UA System Names Dan Ferritor As Interim Chancellor

University of Arkansas System President Don Bobbitt has named Dan Ferritor as interim chancellor to take over the school’s top position when current UA Chancellor G. David Gearhart retires on July 31.

Ferritor, who has spent the last two years as vice president of learning technologies for the UA System, served as UA chancellor from 1986-97 and held various other positions during a 32-year career with the university.

A national search is being conducted for Gearhart’s replacement.

“I feel very lucky to have had someone with Dr. Ferritor’s experience willing to come back and take on this challenge while we actively search for the campus’s next chancellor,” Bobbitt said. “He is very well respected by many people in this state and region, and his impeccable record during his lengthy career in higher education speaks for itself. I am confident he is the best choice to continue Dr. Gearhart’s exemplary record of progress and provide the UA with the strong and steady leadership that the job requires.”

“I am excited and honored to have been asked to serve as interim chancellor to act as a bridge between a proven leader and our next chancellor,” Ferritor said. “Chancellor Gearhart put together a strong leadership team, an outstanding faculty and a student body any university would be proud to have. With my former experience, I know how vital it is to have those tools in place to act as the glue that holds everything together. With this base, I am confident we will continue to do great things and, more importantly, convinced we will ultimately find a strong new chancellor.”