david harrisonWritten by Harrison Grimwood

David Harrison has had a longstanding and successful career in real estate since he completed his degree programs at the University of Arkansas. Harrison is currently the president and general counsel for First National Title Company NWA.

Harrison received a Bachelor of Science in public administration before earning a Juris Doctorate at the University of Arkansas School of Law. He credits much of his success to skills and networks made while at the U of A. “The classroom gives a foundation of the tools that are needed to succeed in the business,” Harrison said.

Harrison, a former Sigma Nu member, said, “The Greek system was tremendous for me in that it allowed me to know how to network and work as a team member for a common goal.”

He reflected similarly on his time as an Associated Student Government senator, saying, “It taught me to work with persons of diverse background as a team.”

Harrison’s title company is the first and largest independent title company in Arkansas. It handles commercial and residential real estate transactions, and loan refinancing. 

According to the First National Title Company website, “First National Title Company is an independent, locally-owned and operated company serving central and northwest Arkansas.” 

Harrison said he was invited by his Sigma Nu brother, James Pender, to join the title company.  Pender started the company in 1994.

His family bleeds Razorback red. Not only did Harrison meet his wife, Katy, at a mixer on campus, but he has two brothers and sisters who also graduated from the U of A. His father worked at the U of A for 23 years, earning a master’s degree in education. Harrison was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and his wife, Katy, was a Kappa Kappa Gamma.

The Harrisons have two daughters, both of whom now attend the U of A. He said his daughters looked at other schools but the other schools were no contest compared to the U of A. His daughters, Mary Kathleen and Elizabeth Anne, are the third generation of Harrisons at the U of A.

Harrison is also a former board member and officer of the National Board of Directors for the Arkansas Alumni Association.He was attracted to the association because of its work “serving as a foundation for people to keep connected to the university after graduation.”

“Right before I came onto the National Board of Directors, they had given their first scholarships out,” Harrison said. “That’s one of the best things the association has been able to achieve–giving out lots of great scholarships to students who are involved and hard-working, and to students that will work hard to make the U of A proud.”