 15, his mother was arrested and jailed for drunk driving while Gregory was in the car. Since that day in 1986, his mother has remained sober but Gregory felt embarrassed, angry and frustrated after the arrest as if there was no one and nothing there to tell him that everything would work out.
“I wish I had had deeper faith. I wish I had had a relationship with God that would have allowed me to trust in God to the degree that while this was hard, everything was going to be okay,” Gregory said. “So, when I think I started studying and trying to deepen my faith as an adult, the first place I went to was back in those years to say, what happened there? How do I make sense of that and what was going on in the family dynamic?”
At AU, Gregory said he spent more time thinking about his career than anything else. He admitted that he switched from the School of Communication to SIS right away when he arrived on campus because he believes in a liberal arts education and loves studying foreign affairs. He said he felt SIS would more adequately prepare him for his career. Gregory also said that he was fully focused on getting internships and building up his credentials while at AU.
Gregory advised students to get to work immediately when they arrive on campus. It is essential for students to learn how to make an impression and make themselves known when they take part in internships, he said.
“Start building the career path as you’re on the educational path,” Gregory said.
When Goldgeier asked Gregory about whether he had any plans to return to TV news, Gregory said he enjoys conducting interviews and wants to return to the field because it comes the most naturally to him, though he said he feels TV news can be self-involved.
After the event, Gregory spent some time signing books and spoke to The Eagle about what he hopes readers will take away from his book.
“I don’t feel like my answers are any better than your answers to the spiritual questions. How’s your faith? Is your life stronger with faith or without it? I just encourage people to live with the question. I think the question is worthwhile and can be uplifting,” Gregory said.
Gregory also said he was pleased to be at AU and very content with the way the discussion went.
“I feel very much at home at SIS. They are very good to me and I love the direction of the school and AU generally,” he said. “This was such a warm event. I felt very comforted here. A lot of people showed up and I am happy to have the level of engagement with what I am writing about and about my time at AU.”
