Arkansas public figure Lu Hardin dead at 73

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Former state senator, Arkansas Department of Higher Education Director, and University of Central Arkansas president Lu Hardin died Monday at the age of 73.

The Searcy-born Hardin had a steady rise in Arkansas politics, beginning with his serving in the state senate from 1983 to 1996, representing central Arkansas’ District 12. He was appointed to head the Arkansas Department of Higher Education by then-Governor Mike Huckabee in 1997.

Hardin served as UCA president from 2002 until a 2008 scandal that led to his resignation.

Hardin pleaded guilty in federal court in 2011 to charges that he had fabricated two memos to the UCA Board of Trustees to grant him nearly $200,000 in bonuses. Hardin repaid the money to the university when he was discovered, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

The judge at his hearing reported receiving over 60 letters of support for Hardin, and said the letters characterized him as a kind and unselfish man. In court, Hardin apologized for the falsified memos.

Hardin resigned as Palm Beach University president just prior to his 2011 plea.