“Education rehabilitation,” said Fitz Hill, Jones’ predecessor as president of Arkansas Baptist, 2006-16. “That’s what we do.
“Rarely do we get a student from a recruitment fair. We get students because of a teacher, a pastor, a coach, a counselor or a parole officer.”
Despite its roller-coaster financial track record, Arkansas Baptist maintains loyal boosters from the local business community.
Bill Dillard III, senior vice president at Dillard’s Inc., has been a supporter of Arkansas Baptist for more than 10 years. He was drawn to its mission of providing opportunity to students whose collegiate prospects appear dim.
“We need an institution like this in our city,” Dillard said. “They represent a chance to break a cycle and change the direction of lives.”
He also views Arkansas Baptist as a stabilizing anchor of development, with a positive influence on the surrounding neighborhood.
“That part of the city is challenged and has been for a long time,” Dillard said. “The college can be a real catalyst for revitalization.”
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