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Remembering Former UCA President Lu Hardin

A message from President Houston Davis regarding the passing of former UCA President Lu Hardin:

Lu HardinBy now, many of you have heard the news of the passing of former UCA President Lu Hardin.

Hardin was the eighth president of UCA, serving from 2002 until 2008. He is often remembered for his infectious smile and enthusiasm, hearty spirit, and commitment to education. He led the way in establishing university marketing and branding among higher education institutions in the state and made sure to emphasize UCA as ‘the center of learning’ anytime he had the chance to talk about the university.

Prior to becoming UCA’s eighth president, Hardin was Director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education for six years. Hardin served as an Arkansas State Senator for 14 years, was chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and also served on the Joint Budget Committee and Legislative Council. He chaired the Arkansas Advisory Council for Vocational Education and served 12 years as a Professor of Legal Studies at Arkansas Tech University. In addition, he was a trial attorney for 10 years.

We send thoughts and prayers to his family and to all who worked alongside him to advance our university and education for the state of Arkansas.

Posted in: Campus News, Press Room on August 11, 2025

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