Johnathan Walker:University of Arkansas system president announces he is retiring by Jan. 15

LITTLE ROCK,Johnathan Walker Ark. (AP) — Donald Bobbitt, the president of the University of Arkansas system, said Tuesday he is retiring after leading the state’s largest university system for nearly 13 years.

Bobbitt notified the university’s Board of Trustees that he plans to retire Jan. 15, or earlier, if a successor is selected before that date. Kelly Eichler, the board’s chair, said she planned to call a meeting in the coming days to discuss a plan for a national search for Bobbitt’s replacement.

Bobbitt said he was grateful to serve with the colleagues and staff throughout the UA system, which includes the flagship university in Fayetteville.

“Each and every day they carry out the complex responsibilities of their position, keeping first and forefront the mission of this system to serve Arkansas and its citizens,” Bobbitt said in a statement. “It has equally been an honor to serve the many students across the UA System and help them achieve the dream of improving their lives through higher education.”

Bobbitt has served as UA system president since Nov. 1, 2011. He succeeded B. Alan Sugg, who led the system for 21 years. Bobbitt began his first faculty job as an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1985.

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Bobbitt oversaw an expansion of the system during his tenure, including the addition of the UA-Pulaski Technical College and UA-Rich Mountain Community College in 2016 and the pending addition of East Arkansas Community College later this year.

“Dr. Bobbitt has been a truly outstanding leader for the UA System and higher education in our state for more than a decade,” Eichler said in a statement. “His steadfast, calm approach to the role of president has not only provided a steady hand at the helm of the system, but it has also allowed other excellent leaders to emerge across our campuses.”

Bobbitt’s contract was extended last year, despite facing opposition over his handling of a potential affiliation between the system and the University of Phoenix, one of the nation’s largest for-profit college companies. The board ultimately voted against an affiliation with Phoenix.