RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (January 25, 2008)---Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has appointed Leigh Burns Whiteside to serve a 5-year term on the Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees.
Whiteside is a 1974 Tech graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. Her term will expire Jan. 14, 2013. She replaces Terry Tucker Rothwell of Heber Springs, who served on the Tech Board of Trustees from 2003-08.
“Arkansas Tech University wishes to express its gratitude to Governor Beebe for his action to appoint Leigh Whiteside to the Board of Trustees,” said Tech President Dr. Robert C. Brown. “Mrs. Whiteside is a loyal and dedicated alumna. Her leadership, and that of her colleagues on the Board of Trustees, will benefit our students, faculty and staff.”
Whiteside and her husband, 1973 Tech graduate John Whiteside, reside in Russellville. Mr. Whiteside served on the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2005-07. They are members of the Arkansas Tech Green and Gold Club.
Both of the Whitesides’ children --- Ashley Whiteside Rabun and Casey Whiteside Brock --- graduated from Tech.
“It is a great honor to be appointed to the Board of Trustees at Arkansas Tech University,” said Mrs. Whiteside. “I would like to thank Governor Beebe for this opportunity to serve in this capacity. John and I are very proud of the fact we have two generations that have graduated from this great institution.
“Since 1970, I have had the privilege of watching Tech grow into the outstanding university it is today,” continued Mrs. Whiteside. “This growth is due in part to the hard work and dedication of its administration and the wisdom of the Board of Trustees. I am proud to be a part of the process that will ensure continued growth and extraordinary educational opportunities for future generations.”
Mrs. Whiteside taught in the Russellville School District for 21 years. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the First United Methodist Church in Russellville, and she volunteers at Manna House, an outreach program for families that is overseen by the First United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Whiteside is a past member and president of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honor society for women in education.
A resident of Russellville since graduating from Tech, Mrs. Whiteside will join four returning members on the Tech Board of Trustees. Chairman W.R. “Bud” Harper of Fort Smith, Vice Chairman Fritz P. Kronberger of Russellville, Secretary Dean Wilburn of Harrison and John Ed Chambers III of Danville will continue their service on the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees in 2008.
The next scheduled meeting of the Tech Board of Trustees is Thursday, Feb. 21, in the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center Board Room.
