Speaking to a crowd of close to 1,000, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin talked about the moral authority of the presidency and weaved in her love of baseball during the College of Arts and Sciences Second Annual Distinguished Lecture on Oct. 28.

“She focused on FDR and Lincoln,” said Julie Lichtenberg, director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences. “She’s writing a book about Lincoln and she’s looking at the qualities of their leadership and how they carried through. She tied it all into baseball, which is her passion.”

Kearns Goodwin also addressed students in a special session the morning following the lecture, speaking again on the topic of presidential leadership in an informal question and answer session.

Freshman Kristle Ballard had the opportunity to have breakfast with Kearns Goodwin and five other students prior to the morning session.

“I was completely awed by her,” said Ballard, a political science major. “I respect her and was amazed at how intelligent she is, yet how down to earth she is when she’s speaking to you.

She has this vast knowledge, but she talks to you like you’re the only person in the room. I was very impressed with that.”

Kearns Goodwin told the group stories about the presidents she’s worked with and about writing her autobiography. She also spent time talking about the Nov. 2 election and the importance of voting to make a difference.

Kearns Goodwin has been a well-known political commentator and national baseball expert for more than two decades and has authored numerous best-selling books on American presidents. Her book, “No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt,” was awarded the Pulitzer Prize.