Former Senator David Pryor To Serve As Blair Center Distinguished Lecturer In The Fall

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Former Arkansas Governor and U.S. Senator David Pryor will bring a lifetime of public service in state and federal government to the classroom this fall, when he returns to the University of Arkansas as the Blair Center Distinguished Lecturer in Fulbright College. He will teach a class on topics in American politics and current national issues with Dr. Todd Shields, chair of the political science department and director of the Blair Center of Southern Politics and Society.

"The Blair Center bears the name of the late Diane Blair, one of the most prestigious of all students and teachers in political science and government," said Pryor. "I feel highly honored to be associated with the Center, which embodies her spirit and ideals and her commitment to public service."

Former Senator Pryor served as the Fulbright Distinguished Fellow of Law and Public Affairs in 1997, teaching and hosting the Pryor Colloquium Series that featured prominent speakers such as Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association; former Senators Dale Bumpers and Paul Simon; Mack McLarty, Counselor to President Clinton; Fred Smith, President of Fed Ex; and Jim Sasser, U.S. Ambassador to China.

The same year he donated over 1,000 boxes of books, files, photographs, microfilm, and memorabilia from 18 years in the Senate to Mullins Library. In addition, he donated unspent campaign funds in 1999 to establish the Arkansas Center for Oral and Visual History, dedicated to preserving the living memories of those who have witnessed important events in the state’s past.

"I had a marvelous time at the University in 1997, sharing my life experiences with students and faculty," said Pryor. "I’m delighted by the new perspectives and fresh insights students bring to important issues. Today we are particularly called upon to examine the role of the United States in foreign affairs and to examine in depth the most current issues which face Arkansas and America, a topic I’m sure Senator Fulbright would have relished discussing."

Pryor was 32 years old in 1966 when he won the 4th Congressional seat, and was reelected in 1968 and 1970, both times without opposition. In 1975 he became Governor of Arkansas, defeating six-time governor Orval Faubus. In 1978 he joined Dale Bumpers in the U.S. Senate.

"His depth of experience and the two and a half years he spent at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government as Director of the Institute of Politics will add immeasurably to our students’ understanding of current political issues," said Todd Shields. "David Pryor has always been a great friend to the University and to Fulbright College. I look forward to welcoming him back to campus."

Pryor plans to spend three days a week at the University, not only teaching courses, but also assisting Shields and Fulbright Dean Donald Bobbitt in raising funds for the Blair Center. A member of the steering committee of the Campaign for the 21st Century, Pryor also serves on the Campaign Committee for the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

"We are honored that Senator Pryor has once again agreed to support us, both in our teaching and fund-raising efforts," said Fulbright Dean Donald Bobbitt. "He is a natural at both, regarded by many as one of Arkansas’ most respected and admired public servants."