Condoleezza Rice, Former Secretary of State, Speaking at U of A on March 5

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Condoleezza Rice.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. secretary of state under President George W. Bush, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, in Barnhill Arena. The lecture is free, open to the public, and no tickets are needed to attend. The event is part of the student-funded Distinguished Lecture Series at the University of Arkansas.

Two other events are happening nearby at the same time – the Arkansas Razorback men’s basketball team is hosting Ole Miss in Bud Walton Arena at 7 p.m. and the Razorback softball team will be playing against Oklahoma in Bogle Park beginning at 5 p.m. – which will result in heavier traffic and a greater demand for parking.

Barnhill Arena will be open at 5:30 p.m. for people who are able to arrive early. Free parking will be available after 5 p.m. for those attending the lecture in lot 44, the Stadium Avenue parking garage, and the Baum Stadium East parking lot, on south Razorback Road. University Transit and the Distinguished Lecture Series Committee will provide bus shuttle service from Baum East for people attending the Rice event only. Return shuttle service will also be available.

People with disabilities can be dropped off at the southwest entrance of Barnhill Arena, and there will be some parking spaces available in lot 59 for people with ADA licenses or permits.

University Police will be responsible for traffic flow during the evening and for special security requirements at the Rice event. Each person entering Barnhill Arena will be required to pass through a security checkpoint, and everyone who plans to attend should allow extra time for this security measure. Cameras and personal items will be checked. Pocket knives, large bags, backpacks, strollers, baggage, signs, banners, posters and noise-makers will not be permitted inside the arena.

Condoleezza Rice is a native of Birmingham, Ala., and has made history through much of her professional life. In 1993, she became Stanford University’s provost and was the institution’s chief budget and academic officer for six years. From January 2005-2009, Rice served as the 66th secretary of state of the United States, the second woman and first African American woman to hold the post. Rice also served as Bush’s assistant to the president for National Security Affairs (National Security Advisor) from January 2001-2005, the first woman to hold the position.

Rice returned to teach at Stanford University in 2009, where she is a professor of political science and also the Denning Professor in Global Business and the Economy in the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

The Distinguished Lecture Series is a student-sponsored program. Speakers are chosen by a committee of students, faculty and staff, and the events are funded by a student-approved fee, appropriated by the Programs Allocation Board.