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The Bob Graham Center for Public Service provides a wide variety of programs for students and the larger public on topics related to public service, public leadership and civic engagement.

Gainesville Sun Mayoral Forum

The forum was held Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Martin Levin Advocacy Center in the University of Florida Levin College of Law (2500 SW 2nd Avenue, across from the President's House). WUFT News Anchor Marie Edinger and editorial page editor Nathan Crabbe will moderated the debate. All candidates who officially qualified were extended an invitation to participate

Trouble in the Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict over Israel

Dov Waxman, a professor of political science, international affairs and Israel studies at Northeastern University, discussed his book “Trouble in The Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict over Israel” on Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Pugh Hall Ocora as part of the annual Shorstein Lecture Series. During his public address, Waxman presented the central thesis of his book:

Paint the White House Black: Barack Obama and the Meaning of Race in America with Michael Jeffries

Dr. Michael Jeffries, associate professor of American Studies at Wellesley College, spoke about his latest book, Paint the White House Black: Barack Obama and the Meaning of Race in America. Dr. Jeffries approaches Obama's election and administration as common cultural ground for thinking about race. He uncovers contemporary stereotypes and anxieties by examining historically rooted conceptions of race and

ABA President Paulette Brown: School to Prison Pipeline

The "school-to-prison pipeline" refers to policies and practices that push school children, especially at-risk children, out of classrooms and into the criminal justice system.  This pipeline reflects the prioritization of incarceration over education. On March 10 at 6 p.m. in the Pugh Hall Ocora, ABA President Paulette Brown explored how inadequate resources, ineffective discipline policies

Reconciliation in a Post Conflict Society

Special guest Rev. Gary Mason of Belfast, Ireland, spoke at the Bob Graham Center on Tuesday, March 29, at 6 p.m. in the Pugh Hall Ocora. Rev. Mason shared his experiences with leading the reconciliation process with those involved in sectarian conflict. A Methodist minister, Mason directs a conflict transformation organization based in Belfast called "Rethinking

The Hidden Curriculum of Justice: How the American Criminal Justice System Educates, and Miseducates, Citizens

Dr. Benjamin Justice, an associate professor and historian of education at Rutgers University, presented his talk The Hidden Curriculum of Justice: How the American Criminal Justice System Educates, and Miseducates Citizenson Thursday, March 31, at 6 p.m. in Norman Hall's auditorium. For an increasing number of Americans, the criminal justice system plays a powerful and pervasive

Julie Leibach: Science Journalism and Providing Understanding

Julie Leibach is managing editor of online content for public radio's Science Friday. She edits and writes articles for ScienceFriday.com and oversees its website. Prior to her work at Science Friday, she worked as a senior editor and web manager at Audubonmagazine. Leibach spoke in the Pugh Hall Ocora on Tuesday, April 5, at 6 p.m. Her visit