Clay Edwards, Associate Vice Chancellor for University Development, Dead at 59

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Clay Edwards, associate vice chancellor for University Development, died at his home Sunday, Jan. 7, in Fayetteville.

    A native of New Orleans, Clay first joined the University community in 1998, when he and his wife, Sandra K. Edwards, were recruited to help lead the Campaign for the Twenty First Century for the University of Arkansas, which raised $1.046 billion by the summer of 2005 -- including a $300 million challenge gift, the largest gift ever given to a public university. As an associate vice chancellor for university development, he supervised 15 fund raisers across the Fayetteville campus.

    “I am absolutely devastated at the loss of my dear friend and colleague, Clay Edwards,” said G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor for university advancement. “Clay and Sandy are two of the top fund-raisers in higher education and they were absolutely key in our successful billion dollar campaign. This is a huge loss for the University of Arkansas.”

    A memorial service has been set at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 at the First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville.