Visitors at the University are not uncommon and are a large part of how the University attracts prospective students and faculty to join the community. But this week the University will host some prominent public officials that will bring an increased amount of notoriety to the University.
An ambassador from the nation of Qatar spoke to students Monday afternoon about the importance of U.S. and Islamic leaders working together.
Last week Wendy Kopp, Teach for America founder, spoke to students in the Holliday Forum, and this week judges from Louisiana’s First Circuit Court of Appeals will hold hearings in the Paul M. Hebert Law Center.
These speakers and judicial experts offer students real-world insight into how their University degrees may be used in the future. Through events such as these, students can combine practical information from successful professionals with their academic training.
While there is no doubt students benefit from influential speakers coming to campus, the University itself stands to gain a great deal from these events as well.
Such respected visitors bring increased attention to the University and offer a platform to show off its successes to a much larger audience.
It is no secret the administration works diligently to increase the University’s prominence in the eyes of its peer institutions, and visitors of national renown can only help that effort.
The University has many things going for it, and if visitors like those mentioned above can carry with them a positive outlook of the University as they return to their normal routines, our accomplishments will resonate much louder.
It sounds self-serving, but these events are a public relations boon, and the University must be willing to capitalize upon them. If the Flagship Agenda is going to go anywhere, the University must make more of an effort to attract influential leaders to campus.
The University has given itself a great opportunity with speakers such as these.
And now is the time to make use of it.
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