UALR magazine
Spring/Summer 2007 • Vol. 3 No. 1
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A Letter From the Chancellor
Greetings:
One of the most sobering reports to cross my desk in the last decade is the Milken Institute’s report in 2004 entitled “Arkansas’ Position in the Knowledge-Based Economy.”
It was disappointing but not surprising that among the 50 states Arkansas had a ranking of 49th in the overall State Technology and Science Index. But it was surprising and disturbing that when the Milken researchers presented their baseline forecast of this state’s per capita income as a percentage of the nation’s per capita income, they said Arkansas stands to start losing ground. The graph below, based on end-of-decade figures, tells the story.
After World War II, with Arkansas suffering an exodus of people, state officials made a strong push for industrialization. The state gained ground rapidly. During the 1970s the state moved into the mid-70 percent range of national per capita income, and the population exodus stopped. But as you can see, the line peaked in the 1970s and has been essentially flat for 30 years.
The Milken report warns us that if we do not do something different, the gap between state and national per capita income is likely to widen, with Arkansas slipping back below 70 percent. This is serious. It means that the grass which is already greener in many other states would be much greener, and Arkansas would begin to see an increased loss of persons to better jobs and higher standards of living elsewhere. Private investment dollars needed to fuel growth here would also leave for greater return on investments elsewhere.
At UALR we are aware that this institution must play a larger role in state economic development. To that end, as a research university in the central region of Arkansas, UALR has been expanding degree programs and research activities in engineering, the sciences, and technology—fields that are particularly critical to innovation and development of high-wage, high-tech, and knowledge-based businesses. The new Nanotechnology Center at UALR, noted in this issue, is an example.
This issue of UALR Magazine presents the thoughts about economic development of several state leaders. Governor Mike Beebe and Maria Haley, his recently-appointed Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, top the list. Other leaders include Dr. John Ahlen, President of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority, and Acxiom’s Jerry Adams, a representative of Accelerate Arkansas—a statewide group of volunteers who are working together to strengthen the state’s foundation for a knowledge-based economy.
On campus and off campus we need to be thinking hard and discussing widely how best to move our state forward to higher per capita income. This issue of UALR Magazine will contribute to such thought and discussion.
Joel E. Anderson