2009 SAU Foundation Honor Societies Dinner
November 4, 2009
The SAU Foundation Honor Societies Dinner will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2009.
Social and Informal Clarinet Concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Donald W. Reynolds Center.
Dinner will follow at 7:15 p.m.
Featured speaker for this event will be Ms. Debbie Walker, Executive Director of the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation.
Invitations for this event have been sent.
Please RSVP by November 10, 2009 by calling 870-235-4078 or emailing mjbismark@saumag.edu.
Muleriders on Tour – Porterfield Day
October 22, 2009
Porterfield Day
Saturday, October 31, 2009 – 2 p.m.
National Guard Armory
Smoked chicken lunch will be served
An afternoon of informal fellowship honoring Lewis and Maxine Porterfield for their service to Southern Arkansas University.
For more information call:
SAU Foundation Office at 870-235-4078 or toll free 877-235-7409
You may register for this event or update your contact information for SAU by going to http://web.saumag.edu/blog/featured/porterfield and completing the RSVP form or call the Foundation Office
Muleriders on Tour – Mena
October 22, 2009
(See More Pictures Below)
More than 150 people attended a Muleriders on Tour in Mena, Arkansas on September 8, 2009, at the Mena Historic Armory. Featured speaker at the event was Dr. Jeff Miller, new Chairman of the Agriculture Department at SAU and formerly of Mena. This was the fourth in a series of Muleriders on Tour events scheduled as part of the University’s Centennial Celebration.
In addition to visiting with friends and networking, guests enjoyed a chicken dinner prepared by Chuck Bell of Tyson’s and his helpers, and a performance by the Mena High School Jazz Band.
Lee Smith (’96), Career & Technical Education Coordinator of the DeQueen-Mena Educational Cooperative emceed the event. Dr. Diann Gathright (’70), Superintendent of Mena Public Schools, welcomed the group, and Duane Webb (’96), President, Polk County Cattlemen, gave the invocation.
Dr. David Rankin, President, Southern Arkansas University, described the school’s progress on fulfilling the Blue and Gold Vision and introduced Miller, chair of the SAU Agriculture Department. Miller expressed his dedication to providing a quality agriculture program at SAU for the young people of southwest Arkansas. Carla Vaught (’84) gave a presentation on the variety of hats that Miller has worn in his life.
Others who spoke on the importance of SAU, agriculture, and education to the region were Donald Westerman (’87), Southern Regional Education Board, Dr. Keith Lusby (‘68), Animal Science Department Head, University of Arkansas and Representative Bill Abernathy. Jim Baker (‘68), Vice President of Business Development, National Bank of Arkansas, closed the evening with some personal memories of SAU and his experiences in agriculture to emphasize the importance of a university education.
The evening was organized by a local committee of Ronnie Duckett (’75), Al Gathright (’69), Dr. Diann Gathright (’70), Scott Sullivan (’83), Lee Smith (’96), Dr. Steve Rook, Beverly Morton Bell (’78), Carla Vaught (’84), Dotsy Webb (’97), Jason Sullivan (’94), and Kyle Risley (’08) in coordination with the SAU President’s Office, Foundation, Alumni Association, and Mulerider Club.
Library officals pose with longtime friend of Magale Library, Archie Monroe
September 21, 2009
Magale Library Director Daniel Page, left, longtime friend of the library, Archie Monroe, center, and Donna McCloy, right, a reference librarian share a moment during a reception at the library this past Thursday. Page took the post of director in July. Photo by Becky Bell/SAU Communications
Magale Foundation Trustees visit SAU
August 6, 2009
Magale Foundation Trustees from left, Homer Greer, Doug Thomas, Timothy Quinn and Robin Branim in the Magale Room at Southern Arkansas University. The Magale Foundation Trustees have long been friends of Magale Library and the SAU Band.
Magale Foundation Trustees—friends of the library and the Southern Arkansas University Band program visit campus
MAGNOLIA—Students in the Southern Arkansas University band could be using instruments older than they were, but generous donations from the Magale Foundation Trustees have allowed for the purchase of more modern equipment.
