Rogers-Lowell Area News

Dick Barclay to Receive Honorary Associate Degree in Servant Leadership from NWACC

Dick Barclay of Rogers will be presented (Saturday) May 12 with an Honorary Associate Degree in Servant Leadership from NorthWest Arkansas Community College.

Barclay will receive his honorary degree during the 10 a.m. commencement ceremony. Approximately 800 students are expected to receive certificates and degrees during four commencements at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. May 12. A nurse pinning ceremony also is planned at 8 a.m. May 12. All of the events will be in the Arend Arts Center in Bentonville.

Barclay was on Gov. Mike Huckabee’s first executive team when the governor took office July 15, 1996. Dick retired in 2002 as the state’s Chief Fiscal Officer and Director of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. As DFA director, Barclay served as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet and on several state boards and commissions. He served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1977 through 1992.

As a member of the Arkansas legislature, Barclay helped secure state funding for the off-campus program in Benton County, which served as the springboard for NWACC. Later, he carried the legislative bill that authorized the creation of NWACC. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the NorthWest Arkansas Community College Foundation.

Following his retirement from state government, Barclay, a CPA, returned to private practice in Rogers with Beall Barclay & Company, PLC. Previously, Barclay was in private practice from 1961 to 1999.

Barclay has been affiliated with and held leadership roles in the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, First Christian Church of Rogers (Disciples of Christ), the Republican Party of Benton County, Rogers Little Theater, and other organizations. Before being elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives, Dick served on the Rogers City Council from 1970 through 1977.

He and his wife Jan have three grown children, Jill Gulick, Rick Barclay, and John Barclay, and six grandchildren. Jan is a licensed professional counselor in Rogers.