UAFS, UA System grants emeritus status to Mark Horn

The University of Arkansas System bestowed the title of vice chancellor emeritus to Mark Horn of Fort Smith during a University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Board of Visitors meeting held on UAFS campus Feb. 17.
 
Horn, who retired in June from his position as the university’s vice chancellor for university relations, received the title in recognition of his 22 years of work as an administrator at the university, making him the first UAFS employee to receive an emeritus title from the UA System.
 
“I think it’s a distinct honor,” Horn said. “I’m very proud of my association with UAFS, and I’m very proud to have my time and contribution of service to the institution recognized by the University of Arkansas System. I’ll wear this title proudly.”
 
The resolution to grant Horn the title was presented to the UAFS Faculty Senate in December. It approved the measure unanimously before passing it to the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees, who approved the proposal at their January meeting.
 
UAFS Chancellor Dr. Paul Beran presented a framed copy of the resolution to Horn during the Board of Visitors meeting and lauded Horn’s ability to lead with integrity during his tenure.
 
“If you know him, you know that there is no one who is a greater standard-bearer for ethical decision-making,” Beran said.
 
Horn came to the university in 1992 as the vice president for finance and administration, where he oversaw the construction of buildings across campus, most notably the Donald W. Reynolds Bell Tower and the Math-Science Building.
 
Following that, he served in various roles for the remainder of his tenure, including vice president for planning and accountability, vice chancellor for planning and budgeting, and vice chancellor for finance and administration.
 
Horn received a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He completed additional studies in national security management through the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. Horn attended the Harvard University Institute of Educational Management in 2008 and is a 1995 graduate of the Leadership Fort Smith program. He and his wife Lynn have two children, Ramsey and Leslie, and four grandchildren.
 
Horn serves as the director of Leadership Fort Smith, where he is overseeing its transition to the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce.