Long at UALR, chancellor sets '16 as time to step away

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor Joel Anderson, shown here in January, announced Wednesday that he will retire in June from the university that he said he “got to grow up with.”
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor Joel Anderson, shown here in January, announced Wednesday that he will retire in June from the university that he said he “got to grow up with.”

The longtime University of Arkansas at Little Rock chancellor -- who guided the school through budget cuts, restructuring and enrollment declines -- will step down at the end of the fiscal year.

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Special to the Democrat-Gazette

Longtime University of Arkansas at Little Rock chancellor Joel Anderson.

Joel Anderson on Wednesday announced his retirement, set for June 30, after serving at the helm of the metropolitan university for the past 13 years. He has worked at the university for more than four decades, rising up the ranks from a political science assistant professor to the founding dean of the graduate school to provost.

"To answer the inevitable question of "why now?," I think it should be sufficient to reply, after 45 years, why not?" Anderson said in a memorandum to the campus community. "But more seriously, the time is right because the institution has growing momentum. ... There will be more good news this year."

Anderson notified University of Arkansas System President Donald Bobbitt of his impending retirement, along with the memo to the campus community. Bobbitt said in a statement that working with Anderson has been "one of the great honors and privileges of my professional career."

"He has been a calm and productive leader for UALR, and it is clear from the length of his service to the institution that he has passion and concern for the students and the faculty who serve them," Bobbitt said in the statement.

Anderson's announcement leaves the University of Arkansas System in search of leaders for three campuses, including one in Monticello and the flagship in Fayetteville.

Bobbitt plans to put together a search committee in the coming weeks to find a replacement for Anderson, 73, who makes $219,406 annually. The system president wants to fill the position by July 1.

In the meantime, Anderson plans to focus on his work for this academic year, he said.

"The important work is to continue to solidify some of the changes we have made in recent years, both organizationally and in terms of recruitment of students and a variety of operations here on campus, which we're trying to make more efficient and more friendly to students," he said in an interview. "We're putting a great emphasis on retention practices, practices that help students remain in school and continue successfully through school."

Anderson earned his bachelor's degree in political science at Harding University in Searcy and later earned a doctorate at the University of Michigan. While away from his home state, the Swifton native read up on the newly minted UALR in the Arkansas Gazette.

"I remember saying to my wife that if we ever did get back to Arkansas, that's the place I would like to be," he said.

A few years later, Anderson was in search of a job. And UALR was expanding and hiring. Aug. 20, 1971, was his first day, he remembered.

Since then, he's filled leadership positions, such as when UALR professor, dean and state legislator Calvin Ledbetter was summoned to the Legislature. But Anderson's first real taste in administration came in 1977, as dean of the new graduate school. After another seven years, Anderson became provost.

"Got to grow up with the place," he said, adding that he's seen a lot of changes.

As chancellor, Anderson has finished several capital campaigns, including the Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology, the Donaldson Student Services Center, three residence halls and the Jack Stephens Center. The school also purchased the neighboring University Plaza shopping center.

The university started the Institute on Race and Ethnicity, which seeks to move the city and state forward on racial and ethnic issues through education, research, dialogue, community events and reconciliation initiatives. The institute hosts an annual Racial Attitudes Conference.

"I've been very much of the opinion that issues of race are the Little Rock community's No. 1 problem and the state's No. 1 problem," Anderson said. "I think we should continue working on that. I look forward to seeing it thrive and prosper through the years."

Aside from the physical expansions, the university also brought 11 degree programs fully online and expanded doctoral programs. It's planning to open up an honors college next fall.

Anderson has had tough times, too.

"The university has just weathered three years of significant budget reductions and internal restructuring," Anderson said. "Everybody on campus experienced some feeling of stress and pressure because enrollment was declining."

Nationwide, colleges and universities were experiencing the same troubles. At UALR, enrollment dropped from 13,176 students in the fall of 2010 to 11,645 students in 2014.

Enrollment declines meant the university wasn't receiving as much tuition revenue, forcing the campus to tighten spending. UALR had undergone administrative changes and at the time was looking at its academic programs for cuts.

The university cut $2.4 million from its five colleges and nonacademic units, instituted some hiring freezes and reviewed collaborations within the school and outside.

Then, in May, things started looking up.

The Windgate Charitable Foundation awarded the university $20.3 million for an applied arts and design building to house the arts in one station. The university received commitments from Little Rock and the state to improve University Avenue. Last month, UALR announced a partnership with eStem Public Charter Schools Inc. to move a high school from downtown Little Rock to the university's campus. This school year, the university ended its three-year enrollment decline.

"He's accomplished a lot of stuff and will end on a high note," said Andrew Wright, an associate professor of systems engineering at UALR. "UALR from the time I got there to now has undergone a very significant transition. We were much smaller and had a much narrower focus. Now, we're much more of a full-service university."

Wright, who also is president of the faculty senate, said he wasn't expecting the announcement Wednesday and was sad to hear the news.

"I've known Joel for a very long time," Wright said. "He's been provost or chancellor for my entire career at UALR. This is a big change."

After three hard years, Wright said, there's still work for faculty members and the university as a whole to round out.

"We have more space to make decisions, and so I think that's comforting," he said. "It lets you catch your breath. I don't think we see this as a time to stop and say, 'We've made it.' We're seeing progress for the hard work we've done ... We need to keep pushing and get UALR to move forward."

Connor Donovan, a student in international business, said he was conflicted by the news. It was nice to see that Anderson was leaving after so many years of "dedicated, compassionate service" for the university, he said.

"At the same time, I don't want to see him go," said Donovan, 20, of Little Rock. "Whoever comes in is going to have a lot of good things left behind."

Donovan said he worked closely with Anderson as vice president of the Student Government Association.

Donovan's biggest focus has been promoting camaraderie and school spirit. Last year, when Donovan was studying abroad in China, the Donaghey Scholar created a Trojan fight song competition. Anderson gave $500 to the winner and helped to promote the competition, Donovan said.

Through the tough times, Anderson grew more supportive of the Student Government Association and tried to promote school spirit, Donovan said.

The retirement announcement also saddened UA System trustees.

"There's a lot of disappointment," said Trustee Jane Rogers of Little Rock. "He has been a tremendous leader for UALR and has done so many good things. His leadership is invaluable."

But she said she understands.

"These chancellors work so hard for so many years," Rogers said. "They know what time is right."

Anderson has expanded the role, scope and mission of UALR, said Trustee Morril Harriman of Little Rock.

"Well, of course, you hate to see a chancellor such as Joel retire," Harriman said. "He has years and years of experience with UALR. He obviously loves that institution."

What Anderson loves year in and year out is graduation. It's the biggest sense of accomplishment, the retiring chancellor said.

"You see students dressed in their caps and gowns," he said. "As I sit there and watch them go across the stage, there's just an awful lot of excitement and enthusiasm. To get to see that is really satisfying."

For Anderson, retirement -- though a year away -- means stepping away from the university completely.

"One of the favors I need to do with the next chancellor is stay out of the new chancellor's way and not detract or complicate that person's life," he said.

He plans to spend more time with his wife, Ann, his three sons and three daughters-in-law, two granddaughters and three grandsons. He plans to travel -- one of his sons is a missionary in the Czech Republic. He plans to spend his mornings with coffee in hand, leisurely reading the newspaper.

"I've been around here a long time," he said, adding he has many friends and church activities. "I don't think there will be a shortage of things to do."

Metro on 09/03/2015

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