The Clinton School of Public Service is celebrating a significant honor bestowed upon one of its longest-serving volunteers, Bob Gee, who was recently named the Clinton Presidential Center’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year.
The award recognizes Gee’s more than two decades of dedication, having accumulated more than 20,000 volunteer hours since the Clinton School opened in 2005.
President Bill Clinton awarded Gee, 92, of Little Rock, the prestigious lifetime award during a ceremony at the Clinton Center’s Holiday Party, where Gee noted the unexpected joy of the moment.
“It was fabulous, and it caught me by surprise,” Gee said, adding that the highlight of the evening was the spontaneous and vocal support coming from the back of the room. “The biggest cheering squad was Clinton School students.”
A fixture at both the Clinton Center and the Clinton School of Public Service, Gee built the majority of his record-breaking hours by serving as a personal tour guide for the school’s high-profile lecturers, visitors, alumni and students. Gee estimates he’s given nearly 1,800 tours through the presidential library, which included senators, Supreme Court justices, heads of state, actors and ambassadors.
“It was such a thrill to be able to give these tours,” Gee said.
A Legacy Built on Student Connection
While his volunteer hours are unmatched, Gee’s true legacy lies in the connections he has made with students. He has been instrumental in cultivating the school’s unique sense of community and focus on public service.
“I just love being with the students,” Gee said, adding that he stays in touch with hundreds of alumni, with more than 600 as Facebook friends.
His generosity extends far beyond tours. Gee earned a reputation among students for allowing the SGA to host a new student welcome party at his house during orientation, fostering strong bonds between classmates.
In recognition of his long service, the City of Little Rock previously declared a “Bob Gee Day” in his honor. Gee proudly displays the proclamation in his living room. His commitment to preserving the school’s history is also notable; a 10-year anniversary exhibit featured his personal collection of signed graduation programs and other memorabilia.
Gee credits his start in volunteering at the Clinton School to Sen. David Pryor, the Clinton School’s founding dean, who approached Gee as he was volunteering in the Presidential Library and asked him to come volunteer at the Clinton School as well.
“It’s not something I dreamed I would get involved in, and I’m glad David Pryor came up to me that day and said, ‘You need to come help me,’” Gee said. “It’s been a special experience.”
Feature Photo: Bob Gee, right, accepts the Clinton Presidential Center’s Jesse Gatewood Volunteer of the Year Award from President Bill Clinton, left. Photo by Nelson Chenault.
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