MAGNOLIA — The president of Southern Arkansas University says he will step down at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
President David Rankin announced Thursday that he will retire, effective June 30, 2015.
Rankin was appointed SAU president in 2002. As president, he led the "Blue and Gold Vision" capital campaign that's created $100 million of capital projects on the campus. The latest project is the $4.4 million SAU Story Arena and Farmers Bank Reception Center, which opened this spring.
A $7.2 million student center at SAU Tech is also nearing completion.
The university said student enrollment has grown under Rankin's leadership, with the 2013 enrollment setting a new record for the system.