Hardin chosen new president at Palm Beach Atlantic University

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

LITTLE ROCK — Lu Hardin, who resigned under mounting pressure as president from the University of Central Arkansas almost one year ago, was named today as the next president of a private college in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Lu Hardin

Hardin, 57, begins his term as head of Palm Beach Atlantic University on Wednesday.

Hardin tendered his resignation Aug. 28 after two months of contention, first over a $300,000 bonus he secretly got but later returned and then over other ethical questions.

The Florida school describes itself as a private, independent university with campuses in West Palm Beach, Orlando and Wellington, Fla. It says it is dedicated to the integration of Christian principles in educating students.

The announcement says Hardin is an attorney with the Bullock Law Firm in Russellville. Hardin endorsements published by the school came from former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Little Rock businessman Sheffield Nelson and Mark Dance, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church in Conway.

An announcement of the hiring was posted on the university's website at http://www.pba.edu. The announcement says Hardin will be PBA's seventh president when he begins his term July 1.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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