Embattled UCA president resigns (UALR Public Radio) - Calling his career at the University of Central Arkansas "the love of my life," Lu Hardin submitted his resignation today as the university's president.

Hardin, plagued in recent months by a $300,000 bonus he received after a secret vote by UCA's Board of Trustees, announced his resignation after the board met in executive session.

Hardin has served as president at UCA for the past six years. He recently had surgery for cancer in his right eye and doctors placed a radioactive plate behind the eye in the hopes of shrinking a malignant tumor.

The board approved Hardin's contract buyout, which included about $670,000 to be paid to Hardin with public funds from the trustees' discretionary fund. The buyout also includes $47,570 to be paid by the UCA Foundation.

Hardin cited his health as the primary reason for his resignation, but he also said he regretted the way the situation with the bonus was handled.

The board appointed Tom Courtway, who works in the UCA president's office, to serve as interim president.

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