UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS TO HOST PRESENTATION BY HARVARD PROFESSOR RICHARD LIGHT

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - To help students prepare for the adjustment to college life, the University of Arkansas will host a presentation by Harvard University Professor Richard Light at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 10, in Giffels Auditorium, located in Old Main.

Light’s presentation, "Making the Most of College: A Presentation by Richard Light," will focus on his best-selling 2001 book "Making the Most of College: Students Speak Their Minds." The public is invited to attend.

"We are bringing Professor Light to Fayetteville so that current students, parents and prospective students might have the opportunity to learn from his lengthy and in-depth observation of the college student’s experience," said Chancellor John A. White. "His work offers pragmatic advice from which every student at any college or university can benefit."

Light is the Walter H. Gale Professor of Education at the Kennedy School of Government and Graduate School of Education at Harvard University, where he has taught for more than 30 years. His teaching emphasizes statistics, program evaluation and policy analysis, with special focus on programs in education.

"Making the Most of College: Students Speak Their Minds" evolved from more than a decade of research and interviews with 1,600 students about the benefit of their time in college. Light says it offers practical methods aimed at helping students manage their time properly through their studies, jobs and activities.

"I have been fortunate to travel throughout the country with my fellow researchers, interviewing students, faculty and administrators about their opinions and experiences in higher education," Light said. "And I can think of no better way to share the findings of that research than to do it with those I am trying to help. I plan to use actionable examples, coupled with concrete suggestions, to demonstrate the principles covered within my book."

Light’s presentation will cover four categories: teaching, advising, quality of life and demographic changes.

"While I certainly hope this presentation will help students become more comfortable and productive in their new environment, I also believe it is equally important that this presentation speaks to members of the faculty and college leaders," Light said. "We must all take an active role as mentors and advisors and commit to the development of these young people. I believe it is our responsibility to help guide them in ways that will help them grow and develop."

"Making the Most of College: Students Speak Their Minds" was honored with the Virginia and Warren Stone award for best book of the year about education and society. It is also the top-selling book in the history of the Harvard Press.

"Preparation for a successful college experience can be daunting for young undergraduates and their families," Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bob Smith said. "I believe if students can be introduced to the proper fundamentals and strategies early in their academic careers, then a successful experience will likely result. Many of those necessary principles are present in Richard Light’s work, and I think we will all benefit from our time with him."

An audio mult-box will be provided for electronic media.