Top Seven Reasons To Name SAU in Your Will

For more information on including SAU in your estate plans, please contact Jeanie Bismark or Josh Kee toll-free at 1-877-235-7409 or click the following link www.saufoundation.org/giving.

SAU Alumni and Friends visit Canada

Seventeen alumni and friends of Southern Arkansas University recently traveled through the Canadian Rockies by Train.  This trip was through Collette Vacations and included stops in Banff, Jasper, and Vancouver.  Below are several pictures from this recent trip.

For more information on upcoming trips through the SAU Foundation, please contact us toll-free at 1-877-235-7409.

Splendors of the Nile

Southern Arkansas University presents Splendors of the Nile with optional Jordan Post Tour Extension.

March 9 – 20, 2011

For more information click on the link below.

Splendors of the Nile

A debt repaid

Joan Dempsey , a former U.S. intelligence official and Southern Arkansas University alumnus, recently pledged to invest in SAU and the William C. Nolan Endowment which will provide a stipend for a student intern in Washington D. C.

While at SAU as an undergrad, Mrs. Dempsey benefited from the teaching of both Dr. William Nolan and Dr. James Willis.  During Mrs. Dempsey’s final semester at SAU,  Dr. Nolan recommended that she pursue graduate school.  Dr. Nolan contacted colleagues at the University of Arkansas and secured a graduate assistantship for Mrs. Dempsey that facilitated her work toward a Masters in Public Administration.  She completed that degree in 1983, and applied for and was selected as a Presidential Management Intern.

In 2005, Mrs. Dempsey retired after 25 remarkable years of combined military and civilian service at all levels of the US Government to include serving as a political appointee in both Democratic and Republican administrations and after a final two years in the White House.  From the White House, Mrs. Dempsey, was recruited by arguably the best private company working in the national security business today to become an officer and a shareholder in the firm.

“None of it would have been possible without Professor Nolan’s gentle encouragement and active support”,  Mrs. Dempsey stated. “He, Dr. Willis, and Mr. Sixbey, among others, encouraged me to rise above my circumstances and exceed my grasp.  I have served with many colleagues over the years who received their degrees from the finest institutions in the world but none of them got a better education than I.  None of them were taught how to think more critically or express themselves better.”

Mrs. Dempsey plans to complete this internship endowment in Dr. Nolan’s honor in gratitude to him and Dr. Willis.  Mrs. Dempsey said, “It’s a dept I owe and gladly repay.”

SAU receives $2 million gift to build new University Rodeo Arena

Dr. David Rankin, center right, accepts a check for $2 million from Therral and Jan Story of Magnolia while the SAU rodeo team and other administrators look on.

SAU receives $2 million gift to build new University Rodeo Arena

MAGNOLIA – Construction of a new rodeo arena at Southern Arkansas University is much closer to reality after a $2 million donation from Therral and Jan Story of Magnolia. The gift, made through the SAU Foundation, is the largest ever received by the University from an individual donor.

“Through their extraordinary generosity, Therral and Jan Story are making an investment in Southern Arkansas University that will impact both the students and programs on the SAU campus and the future of this region,” said Jeanie Bismark, executive director of the SAU Foundation. “On behalf of the Board of Governors of the SAU Foundation, we gratefully accept this, the largest gift from an individual in the history of the University. What a wonderful way to begin SAU’s second century of learning.”

The Storys presented a check to the SAU rodeo team and administrators on Wednesday, April 14. Therral Story said he appreciates the hard work demonstrated by the students on the rodeo team and is impressed by the fact the team is composed of students from across the nation. He hopes a new arena will only expand the team’s successes and bring more events to Magnolia.

“It’s hard to have a rodeo without an arena,” he said. “We thought it would be a good idea for the community and the growth of the University.”

As part of the University’s Blue and Gold Vision master plan, the proposed covered arena will be designed to meet the needs of SAU’s intercollegiate rodeo team. The facility will also be built to accommodate horse shows and other livestock events as well as concerts and trade shows. Feasibility studies are being conducted to determine the best location for the arena in the vicinity of the existing Mulerider Stables.

SAU President Dr. David Rankin said the arena will provide an excellent location for members of the nationally competitive SAU rodeo team to practice rain or shine. It will also help draw more visitors to the campus and Magnolia.

“We are very grateful to the Storys for their outstanding generosity,” said Rankin. “They are making the lead gift for a facility that will greatly benefit Southern Arkansas University and the local and regional economy.”

SAU Rodeo Coach Rusty Hayes said the new arena will give the University a competitive edge. SAU has hosted high school rodeos in the past, but they have been held out of town due to the lack of facilities. The new arena will allow more collegiate and high school rodeos to be held on the SAU campus, and those rodeos will bring more prospective students.

