B. Alan Sugg

B. Alan Sugg is president of the University of Arkansas system, which includes the Clinton School for Public Service. He was born in Helena, AR and attended the University of Arkansas on a track scholarship, graduating in 1960. Then he opted to join the Army, but later returned to the University of Arkansas to get his graduate degree. After working in Texas for some time, he again returned to the University of Arkansas and was appointed president of the system in 1990. Today, he spends a lot of time working with the Arkansas legislature and the board of trustees to secure appropriations for the system. He considers his most important job function, however, to be selecting the best applicants for new openings in the system. He is optimistic about the future of the University of Arkansas, as he has seen lots of growth during his tenure. Because he spends most of his time in a Little Rock office, he is concerned about his lack of interaction with the students and seeing the fruits of his labor. The University of Arkansas system encompasses the undergraduate, graduate, law, and medical schools as well as several community colleges. Over 42,000 students are enrolled in these programs. The system employs around 16,000 people and is worth about $1.6 billion. On campus, Sugg's name is only heard in passing--in press conferences, news releases, and major university events. Jokingly, some people wonder, "is there really an Alan Sugg?" A journalism professor has had a few encounters with Sugg, and Sugg was described as being kind. He actually helped this professor write a joke about himself. The professor also sent out flyers around the university, citing 10 reasons to come hear Sugg speak; reason #1: Come see what he looks like.