Southern Arkansas University President David Rankin is hanging up his saddle as the lead Mulerider after more than a decade of leading the Magnolia college.
Rankin, who took office in 2002, announced Thursday that he will retire after the 2014-15 school year.
“It’s just one of those situations where you have been around for so long that it’s just time to retire,” Rankin said. “I’ve really had a great time here at this university, and it’s meant a lot to me.”
Rankin, 72, said SAU’s board of trustees will begin a search for his replacement later this month, “giving the university over the summer and early fall to collect resumes and applicants. We are hoping to make a selection early in [2015] to make a smooth transition. We don’t want to lose any speed or momentum.”
As for his personal life after retirement, Rankin said he plans to spend time with his sons at the family timber company and “enjoy some father-and-son togetherness.”
During Rankin’s tenure, SAU has seen many changes, including an unprecedented campus construction boom.
In 2004, the $15.5 million Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center was completed, followed by the $17.5 million science center, a $2 million natural-resource research center and a $2.3 million band hall, along with a $2.3 million addition to the Wharton Nursing Building.
SAU has also seen steady enrollment growth under Rankin’s leadership: The 2013 fall semester saw a record 5,451 students.
Rankin said that when he took office as president, he knew that infrastructure improvement would be a top priority, noting that his administration has overseen about $100 million in campus improvements.
Rankin said he is most proud of the growth in SAU’s graduate program under his leadership. The university now offers master’s degree programs in all four major areas of study - business, education, science and technology, and liberal and performing arts.
In addition to his duties as SAU president, Rankin has served as an economic adviser to Govs. Mike Beebe and Mike Huckabee, and is chairman of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers. The economic adviser to the governor is also responsible for reviewing the state revenue forecast.
Rankin received his bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Arkansas in 1964 and a Master of Business Administration in finance from Louisiana Tech University in 1966. He earned his doctorate in finance from the University of Mississippi in 1970 and earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1979.
Rankin’s connection to SAU dates back more than four decades.
In 1968, he joined the faculty of SAU as an assistant professor of business, and from 1977-80, he served as dean of the School of Business Administration and professor of economics and finance.
Rankin also served as a Puterbaugh professor and chairman of the department of economics and finance at SAU and again as dean of the School of Business Administration from 1994-2001.
Reaction to Rankin’s retirement was bittersweet for many on campus Thursday.
In an emailed statement, SAU Faculty Senate President Shannin Schroeder praised Rankin’s “clear sense of mission in terms of building, quite literally, the physical foundation for a strong institution.
“His creation of the Blue and Gold Vision and his commitment to securing grants and funding for multiple buildings have resulted in an increasingly attractive and versatile campus.”
In addition, Schroeder wrote, “Dr. Rankin’s leadership has been key in the University’s ability to attract regional events with the Donald W. Reynolds Center, to offer cutting-edge degrees in engineering and game design, and to draw an increased number of students from around the world, underscoring his consistent and sincere dedication to Southern Arkansas University, this region and this state.”
Ceil Bridges, director of alumni relations at SAU, said she fought back tears when she learned the news. But remembering “how [Rankin] transformed this campus is just remarkable,” she said.
“This is not the same campus as it was when took office,” Bridges said. “He really brought prominence and pride here. He reimagined the Mulerider and made it into a celebrity status symbol for the campus.”
She also said Rankin’s ability to “empathize with people allows him to truly sees good in everybody. He makes everybody feel like they have something to offer. If you come to him with an idea, he won’t just shoot it down without a thorough look. Whomever takes his place is going to have some really big shoes to fill.”
Arkansas, Pages 13 on 05/02/2014