Today I spoke at an Employment Law and Legislative Affairs Conference about “Life as a Political Animal.” The speech title itself deserves some explanation. In 1983, after leaving the staff of Senator David Pryor and returning to the private sector, I formed an organization called the “Political Animals Club,” a nonpartisan group where people would meet to talk only about politics.
Read MoreBy the Numbers: Comparing Little Rock Central High and The City of Little Rock
Much has been said about the current racial make up of Little Rock Central High School as we approach the 50th anniversary of the school’s 1957 desegregation and the constitutional crisis that surrounded it.
Read MoreIt Happened in Little Rock
Several Clinton School students, faculty, staff and I have attended The Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s production of “It Happened In Little Rock.” Directed by Rajendra Ramoon Marharaj, the play is produced in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School
Read MorePopular Speakers
I’m frequently asked about which of our Clinton School speakers have attracted the most people. Here are the current top 25. Note that Harold Ford and John Yoo have not yet appeared.
Read MoreIn Remembrance — September 11
On September 11, 2001 many of us watched thse events unfold on television with disbelief and shock. Almost 3,000 people died, and it is now estimated that about 10,000 more are sick or will be from other illnesses such as lung disease and cancer as a result of post-impact dust, debris and other injuries. For many students at the Clinton School, like Pearl Habor was to the World War II generation, 9/11 is a day that will always live in infamy.
Read MoreArt and The First Lady
I stopped by the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion yesterday where a new desktop calendar book was released. Under the leadership of First Lady Ginger Beebe, the book features work from 88 Arkansas artistis. It sells for $20 and proceeds go to the Governor’s Mansion Association. The book is an excellent holiday gift idea and is also a special gift for Arkansans and family members living out of state.
Read MoreHarvard University and Central High
When we studied how the Clinton school could offer one of, if not the nation’s best public program/lecture series, we reviewed those presented at Harvard. The programs at the Kennedy School and throughout the Harvard campus are extensive and cover a wide range of subjects.
Read MoreA Time to Serve
In the new Time magazine issue, a case is made for national service in Richard Stengel’s article, A Time to Serve. “When Americans look around right now, they see a public school system with 38% of fourth graders unable to read at a basic level; they see the cost of health insurance escalating as 47 million people go uninsured;
Read MoreWhat’s in a Name?
Bald Knob, Ark., (population 3,210) is home to the one of the best — if not Arkansas’s best — home town drive-in restaurants. “The Bulldog,” which happens to also be the name of the high school mascot, serves some of the best home cooking I’ve ever had.
Read MoreOpportunity Overload
In commenting about the many activities at the Clinton School, one of our students used the phrase, “opportunity overload.” For me as Dean, those words represent a pleasant problem. The Clinton School should be all about opening doors of opportunity — whether these be from challenging academic work in the classrooms; or academics for the real world with substantive hands-on public service projects
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