MONTICELLO — Longtime politician and public service veteran Sen. David Pryor was honored by the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas at the board’s recent meeting with a resolution naming him Chair Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas.
“It’s truly been one of my life’s greatest opportunities to serve on this board among some of the finest men and women I’ve ever worked with,” said Pryor, who was appointed by Gov. Mike Beebe as a Trustee on March 24, 2009. “It’s always been my mission to be a voice for the people and students of this great state and I see that commitment among all of the other Trustees up here with me today.”
Current Board Chair Mark Waldrip read a resolution during Thursday’s meeting and also highlighted Pryor’s notable life and career, and added some personal comments to pay tribute.
“Sen. Pryor is, to me, everything that you could ask for in a public servant and a man,” Waldrip said. “He is truly a gentleman who takes his time to learn the issues and the people involved with them, and speaks his mind no matter how popular or unpopular his opinion might be. I have learned a lot from him over the years
and we are a better Board and a better state because of his service.”
The full resolution can be read below.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, David Pryor has devoted his life to serving the people of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas as State Representative, United States Congressman, Governor, United States Senator, inaugural Dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Publ
ic Service and a member of the Board of the Trustees of the University of Arkansas; and
WHEREAS, Senator Pryor has served as a member of the Board of Trust
ees with distinction since he was sworn in on March 24, 2009; and
WHEREAS, as a member of the Board of Trustees Senator Pryor has made significant contributions to the deliberations of the Board in furtherance of the best interests of the students, faculty and employees of the University of Arkansas; and
WHEREAS, Senator Pryor and his wife, Barbara, through their contributions established the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Oral and Visual History at the University of Arkansas to honor and enrich the lives of the people of the State of Arkansas by preserving stories of Arkansans from all walks of life; and
WHEREAS, in view of the esteem in which he is held by his fellow Trustees, the Board wishes to bestow upon Senator Pryor the honorific title, Chair Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS THAT, on motion duly made and seconded, the Board hereby bestows upon Senator David Pryor the title Chair Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT that the Secretary shall spread a copy of this resolution upon the minutes of the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas and shall send a copy to The Honorable David Pryor as an enduring pronouncement of the fondness and respect in which he is held by the members of the Board and the people of the State of Arkansas.
Adopted this 29th day of March, 2018.
___________________________
Ben Hyneman, Chair