WASHINGTON -- College of the Ouachitas President Stephen Schoonmaker was among a few hundred higher-education officials who met Thursday in Washington to discuss how to help more students prepare for and complete college.
Schoonmaker said he enjoyed sharing tips and experiences with the other college presidents during the day-long event.
"I wish we did this more; I wish there were ways we did this more," Schoonmaker said. "There was a lot of energy throughout the day.
The meeting was part of the White House College Opportunity Day of Action, where participating schools promised to work on building a network of colleges focused on promoting degree completion, working with elementary and high schools to prepare students for college, coordinating with high school counselors and increasing the number of college graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
Participants met in small sessions and heard from President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
"It was kind of heady for a country boy like me to see all of these folks in person," Schoonmaker said. "They encouraged us, they were very supportive of us and our students. Hearing that directly was very empowering for me."
A story about Biden being the first in his family to attend college made Schoonmaker reflect on how much it means for a first-generation student to get to campus and achieve there, he said.
"No one can ever take that away from you," Schoonmaker said.
WATER QUALITY
Marty Matlock, director of the University of Arkansas' sustainability office, testified Wednesday before the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee about the ways farmers and ranchers can help improve water quality in lakes and rivers through voluntary conservation.
The hearing largely revolved around addressing the water quality of the Great Lakes.
IMMIGRATION
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel joined 17 other state attorneys general Friday in signing on to a letter calling on Congress to overhaul the nation's immigration system.
The letter addressed to House and Senate leaders states that whether or not the president had the authority to take action on immigration last month, Congress now needs to act.
"The moment is now upon Congress to seize the opportunity and advance commonsense legislative reforms to our immigration system to secure our borders, support businesses and workers, and promote the safety of our communities," the letter states.
WINDING DOWN
The U.S. House and Senate are currently scheduled to complete business by Thursday, though Senate leaders have said the chamber may stay to confirm some pending nominations.
On Friday, U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark, was scheduled to tour Welspun Tubular, the Little Rock business contracted to produce pipe for the Keystone XL pipeline, and the Greenbrier Rail Service manufacturing facility in Pine Bluff, which provides transportation equipment to the railroad industry.
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., met with members of the Northwest Regional Housing Authority. On Tuesday he spoke on the House floor about Marion Ramsey of Rogers, who is retiring and closing Marion's Donuts. Womack said the doughnut shop became part of his daily routine 35 years ago and was where he'd go to catch up on city news and local gossip.
U.S. Sen.-elect Tom Cotton, R-Ark., met Thursday with Mark Travis of the Federal Forest Resource Coalition and talked about Forest Service changes
Cotton, Womack, U.S. Reps. Tim Griffin and Rick Crawford, as well as Boozman and U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor all received the Friend of the Farm Bureau award from the Arkansas Farm Bureau last week.
INCOMING MEMBERS
U.S. Rep.-elect Bruce Westerman, a Republican from Hot Springs, was picked to serve on the House committees on natural resources and the budget.
"It is an honor to serve the hardworking taxpayers of the Fourth District on these two committees that not only have a direct impact on Arkansas, but the nation as a whole," Westerman said in a statement.
U.S. Rep.-elect French Hill, a Republican from Little Rock, is holding a series of events to meet with constituents this week.
Monday's events will be at 8 a.m. at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce; 9:30 a.m. at the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce; 11 a.m. at the Perry County Chamber of Commerce. Tuesday at 8 a.m. he will be at the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce; Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce; at 11 a.m. at the Clinton Chamber of Commerce and Thursday at 8 a.m. at the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.
STATE LAWMAKERS
Several Arkansas legislators were in Washington last week for the American Legislative Exchange Council's States and Nation Policy Summit, including Reps. Nate Bell, R-Mena, Justin Harris, R-West Fork, Marcus Richmond, R-Gravelly, Laurie Rushing, R-Hot Springs, Mickey Gates, R-Hot Springs, and Ken Henderson, R-Russellville as well as Sen. Linda Collins-Smith, R-Pocahontas.
Planning to visit the nation's capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Contact us at (202) 662-7690 or swire@arkansasonline.com.
SundayMonday on 12/07/2014