Former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will speak at USC on Nov. 19. (Twitter)

During Bush’s eight-year term, the “millennial” generation was likely too young to fully comprehend his policies, with many forming personal opinions based on history and from familial perceptions. 

According to a Pew Research Center study, the results of the last four national elections have seen a greater divide among generations, suggesting that “younger people have voted substantially more Democratic than other age groups in each election since 2004 while older voters have cast more ballots for Republican candidates in each election since 2006.”

But most USC students were looking forward to the former president’s visit to campus, regardless of their political views.

“Despite my political stance, I think it's great that Bush is speaking at USC, and I believe he'll be able to offer a lot of insight to students who share my opinions as well as those who don’t,” said Izzy Albert, a business administration major. 

“I do not have many strong feelings about Bush currently since he is not in office and is not what is current with politics. My family and I were never Bush supporters at any time during his presidency. That being said, it's pretty cool that USC has a former president speaking, especially if Bush is trying to create a better reputation for himself amongst the college demographic,” said Deborah Abber, a human biology major.

The Bush administration witnessed a wide range of public opinions, including both record highs and lows, throughout both of his terms. Polls showed an average 62 percent approval rating during his first term, with a great spike in approval after Sept. 11. In the subsequent weeks after the 9/11 attacks, 90 percent of Americans approved of Bush's actions.

Bush’s second term was plagued by public scrutinization in how he dealt with Hurricane Katrina and other foreign policy issues, leaving him an average 37 percent approval rating. After then-Illinois Senator Barack Obama won the presidential election in 2008, Bush left office with an approval rating of 22 percent, the lowest of any outgoing president since Harry Truman. 

Since then, Bush has kept a relatively low profile with a reported 47 percent approval rating from the public, according to a Washington Post-ABS News Poll. Seventy-three percent of Democrats still disapprove of how Bush dealt with his years in office, and 84 percent of African Americans disapprove as well, according to the report. 

Long time supporters of Bush are especially looking forward to his appearance at USC’s Bovard Auditorium.

“My perception of Bush is that he is a great American patriot whose administration was mercilessly scrutinized by the media despite its success in homeland security. My family and myself were always Bush supporters,” business administration major Holly Bard said. “I think it is a great opportunity for USC students to hear a president speak, regardless of partisanship.”

“Growing up in Houston, my family has always been supportive of President Bush and the Bush family. Even during the Iraq War and the subsequent fallout we felt that President Bush acted in the best interest of the American people. I believe President Bush is a true patriot. Plus, his Instagram is hilarious,” communications major Megan Doyle said. 

Bush and former first lady Laura Bush will visit USC as part of the President’s Distinguished Lecture series. 

Reach Staff Reporter McKenna Aiello here, and follow her on Twitter @McKennaAiello.