Gov. Beebe reappoints Cooper to Ozarka College Board of Trustees
MELBOURNE — Gov. Mike Beebe recently announced the reappointment of Ben Cooper of Melbourne to the Ozarka College Board of Trustees. This will be his third appointment to the board, and he will serve a seven-year term that will expire in July 2020.
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee originally appointed Cooper to the board in January 2005 to fill a vacant position. After his first term expired in July 2006, he was reappointed to serve a seven-year term.
“It has been my honor to serve on the Ozarka College Board of Trustees for the past eight years,” Cooper said. “I look forward to serving for another seven years as the college continues to grow and be an influence in the community.”
Cooper has owned Cooper Realty in Melbourne for 45 years. Prior to opening the business, he taught math and coached basketball at Violet Hill for two years after completing college at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. He is a graduate of Melbourne High School.
“I am very appreciative of Trustee Cooper’s leadership and support of our initiatives and programs,” Ozarka College President Richard Dawe said. “He is committed to higher education and advancing services to our students and members of the many communities we serve at Ozarka College. We look forward to another seven years of his very supportive leadership.”
Cooper has three sons: Jim and his wife, Lisa, of Melbourne; Robert and his wife, Gretchen, of Melbourne; and Joe and his wife, Holly, of Melbourne. Cooper also has nine grandchildren.