University of Arkansas names Dan Ferritor interim chancellor

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — University of Arkansas System President Don Bobbitt announced Thursday that he has named former University of Arkansas Chancellor Dan Ferritor as interim chancellor of UA's flagship campus in Fayetteville.

Ferritor will take the post when current Chancellor G. David Gearhart retires July 31.

"I feel very lucky to have had someone with Dr. Ferritor's experience willing to come back and take on this challenge while we actively search for the campus's next chancellor," Bobbitt said in a news release. "He is very well respected by many people in this state and region, and his impeccable record during his lengthy career in higher education speaks for itself."

Ferritor served as UA chancellor from 1986-97, when he retired. He has also served as a professor, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UA.

"I am excited and honored to have been asked to serve as interim chancellor to act as a bridge between a proven leader and our next chancellor," Ferritor said. "Chancellor Gearhart put together a strong leadership team, an outstanding faculty and a student body any university would be proud to have."

Ferritor led UA during the renovation of Old Main, the oldest building on the Fayetteville campus, which collected more than $13 million in private and state funding. He also headed $120 million of capital improvement projects that included the addition of 2 million square feet of classroom, laboratory and library space.

Bobbitt said Ferritor will serve while the university searches for a permanent replacement for Gearhart.

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