MONTICELLO, AR — University of Arkansas at Monticello Chancellor Jack Lassiter has been selected to chair a group that will organize and plan the annual meeting of the Arkansas Association of Public Universities (AAPU).

 Lassiter’s selection was announced at the AAPU’s first Presidents and Chancellors Advance/Retreat held January 27-28 at Mount Magazine State Park.

 The group discussed the importance of higher education to economic development, applauding Governor Mike Beebe for often stating that the two are inextricably tied, and by working to increase science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related degrees as Arkansas prepares for a knowledge-based economy.

 Also attending the meeting were Dr. David Rankin, AAPU chairman and president of Southern Arkansas University, UA System President Alan Sugg, UA-Fayetteville Chancellor-elect G. David Gearhart, UA-Forth Smith Chancellor Paul Beran, UA-Little Rock Chancellor Joel Anderson, UA Division of Agriculture Vice President Milo Shult, Henderson State University President Charles Dunn, University of Central Arkansas President Lu Harden, Arkansas Tech University President Bob Brown, Drs. Jim Purcell and Steve Floyd of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, and Tim Wooldridge, AAPU executive director.

 “Our task, as we launch this new association, is to elevate in the minds of Arkansans, that the intellectual capacity to fuel the economy of the future is powered by higher education,” said Wooldridge. “This meeting was a great first step in working together to accomplish this goal.”

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