University of Arkansas System President Donald Bobbitt on Tuesday announced plans to retire after almost 13 years leading the state’s largest university system.
Bobbitt notified Kelly Eichler, chair of the UA System board of trustees, that he plans to retire effective Jan. 15 or earlier if a successor is selected before that date, the system said in a news release.
Eichler said she will call a special meeting of the board in the coming days to discuss Bobbitt’s retirement and to plan for a national search for the next system president.
Bobbitt’s announcement comes a year after the system voted to extend his contract through 2025 with annual compensation of $510,000 and deferred annual compensation of $150,000.
Bobbitt began his tenure as president on Nov. 1, 2011, succeeding Barney Alan Sugg, who had led the system for 21 years before his retirement.
In a statement, Bobbitt said he feels bittersweet about the decision to retire, but believes he has fulfilled his goal to leave the system in better standing and poised for further success.
“One of the great privileges I have been afforded through my time as president was the chance to work with an exceptional group of colleagues who served as the Chancellors and CEOs of our campuses, divisions and units, and with the very talented staff in the UA System administration,” Bobbit said. “Each and every day they carry out the complex responsibilities of their position, keeping first and forefront the mission of this system to serve Arkansas and its citizens.
“It has equally been an honor to serve the many students across the UA System and help them achieve the dream of improving their lives through higher education.”
Under Bobbitt’s leadership, the UA System has expanded its number of campuses, divisions and units, and recruited and hired 17 chancellors or chief executives at system institutions.
Bobbitt oversaw the implementation of the UA System’s largest-ever systemwide project, Project One, bringing each of the institutions onto the Workday platform to manage all finance, human resources, academic and student information functions. Through that effort, the system has “realized better alignment and easier exchange of data among the institutions,” according to the release.
Other systemwide projects conducted under Bobbitt’s leadership include implementing collective contracting for the Blackboard learning management system, launching the UA System solar energy project, and creating the UA System Workforce Response and Training Center.
One of Bobbitt’s primary goals when he took over the UA System was to expand its online learning offerings. That effort included the launch of the state’s first all-online institution, the UA System eVersity, in 2015.
Bobbitt, a Philadelphia native, earned a bachelor’s in chemistry from the University of Arkansas in 1980. He earned a doctorate in chemistry from Iowa State University in 1985 before returning to UA as assistant professor in the department of chemistry and biochemistry. In 2003, he was named dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the university.
In 2008, he joined the University of Texas at Arlington as provost and vice president for academic affairs.
He returned to Arkansas three years later to assume the role of UA System president.
“Dr. Bobbitt has been a truly outstanding leader for the UA System and higher education in our state for more than a decade,” Eichler said. “His steadfast, calm approach to the role of president has not only provided a steady hand at the helm of the system, but it has also allowed other excellent leaders to emerge across our campuses.
“We are certainly going to miss Don and his wife, Susan, who has equally dedicated her time and effort to serving the UA System and its many institutions with class and integrity. They are leaving the system in a stronger position than it has ever been in, and we wish them the very best as they prepare for their next chapter.”
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