CaMPUS - University of Arkansas at Monticello

The University will
honor Provost Ray
for his 42 years of
service with a retire-
ment reception on
Friday, June 22, 2012,
from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30
p.m. in the Green Room
of the John F. Gibson
University Center. The
public is invited.
12
avid Ray has vivid memories of his first speech
as a student at Texas Tech. He just can’t remember
how it ended. “I had an absolute dread
of getting up and giving a speech,” says Ray,
who recently announced his retirement from
the administration and faculty at the University
Dof Arkansas at Monticello after 42 years.
UAM MAGAZINE
A Man
For All
Seasons
For more than four decades, Ray served as a speech teacher, director of debate and
forensics, creator of UAM’s nationally-acclaimed debate team, dean of the School of Arts
and Humanities, and finally, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Along the
way, he impacted several generations of students with an affable, easy-going manner that
belied his own fear of public speaking.
“The first speech class I took I went to the professor and said ‘You’ve got to help me,’”
Ray recalls. “I don’t even remember finishing that speech. My professor said we should
look at the students’ critiques and see what they thought. They all thought I did well and
made a good presentation, but I was so overcome with fear I didn’t even realize I had finished
the speech. That was my start. I thought, wow, if I can overcome this, that’s what I
want to do.”
Ray’s career choice was a fortuitous one for UAM. Through the years, his students
have gone on to successful careers in business, government, education and the law. “David
is a part of this institution’s history, a remarkable instructor, an esteemed colleague,
and a dear personal friend,” says Chancellor Jack Lassiter. “He has been a positive influence
on the lives of so many students. Those who came through his debate and forensics
program are a lasting legacy to his contributions to higher education.”
A native of San Antonio, Tex., and a psychology major at Texas Tech, Ray had been
accepted to graduate school at the University of Texas but got sidetracked when the head