Prominent media personality and political consultant Paul Begala to teach at UGA School of Law

Abstract

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Writer: Cindy Herndon , 706/542-5172, cindyh@uga.edu Contact: Paul M. Kurtz , 706/542-7140, pmkurtz@uga.edu

Prominent media personality and political consultant Paul Begala to teach at UGA School of Law

Athens, Ga. - This fall, Paul E. Begala, a political contributor on CNN's "The Situation Room" and former counselor to President Bill Clinton, will be joining the University of Georgia School of Law as a Carl E. Sanders Political Leadership Scholar. He will be teaching the course Law and Policy, Politics and the Press, which is designed to look at both the theory and practice of how the media affects the law, politics and public policy.

The Sanders Political Leadership Scholar position allows students to learn from individuals who have distinguished themselves as leaders in public service and is named for Georgia's 74th Governor and Georgia Law alumnus, according to School of Law Dean Rebecca H. White. "Governor Carl Sanders envisioned enhanced learning experiences for our students through this position, and I am confident that Paul Begala's time here with us will provide that."

School of Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Paul M. Kurtz said Begala's course will be an important addition to the school's curriculum. "The media's unique role in our society today makes it imperative that our students understand the impact of this institution on law and public policy."

As a former top-ranking White House official, political consultant, corporate communications strategist and university professor, Begala has spent his career at the intersection of politics, policy and the press. He first entered the national political scene after his consulting firm, Carville & Begala, aided Bill Clinton in his successful run for the White House in 1992. After the election, he served as counselor to the president, helping to define and to defend the administration's agenda.

Currently, Begala serves as Research Professor of Government at Georgetown University and is also a political analyst and commentator for CNN, where he previously co-hosted "Crossfire."

A native of Texas, Begala earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas, where he taught before working at the White House.

Previous Sanders Political Leadership Scholars include: former U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Griffin B. Bell , former Georgia Secretary of State Cathy Cox, former U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Theodore "Ted" W. Kassinger and former U.S. Sen. J. Maxwell "Max" Cleland.

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