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.
Should PETA use sex and stars to sell a cause? with Dan Mathews
Should PETA use sex and stars to sell a cause? Does PETA go too far in its campaigns? PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews gave a riviting talk at the Bob Graham Center on Monday, Feb. 9 in the Pugh Hall Ocora on the organization’s provocative tactics. Mathews is the irreverent force behind PETA’s colorful …
Foreman Lecture on Race and Politics with Dr. Paula McClain
This year's Forman Lecture on Race and Politics featured Dr. Paula McClain who gave a riviting discussion on the findings of her latest research, Black Americans and Latino Immigrants in a Southern City: Friendly Neighbors or Economic Competitors? The talk was on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Pugh Hall Ocora. Paula D. McClain is …
Moving Florida’s Children Forward with David Lawrence and Vance Aloupis
David Lawrence and Vance Aloupis discussed the history and progress of the Children's Movement of Florida at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23 in the Pugh Hall Ocora. The Children’s Movement is a non-partisan grassroots organization working towards the increased investment in Florida’s children during the first five years of life. The 2014 Citizen of the Year and Young …
Seven Years a Hostage with Terry Anderson
In March 1985, Associated Press reporter Terry Anderson was abducted off the streets in Beirut and held at the mercy of his Hezbollah Shiite captors. He lived for nearly seven years in chains wondering fearfully if each day would be his last. But his spirit soared beyond captivity, and he never gave up, nor did …
Martha Barnett and Bob Graham – A Conversation on Citizenship
Former Florida Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham and legal pioneer and Knight Fellow Martha Barnett discussed the importance of civic engagement on Wednesday, March 18 in the Pugh Hall Ocora. Barnett, former American Bar Association president and retired senior partner at Holland and Knight, is the Bob Graham Center Knight Fellow in-Residence for spring …
President Jimmy Carter
In a last-minute switch, former President Jimmy Carter stepped in for his wife Rosalynn Carter (who came down with a bug) and appeared at the University of Florida Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The topic of the speech remained as planned, a discussion on mental illness. President Carter spoke about his wife's book, Within …
China: Doing Business with the Giant with Kamal Latham
How do you "do business" with the second largest economy in the world when political, economic, and cultural dynamics are quite different than those in the United States? Kamal I. Latham - a former career diplomat at U.S. Embassy Beijing who helped negotiate a multi-billion dollar trade deal with China - provided an insightful discussion …
Five Years Later: Lessons Learned from the Deepwater Disaster
Although the Deepwater Horizon oil spill occurred five years ago, the effects of devastation remain. A panel of experts convened and discussed the continued impacts, recovery initiatives and lessons learned for future disaster and recovery efforts. The event was held at the Bob Graham Center’s Pugh Hall Ocora on Monday, April 13.Panelists included: Marc …
Innovating Citizenship with the Ancient Athenians
Cynthia Farrar, a scholar and civic entrepreneur from Yale University, spoke on Thursday, April 16 at the University of Florida’s Pugh Hall Ocora. Her lecture analyzed the history and theory of democracy in ancient Athens. In her talk, “Start-up Democracy: Innovating Citizenship with the Ancient Athenians,” Farrar discussed the impact of changing technologies on our …
Land and Water Conservation Forum
The Gainesville Sun held a forum on land and water conservation, including a discussion of how state lawmakers are planning to spend Amendment 1 money. The forum took place on March 19 at 7 p.m. at the University of Florida’s Pugh Hall. The event included a panel discussion featuring Ramesh Buch, who manages the Alachua …