November 10, 2025 – The Hendrix College Center for Civic Leadership will host the inaugural event in its new Civic Impact Series on Wednesday, November 12, with featured speaker Dr. Jay Barth '87, M.E. and Ima Graves Peace Emeritus Professor of Politics. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Reves Recital Hall, located in the Trieschman Fine Arts Building at Hendrix College.
The lecture, titled “The Sublime Power and Severe Limitations of Public Service in Times of Crisis,” is free and open to the public. Following the lecture, a brief question-and-answer session will be held with audience members. A reception will follow in the lobby.
The Civic Impact Series seeks to appeal broadly to students and the community by featuring accomplished professionals from a variety of fields to talk about the importance of civic engagement and leadership in their personal and professional lives, with some discussion of their hopes for the future that their work will help create.
“We are thrilled that Dr. Barth will be the inaugural speaker in the Civic Impact Series,” said Dr. Delphia Shanks, director of the Center for Civic Leadership in Arkansas. “Dr. Barth has a wealth of experience and a deep knowledge of politics and public policy. He provides an outstanding model of civic engagement, and I know that students, alumni, and the public will enjoy his analysis of the current moment.”
Jay Barth, who taught for 26 years in the Hendrix Department of Politics, has dedicated his career to education, public service, and community leadership. Since retiring from teaching, he has served as Chief Education Officer for the City of Little Rock, Director of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, and in numerous statewide and leadership roles.
Barth’s career includes recognition as Arkansas Professor of the Year (2007) and recipient of the National Association of State Boards of Education Distinguished Service Award (2019). He currently chairs the advisory board of City Year Little Rock, is vice-chair for the board of the Downtown Little Rock Community Development Corporation, and is a member of the board of the National ACLU and Friends of Little Rock Public Radio.
About the Center for Civic Leadership in Arkansas
The Hendrix College Center for Civic Leadership (CCL) empowers students to become active, informed citizens through hands-on engagement with community issues. Founded to connect learning with action, the CCL supports leadership development, public service, and civic responsibility in Arkansas and beyond. For more information, visit hendrix.edu/civicleadership.
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is
featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 45 Schools That Will Change the Way You
Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts
colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career
preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors
compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the
United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through engagement that links the
classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice,
and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives
of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” –Hendrix College Statement of
Purpose