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U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas spoke with law students at the University of Utah, with faculty at a reception and with Utah's minority lawyers at a luncheon.
He discussed his philosophy as a member of the nation's top court. He told students about his personal experiences, while urging them to achieve their best. He answered questions with grace and humor.
At least, according to those who attended the private events this week.
The greater public had no access to Thomas. U. law school Dean Hiram Chodosh said he decided to keep the overnight visit under wraps because he worried that public attention would inhibit an open exchange with students.
"Any threat to that educational environment was a concern to me," Chodosh said. "The justice has not placed any limitations on what kind of programming we had."
Chodosh also said he was concerned about the justice's safety, and he would not answer questions about Thomas' visit until it neared its conclusion Wednesday afternoon.
The law school invited Thomas a year ago and used money from a private endowment to pay for his trip.
Thomas met with about 40 students leaders on Tuesday and then participated in a dinner reception at the home of U. President Michael Young.
The justice didn't address the group; rather he mingled with people such as Senate President John Valentine and Brigham Young University Professor Thomas Lee.
Valentine has sat in on Supreme Court hearings and described how Thomas "broods" on the bench.
But Lee said that public perception doesn't encapsulate Thomas' true personality.
"He is a lot of fun to be around and an inspiring person to work for," said Lee, who clerked for Thomas in 1994. "There is a big misperception of him because of his approach to oral arguments," Lee said.
Thomas doesn't like to interrupt lawyers presenting a case, he said.
Thomas also extended an invitation to the Utah Minority Bar Association and the conservative Federalist Society to meet for a luncheon at a downtown Salt Lake City hotel.
"He made the initial outreach," said Karthik Nadesan, president of the minority bar. "It was really inspiring that he took that interest.
"It showed us that he has a strong commitment to increase diversity."
Thomas spoke to all 400 U. law students in a general lecture and then some classes, such as a criminal law course, on specific issues.
"We were committed to make sure every student here had at least one opportunity to be in the same room as him," Chodosh said.