“Nothing is certain except for death and taxes… and paying student-athletes,” J.R. Carroll
Monday, December 1, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall)
In 2011, J.R. Carroll became a Certified Contract Advisor with the National Football League Players Association. He is one of two agents in Arkansas currently representing players in the NFL. Carroll is also an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he teaches in the field of sports law. He will discuss “the inevitable march of universities to provide compensation outside the scope of a traditional scholarship to student-athletes.”
“The Toughest Job: William Winter’s Mississippi,” A Documentary Screening
Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. (Ron Robinson Theater) *In partnership with the Little Rock Film Festival
“The Toughest Job” focuses on the life and career of Mississippi’s 57th Governor William Winter and his fight to reform education in the state. The movie addresses the mechanics of Mississippi state government, the political climate for education reform, and the decision-making of Governor Winter.
“Elf: The Musical,” A Panel Discussion
Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall) *In partnership with the Arkansas Repertory Theatre
“Elf” is the story of a young orphan who mistakenly crawled into Santa’s bag of gifts and is raised in the North Pole. He eventually learns that he is a human and embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father. While trying to win over his new family, he strives to remind the city of the true meaning of Christmas. Adapted by Thomas Meehan (The Producers) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone) from the popular 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, with a score by Tony-nominated songwriting team of Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), “Elf” turns one of Hollywood’s most beloved holiday hits into a hilarious and heartwarming musical.
Nassir Al-Nasser, former ambassador from Qatar
Friday, December 5, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall)
Nassir Al-Nasser was the president of the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly and is a former ambassador from Qatar. He is currently the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations. Al-Nasser’s new book, “A Year at the Helm of the United Nations General Assembly,” goes into detail about the four main pillars of his leadership (mediation, UN reform, natural disaster prevention, and response), and also addresses the shortcomings of the United Nations. Al-Nasser shares his thoughts on restructuring the Security Council and on how best to implement changes to the General Assembly to make it as effective as intended.
“Amendment 3: It Passed. Now What?”
Monday, December 8, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall)
In partnership with the Political Animals Club, the Clinton School will host a panel to analyze Amendment 3 and its major sections such as campaign finance, lobbyists gifts, revolving door issues, the Citizens Salary Commission, and term limits. Moderated by Rex Nelson, the panel will include Amendment 3’s co-authors, Senator Jon Woods and Representative Warwick Sabin, Little Rock attorney Scott Trotter, and Randy Zook, CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.
“Next Generation Science Standards: A Key to the Next Generation of American Jobs,” Dr. S. James Gates, Jr., Director of the Center for String and Particle Theory at the University of Maryland and Member of the Maryland State Board of Education
Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall) *In partnership with the Arkansas State Board of Education
Through a multi-year process in which Arkansas was one of 26 lead states, new K–12 science standards have been developed and are now moving towards adoption in states across the country, including Arkansas. Under the new standards, science education will begin earlier, will focus more on application, and will be benchmarked to international standards. The ultimate goal is to prepare American students for the next generation of economic opportunities. Dr. Gates, a member of the President’s Council of Advisors of Science and Technology and a chief advocate of revisions to science education, will make the case for these new standards and the promise they have to produce transformative educational and economic outcomes for students in Arkansas and across the nation.
“Don’t Wait for the Next War,” General Wesley Clark, USA , Retired
Friday, December 12, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall) *In partnership with the Clinton Foundation
General Wesley Clark recently published a book “Don’t Wait for the Next War: A Strategy for American Growth and Leadership,” about the global challenges America faces and how to develop a strategy that involves both private and public actors. A 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, General Clark served in the U.S. Army for 34 years, becoming NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. He earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom after leading NATO troops during the Kosovo War from 1997 to 2000. A Little Rock native, he is also author of the best selling books “Waging Modern War” and “Winning Modern War.”
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