University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Chancellor-elect Anthony Graham, who will officially begin his new role July 1, was welcomed at a reception held in late April at the historic DuBocage House as part of UAPB’s 152nd Founders’ Week celebration.
The invitation-only event was attended by UAPB faculty and staff, the president of the UAPB Student Government Association, elected officials, pastors, executive directors, the president of the University of Arkansas System, and three members of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees.
Graham said he felt welcome the first time that he arrived on UAPB’s campus and looks forward to being in Pine Bluff.
“And the reason that I said that I really want to be in Pine Bluff is because it feels like home. When I returned and started telling everyone about the interview, I said, ‘Pine Bluff reminds me of Kingston, North Carolina, and eastern North Carolina, and it really feels like home,'” Graham said.
Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement George Cotton presented opening remarks.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us here at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff,” Cotton said.
Perry Stuckey, chair of the UAPB Chancellor Search Advisory Committee, also made remarks.
“First of all, let me thank this entire room for your leadership,” said Stuckey. “This was a beautiful team effort adopted early by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees.”
UAPB Interim Chancellor Andrea Stewart welcomed Graham to the Golden Lion family.
“You’re bringing a wealth of experience in,” Stewart said. “Like myself, you’ve worked your way from the bottom to the top, and it’s rare that we have had an opportunity to experience every level, from chair to dean to vice chancellor to provost to chancellor. And I know that we’re going to be able to do things together, change the university’s vision, and make things happen, and I’m here to support that. We’re just pleased that you’re joining UAPB at this time, and we know that a change is going to come.”
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jay B. Silveria, who began his term as University of Arkansas System president on Jan. 15, shared his vision of UAPB’s future.
“I am excited for the next chapter and the next era of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with Chancellor Graham,” Silveria said. “I am also looking forward to working with you, and I am also looking forward to the staff doing everything that we can to support you in this new vision and this new time for the university.”
Silveria introduced the members of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees who were present, including retired Col. Nate Todd, Kevin Crass and Board of Trustees Chair Kelly Eichler.
Attendees applauded as Crass shared that he and two other members of the Board of Trustees grew up in Pine Bluff. He said the board is “very committed to this campus.”
He thanked former Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander and interim Chancellor Stewart, acknowledging their commitment and dedication to UAPB.
Crass commended Stuckey for setting up the process that resulted in Graham’s selection.
“He set up a process that attracted a number of quality candidates. He then set up a process for this community — the campus, the city as a whole, and the board — to meet and interact with people who were interested in leading this great institution. This process led the Board of Trustees and President Silveria to Dr. Anthony Graham,” Crass said.
Graham praised Stuckey, the search committee members, and Stewart.
“Mr. Stuckey and all the individuals who served on the search committee, thank you so very much not only for the way you structured the search committee but, more importantly, for the way you treated me during the search process. Chancellor Stewart, I want to make sure that I say thank you publicly. People don’t realize the undertaking that an interim chancellor has. Thank you for taking this on and doing a great job with it,” Graham said as the audience applauded.
Graham expressed his enthusiasm about leading UAPB.
“I am honored, I’m humbled, I’m excited to serve in this capacity, to serve you. So, thank you, President Silveria, for this opportunity to serve this institution, to serve this community, to serve our students. Thank you to the Board of Trustees members for being here and for the work that you do each and every day to ensure that not only is the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff successful, but all of the institutions in this system are successful. It’s imperative that we’re successful,” Graham said.
Graham also expressed his gratitude to UAPB faculty, staff, the Chancellor’s Executive Cabinet, the provost, vice chancellors and alumni.
“Thank you for continuously supporting the institution. Chancellors come and go. The institution has to ensure that it stands, and that’s the work and the commitment of the alumni. So, I ask all alumni to continue to support the institution, irrespective of how you may feel about Anthony Graham.
“What matters is that the students succeed at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. And the alumni, our partners in the community, our corporate partners, and so forth, you are critical in ensuring that our students succeed, that our students develop the skills, the competencies, the knowledge base so that they can become very productive members of this society,” Graham said.