Cory Cox Joins Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees: A New Chapter Begins

Well folks, hold onto your hats because Arkansas Tech University just got a whole lot more interesting! On a sunny Thursday, June 20th, 2024, our man Cory Cox from Perryville traded in his suit jacket for a judge’s robe (not really, but you get the picture) and was sworn in as the newest member of the ATU Board of Trustees. Pope County Judge Ben Cross did the honors, making it a real “Cross-over” event (okay, I’ll stop with the puns… maybe).

Cox is taking over for Michael Lamoureux, who decided to peace out back on March 31st, 2024. But don’t worry, Cox is totally here to stay (at least until January 14th, 2027, when his term’s up).

From Wonder Boy to Wonder Trustee: A Look at Cox’s Journey

Now, you might be thinking, “Who is this Cory Cox guy, and why should I care?”. Buckle up buttercup, because this dude’s got a resume longer than a CVS receipt. We’re talking seriously impressive stuff here.

Education: This Dude’s Got Brains

First off, Cory’s an ATU alum! Yep, he’s one of their own. Graduated back in — get this — (calculates in head)… carry the one… yep, ! He got his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science. But Cory wasn’t just any student, oh no. This guy was the real deal. Active in the ATU Student Government Association? Check. ATU Student Activities Board? You betcha. He was basically the Big Man on Campus, minus the cheesy ’80s movie montage (probably).

But wait, there’s more! Cory then went on to snag a Juris Doctor from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. That’s right, he’s a lawyer! So if you ever need legal advice, you know who to call (just kidding, don’t call him… unless you’ve got a really good case about, like, misplaced commas or something).

Professional Experience: Hold on, He Did All That?

Alright, are you ready for this? Because Cory’s professional life is about to blow your mind. This dude’s done it all, from working with governors to fighting insurance fraud. Seriously, it’s like he’s lived nine lives already.

Here’s a sneak peek: Legal Counsel for the Arkansas Office of the Governor, Director of the Criminal Investigation Division at the Arkansas Insurance Department, Partner at a fancy law firm, and get this — Chief of Staff for the Arkansas Office of the Attorney General. I mean, come on! Is there anything this guy can’t do?

And if that wasn’t enough, he’s currently the State Director of Government Relations for CareSource, a healthcare insurance provider. Basically, he’s the man with the plan when it comes to healthcare in Arkansas.

The ATU Board of Trustees: A League of Extraordinary (and Slightly Intimidating) People

So, Cory’s joining a pretty exclusive club now, rubbing shoulders with the who’s who of Arkansas higher education. Think of it like the Justice League, but instead of saving the world, they’re making sure ATU students get a top-notch education (which is basically the same thing, right?).

Cory Cox Joins Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees: A New Chapter Begins

Well folks, hold onto your hats because Arkansas Tech University just got a whole lot more interesting! On a sunny Thursday, June 20th, 2024, our man Cory Cox from Perryville traded in his suit jacket for a judge’s robe (not really, but you get the picture) and was sworn in as the newest member of the ATU Board of Trustees. Pope County Judge Ben Cross did the honors, making it a real “Cross-over” event (okay, I’ll stop with the puns… maybe).

Cox is taking over for Michael Lamoureux, who decided to peace out back on March 31st, 2024. But don’t worry, Cox is totally here to stay (at least until January 14th, 2027, when his term’s up).

From Wonder Boy to Wonder Trustee: A Look at Cox’s Journey

Now, you might be thinking, “Who is this Cory Cox guy, and why should I care?”. Buckle up buttercup, because this dude’s got a resume longer than a CVS receipt. We’re talking seriously impressive stuff here.

Education: This Dude’s Got Brains

First off, Cory’s an ATU alum! Yep, he’s one of their own. Graduated back in 1996 — get this — (calculates in head)… carry the one… yep, 1996! He got his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science. But Cory wasn’t just any student, oh no. This guy was the real deal. Active in the ATU Student Government Association? Check. ATU Student Activities Board? You betcha. He was basically the Big Man on Campus, minus the cheesy ’80s movie montage (probably).

But wait, there’s more! Cory then went on to snag a Juris Doctor from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. That’s right, he’s a lawyer! So if you ever need legal advice, you know who to call (just kidding, don’t call him… unless you’ve got a really good case about, like, misplaced commas or something).

Professional Experience: Hold on, He Did All That?

Alright, are you ready for this? Because Cory’s professional life is about to blow your mind. This dude’s done it all, from working with governors to fighting insurance fraud. Seriously, it’s like he’s lived nine lives already.

• Legal Counsel, Arkansas Office of the Governor (2000-2005) – Mike Huckabee administration
• Director, Arkansas Insurance Department Criminal Investigation Division (2005-2008)
• Partner, Hiland, Thomas and Cox (2008-2010)
• Government Affairs Liaison and Legal Counsel, Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands (2010-2014)
• Deputy General Counsel, Arkansas Department of Human Services (2014)
• Legislative Director, Arkansas Office of the Attorney General (2014-2017)
• Chief of Staff, Arkansas Office of the Attorney General (2017-2021)

And if that wasn’t enough, he’s currently the State Director of Government Relations for CareSource, a healthcare insurance provider. Basically, he’s the man with the plan when it comes to healthcare in Arkansas.

The ATU Board of Trustees: A League of Extraordinary (and Slightly Intimidating) People

So, Cory’s joining a pretty exclusive club now, rubbing shoulders with the who’s who of Arkansas higher education. Think of it like the Justice League, but instead of saving the world, they’re making sure ATU students get a top-notch education (which is basically the same thing, right?).

Here’s the rundown of the current ATU Board of Trustees All-Stars:

• Len Cotton of Dardanelle (Chairman)
• Bill Clary of Conway (Vice Chairman)
• Stephanie Duffield of Russellville (Secretary)
• Jim Smith of Fayetteville

Cox’s Vision: What’s in Store for ATU?

Now, we don’t have a crystal ball (though that would be pretty sweet), but one thing’s for sure: Cory Cox is bringing some serious game to the ATU Board of Trustees. With his background in law, government, and higher education (go Wonder Boys!), he’s got the knowledge and experience to make a real difference.

While Cox hasn’t released an official statement outlining his plans (we’re waiting, Cory!), we can speculate based on his past accomplishments and his passion for ATU. Expect to see a focus on things like:

• Expanding opportunities for students, maybe even launching some cool new programs.
• Strengthening ATU’s ties with the community and local businesses. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats, right?
• Making sure ATU stays ahead of the curve when it comes to technology and innovation. We’re talking cutting-edge stuff here, people!

The Impact: Why This Matters for Students and the ATU Community

Okay, so maybe you’re not glued to your seat on the edge of your seat about board meetings and administrative stuff (we get it, those aren’t exactly known for their thrill factor). But trust us, this appointment is a big deal.

Here’s why: The ATU Board of Trustees makes decisions that directly impact students, faculty, and the entire ATU community. We’re talking about things like tuition rates, new buildings, academic programs, and even the cafeteria menu (okay, maybe not that last one… but we can dream!).

Having someone like Cory Cox on the board—someone who understands the needs of students and the importance of a quality education—means that those decisions will be made with the best interests of the ATU community in mind.

The Future is Bright: A New Era for ATU

With Cory Cox joining the ranks of the ATU Board of Trustees, the future of Arkansas Tech University is looking pretty darn bright. We’re talking about a new era of innovation, growth, and maybe even a few more national championships (hey, we can dream big, can’t we?).

So buckle up, Wonder Boys and Wonder Girls, because things are about to get exciting. And remember, you heard it here first!