Tracy Cole and Thomas Pennington were the September 2026 speakers for Pints and Professors at Point Remove at Central Fire Station in Russellville Downtown.
Cole is dean of the ATU College of Business and Economic Development and professor of legal studies.
Her Pints and Professors presentation is entitled “Pour Decisions and the Buzzkill: What Arkansas Hosts Should Know About Liquor Liability.”
Cole discussed the different circumstances in which alcohol may be served and the potential liability that can accompany those situations. Particular attention was given to areas where legal responsibility is relatively clear, as well as circumstances where the boundaries are less obvious and courts must consider the specific facts surrounding an incident. Her presentation explored distinctions among different types of alcohol service and the responsibilities that may arise when alcohol consumption results in injury, property damage or other consequences.
Pennington is professor of legal studies in the ATU College of Business and Economic Development.
His Pints and Professors presentation is entitled “Likes, Laws and Liability: The Legal Side of Social Media.”
Pennington addressed questions surrounding what employees post on personal social media accounts, how those posts can affect professional responsibilities and workplace relationships and the circumstances in which online activity can create legal or employment-related concerns. The discussion went beyond simply what people post themselves, touching on how other online activity, including following and liking certain types of content, can also carry professional implications.
Pints and Professors is a monthly event sponsored by the ATU Graduate College and Point Remove.
Described in information provided by the ATU Graduate College as “where education meets conversation…over a pint,” Pints and Professors includes a 15-to-25 minute talk followed by open discussion with a goal of making ATU research and innovation accessible, conversational and community-focused.
“One of the things we value as a college is finding ways to bring the university and the community together,” said Dr. Michael Bradley, dean of the ATU Graduate College. “Pints and Professors gives us a chance to take some of the expertise we have on campus, get it outside the classroom and have conversations with people in a relaxed setting. We want this to be something the community feels like it is a part of, not just something ATU is doing for itself.”
Learn more about the ATU Graduate College at www.atu.edu/gradcollege.
Learn more about Point Remove at Central Fire Station at www.facebook.com/pointremoverussellville.
