Dr. Ken Warden, commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and former University of Arkansas – Fort Smith administrator, delivered three keynote addresses Saturday, May 10, encouraging more than 650 UAFS graduates to move boldly into their futures.
At the Stubblefield Center, the university conferred 12 master’s degrees, 459 bachelor’s degrees, 147 associate degrees, and 41 technical certificates to graduates from the Colleges of Business and Industry at 10 a.m., Health, Education, and Human Sciences at 1 p.m., and Arts and Sciences at 4 p.m..
A familiar face to many, Warden served at UAFS for nine years in leadership roles, including associate vice chancellor and dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology, before becoming commissioner in June 2023. His career in higher education spans more than two decades, including 17 years at Arkansas Tech University – Ozark.
In his address, Warden encouraged students to use their education to better their communities and emphasized the need for ongoing care and development.
“You’ve invested in yourself. You planted your garden,” he said. “Today, you’ve got that first ripe tomato. Enjoy the first fruits of your labor.”
He encouraged graduates not to stop at this first success but to continue nurturing their growth. “Be prepared to continuously learn,” Warden said. “If you want to bear these fruits throughout your life, you must continue to invest in yourself.”
Speaking to the evolving state of modern work, Warden said, “Studies say that today’s graduates are going to change careers more than a dozen times. Careers – not just jobs.” Referencing AI, automation, and the rapid expansion of technology, he said, “Our jobs are changing all the time. Our work is changing all the time, but you are the workforce of this community. “You are fueling the economic engine.”
Warden also acknowledged the challenges this year’s graduates have overcome, noting that only 46 percent of Arkansans ever even attempt higher education, and of those, fewer than half complete a degree. “Way to go,” he said, smiling.
He closed with a challenge. “Be thankful for others. Be thankful to God. Continue to invest in yourself, and when given the opportunity, invest in others. … These are not your last celebrations. There are many, many great things ahead.
