23 Jan 2017 UCA students attend inauguration seminar
Ten University of Central Arkansas students attended the Presidential Inauguration 2017 Academic Seminar hosted by the Washington Center. The seminar began on Jan. 8 and ended Jan. 21. This year’s theme was “Elevating Political Discourse.”
This is the ninth Presidential Inauguration Academic Seminar hosted by the Washington Center. The Inauguration Seminar marks the end the of the Campaign 2016 Seminar Series, of which 300 students also attended the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee conventions. Students were asked to elevate their critical thinking above the noise of the current political discourse and become part of a generation of leaders with the power to pursue bipartisan cooperation.
UCA students attending the Presidential Inauguration 2017 Academic Seminar were: Rachel "Zoe" Allison, Laura Craig, Stevie Massey, all of Conway; Hannah Hanshaw of Cabot; Keely Smith of Paron; Alexandria Tatem of Benton; Madison Temples of Vilonia; Riley Trible of Blytheville; Clayton Vaught of Austin; and Jessica Wilson of McGehee.
Students took part in daily interactive programming, including guest lectures, small group discussions and budget/policy simulations. Following programming, students used the afternoons to meet in groups with faculty leaders, partake in site visits to leadership organizations and visit popular Washington, D.C., attractions.
“Seminar participants have an opportunity to witness the most important event in our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power,” said TWC President Chris Norton. “I think our conversations during this seminar will have a multiplier effect on participants, who will continue this discourse at their institutions, in their careers and in their communities.”
More than 340 students from dozens of colleges and universities attended the two-week seminar. Since 1985, thousands of students have attended the Inauguration Seminar. To date, it remains the only national academic program of its kind and size.
