FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Following 35 years of outstanding service to the University of Arkansas, Gary Shepard has retired as audio-visual technician/computer specialist with the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Shepard joined Bumpers College in 2005, specializing in classroom setup and support, video conferencing setup and distance education. He joined the U of A in 1982, working in what was then continuing education.

He has also worked as a photographer in Peabody Hall and with the College of Education and Health Professions where he was a photographer, archivist and assisted in classroom setup.

To celebrate his tenure, Bumpers College and Agri Tech Support are holding a reception in his honor on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at 3 p.m. in the atrium of the John W. Tyson (poultry science) Building. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Born in Iowa, Shepard has lived in Tucson, Arizona, and Glendale, California. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, stationed on the U.S.S. Caliante.

Shepard has been married to Sharon since 1976 and they have lived in Arkansas since 1977. They are parents of Tim, Dan (wife Jennifer) and Laura (husband Cody), and have four grandchildren.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.