Edward R. Armstrong will take office as legal counsel at Arkansas Tech University on Jan. 3, 2022.
Armstrong has served as procurement director for the State of Arkansas since February 2016. He also represented the State of Arkansas under Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel. Prior to that, he was a partner at Wright, Lindsey and Jennings LLP, an Arkansas law firm representing a wide range of different businesses and industries.
“Mr. Armstrong’s knowledge of state government and his experience with a broad range of complex legal and public policy issues have prepared him for this role,” said Dr. Robin E. Bowen, ATU president. “He has a passion for higher education and we are excited to welcome him to Arkansas Tech University.”
Armstrong earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in comparative literature from Brigham Young University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Juris Doctor from the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law.
In addition to his work in state government and in private law practice, Armstrong also served as an adjunct professor of law in the UALR Bowen School of Law from 2009-2013.
Armstrong will succeed Thomas Pennington, who has served as ATU legal counsel since 1996. Pennington’s request for a change in assignment was accepted by the ATU Board of Trustees during its August 2021 meeting. As of Dec. 31, 2021, Pennington will assume a full-time teaching role in his position as professor of legal studies in the ATU College of Business.
