Grand opening scheduled for Bob Graham Center at UF

February 21, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida prepares for its grand opening celebration set for March 4 and 5, its goal of attracting big names in American politics and public policy to Florida is beginning to take shape.

A distinguished list of political leaders highlights the spring schedule of speakers coming to Gainesville for free public lectures over the next several months. The list includes former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W. Va.

In addition, state Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, will join the Graham Center as a lecturer and coordinator of student intern programs.

Graham, former U.S. senator, former Florida governor and founder of the Graham Center, said, “The focus of the Graham Center will be to teach students the leadership skills necessary to become effective leaders in government at all levels once they graduate. Mike Haridopolos brings a combination of academic experience teaching government and real life, hands on experience in Florida politics to the Graham Center.

“In addition, he can use his skills and contacts to help us develop high quality intern programs to give our students access to the highest levels of policymaking in state and national government. I met with him to discuss his possible involvement in our efforts and was impressed with his knowledge and enthusiasm for what we are trying to accomplish here. He will be a welcome addition to our team, and I look forward to working with him.”

Jon Mills, center advisory board member, dean emeritus of UF’s College of Law and director of the Center for Governmental Responsibility, said the hiring is beneficial to the Graham Center, the university and the state.

“During my time in the Legislature and as former house speaker, I can attest to the importance of having citizen legislators who understand and are familiar with the day-to-day workings of higher education and contributions it provides to all of the people of Florida,” Mills said. “Sen. Haridopolos has spent his entire career in the college classroom and realizes, more than most, the great potential the young students of this state have to offer. He will be a great addition to the Bob Graham Center and to the University of Florida.”

Haridopolos also will become a part-time lecturer in UF’s political science department, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He previously was on the faculty of Brevard Community College in Melbourne, joining the faculty of BCC in 1993. In 1997, Haridopolos was named chairman of the Liberal Arts Department. Both a professor and an author, Haridopolos holds degrees from Stetson University (a bachelor’s degree in history) and the University of Arkansas (a master’s degree in history). He currently is completing his work on a doctorate in history at the University of Arkansas. In 2005, Haridopolos taught a course as an adjunct professor and instructor in the UF political science department. He was elected to the Legislature in 2000 and today serves as a state senator from Melbourne.

The spring Speaker’s series begins March 4. The schedule is as follows:

March 4 — David McCullough will present a public lecture at 8:30 p.m. at the University Auditorium. McCullough has captured the Pulitzer Prize twice, first in 1993 for “Truman,” and again in 2002 for “John Adams.”
March 6 — U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., and U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., will present “The Next President’s Agenda,” at 7 p.m., in the Pugh Hall Ocora. Sen. Hagel was involved in President Ronald Reagan’s administration and has served as the deputy whip for the Republican Caucus since he was first elected to the Senate in 1996. The great-grandson of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, Sen. Rockefeller is the former governor of West Virginia and has served in the Senate since 1985.
March 26 — Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is scheduled to speak. Specifics of her visit have yet to be finalized. Albright was the first woman to serve as Secretary of State and was appointed to office by President Bill Clinton in 1996, having previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
April 17 — New York Times political columnist Matt Bai and a speaker to be announced will present “Media and the Presidency” at 7 p.m. in the Pugh Hall Ocora.

Looking ahead to the fall, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., will discuss “The 2008 Primaries” on Sept. 5. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will present “The Next President and Florida” on Oct. 3. Time and location information for these two events will be announced at a later date on the Graham Center Web site, http://www.graham.centers.ufl.edu.

The Graham Center for Public Service provides students with opportunities to train for future leadership positions, meet policymakers and take courses in critical thinking, language learning and studies of world cultures. Its mission is to foster public leadership and solve issues related to the Americas and homeland security. It also serves as a magnet to attract distinguished scholars and speakers to Florida.