Science Center Groundbreaking

The official ground breaking of the Southern Arkansas University Science Center was held from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Friday, October 24, west of the Business Building.

The groundbreaking included brief comments from SAU President, Dr. David Rankin, Jasper Lewis, associate vice president for facilities, Dr. James Rasmussen, chair of the biology department and Kara J. Way, a senior pre-med biology student. Refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres were served.

The University Science Center is planned to be completed within the next year, a timeframe that will coincide with the University’s Centennial Celebration.

“This is going to be a tremendous facility with state-of-the-art technology that will serve students who are beginning our next centennial of success at Southern Arkansas University,” said SAU President Dr. David Rankin.

The cost of the 64,000-square-foot project is estimated to be $16,747, 986, which includes the main building, district cooling system upgrade, parking, landscaping, furniture, audiovisual equipment and design fees. The general contractor for the project is CDI Contractors of Little Rock and the architects are WER and Associates of Little Rock.

The new facility will house the departments of biology, chemistry, and physics within the College of Science and Technology. Planning for the Center began in 2003 when the Arkansas General Assembly appropriated $240,000 to SAU to prepare a proposal for a science and technology building. During the next two bienniums, the University received additional funding, and in 2006, Governor Mike Huckabee awarded $601,747 to the project. Governor Mike Beebe followed with a $1 million award in 2007.

As a result of a special election and the passage of the Higher Education Technology and Facility Improvement Act, SAU will receive $1,432,980 for the project. The University has also issued bonds in the amount of $14 million.

“The Southern Arkansas University Science Center will be the type of facility that will ensure that students who use the facility will be exceptionally well prepared for work or further education when they receive their degrees,” Rankin said. “Classes are currently held in five different buildings, and this center will help centralize many of the programs.”

The SAU Foundation is continuing to seek gifts for the completion of this project. Naming opportunities are available for many of the classrooms and offices. Please contact the SAU Foundation at 870-235-4078 for more information.

7th Annual Foundation Christmas Gala

Southern Arkansas University Foundation with President and Mrs. David F. Rankin will host the 7th Annual Foundation Christmas Gala at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 12, 2008 at the Magnolia Country Club.

The evening will feature live dance music and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

Donors to Southern Arkansas University through the SAU Foundation will receive invitations to the event.

Honors Dinner 2008 Photo Album

Southern Arkansas University honors those who have made gifts for the past 25 years

MAGNOLIA—Southern Arkansas University Foundation honored individuals, companies, and foundations that have contributed to scholarship, academic and athletic programs, and campus projects at the University during the past year at the annual Honors Societies Dinner on October 9, 2008, in the Grand Hall of the Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center.

New this year was an award for those who had made an annual gift to the University during each of the past 25 years. Honorees present were (left to right) Mr. Louis Blanchard, Mrs. Martha Blanchard, Mrs. Mickey Ketchum, Mrs. Bobbie Taylor, Dr. Gayle White, Mr. Richard White, Mrs. Mona Harrington, Dr. Jack Harrington, Mrs. Dorothy Fincher, Mrs. Helen Samuel, Mr. Harold Fincher, Mr. Archie Monroe, Dr. Corbet Lamkin, and Mrs. Verna Lamkin.

Also honored, but not pictured were Mrs. Amy Ambler, Dr. Richard Ambler, Mrs. Gene Brinson, Dr. Harold Brinson, Dr. David Crouse, Mrs. Margaret Crouse, Dr. L. Carson Davis, Dr. Elizabeth Davis, Mrs. Ann Reeves Eddy, Dr. Rudy Eichenberger, Mrs. Sharon Eichenberger, Mrs. Dorothy Longino, Mrs. Judy McNeal, Dr. Larry McNeal, Mrs. Billie Ross, Dr. Delwyn Ross, Mr. Glenn Vasser, Mrs. Judy Vasser, and Miss Patsy Weaver.

SAU honors those who have completed endowments

Southern Arkansas University Foundation honored individuals, companies, and foundations that have contributed to scholarship, academic and athletic programs, and campus projects at the University during the past year at the annual Honors Societies Dinner on October 9, 2008, in the Grand Hall of the Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center.

Among those honored were individuals and groups which had completed endowments during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. Endowments provide a continual source of funds for scholarships, academic enrichment, athletic programs, and campus needs. Endowments are often given in honor or in memory of a family member, a favorite teacher, or special person. Each endowment is commemorated with a plaque on the Endowment Honor Wall in the Reynolds Center.

The endowments completed last year were the following:

• Dr. Ralph and Leila Boulware Endowment to benefit SAU Animal Science Studies
• Emogene “Jean” Winn Burns, Ray Burns, and John G. Winn Endowment provides a Scholarship in the School of Nursing, given by Ray Burns of Denver, Colorado,
• Donald and Dorinda Hale Crews Endowment to benefit the athletic program
• Edwin H. Hawkes Endowment to benefit the athletic program
• Lowrance and Marilyn Hodge Endowment providing a Scholarship Award for a Pre-engineering student
• Fred Hugh Longino Endowment to benefit the Magale Library
• Magnolia Lion’s Club Scholarship Endowment, Preference to a Student with Vision Impairment
• Mary Nelle Horn Mattox Endowment which provides a School of Business Scholarship Award
  Given by Arkansas Entergy Retirees Club
• James Robert and Charlotte Jordan Miller Endowment to benefit the Magale Library
• Dale H. and Gail Reveley Robbins Endowment providing a
  scholarship award for a Non-Traditional Elementary or Secondary Education Major
• Dr. and Mrs. Bill Scurlock Endowment to benefit the athletic program
• Norma and Wayne Taylor Endowment to benefit the athletic program
• Fred and Faye Trexler School of Business Endowment given by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Bailey
• Mr. and Mrs. Ray Uhrich School of Business Scholarship Endowment
• Dr. Ben Whitfield Scholarship Endowment

Pictured in front of the Endowment Honor Wall are these donors who were present Thursday evening:

Seated (left to right): Mrs. Darla Williams, Magnolia Lions Club; Mrs. Dorinda Crews, and Mr. Donald Crews;

Second row left to right: Mrs. Peggy Trexler Bailey, Mrs. Marilyn Hodge, Mrs. Norma Taylor, Mrs. Daisy Uhrich, Mrs. Adelle Whitfield, and Mrs. Barbara Scurlock;

Back row (left to right) Mrs. Lu Waters, Arkansas Entergy Retirees Club; Mr. Jim Bailey; Mr. Lowrance Hodge; Mr. Wayne Taylor; Mr. Ray Uhrich, and Dr. Bill Scurlock.