It’s National Volunteer Week, and we are highlighting one of the Clinton School of Public Service’s longest and most dedicated volunteers.
Bob Gee isn’t just a volunteer at the Clinton School. He’s a part of the very heart of the community. Since the school opened its doors more than two decades ago, he has been a friendly, consistent, and generous presence, making him an unofficial historian and chief morale booster for the hundreds of students who have graduated from this institution.
Named the 2025 Volunteer of the Year for the Clinton Presidential Center, Bob’s dedication is legendary, marked by having accumulated an unprecedented more than 20,000 volunteer hours. His legacy includes previously hosting a well-known annual gumbo lunch for school employees, providing personal tours to hundreds of global leaders, and even having a “Bob Gee Day” declared in his honor by the City of Little Rock.
Of all the great work you do, what did receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award mean to you?
Bob Gee: It was fabulous. It caught me by surprise. I had no idea it was coming. I might add that when I received the award that night, the biggest cheering squad was Clinton students who were standing in the back of the room. That was just fantastic.
You’ve accumulated over 20,000 volunteer hours with the Clinton Presidential Center! How did you amass such a large number, and what kind of volunteer work did you do?
Bob Gee: 20,300 hours. That’s far more than anybody else, and the reason is that when Skip Rutherford was here as dean of the Clinton School of Public Service, we had 1,400 guest lecturers in 14 years, about 100 per year. I took most of them on a tour of the Clinton Presidential Library. Senators, Supreme Court justices, heads of state, ambassadors, actors, actresses, congressmen. It was just an unbelievable list of people. That is the way I accumulated all those hours. It was such a thrill to be able to give these tours. I also volunteer at the front desk of the Clinton School to greet students and visitors.
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering and connecting with our Master of Public Service students?
Bob Gee: It’s been fun to meet people from all over the world. They are all very open. I like the joy of meeting these students and staying in touch with them. I’ve stayed in touch with so many of them over the years. I probably have 600 students as friends on Facebook. That’s created a bond that’s very enjoyable. I loved it when the students gave a roar at the back of the room when I got my award.
What did President Bill Clinton say to you when he presented you with the Volunteer of the Year Award?
Bob Gee: I’ve known President Clinton since he was governor. He made the speech and congratulated me, and his words were: “It was well over done.” He didn’t realize anybody could have that number of volunteer hours!
What keeps you coming back to volunteer?
Bob Gee: I just enjoy it so much. It’s just so much fun, especially all those speakers that we’ve had. I just love being with the students. The people here are great. It’s been a special experience. All the people who have come through here are first-class people.