FAYETTEVILLE -- Eli Jones, business dean for nearly three years at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, has accepted a similar position at Texas A&M University, UA announced Tuesday.
His departure comes at a time when UA's top academic officer, Sharon Gaber, may be named the next president of the University of Toledo, with the Ohio university's trustees deciding between her and one other candidate.
Meanwhile, UA System officials have begun hunting a replacement for Chancellor G. David Gearhart, the university's top official who earlier this year announced plans to retire in July.
"These are all independent events. They just happen to converge right now," said Jones, 53.
He's returning to the institution where he earned three degrees.
"That is home for me. I've got grandchildren and adult children in that area," Jones said, naming Houston and College Station, where Texas A&M is located.
Jones is to start at Texas A&M on July 1, according to UA. Gaber is to name an interim dean and appoint a search committee to find the next dean for UA's Sam M. Walton College of Business, according to the university.
"I never anticipated my alma mater reaching out to me. That's rare," Jones said, adding "that's the only thing that pulled me away from this fantastic place." He said he was first contacted by a Texas A&M faculty member in August about the position.
Jones recalled that when he first came to UA he realized the strong industry connections and outreach efforts involving Walton College.
"You don't typically see as many outreach centers at a college. It says something about the land-grant mission [of UA]," Jones said, adding that he's leaving a part of UA that's "been in a really strong growth mode." The college has more than 300 people on its payroll, he said.
He sent an email to faculty and staff members Friday thanking them for their support and listing accomplishments during his time as dean, including an increase in enrollment by about 400 students. Walton College now has about 5,200 students, Jones wrote.
He wrote that Walton College has raised more than $91 million, including pledges, from July 1, 2012, to Feb. 28, 2015, part of a larger fundraising effort.
He also wrote about strategic planning initiatives put together in 2013. Some have yet to fully develop, such as establishing a data analytics interdisciplinary institute. David Speer, a spokesman for Walton College, said the effort remains under development.
Other initiatives involve long-range goals, like UA becoming a top 20 public business school by 2020. In his email, Jones noted that the UA college recently began offering a new fully online bachelor's degree business program.
"I am especially grateful for the enthusiastic support I have received from Chancellor Gearhart and Provost Gaber, both of whom I respect and admire," Jones wrote. "We have worked closely throughout this process, and the Chancellor and particularly the Provost have consulted with me many times about retaining me."
At UA, Jones earned a yearly salary of $392,044, the highest salary paid to anyone outside the university's athletic department. Several coaches and UA Athletic Director Jeff Long earn more than that amount.
Jones will make $425,000 in annual salary at Texas A&M, according to Terry McDevitt, spokesman for the Texas A&M University System. The previous Texas A&M business school dean, Jerry Strawser, earned $337,500.
Metro on 03/11/2015