Sugg praises UAFS growth, tells graduates to ‘work hard’

story info submitted by the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

Praise for the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, its administration and its faculty came during the first remarks made May 7 by commencement speaker Dr. B. Alan Sugg, president of the University of Arkansas System, as he spoke to those assembled in Stubblefield Center.

Sugg first reflected back to Jan. 1, 2002, the first day of UA Fort Smith’s beginnings as a four-year university.

“It’s been a tremendous and great pleasure for me to watch the phenomenal growth of UA Fort Smith since it became a university,” said Sugg, who then pointed the audience to numbers reflecting that growth — more than 3,000 baccalaureate degrees awarded since 2002.

He also lauded UAFS for its continued mission of offering strong and vital associate degree and certificate programs, as well as continuing to forge ties in workforce development.

Sugg has been no stranger to the UAFS campus, including attending and making remarks at the first commencement in 2002 after Westark College became a four-year university as UAFS. He then called Westark “one of the best institutions in our state and in our nation” and continued that praise during this year’s commencement ceremony as well, giving high marks to UA Fort Smith’s academic programs.

He also cited pride in UAFS in its efforts to increase the percentage of adults in this region with bachelor’s degrees. He said UAFS has significantly increased the numbers, and he spoke highly of the degrees and certificates awarded by UAFS.

“I can assure you that a degree from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith — whether an associate, baccalaureate, certificate — is highly respected and much appreciated,” he said.

He then imparted advice on being successful in the workplace and moving up into leadership positions, telling graduates to learn everything they could about their jobs and the job responsibilities.

“These are exciting times, but it will also be a challenge to keep current,” he said. “Keep reading. Keep learning, and keep on being inquisitive.”

Advising the graduates to “work hard, work hard, work hard,” he also told them to be consistent with their commitments — all the time.

“I promise you, if you are a dependable producer, you will be rewarded,” he said, adding that character traits such as honesty and high moral values are “absolutely necessary.”

He also called good communications a trademark of a competent leader and told graduates that good communications call for being a good listener.

“Another mark of a successful person is to learn to use time,” Suggs said. “Think of it is a friend and not an enemy.”
 
He said that procrastination or the “great old Biblical word sloth” is mentioned in all religions.
 
“Overcome your tendency toward procrastination or slothfulness,” he said. “And most important, keep your sense of humor.”
 
UAFS Chancellor Paul B. Beran, in speaking prior to his introduction of Sugg, also praised the UAFS of today, comparing it to five years ago when he became chancellor. Beran said the institution was often termed a hybrid at that time, meaning the school granted four-year university degrees but was also committed to supporting the local manufacturing and industrial base with two-year graduates.

“Today, I can say without hesitation that the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is, indeed, a quality regional university and no longer suffers the confusion of being a hybrid,” he said. “Our institutional focus and mission is now clear: We are an economic engine for this part of the state.”

The commencement ceremony recognized the candidates for graduation, which included those completing graduation requirements during the spring semester and first summer term. More than 600 graduates were listed in the commencement program. The ceremony was one of two held each year at UAFS.