Release Date: Monday October 16, 2006
“He is uniquely prepared to do what
needs to be done.” – Dr. Bill Baker
Dr. Jeffery R. Olson was officially welcomed as the new
president of North Arkansas College Friday during the June meeting of the
college’s board of trustees.
Retiring Northark President Dr. Bill Baker told the audience that Olson “was
made for our situation and is going to do a great job.”
Olson thanked Baker, the college’s trustees, college employees, and
community members. “I am humble and proud,” he said.
Talking about the role of a community college, Olson said, “We make a
difference in people’s lives, and not just the people who attend the college.”
He told the board and others attending the meeting that his emphasis will be
on connectiveness —not just to the Internet, but to business and industry, the
communities the college serves, and within Northark’s college community.
Baker presented Olson with a special presidential medallion that was
designed for the occasion. He praised Olson’s preparation for the job,
including his doctoral degree from the Community College Leadership Program at
the University of Texas and his experiences as a president, academic and
technical administrator, and instructor in two-year colleges.
“He is uniquely prepared to do what needs to be done,” Baker said. “I am
very hopeful and optimistic about our future.”
Olson comes to Northark after serving six years as president of
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Previously, Olson served as dean of occupational education at Coastal
Carolina Community College from 1989 to 1991 and vice president of instruction
at the same institution from 1991 until accepting the presidency at
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College in 1995.
Baker, who also received a framed presidential medallion, retires after
serving more than 27 years as Northark’s founding president.
“This is a special moment,” he said. “It’s bittersweet, but what makes this
day special is that it’s about Jeff Olson. The board could not have done a
better job of finding a person with the qualifications and background we need at
North Arkansas College.”
Injecting a little humor, Baker said Olson also passed what Baker called
“The Gilbert Gauge of Human Kindness” test. The Gilbert native explained that
the test measured compassion and sensitivity to others’ feelings. “He gets a
high score,” Baker said of his successor.
Baker also thanked the board, the college’s employees, and the members of
the community for their friendship, hard work, and support over the years.
Northark board chairman Jim Sprott and Baker unveiled a painting done of
Baker by Northark art instructor Don Kitz.
In other board agenda items, Don Sugg, the college’s vice president for
finance and administration, told the trustees that the college is in good financial
shape and work on the new softball field is proceeding ahead of schedule. He
also pointed out a recent State Board of Higher Education report that shows
Northark’s tuition is lower than any other two-year college or four-year
university in this part of the state.
Chris Adams was employed as the college’s new director of adult education,
and Lizabeth Nell Bonds was hired as coordinator for College Now.
Sprott reminded other trustees that their July meeting will be held during
their annual board retreat at Gaston’s Resort in Flippin.
The meeting will be July 12.