Biography

Dr. David F. Rankin was named President of Southern Arkansas University effective January 1, 2002. Prior to becoming president, he served as Dean of Business and Puterbaugh Professor. Rankin was appointed as SAU’s first Dean of Business from 1977-1980 and served again as dean from 1994 to 2001.

Dr. Rankin currently serves as Economic Advisor to the Arkansas Governor, and is Chairman of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors. In 1998, he served as Chairman of the Governor’s Summit on Economic Development. Currently, Dr. Rankin is Chairman of the Golden Triangle Economic Development Council and serves on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Council of Economic Education. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Gulf South Conference of the NCAA and as Chairman of the Arkansas Association of Public Universities.

Dr. Rankin earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas, an M.B.A. from Louisiana Tech University, and a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Mississippi. Dr. Rankin also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Dr. Rankin was awarded the George Washington Medal from the Freedoms Foundation in 1986 and three times has been recognized by the Americanism Educational League for excellence in free enterprise education. He has also been named Honor Professor at SAU. He is a former member of the National Board of Directors of the Future Business Leaders of America − Phi Beta Lambda. He is also past president of the Magnolia/Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Rankin has been actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America and has received the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award.

He is married to Toni, and they have three children, Curtice, Beth Anne, and John.