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Diane Newton has been named the new vice president of finance at the University of Central Arkansas.

Newton, who currently serves as vice president of business and administration at Lander University in Greenwood, S.C., will begin the post on Jan. 11, 2010.

Newton was among 30 applicants who applied for the position. A search committee narrowed the list to four finalists. Two finalists were recently interviewed for the post.


"We are delighted to have someone with Ms. Newton's depth of higher education finance join UCA in this critical position," said UCA President Allen Meadors. "Ms. Newton's background of higher education financial issues in Arkansas will be very useful in her transition from her current position."

"We welcome her back to her native state," he added.

Newton has 25 years of experience in the public university environment. During her last six years at Lander University, Newton managed a staff of 100 people and provided planning, development and oversight of nearly $50 million of construction projects. Her other areas of responsibility included facilities operation, information technology, procurement and retail services, printing and postal services.

She is also a member of the statewide finance advisory committee for the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
Prior to her work at Lander University, Newton served as associate vice chancellor for finance at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for three years. From 1993 to 2000, she was the controller for Southern Arkansas University. Newton began her career in higher education as an accountant and later the assistant controller at Henderson State University, where she worked from 1984 to 1993.

Newton earned her bachelor's degree in accounting and later her master's degree from Henderson State University.