NOVEMBER 1999

HOFFMAN

A dance of diverse views

By Patrick Smith
Coordinator for advancement and alumni affairs,
College of Arts and Sciences

The first Hoffman Symposium, an examination of the liberal arts issues in the modern political climate, will bring two of America's best known political orators - former U.S. Congresswoman Pat Schroeder and political satirist Arianna Huffington - to the same stage at FSU Jan. 22.

Their radically different views will be moderated by Susan Stamberg, a longtime commentator on National Public Radio.
Their subject will be the role of women in politics in the 21st century, one of several issues chosen for the seminar. The other issues, all key to the liberal arts, are race relations, intellectual property and a shortage of money for education.

The two-day symposium is the gift to FSU of Kitty Hoffman, a 1936 graduate of Florida State College for Women who went on to teach chemistry at FSU for 44 years .

Hoffman said she wants to help be sure that all graduates of Florida State carry with them an appreciation of the liberal arts.

"There was a time when Florida State was recognized as the liberal arts school in the State University System," Hoffman said. "I want that to be just as true today."
Pat Schroeder, a Colorado Democrat, was known nationally for support of women's rights during her 24 years in Congress.

Huffington is a conservative and articulate opponent of most of Schroeder's causes.
In addition to the appearance Saturday night of Schroeder and Huffington, the symposium will bring students, faculty, legislators and other national figures together for discussions on Friday afternoon.

As the national figures are selected to express opposing views, students from a variety of groups are also invited to participate.

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