FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Chancellor Joe Steinmetz shared news about the University of Arkansas with alumni, students who are committed to attending the U of A in the fall, as well as community leaders at a Mountain Home Rotary Club event, Thursday, December 6.

The chancellor spoke about the U of A’s goal to increase its graduation rate as the university’s responsibility to both students and to Arkansas. He pointed to current student success initiatives, plans for a permanent Student Success Center, and the growing number of Advance Arkansas scholarships that are being endowed to help students who need financial support. He also praised the Mountain Home Rotary Club for the scholarships it awards to area students each year.

Steinmetz was the guest of Lang Zimmerman, who serves on the University Engineering Advisory Board, and is one of several U of A alumni in the Rotary who visited with the chancellor.

He also met with 20 Mountain Home High School seniors who will be attending the U of A next fall.

“Meeting our alumni, all of these future students and others from Mountain Home and the surrounding area was a great reminder of the important role the University of Arkansas plays throughout the state,” Steinmetz said. “It’s important to remember that communities like Mountain Home have strong ties to the U of A, and future generations will as well.”

The chancellor also took the time to praise the achievements of U of A faculty, pointing out, as an example, that seven young faculty researchers had earned prestigious CAREER grants for their work this past year – more than the faculty at Harvard University. He added that U of A students benefit from learning from  professors like these, and that the Arkansas economy can also benefit from the results of their research.

A full report on Chancellor Steinmetz’s visit can be found in the Baxter Bulletin.