Don’t worry so much about a career, former Arkansas governor and one-time presidential candidate Mike Huckabee told students Wednesday.

Rather, focus on being “the salt of the earth and the light of the world,” Gov. Huckabee said, speaking to about 1,200 students, faculty, staff and guests at the University’s chapel service. The service was moved from the DeSantis Family Chapel to Rubin Arena to accommodate the crowd.

In biblical times, salt was significant for its use as a preservative, said Gov. Huckabee, a pastor for 12 years. Salt is a substance that preserves that which is spoiling and decaying, he said.

“Be what you are. Be the salt,” he said. “Jesus will make sure you have plenty of fish to apply yourself to.” He also challenged students to use their inner “light” to illuminate the darkness. “In a world where things are dark, even a little light can make a difference,” Gov. Huckabee said.

Now a television and radio show host, author and lecturer, Gov. Huckabee was the keynote speaker for the University’s fifth annual Ethics & Character Lecture Series on Tuesday at The Breakers in Palm Beach. Before speaking at the chapel service on campus Wednesday, Gov. Huckabee took questions from student leaders during a breakfast at the Weyenberg Center.

Tyler Schlichter, a junior majoring in ministry leadership who calls himself “PBA’s biggest Huckabee fan,” asked the former governor what college students could do to make a difference. Gov. Huckabee responded with the words of Jesus, better known as the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

“Stop and apply that to every aspect of your life,” Gov. Huckabee said.

Schlichter, who brought his “I heart Huckabee” campaign shirt to the event, said he was impressed with what Gov. Huckabee had to say. “He’s one of the only politicians around who embodies moral character,” Schlichter said.

Senior Brett Butler, a biblical studies major, said he also enjoyed hearing Gov. Huckabee speak. “He’s really quick on his feet. His answers were conclusive. And he did a good job of summing it all up,” he said.