The University of Central Arkansas faculty, staff and students mourn the recent passing of UCA Trustee Harold Chakales.
Dr. Chakales died Tuesday morning, according to UCA officials.
“Dr. Harold Chakales was a man who devoted many years of service to this institution as a member of the Board of Trustees,” said UCA Interim President Tom Courtway. “He truly loved the University of Central Arkansas. His consistent support of our academic programs, as well as the fine arts and Baum Gallery, will be missed by the students, faculty and staff. The entire UCA community is saddened by his passing.”
Dr. Chakales served on the University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees for 17 years. He was first appointed in 1985 and served until 1992. He served a second term from 1994 until 2001. Dr. Chakales was reappointed to the board in 2007. He served as the chair of the UCA Board of Trustees in 1989, 1997, and 2010.
During his tenure as chairman in 2010, UCA allocated $100,000 to the staff and $200,000 to the faculty for professional development, refunded several bond issues totaling approximately $19 million, the issuance of $22 million in new bonds for a total of approximately $41 million for no additional annual debt service and UCA attained full membership in Division I athletics.
Chakales earned his bachelor’s and medical degrees from Wake Forest University and practiced medicine as an orthopedic surgeon in Little Rock for many years.
