Dawson Named as Interim Registrar in Division of Enrollment Services

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Dave Dawson

David Dawson, director of the advising center in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences since 1999, has been appointed to the position of interim registrar. Dawson replaces Alice Lacey, who retired this month.

In addition to leading the advising center, Dawson has served on various campus-wide committees including the Academic Advising Council, New Student Orientation Steering Committee, the Retention Task Force and the Five-Year Strategic Master Plan Committee for Fulbright College. In 2008, he received the National Academic Advising Association's Outstanding Advising Award. He also received the association's Gail Rola Memorial Award, recognizing his exceptional leadership as an administrator.

"David Dawson has extensive experience implementing state policies and has a thorough understanding of curricular issues," said Suzanne McCray, vice provost for enrollment and dean of admissions. "He has had a 'students first' philosophy since he started working in the advising center in 1992. He will be a terrific addition to the registrar's office and to enrollment services.

"In this time of growth and change at the university, I anticipate many challenges and opportunities for the registrar's office," said Dawson. "Coming from an advising background I know and appreciate the critical role of this office, particularly in the areas of records and enrollment. I look forward to working with the dedicated staff in the Office of the Registrar as we strive to develop ways to best serve our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

"Dave has done a terrific job in the Fulbright advising center," said William Schwab, dean of Fulbright College. "He has helped define what constitutes a professional advisor, and he has worked unstintingly to make the student experience a good one. We will miss him in our college, but everyone who has worked with him knows that he will do an excellent job in this new position and will serve the university well in this capacity.

Dawson holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Centenary College of Louisiana and a master's degree in journalism and history from the University of Arkansas. In addition to making numerous presentations on advising topics, he has also published repeatedly in the Arkansas Historical Quarterly and The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. His interests include Arkansas baseball in the twenties and orphan trains.