After 46 Years of Service, U of A’s Bill Schwab Retires

After 46 years of service to the U of A as a professor, administrator and leader, William A. Schwab, executive director of The David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History at the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, is retiring.

Schwab began his career with the U of A in the Department of Sociology and Criminology in 1976 before ultimately becoming a University Professor in the department. Schwab also served as chair of the department twice, from 1989-1993 and from 1998-2008.

Additionally, Schwab served as associate dean of Fulbright College from 1993-1998, and dean of the college from 2008-2011 before taking the helm at the Pryor Center in 2018.

“In the 150 years that the University of Arkansas has been a major educational force in the state, I cannot imagine that many faculty have recorded a more accomplished career than Bill Schwab,” said Dan Ferritor, U of A chancellor emeritus.

“Bill has had a textbook academic career. He has excelled at teaching both at the graduate and undergraduate level; initiated and worked continually at a stellar career as an urban sociologist complete with books, articles and research grants; has served admirably at every major college administrative position; … and provided leadership to the Pryor Center at a critically important time.”

“When you view this university record along with his many positions of leadership in our community, it is clear University Professor Bill Schwab’s name deserves to be among the best faculty in the long and distinguished life of the University of Arkansas,” Ferritor added.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and master’s degrees in both urban planning and sociology, Schwab earned his doctoral degree in sociology from Ohio State University in 1976 and joined the U of A faculty the same year.

Schwab has written five books and numerous articles, papers and technical reports and has received research grants totaling more than $2.5 million. Schwab has worked with organizations like the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Office of University Partnerships in the U.S. State Department. He also has served as an international development consultant in Bolivia and Jordan for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

His research focused on urban ecology, community and demography, and Schwab has been studying Northwest Arkansas’ Hispanic community since 2007. Much of his research focused on undocumented children and youth, which is shared in his books Right to DREAM: Immigration Reform and America’s Future, published in 2013, and Dreams Derailed: Undocumented Youths in the Trump Era, published in 2018.

Schwab’s long-time colleague, Steven K. Boss, professor of environmental dynamics and sustainability as well as geosciences, said Schwab’s commitment to “broaden participation and increase diversity at the university” has been especially inspiring.

“Bill was instrumental in crafting a cooperative agreement between the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering and Fort Valley State University (a historically Black university in Georgia) that established dual-degree programs in chemistry-geology, math-geology, chemistry-engineering and math-engineering between the institutions,” Boss said. “This program permitted dozens of Black student-scholars to earn degrees at the University of Arkansas.”

Additionally, Schwab has been known for recruiting top talent to the U of A, including Kevin Fitzpatrick, now a University Professor himself, who is also the Jones Chair in Community and the Director of the Community and Family Institute in the Department of Sociology and Criminology.

“I am here at the university because of Bill’s commitment to my career as a young assistant professor,” Fitzpatrick said. “He recruited me in 2005 with an opportunity to come the U of A and be part of something special. Bill’s commitment, wisdom and leadership have been unbelievable gifts to the community, university, the department and to me personally.”

In his most recent role with the Pryor Center, Schwab helped create and lead initiatives such as the center’s signature lecture series, Pryor Center Presents; a weekly show on KUAF spotlighting the center’s KATV News Archive called Pryor Center Profiles; and Pryor Center Showcase, a program that introduces and highlights music talent.

“When Bill joined the Pryor Center, he brought with him an expanded mission of education, research and outreach,” said Susan Kendrick-Perry, operations administrator for the center. “He immediately began weaving the Pryor Center into the fabric of Fulbright College by launching the Pryor Center Presents lecture series and starting conversations that turned into projects and partnerships on campus and across the state. Thanks to Bill, we have a well-rounded, strong foundation upon which to build.”

Under Schwab’s leadership, the Arkansas Memories Project, a series of interviews with Arkansans of distinction, continued with episodes featuring Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, General Wesley Clark, Congressman Steve Womack and others.

Schwab also introduced themed interview projects like the Walton Arts Center Founders Project, the Symphony of North Arkansas Interview Project, the TheatreSquared Interview Project and Blue to Red: The Rise of the GOP in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Story Vault, a student-led oral and visual history program, was also created under Schwab’s leadership and journalism, history, sociology and other departments now offer multiple courses, seminars and talks at the Pryor Center.

“Bill’s diplomatic leadership has allowed us to expand our outreach both to students and to the broader community, guided us through the pandemic and charted a path toward greater connections and opportunities,” said Steff Leffler, editor at the center. “Bill’s expertise has expanded the Pryor Center’s visibility, allowing us to honor our founding vision and mission. He will be greatly missed.”

In addition, Schwab has also helped the Pryor Center foster collaborative relationships with The University of Arkansas Press, Arkansas PBS, the Butler Center at the Central Arkansas Library System, the Clinton School of Public Service, the Clinton Library, Crystal Bridges and other non-profits and centers throughout the state.

“We have been so fortunate to have Bill as a part of our U of A and Fulbright College family for so long,” said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. “He’s accomplished so much as an educator, mentor, researcher, administrator, leader and – I would be remiss if I didn’t add – a dear friend to all.”

“Bill has also always been an advocate for connecting the university with the greater Arkansas community and has provided so many students with hands-on research experiences over the years,” Shields added. “He will be incredibly missed, but we wish him so much happiness in his retirement.”

This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.

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