Arkansas Baptist President Calls for Investment in Human Capital

By Jon Parham

 Arkansas Baptist College President Fitz Hill speaks duirng the UAMS Black History Month event.
Arkansas Baptist College President Fitz Hill speaks duirng the UAMS Black History Month event.

Hill, speaking Feb. 22 at the annual Black History Month event sponsored by the UAMS Center for Diversity Affairs, said the college bought the car wash located just off campus in 2006 and students began operating the business.

On the first sunny day after the recent snow storm the car wash was packed with customers waiting in line to wash cars, he said.

“That’s economic development,” he said. “A dime of every quarter spent there has been used to buy vacant homes around the campus. We are investing in our community.”

During Hill’s tenure at Arkansas Baptist College, enrollment has grown from about 150 to more than 1,000. The renaissance of the historically black college, started in 1884 by former slaves, has included new and renovated facilities.

“Investing in human capital is the way to build the black community,” he said. “When you invest in human capital, people start to believe in it.”

The college has bought or had donated about 30 houses near its campus, remodeling the ones that can be saved and demolishing the others. The results improved the look of the neighborhood that was once home to gang activity and many vacant, rundown houses. It also provided space for campus growth.

The college has established a farmers market, rebuilt the location of a popular neighborhood restaurant and plans to open a coffee shop in 2011, Hill said.

The businesses serve as learning tools for students in the college’s business program in addition to benefiting the college.

The growth is being driven by what Hill called investment in human capital – or opportunity – for students. By showing students what is possible, he said, you become identifiable role models and lead them toward success and hope for a better future.

Recalling his days as a college football coach and recruiter, Hill talked about pitching his college to the youth working at the fast food drive-thru or even the person driving him around during a visit to the African nation of Rwanda. The Rwanda trip, he said, changed him and planted the seeds of plans for what he hopes is a pipeline of students coming to Arkansas Baptist College from the war-torn country.

Rwanda also is part of another venture to help the college, the Roots Java brand of coffee the college developed with college supporter and former Alltel executive Scott Ford. A portion of proceeds from sales of the coffee – which also will be served in the college’s soon-to-open coffee shop – will go toward paying off construction debt.

Hill spoke of being told several times by young people – whether it was the person working in the drive-thru or in Rwanda – that they did not have a high ACT test score or even a high school diploma. He recalled the college’s roots as being started by former slaves.

“They didn’t have a high school diploma or a high ACT score,” he said. “You’ve got to have a high ‘I-want-to.’”