Diane Newton, the Vice President of Finance and Administration, will be retiring after 12 years of service to the UCA community.
Newton began working for UCA in Jan. 2010 after receiving a call from a former colleague.
“I was thrilled at the opportunity not just to come home to Arkansas but also come to a place that had such meaning to me. My mother attended AR State Teachers College (now UCA) and had such fond memories of her time here,” Newton said.
“Her yearbook is well worn from my many hours of looking through it. From my window in Wingo, I’m able to see the room in McAlister where she lived, 3rd-floor northeast corner. I also had friends and colleagues who were currently or had been part of the UCA family. It just felt like home to me,” Newton said.
Newton has worked in university administration for 38 years, and it’s all she’s ever done.
“I started out as an accountant at Henderson State University, my alma mater for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. From there, I went to Southern Arkansas University as Controller, then to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock as Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance. My first Vice President position was at Lander University in Greenwood, SC, then back to AR for my current position,” Newton said.
Newton has been a part of many accomplishments at UCA, including new buildings and projects such as the HPER Center expansion, “The Stripes,” Donaghey Hall, Integrated Health Sciences, Greek Village, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, and many more.
Newton was heavily involved in a lot of these projects from the ground up and was also a part of the ongoing ROI Project.
“While those projects were interesting, challenging and very important to the campus, the highlight is working with the amazing team that put together and is executing the Resource Optimization Initiative (ROI),” Newton said. “Because of these efforts, under the leadership of President Houston Davis, this campus is successfully preparing for the financial challenges that will have a profound impact on higher education campuses throughout the state and country.”
Newton will be missed by many of her colleagues.
“Ms. Newton is the most accomplished, mission-driven, student-centered Vice President of Finance and Administration I have ever had the honor to work with,” Provost Patricia Poulter said. “She is smart, analytical, empathetic, and brings years of experience to bear in all of her decision-making. Ms. Newton is highly respected by all who work with her, from our on-campus employees to off-campus partners. She has given tirelessly of her time and expertise to ensure UCA is not only financially stable today, but for the future.”
“She is collaborative, engaged, has a wonderful sense of humor, and will be missed. Whoever has the honor to step into the role after Ms. Newton’s departure will be amazed at the depth of thought and consideration that have gone into every decision. She will be greatly missed, but will always be a key player in the history of UCA,” Poulter said.
“As we fill her position, it’s looking for someone that is a great steward of resources, somebody that can think medium and long term and not just think short term about financial decisions,” President Houston Davis said.
Newton is retiring to spend more time with her grandchildren and enjoy life. “I think it is just the right time. My husband is already retired, I’m at retirement age and we know there are so many adventures we want to experience, watching our grandchildren grow up is certainly one of those experiences. Traveling has always been something we’ve enjoyed, so we have plans for that, as well.”