Joe Whisenhunt, of Conway, was officially sworn in today as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Central Arkansas. Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood administered the oath.
Whisenhunt, a 1984 graduate of Hendrix College, is a commercial real estate developer. Whisenhunt and his wife, Connie, who has a master’s degree in physical therapy from UCA, have called Conway home for the past 20 years. The couple has five children who are home-schooled.
“My family became involved in UCA through the music department when we first moved to central Arkansas in the mid-70s,” said Whisenhunt. “My parents were involved with UCA’s Friends of Music for many years. My children are very active at UCA now in the extracurricular programs and some academic programs. My mother’s love for the arts is what prompted me to want to be more involved with UCA and one of my focuses at the board level will be to pursue the fine arts.”
Upon making the appointment of Whisenhunt, Gov. Asa Hutchinson noted Whisenhunt’s appreciation of the fine arts. “Joe understands the importance of the arts to an institution of higher education and the community it serves,” said Hutchinson. “Given his professional business background, his appreciation of the arts and his deep roots in the city of Conway, I can’t think of a better person to serve on UCA’s Board of Trustees.”
“I congratulate Mr. Whisenhunt on being named to the UCA Board and thank Gov. Hutchinson for appointing someone with a deep commitment to UCA,” said UCA President Tom Courtway. “He will be an asset. He and his family have been involved in several of our programs for many years, and they have been active in our community. We appreciate his willingness to serve.”
Whisenhunt began his seven-year term on Feb. 2.
