Bill Purcell believes in the power of local government to affect change. His experience as both a former state representative and former mayor of Nashville, coupled with his positions in academia, have given him a unique perspective on government’s role in society.
“I left the legislature and started a center for child and family policy at Vanderbilt University,” Purcell said. “During that time I had a revelation … about the importance and ability of local government to make a difference.”
Now director of Harvard’s Institute of Politics, Purcell met with a small group of UT students in the Baker Center before his lecture Monday evening. Around ten students affiliated with the Baker Center took the opportunity to ask Purcell questions about his career and their futures.
“Though going to lectures on campus (is) always very valuable, it is an incredible opportunity to be able to sit down with a speaker and have a truly open discussion between the speaker and a small group of students,” Lisa Dicker, senior in political science, said. “He was very dynamic and engaging.”
Purcell recounted how he entered into politics.
“For three and a half years I was a public defender,” Purcell said. “One day, my neighbors came and said we want you to run for the legislature, and I said I’ve never even been to the capital. Not having been there, I ran for the legislature in 1986, and spent 10 years there. I would say that was a particularly good time to be in state government. It was a very state-central time in America. We got (to) move ahead in education, healthcare and a variety of other areas.”
Purcell realized that some important changes would need to be made at the local level, specifically in education.
“I had to become mayor of Nashville before the class sizes were reduced,” Purcell said.
Purcell elaborated on his belief in the importance of municipal governments.
“I think the issue of citites is particularly interesting … the history of local governments is both understudied and undervalued.”
Students joined in a dialogue with the former mayor to discuss municipal issues.
“Speaking with Mr. Purcell was an opportunity to get a big picture view of the future of Tennessee’s urban development,” Julia Ross, sophomore in political science, said.
