Former Arkansas State College Chancellor Dr. Robert Potts has died

Arkansas State College’s first chancellor, Dr. Robert Potts has died. The previous chancellor of Florence, Ala., died after a prolonged sickness, in keeping with his household. Potts, 78, was the primary particular person to be appointed chancellor at A-State, within the fall of 2006 and served till 2010. He was then appointed the interim system president by means of 2011.

Enrollment grew by 23% throughout his tenure and he helped set fundraising information, in keeping with the college. He organized the Chancellor’s Cupboard, now referred to as the Chancellor’s Circle, a corporation of people devoted to the development of the college by supporting the chancellor and his particular initiatives to profit college students.

Potts additionally labored with alumni Buddy and Charlotte Beck to determine the Beck Middle for Veterans, which helps these searching for academic alternatives after returning to civilian life following service to their nation.

Throughout his time period, the college secured one of many largest grants in its historical past to assemble the Donald W. Reynolds Middle for Well being Sciences.

When Arkansas State College celebrated its centennial in 2009, Potts wrote: “For at this time’s scholar, coming to Arkansas State is an effective selection, regardless of which subject of research is chosen. College students will discover a sound and agency basis right here with a bunch of school, workers and administration who genuinely need college students to succeed and convey credit score to this nice college.”

Potts was requested by the Board of Trustees in 2010 to function interim president of the ASU System and help with figuring out a everlasting successor to Dr. Les Wyatt, who had stepped down from that place. Potts had earlier expertise because the chief govt of a state system of campuses, having served as chancellor of the North Dakota College System, earlier than shifting to Jonesboro. Earlier in his profession, Potts had served as president of the College of North Alabama and as normal counsel for the College of Alabama System.

Following his system management of just about a 12 months, he retired in 2011 after Dr. Charles Welch was appointed president. Potts resumed his retirement plans and together with his spouse, Irene, returned to their dwelling in Florence, the place he remained engaged in enterprise pursuits in that space.

“Robert was an exquisite predecessor,” mentioned Welch. “He was type to me and my household and selflessly agreed to delay his retirement to permit me to meet my obligations earlier than becoming a member of the ASU System. I’ll all the time be indebted to him and maintain him in excessive regard. Our prayers are with Irene and their household.”