“Just getting students on campus to see what you’ve got is half the battle most of the time,” Hayes said. “This will help.”

While plans for the arena have not been finalized, University officials estimate its total cost will be $3.5 million and that it will be approximately 125,000 square feet covered. Parking will add an additional 12 acres to the site plan. The SAU Foundation will continue to raise private funds for the arena’s construction.

Magale Rehearsal Hall to be named in band building

Southern Arkansas University and the SAU Foundation plan to recognize the Magale Foundation for their continued investment in the Mulerider Band Program by naming the primary rehearsal hall – Magale Rehearsal Hall.  Over a period of five years, the Magale Foundation has contributed over $125,000 for instruments and equipment.  With the continued support and relationship of  Magale Foundation and the SAU administration, the band department has given student performers opportunities that were not previously possible.  The spring 2009 band concert featured four percussion instruments that would not have been available without this assistance. Today, the band program consists of approximately 120 students per year, up from only 72 in 2000.

The University and Foundation plan to honor the Magale Foundation Trustees at a dinner followed by a Mulerider Band concert on Thursday, April 29, 2010.

2010 Distinguished Alumni Dinner

The 2010 Distinguished Alumni Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the Donald W. Reynolds Center – Grand Hall.  Tickets for this event are $17 and may be purchased from the SAU Alumni Office by calling 870-235-4079.

During this year’s ceremony the following will be recognized:

Distinguished Young Alumni

Dr. Jason Ellen

Class of 1995, BS in Biological Science

Opthalmologic Surgeon – 2005 Outstanding Young Optometric Physician in Oklahoma

Amy Freedman

Class of 1995, BBA in Accounting

Attorney and Political Campaign Manager

Joe Pieratt

Class of 1992, BBA in Management

Chief Network and PC Support for Murphy Oil Corporation, Developer of Deer Creek Subdivision

Lifetime Achievement

Dr. Norman Huneycutt

Class of 1958, BSB in Industrial Management

Ordained minister, former Trustee of the Presbyterian Foundation, former Trustee of University of the Ozarks, present Trustee of Austin Theological Seminary, founder and former CEO of Employee Support Systems Company, former Director of Program and Fiscal Development of National Council on Alcoholism, and presently retired to ranching in Terrell, TX

Distinguished Alumni

Joan Avalyn Dempsey

Class of 1981, BA in Political Science

Vice President of US Geospacial Intelligence Foundation, Vice President Booz-Allen-Hamilton, former Chief of Staff for CIA Director George Tennet

Dr. Samuel Smith

Class of 1977, left SAU for medical school

Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Distinguished Golden Rider

Dr. James Tollett

Class of 1957

Retired Chairman of SAU Agriculture Department, honored with the dedication of the 81^st Arkansas FFA State Convention in his name, National Association of Agricultural Educators Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Charles Beeson – Deceased

Class of 1941

Cardiologist, Retried Professor of Medicine at University of New Mexico and UCLA

Southern Aluminum Invests in SAU and the Deparment of Art and Design

Southern Aluminum makes $5,000 investment in SAU art and design students

MAGNOLIA – The Department of Art and Design at Southern Arkansas University is benefiting from a $5,000 investment made by Southern Aluminum Manufacturing, Inc. of Magnolia. The money will purchase software upgrades for the department’s computer lab.

“We at Southern Aluminum feel it extremely important that local businesses and industries support SAU because of the caliber of students and the skills these students can contribute here in Magnolia,” said Mark Taylor, president and chief executive officer of Southern Aluminum. “SAU is producing as high of quality skills and knowledge as we have seen when comparing with large universities, and we honestly feel that Southern Aluminum and SAU will mutually benefit through supporting and nurturing this relationship.”

Associate Professor Doug Waterfield, chair of the department of art and design, said approximately 150 students from across the University will benefit from the software upgrades. A $5,000 gift from Southern Aluminum in 2009 purchased three additional Macintosh computers for the department bringing its total to 15.

“We have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with Southern Aluminum,” Waterfield said. “The generosity of Mark Taylor and the staff there has enabled us to continue to be at the forefront when it comes to technology and enabling student preparedness. We deeply appreciate all they have done for the SAU Department of Art & Design and look forward to working with them for years to come.”

Muleriders on Tour – Springdale, AR

To RSVP for this event please click on the link below

RSVP Now!

University Science Center Dedication

University Science Center Dedication

Monday, April 5, 2010 at 12:00p.m.

Location – University Science Center Lobby

Governor Mike Beebe is expected to attend

Naming opportunities still exist in this state-of-art facility that will greatly impact the students of SAU for many years to come.

For more information on this dedication ceremony or naming opportunities please contact the SAU Foundation at 1-877-235-7409.

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