Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge traveled to Arkansas Tech University’s Witherspoon Auditorium on Wednesday, July 29, to share her congratulations and her reflections on public service with the students of the 47th Arkansas Governor’s School.
“When you think about the thousands of students across 75 counties in our state, you are the ones in these seats,” said Rutledge. “It’s a remarkable accomplishment. Congratulations. Being in a room with people who make you think harder than you have ever thought…that’s the entire point of this past month.”
The AGS class of 2026 convened at Arkansas Tech on Sunday, July 5, and will conclude its four-week experience on Saturday, Aug. 1. The program serves approximately 400 rising high school seniors from Arkansas each year.
“I know what this week is,” said Rutledge. “It’s week four, which means a few of you are running on four hours of sleep and a whole lot of caffeine. Hold onto that feeling. If you’re successful, you’re going to spend the rest of your life doing just that.”
Rutledge shared anecdotes from her youth, her early career, her entry into public service and her experiences as the first female to be elected attorney general and the first female to be elected lieutenant governor in Arkansas history. She also answered questions that were submitted by AGS students.
Arkansas Governor’s School is supervised by the Arkansas Department of Education Gifted and Talented Programs administrator with assistance from an advisory council appointed by the governor.
Dr. Jacob Grosskopf, ATU associate professor of geology, serves as director for AGS.
Learn more about Arkansas Governor’s School at www.atu.edu/ags.
