RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (February 26, 2008)---Dr. Jack R. Hamm, vice president for academic affairs at Arkansas Tech University, has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2008.
“Dr. Jack Hamm is one of the finest and most able colleagues with whom I have had the privilege of serving in my 39 years in higher education,” said Dr. Robert C. Brown, Tech president. “His career in many ways exemplifies the quintessential Arkansas Tech experience. He has had a lifetime association with Tech that has resulted in exemplary service to the University.
“He will be terribly missed by all of his colleagues,” continued Dr. Brown, “but at the same time we all respect the fact that he has earned many times over the privilege of retirement.”
Hamm graduated from Tech in 1964 and has served on the Arkansas Tech faculty since 1972, when he was hired as assistant professor of mathematics. He was later promoted to professor, became head of the mathematics department and served as dean of the Arkansas Tech School of Systems Science.
In June 2001, Hamm was promoted to vice president for academic affairs. In seven years as the chief academic officer for the university, Hamm has overseen an enrollment increase of 34 percent and the creation of more than 20 new academic programs.
His leadership in the ultimate mission of the University was demonstrated during the 2006-07 academic year when Tech conferred degrees to a school-record 1,266 individuals.
“Many significant accomplishments have improved the institution during these last 36 years,” wrote Hamm in his letter of Feb. 4 notifying the University of his decision to retire. “I do not claim responsibility for any of them because these accomplishments are due to the work of many people. I only hope that I have contributed is some small measure to the good work that has lifted the institution to its current status.
“The tremendous progress at Tech makes me confident that the institution has a great future and that the best times are yet to come,” continued Hamm. “For me, as for many who attend Tech today, enrollment at Tech provided hope for a better life. That hope has been realized to a greater extent than I ever thought possible and I will always be grateful to the institution for providing that opportunity to me.”
Hamm began his association with Arkansas Tech in 1959 when he was recruited out of Mount Judea High School to become a Wonder Boy on head coach Sam Hindsman’s basketball team.
“I wish to thank Dr. Brown, the Board of Trustees, the Executive Council, the Academic Council and all faculty and staff for the support that has been given to me,” wrote Hamm in his letter. “I cannot imagine that there could be a better group of people to work with anywhere. Although I will always be proud to be a member of the Tech family, the time has come for me to devote more time to my wife, children and grandchildren.”
Hamm and his wife, Charlene, have three grown sons and two grandsons.
