Lyon College names the state’s first Young Alumni Trustee

April 24, 2006

The results of a close race in which the school “couldn’t lose” has made Lyon College the first college in Arkansas to appoint one of its most recent graduates to a position on its board of trustees. Seniors Adam Long, an English major from Jonesboro, and Stephanie Davis, an economics major from Searcy, both vied for the newly created “Young Alumni Trustee” position, with Long garnering a narrow victory. Both will graduate Lyon College in May. Tim Bruner, Lyon’s vice president for Institutional Advancement, said the college would have come out a winner regardless which candidate won the position. “It was a close race, but both candidates were excellent students who love Lyon College,” said. “They’re both anxious to serve and to give back to their alma mater. It was a win/win situation for us. Lyon College couldn’t lose.” The board approved a measure at its Feb. 22 meeting to create the Young Alumni Trustee position. College officials expect the move to give the board deeper insight into the lives of the students and ways to better serve their needs, as well as the needs of the college.

Adam Long (center), Lyon's first young alumni trustee, was introduced at Friday's meeting of the college's Board of Trustees. From left are Ray LaCroix Jr. of Batesville, who was elected chair of the board, and Frank Lyon Jr., the current chair, who will be stepping down as the chair but remain on the board.                                                                     Photo by Jason Marzewski

Lyon President Dr. Walter Roettger said the new board positions will build a reservoir of leadership talent that the college can utilize, benefiting everyone involved.

“Lyon’s Young Alumni Trustees will add additional perspective to one of the nation’s best governing boards,” he said. “Not only will these newly minted alumni bring energy and enthusiasm to their new roles, but they will also have the opportunity to grow and develop. This, in effect, is a graduate course in leadership. Lyon College will benefit; the Young Alumni Trustees will benefit.”

According to the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, a 2004 survey of nearly 500 private four-year colleges revealed that people under the age of 30 comprised only one percent of all board of trustee memberships.

The reason for that, according to E. Kearney Dietz, president of Arkansas’ Independent Colleges and Universities, is that young people usually have yet to get their careers in a strong enough position to allow them to support the colleges financially.

“Most colleges don’t have young people or students on their boards because there’s usually a stated or implied obligation that board members will provide significant financial support for the institution,” Dietz said. “Young people are usually not in position to give, so are not asked to serve until they have become established in their careers.”

Still, having younger members is a good way to keep the board in touch and in step with the lives of the students, he says.

“I think Lyon’s idea is a good one,” Dietz said. “Board members always hear reports about what’s going on, how money is spent and projections for future enrollment. But having a recent graduate or a senior student leader on the board will give some real first-hand knowledge of student needs and aspirations.”

Bruner said the fact that Davis narrowly lost the race for the Young Alumni Trustee position doesn’t rule out her serving in the future.

“We have a feeling we’ll see Stephanie on the board someday in the future,” he said. “We hate that we don’t have two positions on the board because both Adam and Stephanie are so qualified and committed to helping the college."