Former El Dorado band director honored with endowed scholarship

January 26, 2010

Alumni of the El Dorado Junior High School bands are honoring their former band director by establishing the William L. and Dorothy M. Craig Endowed Scholarship at Southern Arkansas University. Craig was junior high band director from 1952 to 1969 and is a graduate of the University. Prior to beginning his teaching career, Craig served in the U.S. Merchant Marine and worked as a professional musician. He and his wife, Dorothy, continue to reside in El Dorado, where they were honored with Bill Craig Day on October 12, 2007.

In addition to his teaching career, Craig has authored two books and founded the Jazz Mark record label. His books include “Tall Pines of Union County” and the recently published “I Love Baseball,” which chronicles the lives of major league baseball players from Union County and South Arkansas.

“Mr. and Mrs. Craig served as positive role models for hundreds of junior high students. They have been lifelong friends and mentors to me and many of my fellow band members,” said Dr. Claude Baker, who is currently a professor at Southern Arkansas University. Baker and his wife Neva initiated the scholarship along with Professor Bill Baker and former band member Dan Pickering.

“Bill Craig was the kind of teacher everyone loved and respected – back then and still today. I am happy to contribute to a scholarship in his honor,” said James “Bubba” Marks, an El Dorado resident who served as drum major in 1959.

“We are delighted to be able to honor an alumnus while at the same time awarding financial aid to a deserving student,” said Jeanie Bismark, executive director of the Southern Arkansas University Foundation. “It is a real pleasure to honor someone who has obviously been a positive influence on many young lives.”

Once the endowment is completed, the Craig scholarship will be awarded to an entering freshman who has achieved a 3.0 grade point average on a 4-point scale. Preference will be given to students graduating from high school in Union County. Preference will also be given to those who demonstrate financial need, to students majoring in music studies, and to those who will play an instrument in one of the University bands.

Donations to the scholarship fund may be made by mail or online. Checks should be made payable to the SAU Foundation and mailed to Box 9174, Magnolia, AR 71754-9174. Please identify all donations with the account number FS0029 and “Bill Craig Scholarship” in the memo line.

Online donations may be made at www.saufoundation.org with notes that the donation should go to FS0029 and Bill Craig Scholarship.

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Endowments Open Doors to Education

January 6, 2010

“SAU has given me an opportunity to get an education first and foremost, but also to develop a strong bond with the teachers and lifelong relationships with my classmates. The scholarships I received to come to SAU have allowed me more time to focus on my studies because I don’t have to work as many hours and I don’t have to worry with loans and how I will pay them off. Being in the Ag department is like having another family. The professors really do care about your success in the classroom and your ability to apply your knowledge in the real world.”

Frank Sturgeon
Senior
Crossett, Ark.
Career plan: sales representative in the agri industry

New and Newly-completed Endowments

Completed Endowments (July 1 – December 31, 2009)

Class of 1948 Scholarship Endowment

Drs. Jerry and Diana Pyle Enrichment Endowment to benefit the Special Education Department

Ted G. and Maxine Harmon Ward Scholarship Endowment

Coach Rip Powell Enrichment Endowment to benefit the Mulerider Football Program

Harold and Betty Jameson Enrichment Endowment to benefit Mulerider Athletics

Endowments Begun (July 1 – December 31, 2009)

Patty Newton Hague Miller Enrichment Endowment to benefit Magale Library

Richard G. and Pam L. Murphy Foundation Scholarship to be awarded to a student majoring in Business

Dr. and Mrs. Bill Scurlock Enrichment Endowment to benefit Mulerider Athletics

Nancy Williams Enrichment Endowment to benefit Magale Library

Lewis T. and Maxine Porterfield Foundation Scholarship

For more information on a status of a current endowment or beginning an endowment to benefit Southern Arkansas University and its students contact Jeanie Bismark, mjbismark@saumag.edu, or Josh Kee, joshkee@saumag.edu. or contact the SAU Foundation at 877-235-7409

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Upcoming Muleriders on Tour

January 6, 2010

Saturday, February 27, 2010 Nashville, AR at Fisherman’s Cove Restaurant located at 1433 Mine Street, Nashville, AR – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Informal Visiting – Lunch at 1:00 p.m. - Presentations by Dr. David Rankin, SAU President and Dr. Jeff Miller, Chair, SAU Agri Department

For more information call

Drew Tollett Day – (870) 845-7333 Night – (870) 983-2776

Floyd Morris (870) 584-8155

James Cannon Cell – (870) 244-2998 Home – (870) 887-3978

Doss Walker Day – (870) 722-2734 Night – (870) 285-5488

Live auction proceeds and contributions will benefit the Lewis and Maxine Porterfield Scholarship Endowment at SAU.

All SAU alumni and friends invited

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2009 President’s Gala

January 6, 2010

(More pictures shown below)

Southern Arkansas University Foundation and President and Mrs. David Rankin entertained donors to the University at the annual President’s Gala on Saturday, December 12, at the Magnolia Country Club. This festive evening
was the final event of the University’s year-long centennial celebration. The tables and tree were decorated with turn-of-the century postcards and traditional ornaments. Approximately 150 friends of SAU enjoyed hors d’ouerves of fresh shrimp, bacon-wrapped filet bites, spanakopita, fresh fruit, cheeses and cupcakes.
Guests enjoyed dancing to a live band led by Zane Glasscock and featuring vocalist
David Price. Beth Anne Rankin and Josh Kee entertained with special music, and Ray and Kay Stephens of Little Rock presented ballroom dance exhibitions of the waltz, the fox trot, and the Argentine tango.

Holiday photographs by Aaron Street were given as mementos of the evening.