Michael Daugherty, University of Arkansas professor of technology and engineering education, was installed as the eighth Life Chair of the Mississippi Valley Technology Teacher Education Conference on Nov. 14.

The Mississippi Valley Conference has a distinguished history of more than 100 years and is one of the oldest teacher education conferences in the United States. The conference grew out of a letter written in 1908 by Robert W. Selvidge of the University of Missouri to Charles A. Bennett of Bradley Polytechnic Institute in Peoria, Illinois. Selvidge expressed the opinion that there was “a great need of an opportunity for the teacher-educators and leaders of technical education programs to get together in close conference where they might exchange views on questions of vital importance and express all their heresies without being reported in educational papers.”

Daugherty was selected as the eighth Life Chair at the 101st conference in St. Louis, Missouri. He will serve in this capacity until such time as he decides to retire from the position. Under his leadership, members of the conference will continue to observe appropriate Mississippi Valley traditions, pursue continuous improvement and meet the needs of a diverse technological society and profession.

Daugherty’s responsibilities include assigning research presentations, organizing annual conferences, leading membership selections, and establishing and maintaining the traditions of the organization.