Vice Chancellor OK'd To Take Top Post At Fayetteville Campus

The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to name G. David Gearhart as the Fayetteville campus' next chancellor. The 10-member board approved the 55-year-old Gearhart today at Little Rock after meeting in executive session for about 40 minutes.

Gearhart told the board he would do all he can to provide an administration that has a combination of academic vision, inspirational leadership, a strong commitment to financial viability, and a climate of openness and tolerance and acceptance of all peoples of diverse backgrounds. He said that will all accelerate the progress of the University of Arkansas.

Gearhart, the school's vice chancellor for university advancement and an education professor, replaces John White, who retires June 30 after 10 years.

Gearhart said he looks forward to his new job and plans to increase resources for the Gearhart has served as a vice chancellor since 1998. A native of Fayetteville, he also is graduate of the university. University system President B. Alan Sugg said Gearhart will be paid about $280,000 in his new position.

University officials credited Gearhart with guiding the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, which raised more than $1 billion for the Fayetteville campus between 1998 and 2005. He has also worked for a Chicago-based consulting firm for charities and as a senior vice president for development and university relations at Pennsylvania State University and as a vice president of Hendrix College in Conway.