The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute - University of Arkansas System

Legacy Event to Celebrate Winthrop Rockefeller’s Positive Influence on Racial and Social Justice

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PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN, Ark. (March 31, 2010) — Winthrop Rockefeller Institute will host the third annual Winthrop Rockefeller Legacy Weekend on Friday, April 30, beginning at 3 p.m. and continuing through Saturday, May 1.

The purpose of this annual event is to explore the specific decisions and contributions former Arkansas Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller made that continue to affect the modern-day political environment of the state, as well as the everyday lives of Arkansans. The 2010 program will highlight Rockefeller’s influence on improved race relations and social equality.

“This year, we continue expanding our educational offerings to provide an experience that will truly open people’s eyes to just how influential Governor Rockefeller was – and continues to be – in terms of racial and social justice in Arkansas,” said Joe Foster, senior program coordinator at the Rockefeller Institute.

Rockefeller became the 37th governor of Arkansas in 1967, succeeding Orval Faubus, who was best known for resisting federally ordered desegregation efforts at Central High School in Little Rock. As governor, Rockefeller integrated the Arkansas State Police Department and was the first Arkansas governor to appoint a black Cabinet member. Following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Rockefeller was the only Southern governor to hold a public ceremony of mourning for the Civil Rights leader.

Even before he served as governor, Rockefeller worked to build Arkansas’ struggling economy as chair of the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission. He was instrumental in bringing more than 600 new industrial plants to the state, which provided 90,000 new jobs. During his first term in office, Rockefeller also adopted the state’s first minimum wage and brought reform to Arkansas’ prison system. More information about Rockefeller is available at EncyclopediaOfArkansas.net.

The 2010 Legacy Weekend will kick off Friday, April 30, with the unveiling of Rockefeller’s refurbished Winrock Farms office. Former members of Rockefeller’s staff, including William “Sonny” Walker, Ph.D., will host a roundtable discussion to highlight some of the critical decisions made in the office that helped shape the future of Arkansas. Walker was the former director of the Arkansas Office of Economic Opportunity under Gov. Rockefeller and the first black Cabinet member appointed in a Southern state. John Kirk, Ph.D., Winthrop Rockefeller biographer and professor of history at the University of London (U.K.), will also participate.

On Saturday, May 1, at 10 a.m., a panel discussion will focus on Rockefeller’s impact in the areas of racial and social justice. Panelists include former colleagues of Rockefeller’s and individuals who possess intimate knowledge of the subject matter:

• The Honorable Robert Brown, Arkansas Supreme Court Justice; 
• Dorothy Stuck, journalist and friend of Rockefeller; and
• Dr. William “Sonny” Walker.

Dr. Todd Shields, a professor of political science and director of the Diane D. Blair Center for Southern Politics and Society at the University of Arkansas, will moderate the discussion.

The Legacy Weekend program has evolved each year and now features additional educational opportunities and activities for participants. In addition to Saturday’s panel discussion on racial and social justice, other panels will be held at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute throughout the weekend related to this year’s Legacy Weekend theme. Discussion topics include gender equity and empowerment, racial attitudes in central Arkansas, ways to foster racial healing and promote equity, and the Civil Rights Movement in Arkansas in the 1960s. Click here for a complete schedule of events.

The 2010 Legacy Weekend program will coincide with the opening of the Rockefeller Institute’s Arts in the Air Professional Art Exhibit and Sale. The exhibit will celebrate multicultural artists from Arkansas and will feature the work of minority artists. An opening reception will be held Friday from 5-7 p.m.; admission is $10.

All other legacy weekend activities are free to the public, but due to limited seating, preregistration is recommended. To register or reserve overnight lodging for the event or for more information, visit uawri.org or call (501) 727-5435.

About Winthrop Rockefeller Institute

In 2005, the University of Arkansas System established Winthrop Rockefeller Institute with a grant from the Winthrop Rockefeller Charitable Trust. By integrating the resources and expertise of a statewide university system with the legacy and ideas of Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller, this educational institute and conference center creates an atmosphere where collaboration and change can thrive.

The Rockefeller Institute offers a variety of workshops, seminars, public lectures, conferences and special events. Program areas include agriculture and environment, arts and humanities, economic development, and policy and public affairs. To learn more, call (501) 727-5435, visit the Web site at uawri.org, or stay connected on Twitter and Facebook.