Classes began Monday for 40 new students in the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service's master of public service degree program, but before they got down to saving the world, they got to know each other better at a reception Aug. 18 at historic Trapnall Hall.
The Class of 2018 -- the 12th for the Clinton School -- enjoyed an hors d'oeuvres buffet, wine and beer and rubbed elbows with some of the biggest players in education in the city and state. During this school year, the class will work on nine team-based field service projects in the state. Their remaining time will be spent on international projects.
The average age of the incoming students is 28. They come from around the state and country, and as far as the United Kingdom, India, Nigeria and Ghana.
"As the nation's first to offer an [MPS] degree, we continue to attract individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and interests, but with a common purpose to uplift others," said Clinton School Dean James L. "Skip" Rutherford III. "Over the next two years, the public service projects these students will complete in Arkansas and throughout the world will have a significant positive impact."
Among those attending the reception were Gretchen Hall, CEO of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau; Little Rock City Director Dean Kumpuris, whose family endowed the Kumpuris Lecture Series at the Clinton School; Tracey-Ann Nelson, executive director of the Arkansas Education Association; Little Rock School District Superintendent Mike Poore; Little Rock Central High School Principal Nancy Rousseau; Little Rock City Manager Bruce Moore; and Christian O'Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Also attending were University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Chancellor Joe Steinmetz and his wife, Sandy, and UA System President Donald Bobbitt and his wife, Susan.
-- Story and photos by Cyd King
High Profile on 08/28/2016