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Gearhart chosen as UA chancellor Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 By Dan Craft The Morning News FAYETTEVILLE - Dave Gearhart can take his vice chancellor nameplate, stick it in a box, and carry it next door. University of Arkansas System President Alan Sugg tapped Gearhart on Wednesday to be the next chancellor of the University of Arkansas. If approved, Gearhart will move this July into the Fowler House, the official chancellor's residence. It's just to the south of his home. "Dave Gearhart is one of the most talented administrators in higher education in this nation," Sugg said. "From the moment John White considered stepping down, it was clear to me who should be our next chancellor." Gearhart, vice chancellor for university advancement, started his second stint with the university in 1998. As the chief fundraiser for the school, he led the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, a billion-dollar philanthropy effort. "We all know of the phenomenal success of the campaign. David was the architect that put it all together," Sugg said. "I'm convinced he has what it takes to lead this university for the next decade and beyond." Gearhart was not present at the announcement. "I'm very grateful to Dr. Sugg, and I'm looking forward to the board meeting Friday, but other than that, I wouldn't want to comment until the board makes a decision," Gearhart said when reached by phone Wednesday evening. The 10-member University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees must approve Sugg's choice. "The board of trustees has a very high regard for Dave, and I predict they will approve him," Sugg said. Faculty members had few reservations about Gearhart. Several, however, called for increased faculty and staff in certain areas, notably the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and technical support staff. "We're seeing the resources come in, but they're not showing up across the board," said Dorothy Stephens, an associate English professor. "We don't have enough faculty members to teach the core classes, and other areas are getting buckets of money. We don't want to raise tuition either, but it's about allocation of resources." Examining faculty and staff levels will be one of Gearhart's first tasks, Sugg said, along with preparing for next year's legislative session. "Dr. Gearhart's record in raising private funds speaks for itself. Now we've got to focus on state funds," Sugg said. "It's another way to grow that pool of resources." State funding levels were a source of frustration for White, who once knelt down in front of legislators to illustrate his plea for support. White announced his intention to step down earlier this month after more than ten years as chancellor. He will leave the post June 30, but continue to teach industrial engineering classes. Sugg decided against a national search to replace White, but said he consulted with more than 50 people, including faculty, administrators, students, alumni, trustees and donors with ties to the university to get their input before announcing his recommendation. "I felt I had to do my due diligence, and I heard nothing but positive things. That convinced me I had the right candidate in mind," Sugg said. Faculty members and student leaders spoke Wednesday in support of Gearhart. "I think we are at an advantage. He has a track record in raising resources," said Marta Collier, associate professor of cirriculum and instruction. "He can hit the ground running." "On behalf of the students, I'm very pleased with the direction you've chosen to go," said Nate Looney, president of the Associated Student Government. ""His heart and love for the university are exactly what we need." The choice appears to be a good one, said trustee Sam Hilburn. "All I know and all I've ever heard makes me believe he's an outstanding candidate and an excellent choice," Hilburn said. "He's fine with me." While Gearhart will have free rein in developing a strategic plan for the school, Sugg said he expects Gearhart will continue a 'renaissance' started by former chancellor Dan Ferritor in the late 1980s and continued by White. "A great university is never finished. It's a living thing that's always changing," Sugg said. "I'm convinced Dave has the vision to continue what was started by his predecessors." Reed Greenwood is nominally one of Gearhart's bosses, as Gearhart holds a faculty position in the College of Education where Greenwood is the dean. ""It's nice to have a member of our faculty as the chancellor, of course, and having someone with a proven track record in raising resources is critical," Greenwood said. ""He's done it on the private side, and now we've got to focus on the state and public funds." Gearhart, 55, has spent decades as a fundraiser and administrator. He understands a university environment in spite of limited teaching experience, Sugg said. "While he did not come up through the faculty ranks, he's a university person. He knows what a university is, what the University of Arkansas is," Sugg said. "He has the University of Arkansas in his heart, and you can't buy that kind of affection for a school." - The Morning News' Dug Begley contributed to this report. Biography Dr. G. David Gearhart Age: 55 Residence: Fayetteville Wife: Jane Children: Katy and Brock PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS w University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 1998-present Vice Chancellor for University Advancement w Grenzebach Glier & Associates, Chicago, Ill., 1995-98 Senior Vice President and Managing Director w The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa., 1985-95 Senior Vice President for Development and University Relations w University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 1982-85 Director of University Development w Hendrix College, Conway, 1978-82 Vice President for Development w Westminster College, Fulton, Mo., 1977-78 Director of Development w Westminster College, Fulton, Mo., 1976-77 Assistant to the President EDUCATION w Oxford University, Oxford, England, 1992 Fulbright Fellowship - Merton College w University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 1989 Doctor of Education, higher education administration w University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 1977 Juris Doctor w Westminster College, Fulton, Mo., 1974 Bachelor of Arts w Fayetteville High School, 1970 ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS w University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 1998-present Professor of Education w The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa., 1988-95 Affiliate Assistant Professor of Education NOTABLE CURRENT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS w Arkansas Jurisdiction, 1977-present Licensed attorney w University of Arkansas Fayetteville Campus Foundation, 2003-present Vice President w Arkansas World Trade Center, 2007-present Member, Board of Advisors w Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, 2007-present Chair, Board of Directors w The Pryor Center for Oral and Visual History, 2006-present Member, Advisory Board BOOKS w Philanthropy, Fund Raising, and the Capital Campaign: A Practical Guide National Association of College and University Business Officers, 2006 w The Capital Campaign in Higher Education - A Practical Guide for College and University Advancement National Association of College and University Business Officers, 1995 Source: University of Arkansas |
