DR. JACK SHOCK, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF COMMUNICATION, LEADS atourthrough the Clinton Presidential library in little RockJan. 31whilesenior Man Nix andDr. Pat Gamer, professor of speKh, follow along. Shock, who workedas diredor of presidentia llene~ andmessages during the Clinton presidency, joined membersof the Honors College on their visit to theeenter. ,A. FATULA LEADERSHIP - 156 • FACULTY MEMBERS HIS FOur u.s. preSidents. Barbra Streisand. Robin Williams. The first female secretary of state. Three Harding faculty members and two students. About 30,000 total guests. They all huddled under umbrellas Thursday, Nov. 18, during the dedication of the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock. The rain did not put a stop to the ceremony's celebratory atmosphere, as Bono and The Edge from U2 perfonned "Rain," and speakers ranging from the presidents to housewives addressed the crowds. "Even though it was wet, it was festive," President David Burks said. "People knew the historic nature of it. Seeing four living presidents march in together is pretty unusual in OUf country." Dr. Jeffrey Hopper, dean of international Programs, Dr. Jack Shock, associate professor of communication, freshman Charlie Walker and junior Brian Hall also attended the ceremony in honor of the 20,CXXJ square-foot center built to commemorate Clinton's presidency. The library's bridge design was symbolic, as Oioton stood with current President George W. Bush, former President George H. W. Bush and former President Jimmy Carter. " It made me proud to be an American," Hopper said. "It was overpowering, because I've never seen one president before, and seeing four was just incredible." All four of Harding's attendees said they were impressed by how everyone put aside political party lines and stood unified for the day. "Each president's speech was good humored," Hall said. "They can be mean, even brutal during campaigns, but they were like fraternity brothers during the speeches, making goodnatured jokes and complimenting each other." The ceremony was a defining moment for Shock, who worked as director of presidential letters and messages during the Clinton presidency. Shock spent several days in Little Rock reuniting with other former staff members at barbecues and other events. "It was sort of a homecoming for us," Shock said. "It was nice because we were all sitting around, eating and laughing. The White House was a pretty stressful place to work, and sometimes tempers flared ... When we all saw each other this time, it was like a big hug fest. Everyone was so sweet and mellow. We weren' t worried about the fate of the world anymore." Shock said he most enjoyed the private preview party held the day before the ceremony where the fonner staff members got to walk through the library and see letters and gifts that were familiar to them. "It was a pleasant feeling knowing that it was something we had worked on, and now it was a part of history," Shock said. "W.e were all proud of what we had done. It was our moment." Hopper, who toured the library with Shock, said he was impressed with the library and the dedication ceremony despite the rain. "The library was open, warm and welcoming," Hopper said. "I think its opening was a very good moment for Arkansas and for Little Rock." -DEANNTHOMAS
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