Governor Names Jim von Gremp to Higher Education Coordinating Board

Jim von Gremp

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday named Jim von Gremp of Rogers to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, effective March 1. 

Von Gremp will replace Horace Hardwick of Bentonville, who resigned in December.

Von Gremp has served as a member of the University of Arkansas board of trustees for 11 years. He has  submitted his letter of resignation from that position effective Feb. 28. 

“Jim has worked diligently during his time on the UA board to increase access to higher education for all Arkansans, increase retention and graduation rates, and promote the use of technology and online education to help make higher education more cost effective for students, their families and the state,” Hutchinson said in a news release. “His experience makes him a natural fit for the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and I know he will make a significant contribution as the board works to address these and others issues for the benefit of all the citizens of our state.”

The AHECB oversees the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. 

“These are very important times for Arkansas higher education as we work to implement the governor’s new master plan that calls for increasing college attainment while promoting efficiency in our operations and program delivery,” von Gremp said. “These are issues that we’ve been tackling at the UA System and I look forward to utilizing the knowledge and experience I’ve gained through my service on the UA board in a more statewide focus on the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board.”

Last month, publicly traded America’s Car-Mart Inc. of Bentonville named von Gremp to its board of directors.