I’m just about to begin to feel sorry for the University of Central Arkansas. Bond downgrade. Lingering debt from the Oxford American investment.

Then I remember that interim President Tom Courtway is protecting others — like himself — who benefitted from the campus’ irregular discretionary scholarship program. That state Sen. Gilbert Baker, who stood silent through the burgeoning UCA financial disaster at his hometown school, was a recipient of numerous special UCA financial favors and now, thanks to Brotherhood membership, is the presiding officer of the top legislative budget panel. That Trustee Michael Stanton, a Baker facilitator and also a beneficiary of special UCA favors, thinks he should be reappointed to the UCA Board for his “leadership.” That the Board met in secret and approved illegal bonus deals for former President Lu Hardin.

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Sometimes, you earn your grief. But I do feel sorry for the innocent bystanders.

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