Former First Minister Henry Mcleish To Speak On Impact Of U.S. Presidential Race in Europe

Fayetteville, Ark. - Former First Minister of Scotland Henry McLeish will deliver the 2004 Hartman Hotz Lecture in Law and the Liberal Arts on "Results of the U.S. Presidential Race: The European Response?" at 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, in Giffels Auditorium, Old Main. The public is invited.

The Right Honorable Henry McLeish is serving as the inaugural holder of the Hartman Hotz Visiting Professorship in Law and Liberal Arts, a joint position in Fulbright College and the School of Law. For three years, he will spend a month in residence at the U of A, developing lectures, seminars, and programs for student and faculty enrichment, to include bringing in European Union students, speakers and lecturers, cultivating partnerships with European universities, particularly in Great Britain and Scotland, and developing educational exchange programs for students and faculty.

"I can think of no better time to be in America," said McLeish. "The outcome of this presidential race is important to the rest of the world."

He has already developed a short course in European Union Studies and the Law, to be offered in fall 2005. In the course, students will examine the evolution of the European Union, the importance of the judiciary in fostering European integration and the different perspectives of the EU and the U.S. on the Middle East, terrorism, militarism, trade and the environment.

The former professional football player began his political career in Fife in the early 1970s, working his way through the ranks of the Kirkcaldy District Council and the Fife Regional Council. As minister of state at the Scottish Office of the new Labor government from 1997 to 1999, he played a key role in shaping Scotland's first parliament in almost 300 years. During his service as Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, he oversaw higher education, trade, science, and technology.

He became First Minister of Scotland in 2000, taking on responsibility for Scotland's emerging role on the European and world stage, leading official government missions around the globe and developing and implementing Scotland's social and economic policies. A primary role he played throughout his years of political service was in devolution, the process of returning government control from Great Britain back to the Scottish people.

"My commitment was to create a new politics in Scotland, an open, accessible and accountable government. I had a real desire to see decentralized institutions deal more effectively with the challenges of the 21^st century, in particular the impact of technology and globalization," said McLeish.

After 30 years in elected office, McLeish retired from public service in 2003 to concentrate on other interests. During the past 10 years, he has been a visiting lecturer at universities around the world. In America, these have included Oklahoma State University, the United States Air Force Academy and Denver University. He has also served as a distinguished scholar in residence at the European Union Center at Oklahoma University.

"Education and learning are two of the most powerful instruments for tackling poverty and inequality," said McLeish, "Education, which remains my passion, can create tolerance and understanding in society. Other global issues will be easier to solve if education is successfully tackled at a global scale."

Fulbright Dean Donald Bobbitt and Law School Dean Richard Atkinson jointly offered McLeish the Hartman Hotz Professorship. "We were impressed by his commitment to education and by the opportunities he would open for students and faculty. He will bring to the classroom an unparalleled depth of understanding of European government, culture and law. For our students, it will be wonderful to be taught by someone who has made history," said Bobbitt.

Dean Atkinson noted: "In the best of the Hotz tradition, Professor McLeish engages us with his wit and grace, challenges us with his passion and informs us with his experience and insight. I am already savoring the prospect of his return next year."