State Rep. Greg Leding has introduced a resolution in the General Assembly to recognize and commend the University of Arkansas for its academic accomplishments and elevation to the highest classification bestowed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching among U.S. universities.

In a Feb. 21 press conference held on campus, Chancellor G. David Gearhart announced that the university had been elevated to the highest possible classification by the Carnegie Foundation during its recent reclassification of the nation's 4,633 universities and colleges. The University of Arkansas is one of just 108 schools with this distinction. The University of Arkansas new category is defined as a doctoral-granting, research university with very high levels of research activity (RU/VH). Prior to 2011, the university was categorized as a research university with high activity (RU/H), the second-highest of the Carnegie Foundation's 33 categories.

Leding said he was proud of the achievement of his alma mater.

"I requested the resolution, because I believe that, given our firm commitment to improving education across our state, it's important that we recognize and celebrate the academic achievements of Arkansas' universities and colleges," Leding said. "I believe the University of Arkansas' new classification is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the university's faculty, staff and students, and as both an alum and the current state representative for District 92 (in which the university is located), I'm proud of the accomplishment."

In the resolution, HR1020, Leding wrote that the new Carnegie classification shows that the University of Arkansas is a world-class institution and documents its advancement as a nationally and internationally influential research university as a result of the innovation, productivity and successful collaboration of the university's faculty, students and staff.

"I am very grateful to Representative Leding and the General Assembly for this special recognition. Its adoption makes a positive statement about their pride in the innovation, productivity and successful collaboration of our university's faculty, students and staff, all of whom helped make the new Carnegie classification possible," Gearhart said. "Furthermore, the resolution shows our policy makers' appreciation for the return on investment the University of Arkansas is producing for our state, our nation and our many public and private sector partners. The Carnegie classification documents our advancement as a nationally and internationally influential research university, and we are most grateful that the General Assembly has chosen to formally acknowledge this hard-earned achievement."

The resolution was introduced Feb. 28 and adopted March 2. The Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives will provide a copy to University of Arkansas and Chancellor Gearhart.

To read the resolution in it's entirety at the Arkansas House of Representatives website.