University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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Former presidential candidate George McGovern was among the distinguished guests at the dedication of the J. William Fulbright Memorial Peace Fountain, the latest landmark on campus to bear the Fulbright name and commemorate the former senator who founded the international exchange program that is also his name¬ sake. Three days of events marked the formal dedication of the fountain, which is composed of a 36-foot, 11,000- pound brass sculpture and a granite base that stands between Old Main and Vol Walker Hall. UA history professor Randall Woods, who wrote a biography of Fulbright, said the man was complicated and appreciated hearing, and often taking, the minority viewpoint. £ He distrusted people who agreed all the time,” Woods said. “He thought they were either stupid or lazy.” Fulbright witnessed and took part in many conflicts during his time in Congress, from World War II to the McCarthy communism hearings, the Vietnam War and Watergate. But above all these challenges, Fulbright saw the importance of cultural understanding and interna¬ tional ex change, and worked to form the Fulbright International Exchange program to meet this end. “The key to peace and effective international secu¬ rity was international understanding, Fulbright believed,” Woods said. “The most important part was knowledge about, and appreciation of, other cultures.” McGovern, who was a colleague of Fulbright, said Fulbright’s emphasis on education is one of his greatest legacies. “A nations strength lies not in its military, but in education of students, a strong economy and steady devotion to dignity, decency and democracy,” he said. Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences Dean Bernard Madison said the three days of festivities fit the occasion. “[It is an] appropriate celebration and commitment to the ideals of the man for whom this college is named [and who is] very much associated with the state and the University of Arkansas,” Madison said. The fountain is an appropr iate way to honor a man who has meant so much to the university, said David McKee, a UA graduate who worked on the design with architects E. Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings. “We’ve been working on this project for a cou¬ ple years and we’re just real excited,” McKee said when the sculpture was mounted to the base. “It’s these kind of moments that make it all worthwhile. McKee said the sculpture represents the worldwide connections formed by Fulbright international pro¬ grams, as well as an abstract representation of a large, geyser-like fountain, which was impossible given the space for the fountain. The sculpture is centered on the cardinal directions and the design focuses attention to the center, he said. The dedication ceremony brought together mem¬ bers of Fulbright’s family, UA administrators and facul¬ ty, members of student government and professional and casual friends of the former senator and president of the university. All who attended seemed to agree that the fountain is a fitting tribute and a beautiful addition to the campus and will become a focal point and a gath¬ ering place for students in the future. - Sarah Glass a A nation ' s strength lies not in its military, but in education of students, a strong economy and steady devotion to dignity, decency and democracy. — George McGovern Former presidential candidate Peace Fountain ♦ 13

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Colleague to Senator Fulbright, George McGovern, former presidential candi¬ date, speaks about the former Senator during the dedication of the fountain. photo by Randy Warren Fulbright ' s (a m , i y representatives of student government and administra¬ tors gather for the three-day dedication of the peace fountain. photo by Melissa Purdy Architect D a v j d McKee said the J. William Fulbright Memorial Peace Fountain was designed to illustrate an abstraction of a giant geyser. photo by Melissa Purdy 12 ♦ Campus Life

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ueen Homecoming is always a time to gather in school spirit, crown a new queen and play football. Despite the unusually warm weather this past fall, homecoming was riddled with biting cold winds and even colder rain, but the Razorback fans did not notice. School spirit was warmer than ever and so were the Razorback fans. Houston Nutt led the Arkansas Razorbacks to a flawless record of 7-0 up to home¬ coming and the Razorbacks delivered another victory for everyone to cheer about. Fans were not just cheering on the Razorbacks, but also the new homecoming queen, Abbie Decker, chosen to replace Angie Kovalcik. Standing on the sidelines with a bouquet of roses in one hand, she stepped into the shining crown of the former queen, Angie Kovalcik. Decker said she was surprised to be nominated and was shocked when she was announced as the 1998 UA Homecoming Queen. Deckers saga toward inauguration began when she was nominated by her sorority, Kappa Delta. She then had to write an essay and go before the presidents of 10 organizations for an interview. She stood firmly on her platform, which stated that a queen should speak to students in elementary schools and that she should be a role model represent¬ ing the student body. Decker added that a queen should show the qual¬ ity of the university and represent its leaders. Decker is a UA senior from Mountain View, and is majoring in criminal justice and sociology. There ' s tradition here, it ' s a good school and I ' ve had an awesome experience here, she said. Decker ' s court included Monique Brunson of Little Rock, Katherine James of Benton, Amber Meza of Red Oak, Texas, and Olivia Walton of Fort Smith. The game and crowning a homecoming queen were the main events of homecoming, but there were other homecoming activities that week. Residence halls and Greek houses competed in a homecoming decorating contest. A 5K run was held before the game began , the alumni band got together for a collaboration of the UA band of now and then and a Nursing Alumni Reunion was taking place during the busy day. Tailgate parties were held early in the morning since game time was moved up, but it didn ' t stop the Alumni Association. Pep rallies, open houses and cookouts all took place to help celebrate and cheer on another Razorback victory and tradition of homecoming. — Aimee Morrell u There ' s tradition here, it ' s a good school and I ' ve had an awesome experience here. — Abbie Decker 1998 Homecoming Queen 14 ♦ Campus Life