CONWAY, Ark. (AP) - A member of the University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees who was criticized for failing to acknowledge that a gift to the university was tied to renewing a food vendor's contract has resigned.

Scott Roussel resigned Sunday in a letter to Gov. Mike Beebe.

Roussel was board president when he and then UCA President Allen Meadors announced last August that food vendor Aramark would provide $700,000 to help renovate the president's home. Both later acknowledged that they failed to reveal that the offer depended on Aramark's contract being renewed for seven years.

Meadors resigned in September.

Roussel's resignation letter: 

Dear Governor Beebe:

 

When I became a trustee,  one of the first things I learned is that you always put the best interest of the university first. It is for this reason I am offering my resignation effective immediately.  UCA is a great university and it is time the public focused on the school's good attributes.   It has been a tremendous privilege to serve UCA as a member of the board of trustees. You will never know the depth of my gratitude for allowing me to serve in this capacity. I wish my fellow trustees, the  administration, and all the governing bodies on campus great success in all their endeavors to grow and continually improve this great institution. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Scott Roussel