With the onset of spring and the end of Spring Break, things start to get really busy around campus—and the law school is no exception. Tuesday was really busy. We had a number of activities in the law school and we also had some wonderful visitors stop by.

Before I get to all of that, I just want to say thank you to my colleague of many years, Robert Laurence. Back before I even accepted a position at the University of Arkansas, Bob sent me a picture of daffodils along with a warm note encouraging me to join him and the other members of the law school community here. He has been sending me daffodils at the beginning of spring every year since. Despite his retirement, I returned from a trip to find a vase of beautiful daffodils and another warm and caring note. Thank you so much, Bob. It is because of that warmth from you and others that I remain committed to the University of Arkansas.

As for the day’s activities, one of our alums from California visit stopped by. Doug Fee, his wife Mary and his children, Houston and Dana, were with him, and Dean Miller took them on a tour of the building. It was great to meet him. Professor Emeritus John Watkins came up to the school to visit with Doug and his family as well.

At noon we had our Academic Deans Group Luncheon and, although I took my camera, I forgot to take pictures! It was hosted by Dean Ashok Saxena of the College of Engineering. We discussed a number of potential changes in policy and various reports from central administration with the Provost.

I was delighted to be able to have an unexpected visit with Sid Davis early that afternoon. As you may know, Sid has been a wonderful supporter of the law school community. Professor Mary Beth Matthews holds the “Sidney Parker Davis Jr. Professor of Business and Commercial Law” professorship. It was great to see him and to spend a bit of time catching up. We talked about the Judge Robert Fussell study room and he was able to see the beautiful art that Bobby donated to hang in law school, for which we are so very grateful, for the first time. We spent some real quality time together, and I appreciate him taking time out of his busy day to stop by. Sid, it was terrific to see you! I’m already looking forward to your next visit.

At 3:30 p.m, the Hartman Hotz Trust hosted a program with Henry Schaefer in the E.J Ball Courtroom. The lecture was entitled, “The Big Bang Theory, Stephen Hawking, and God.” (I don’t know where the pics are for this Macey took them) It was a very well attended. Afterwards, there was a reception in the Six Pioneers Room, followed by dinner at the Greenhouse Grille. The Greenhouse Grille is a relatively new restaurant in Fayetteville that serves environmentally friendly and organic menu items. Don Bobbitt and his wife Susan, Barbara Taylor, Peter Pulay (professor of chemistry and biochemistry), Dave Fredrick (professor of classical studies and the director of humanities), Jeannie Wayne, Steve Sheppard, myself and Henry Schaefer attended the dinner. The conversation was relaxed and covered everything: science, recent occurrences and issues on campuses around the country, the current political race, the war in Iraq, organic food and sustainable agriculture. It was an enjoyable evening at the Greenhouse Grille and good to be with my colleagues on the Hartman Hotz Committee.

For you foodies out there, I had a quinoa salad with yellow fin tuna, black beans, mandarin oranges, carrots, scallions and cilantro citrus vinaigrette dressing. The entire table shared appetizers of vegetable egg rolls stuffed with sauteed carrots, cabbage, onions and peppers served with a ginger mustard dipping sauce, and crispy crab cakes served with a roasted red pepper cilantro tartar sauce. Professor Sheppard, I just have to share, had a goat cheese buffalo burger with roasted garlic aioli sauce and bacon, topped with goat cheese and served with a side of sweet potato fries. It was a bit more substantial than a salad, but the best part of his meal was the sweet potato fries which he was very generous in sharing.