Hundreds Attend UACCM Chancellor Retirement Reception

Chancellor Dr. Larry Davis received a plaque from Morrilton Mayor Allen Lipsmeyer and Conway County Judge Jimmy Hart, noting the proclamation of Dr. Larry Davis Day.

The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton held a retirement reception for Chancellor Dr. Larry Davis at the Workforce Training Center. An estimated 300 people attended, including elected officials and leaders of Arkansas higher education, to offer their best wishes to Chancellor Davis. 

Effective January 31, 2019, Chancellor Davis will retire after almost nine years of leadership at UACCM. At the reception, several people spoke about Davis’ career in higher education, spanning 46 years, and his legacy at UACCM. 

“There have been so many students go through under your leadership,” Paulette Smith, chair of the UACCM Board of Visitors, said in her remarks. “During Dr. Davis’ tenure, there have been 4,020 individuals who have received certificates of proficiency, technical certificates, and associate degrees at UACCM.” 

To mark his farewell, Davis received several accolades during the reception. Conway County Judge Jimmy Hart and Morrilton Mayor Allen Lipsmeyer surprised Davis with a plaque proclaiming January 17 as Dr. Larry Davis Day in Conway County and the City of Morrilton. State Representative Rick Beck and State Senator Mark Johnson presented Davis with a citation from the Arkansas General Assembly, recognizing Davis for his years of service at UACCM. Joe Canady, Conway County NAACP branch president and UACCM Board of Visitors member, also presented Davis with a certificate of recognition from the local organization for his service to the community. UACCM faculty and staff members offered a framed photograph of the Workforce Training Center, with the framing mat signed by many of his employees and event attendees. 

Among the 300 guests included Carlene Davis, members of the UACCM Board of Visitors, members of the UACCM Foundation Board, former UACCM employees, numerous college presidents and chancellors, and Chancellor Davis’ former colleagues at Arkansas State University-Newport.

His most recent achievement, and a pinnacle of his career, was the construction of the Workforce Training Center. Opened in 2018, it offers UACCM career training programs with the most up-to-date equipment for training labs, ensuring that students are taught with the current needs of today’s workforce.

His passion for technical careers and workforce training played as the reception’s theme, with tool kits on display as standing tables and oil filters and air filters used as flower vases. That dedication originated from his father, an auto mechanic, who Davis described as “my strength and hero.” 

“During one of your graduations, you said that you hoped your dad was going to be proud,” Smith said, turning to Davis. “I think he is.”

To view photographs of the reception, follow this link: https://bit.ly/2FGNjr9.