SEARCY — Harding University President David Burks has announced his intent to retire at the end of the 2012-13 academic year, a Friday news release said.
Burks, 68, notified board Chairman Dr. John Simmons at a meeting Friday on the Searcy campus, the release said.
Burks, who assumed the presidency in June 1987, is only the fourth president in Harding’s 87-year history.
“In 2006 the board extended my contract and asked me to work until age 70,” Burks said in the release. “It should not come as a surprise to anyone that I am planning to retire from the role of president. I am following the timetable that I have had in mind since 2006.
“By making this announcement now I am giving the Board sufficient time to search for my successor. I will do everything I can to make sure the transition is as smooth as possible.”
During Burks’ tenure as president, Harding’s enrollment has grown from 2,997 to 7,155, making it the largest private school in Arkansas. The school has completed capital projects totaling $250million, and the endowment has grown from $18.7 million to more than $110 million, the release said.
During Burks’ administration, Harding added international programs in Australia, Chile, England, France, Greece and Zambia to its established program in Florence, Italy. The university also developed doctoral programs in education, pharmacy, physical therapy and theology, plus master’s degree programs in communication disorders, business and physician assistant.
After Burks gave his notice, Simmons announced a board decision to request that Burks become chancellor, the release said. Under that plan, Chancellor Clifton Ganus Jr. would become chancellor emeritus when Burks retires in June 2013.
Arkansas, Pages 17 on 10/29/2011