Searcy businessman Bobby Reynolds has been named the new chairman of the University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees. Reynolds was elected to the post Friday during the quarterly board meeting.
Reynolds had served as the board’s vice-chairman. He was appointed to the UCA Board of Trustees in 2009. Reynolds, 60, owned and operated Reynolds Oil Co. in Searcy for 32 years. He received a bachelor of business administration degree in business management from UCA in 1973.
“I would like to express my appreciation to the students, faculty and staff for their commitment in making UCA a better place. I’m looking forward to working with them next year,” Reynolds said.
Trustee Victor Green was elected vice-chairman and Trustee Kay Hinkle was elected secretary.
The board will continue its focus on improving the university’s graduation and retention rates as well as improving communication between the Student Government Association, Faculty Senate, and Staff Senate. Reynolds would like to see more participation in the board meetings by the student, faculty and staff organizations, he said.
One of Reynolds’ goals is for trustees to be more involved in the budget process. He plans to hold a budget workshop for trustees as part of the development of next year’s budget. One of the biggest challenges the university continues to face is funding, he said.
“The UCA Foundation is working diligently on fund raising and hopefully will have more success in the future,” he said.
Reynolds said he will address challenges by being open and honest in all matters related to UCA. He also noted the need to restore some stability to the campus.
“The events of the last several years have no doubt harmed our reputation and the students, faculty and staff do not deserve this,” he said. “After all, UCA would not exist if not for the students. Tom Courtway will provide stability. He has the utmost integrity and honesty and will represent UCA wonderfully.”
Reynolds feels the university is going in the right direction, but not as quickly as he would like.
“We have made great strides in our financial condition and need to keep working to improve those numbers,” he said. “I feel we need to concentrate on the future and not dwell on the past, but we need to remember events of the past in keeping us on the right track.”
