Arkansas Tech University recognized Stephanie Duffield of Russellville for her five years of service on the ATU Board of Trustees during the board meeting at Chambers Cafeteria West Dining Room on Thursday, Jan. 19.
Duffield was appointed to the ATU Board of Trustees by Gov. Asa Hutchinson in January 2018. She is an alumna of Arkansas Tech with a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies and a concentration in business. She and her husband, Luke Duffield, are parents to four daughters.
“It has been noted by many that the COVID era has been one of the great leadership challenges in recent human history,” said Jim Smith of Fayetteville, who succeeded Duffield as board chairman during the meeting. “From life-and-death health concerns to societal disruptions to economic impacts, these past few years have tested leaders in organizations across our state, our country and our world. Higher education has experienced a significant paradigm shift due to the pandemic and its effects. Throughout those challenges and others, Arkansas Tech University has been very fortunate to benefit from the steady and confident leadership of our outgoing Board of Trustees chair, Mrs. Stephanie Duffield.”
Over the past five years, Duffield helped guide Arkansas Tech through a successful effort to increase its annual state appropriation, administrative and academic restructuring and planning for a new student union and recreation center.
Her leadership has also contributed to the restoration of Williamson Hall, the transformation of the old swimming pool area in the Hull Physical Education Building into a vibrant space for campus life and additional projects relative to the implementation of the ATU campus master plan for facilities.
“Mrs. Duffield was integral in the development of the ATU 2025 Strategic Plan, a document that is serving as a guidepost for university operations,” said Smith. “She also played a key role in ATU achieving continued accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and the ongoing effort to provide high-quality programs and services to our constituents while maintaining affordability for the average Arkansan.
“On behalf of my fellow trustees and the Arkansas Tech University community, I say thank you,” continued Smith. “Thank you, Stephanie, for setting the standard of what it means to be a trustee and for your always thoughtful contributions in support of the mission and vision of Arkansas Tech.”
