Some may know Paul Begala as a former adviser to Bill Clinton. Others may know him as a political commentator for CNN. A group of University students know Begala as their professor.

Begala began teaching media and law classes at the University’s law school this semester, according to a news release issued by the law school.

Begala was named a Carl E. Sanders Political Leadership Scholar, a professorship funded by a gift from Georgia’s former Gov. Sanders. The professorship was designed in 2002 to bring political leaders to the University, Begala told The Red & Black in a telephone interview.

Begala, who received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas, said he likes state universities for their diversity and the breadth of information discussed.

But he said he especially likes this university.

“I just love the place,” Begala said. “It’s my kind of place.”

Begala praised his students for their civility in what he said is typically a competitive environment.

“They’re really impressive,” he said. “They’re really decent people.”

Begala has some other connections to Georgia.

His nephew is a freshman at the University, which he said was an incentive to teach at the law school.

He also worked on Zell Miller’s gubernatorial campaign, and he said he lived in Georgia “for the better part of 1990.”

Begala now lives in Washington, D.C., and he commutes to Athens about two days each week.

He said he will continue to live in Washington because of his family and other job.

Begala is the father of four boys that range from seven to 15 years old.

He also serves as a political contributor several days a week to CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”

While his job at CNN will not permit him to work for a presidential campaign in 2008, Begala said he has donated money to Hillary Clinton.

Begala has written several books, including “Is Our Children Learning?: The Case Against George W. Bush” and “It’s Still the Economy, Stupid: George W. Bush, The GOP’s CEO.”