On Wednesday, March 21st 2012 was a sad day for the campus of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as they lost two people apart of their adminstration. One person lost was major, which was their Chancellor Lawrence A Davis, Jr. On that morning of Wednesday, Chancellor Davis sent an e-mail to students, faculty and staff saying he was resigning in May. The other resign was from the Head Woman's Basketball Coach Cary Shelton. The next day, Illinois learned that the University of Illinois President Michael Hogen resigned.
Davis stated in his Campus wide e-mail: "I sincerely appreciate the opportunity which I was provided over the years since 1961 to serve as Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor of Mathematics and Physics at A.M. & N. College and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The support which I received from various stake holders as I served as Department Chair of Mathematics and Physics for two years; Dean of Arts and Sciences/Science and Technology for fifteen years and as Chancellor of UAPB since November 5, 1991was a source of great motivation.
Over these years with limited resources I served to the best of my ability. However, I am now anticipating the realization of other aspirations."
About a month ago, a U of A audit revealed about $736,000 was unaccounted for at one of the campuses dormitories named the Harrold Complex Living and Learning Center. As a result, the audit fired four people in February. One was the Chancellor's Secretary.
After the announcement of the Chancellor's resignation, students and alumni hearts went out to Chancellor Davis and for his hard work and dedication he gave to the school during the last two decades tenture as Chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Davis denied the allegations in the audit in a faculty/Staff meeting earlier and a student assembly on Feb. 29th saying money was not missing and it was all documented.
He denied the allegations in the audit in a student assembly on Feb. 29th saying money was not missing. He said it was all documented.
According to source, the President of the University of Arkansas School System Donald Bobbit released a statement saying he appreciated for Davis' service.
Bobbit said, "I am grateful to Chancellor Davis for his service to UAPB, its students, faculty and staff, alumni and the University of Arkansas System. Chancellor Davis' tenure at UAPB has seen the institution grow in both size and prominence."
He continued, "Over the last two decades, Dr. Davis has improved core academics, programs, increased the number of Master's degrees and made history with the addition of UAPB's first Ph.D. program (Aquaculture/Fisheries)."
He said he plans to replace Davis with an interim Chancellor after he steps down and proceed with a national search.
Over the past 2 years, D.J's Music Site is a proud supporter of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and is saden by the announcement of Chancellor Davis resignation and we support all of the great work he did for the University. We at D.J's Music Site wishes him and his family the best in their future.
