Directory

Biography

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Since 2019 Blake Rickman has served as vice chancellor for University Advancement and executive director of the UAFS Foundation at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. During his tenure, he has overseen a remarkable increase in the UAFS Foundation’s assets, which have grown from $78 million to more than $140 million. He leads the University Advancement team, which is comprised of Alumni Engagement, Communications, Development, Marketing, and Foundation Finance/Operations. As the public-facing division of the institution, Advancement is honored to highlight and share the remarkable developments occurring on our campus with the River Valley community.

Prior to his role at UAFS, Rickman dedicated 10 years of service to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where he led efforts to secure a $120 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. This funding was instrumental in endowing and establishing the School of Art which, at the time, represented the largest outright gift to visual arts in the history of American higher education. Beyond academia Rickman is actively involved in community service, contributing to several local boards including Mercy Hospital Foundation of Fort Smith, the Community Services Clearinghouse, the Clayton House, and CASA of Sebastian County. As a Fort Smith native, Rickman also proudly supports the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club. He holds degrees from Arkansas Tech University and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.