W. Ellis Arnold III
Hendrix College of Conway announced Thursday that Bill Tsutsui will retire in December, ending a five-and-a-year run as the liberal arts college’s president.
Trustees have elected to make W. Ellis Arnold III, senior executive vice president, the college’s 12th president. He will begin work on Dec. 31, the college said in a news release. Tsutsui, a history professor, will be on sabbatical this spring.
“I am honored and humbled for the opportunity to play a role in advancing the college as a national leader in engaged learning and the liberal arts,” Arnold said. “It is a privilege to work with the Hendrix community and alongside our dedicated faculty and staff and talented students. Together, we will lead the college confidently into the next decade, addressing our challenges, and seizing our opportunities with determination and optimism.”
A 1979 Hendrix graduate, Arnold received his law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. He practiced in Little Rock from 1982 to 1990. In 1990, he became Hendrix’s vice president for development and college relations. He also led the college’s church relations, communications, fundraising and marketing efforts and served as general counsel.
In November 1996, Arnold was named president of Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee, and later served as president and head of school of Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, from 2004 until 2008, when he returned to Hendrix. He served as acting president on two occasions, in addition to his current role as senior executive vice president, dean of advancement, and general counsel.
The college said that during Tsutsui’s tenure, Hendrix was re-accredited by the Higher Learning Commission for 10 years; increased access, affordability and student diversity; launched the Hendrix Aspire and Murphy Scholars Programs, as well as career preparation and campus well-being programs; completed the Dawkins Welcome Center; and will complete the Miller Creative Quad and Windgate Museum of Art in 2019-2020.
Before leading Hendrix, Tsutsui was dean of Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences at Southern Methodist University from 2010 to 2014 and taught for 17 years at the University of Kansas.
“I am grateful to the board of trustees for the opportunity to serve this remarkable institution and special community,” Tsutsui said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside everyone, from the faculty members who challenge and inspire our students to the folks who keep our students fed, safe, and well-prepared for life after Hendrix.”
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