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Hillary Clinton speaks at Syracuse University

SEIU International via Flickr

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton played the role of teacher at Syracuse University today, first sitting in on a class at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, before speaking to mostly students at Hendrick's Chapel.

There was a resounding standing ovation when Clinton sat down for a question and answer session. She was looking casual wearing a pink and black pant suit and her hair in a pony tail. Topics ranged from U.S. foreign policy to politics. The question period started out with some of the changes she's made in the State Department in her three year tenure there.

"We discovered we don't have enough energy expertise so we created a new bureau for that," Clinton said.

She touched on some controversial issues- like the U.S. role in climate change.

"It is still a big piece of unfinished business that we are still trying to make progress on," Clinton said.

And the role of promoting democracy across the world.

"We have to be consistent in supporting the underpinnings of democracy and it's not just elections," she said.

Clinton wrapped up encouraging the audience of 1100, mostly students, to go into public service. She suggested that the highly partisan politics in Washington need to change.

"Let's have an evidence-based discussion. We do great damage to our political system when we think ideology is more important than facts," Clinton said.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.