MILES LACY TO CHAIR UACCM CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton Chancellor Dr. Larry Davis announces that Miles Lacy will serve as chairman of the college’s “Give Meaning” capital campaign.

Lacy currently serves as vice-president and manager of oil & gas operations and the sustainable forestry initiative coordinator of the Fiber Resource Division of Green Bay Packaging, Inc. Lacy joined the team at GBP’s Booneville office in 1975 and made the move to Morrilton in 1978. He is a member of the Morrilton Rotary Club, serves on the Conway County Regional Water Distribution District Commission, Conway County Economic Development Corporation, Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Conway County School Counts Steering Committee, Arkansas Forestry Association Board of Directors, and the Arkansas Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee. Additionally, he has previously served on the Counseling Associates Board of Directors, Arkansas State Tree Farm Committee, and the Arkansas Recycling Coalition Board of Directors.

Lacy will lead UACCM’s six-county fundraising effort by assembling a leadership team and volunteers to support endowed scholarship funds, construction of the new Workforce Training Center, and the installation of a student-designed clock tower and plaza on campus. The steering committee will include representatives from each of the six counties in the college’s service area and will work closely with development staff and the UACCM Foundation Board to organize the campaign.

Lacy is excited to begin work on the campaign. When asked why he wants to be involved in this project he commented, “I believe that education is important, and we need to promote that in our community every chance we get.” He added, “Morrilton has been great to us (Miles and wife Nancy) over the past 35 years, and I feel like we owe it to give back to the town, the surrounding area, and society in general.”

"Miles realizes the positive impact the Workforce Training Center will have on our economy and in training our workforce to compete for the high-skill, high-demand jobs of tomorrow," said Chancellor Davis. "We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have Miles lead our fundraising efforts."

The proposed Workforce Training Center will cost approximately $10 million to construct, and the campaign will include maintenance funds for the new facility. Plans for the training center include housing the automotive service technology, automotive collision repair technology, and heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technology programs as well as a new industrial maintenance program. UACCM Vice Chancellor for Administration Dr. Linda Birkner will oversee the planning and construction of the new building. “Currently, these programs are in buildings dating back to 1964. They are deteriorating and lack the space needed for us to accommodate the most current technology and training equipment for our students,” said Birkner.

The facility will also include the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services Workforce Center, a business incubator space for specialized workforce training, classroom space, and computer labs. UACCM administrators hope to round out the campaign with funds to support institutional scholarships as well as the new student-designed clock tower that will serve as an iconic symbol for the UACCM campus.

The campaign's theme is “Give Meaning” and was chosen to tie into the UACCM slogan, “A Journey with Meaning.” UACCM Chief Information Officer Mary Clark said, “We want each contributor to know that their gift means increased economic development, a more qualified workforce for our area, more opportunities for students, and so much more.”

UACCM Development Officer Morgan Zimmerman added, “This will be UACCM’s first major fundraising effort since our doors opened 50 years ago. We know the community will be excited to take advantage of this opportunity to help the college continue to provide an affordable, high-quality education to the residents of our service area.”

For more information about the “Give Meaning” campaign including ways to support the fundraising efforts, contact Zimmerman at 501-977-2085 or zimmerman@uaccm.edu.