Business and Politics the Subject of Two Distinguished Lectures in February

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Daymond John, Ari Fleisher and David Axelrod.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The student-sponsored Distinguished Lecture Series will host two events in February featuring entrepreneur and Shark Tank personality Daymond John at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in the Fayetteville Town Center; and rival political commentators Ari Fleisher and David Axelrod at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, in Bud Walton Arena. A question and answer period will follow both events.

Both lectures are free, open to the public and no tickets are required.

DAYMOND JOHN

Daymond John

Daymond John is the founder and chief executive officer of the clothing company FUBU – “for us, by us” – which he and friends started in his mother’s basement in Queens, New York, and grew into a $6 billion brand. He joined the Emmy award-winning reality series Shark Tank in 2009. On the program John and four other business executives hear business pitches from everyday people, and decide whether or not to invest money in their projects.

John also works as a consultant and motivational speaker, sharing his expertise with everyone from students and aspiring entrepreneurs to small business owners and CEOs of major corporations.

ARI FLEISHER and DAVID AXELROD

Ari Fleisher

Ari Fleisher served as White House press secretary for President George W. Bush from January 2001 to July 2003, and became a familiar figure in the time following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He had a lengthy career as press secretary for several members of Congress and as spokesman for the Ways and Means Committee for the U.S. House of Representatives. He currently runs Ari Fleischer Sports Communications, and has worked as media consultant for the College Football Playoff Selection Committee.

David Axelrod

David Axelrod was chief strategist for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. He served as senior adviser to the president following the election, leaving in 2011 to lead Obama's successful re-election campaign. Axelrod currently serves as the director of the non-partisan Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago and is a senior political commentator for CNN.

The two men will be speaking five days before the March 1 Super Tuesday primary elections, which include Arkansas.

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.