Donnie Dutton, Long-Time Dean, Remembered for Commitment to Adult Education

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The dean of the University of Arkansas School of Continuing Education and Academic Outreach for more than 20 years passed away Saturday, Jan. 10, in Fayetteville.

Donnie Dutton, 79, of Fayetteville, served as interim dean, and then dean of the school that is now known as the Global Campus from 1982 to 2007, when he retired.

“Many people at the Global Campus mourn the passing of Dean Dutton,” said Javier Reyes, vice provost for distance education and head of the Global Campus. “It was during his tenure here that the first online programs and courses were developed and delivered by the University of Arkansas. His innovative actions poured the foundation upon which the university built today’s high quality online offerings.”

A memorial service is set for 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Long Pine Methodist Church, 8472 Hwy. 109 South, Wadesboro, NC 28170, where he will be laid to rest.

Dutton was born Oct. 3, 1935 in Wadesboro, North Carolina, to Marion Battle Dutton and Dorothy Rayfield Dutton, who preceded him in death.

He graduated from high school at age 15 and attended North Carolina State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education in 1955 at age 19. He began teaching vocational agriculture in high school at that young age.

He earned his master’s degree in 1961 from North Carolina State and completed his doctorate in 1967 from Florida State University in adult and continuing education.

In 1968 Memphis State University recruited Dutton, and he founded the department of adult education there. In 1974, he came to the University of Arkansas, where he also founded the department of adult education.

Dutton was a past president of the American Association of Adult and Continuing Education. He served as an advisor on adult education to former President Jimmy Carter and former Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton.

Though a lifelong member of Long Pine Methodist Church in North Carolina, he was very active at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville. He dedicated much of the last 15 years of his life to teaching Sunday school to the homebound members of the church via teleconference each week.

Dutton was an avid bluegrass musician, mastering the guitar, banjo, and mandolin. He played with many different groups and toured across the country, playing at many festivals and other venues. He once played a bluegrass performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Dutton is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Buff Dutton, to whom he was married for 57 years; one son, Mark Dutton of Fayetteville (wife Kim); one brother, Charles Dutton of Lake Charles, Louisiana (wife Marcia); and three sisters: Gail Dutton Preslar of Wadesboro, North Carolina; Judy Dutton Poulnott, also of Wadesboro; and Kathy Dutton Carroll (husband Joel) of Hudson, North Carolina.