On Wednesday, several trustees of the Magale Foundation visited Magale Library on campus—named in honor of John F. and Joanna G. Magale —and heard what an everyday impact their donations have made. University Director of Bands J.P. Wilson said they have helped replace some equipment that was at least 40 years old.
“We performed a concert last spring that we would not have been able to perform other wise,” Wilson said.
Wilson, who begins his 10th year as director of bands this fall, said the improved equipment provides a recruiting tool to attract students to SAU. In the past five years, the band has grown about 35 percent to its current roster of about 120 students, and Wilson credits the Magale Foundation for much of that.
“There is no way we could be where we are without them, period,” Wilson said. “What they have done has certainly benefited our band department.”
SAU Foundation Director Jeanie Bismark, and Associate Director of Development, Josh Kee, hosted the Magale Foundation trustees, Archie Monroe, former trustee, and Doug Thomas of J. P. Morgan for a tour around campus. The highlight of their visit was the Magale Room in the library which features books from the original Magale residence on North Jefferson Street. The volumes are kept in this room because it provides the most humidity control available said Daniel Page, who took over the post of the Magale Library director this July.
The relationship between the Magale family and the University has a history of its own. John F. and Joanna G. Magale were friends and benefactors of SAU for many years during their lives and through their estates. In 1975 they established the “John F. and Joanna G. Magale Trust Library Fund for Southern State College,” which promoted naming the library in their honor. Over the years, they established endowments that continue to provide scholarships for current students, as well as academic enrichment funds for the University in the Colleges of Liberal and Performing Art and Education. Most recently, the Magale Foundation has provided grants to the band program, helping to develop the band into one of the finest marching bands in the Gulf State Conference.
Muleriders on Tour – Little Rock
July 21, 2009
More than 100 people attended the Muleriders on Tour event at the Arkansas
Governors Mansion in Little Rock on June 30. The gathering allowed
alumni from Little Rock and surrounding areas to have the opportunity
to catch up on what is going on at Southern Arkansas University during its Centennial year. SAU President Dr. David Rankin spoke about developments around campus and SAU Historian Dr. James Willis delivered a historical account of the University’s past 100 years.
Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe joined Rankin and his wife Toni to greet guests as they arrived at the Governors Mansion. Steak cookers led by Randy Lann endured stormy weather to prepare steaks just like those enjoyed at the World Championship
Steak Cook-off each May in Magnolia. Those who arrived early to the event might have seen Beebe, his wife Ginger, and their German Shepherd,
Viper, milling around with the steak cookers and enjoying visiting before the brief storm.
The rain didn’t dampen spirits as the group enjoyed their steaks with traditional sides of baked potatoes, rolls, salad, corn and green beans. The evening also included entertainment
by Miss SAU Kristen Mosely who sang, “Stuff Like That There,” and Dr. Rankin’s daughter Beth Anne Rankin who played “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” on the piano. Mosley will be competing in the upcoming
Miss Arkansas pageant July 15-18 in Hot Springs and Rankin, who was Miss Arkansas in 1994 and a Miss America talent winner, will co-emcee on the Friday evening of the event.
The next Muleriders on Tour event will be November 7 and will be in conjunction with the Boomtown Classic in El Dorado. For more information,
go to www.saumag.edu.
Farmers Bank and Trust Distinguished Speaker Series 2009
July 15, 2009
The 2009 Farmers Bank and Trust Distinguished Speaker Series will be featuring Ehud Olmert, Former Prime Minister of the State of Israel. This event will be held on Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center in the Grand Hall on the campus of Southern Arkansas University. There will be a private reception held at Farmers Bank and Trust at 6:00 p.m. Guests at the private reception will have the opportunity for a professional photo with Ehud Olmert. The dinner will begin at 7:00 with the lecture to follow.
Proceeds from this event benefit the SAU Foundation Scholarship Fund.
Tickets for the event are $200 for private VIP reception, dinner and lecture or $100 for dinner and lecture.
To reserve your tickets please call the SAU Foundation at 870-235-4078 or toll free at 877-235-7409.
Muleriders on Tour – Little Rock
May 7, 2009
Muleriders on Tour will be making the next stop in Little Rock, AR on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at the Governor’s Mansion. For more information on this event please call 877-235-7409.
Muleriders on Tour – Hot Springs Village
May 7, 2009
On April 21st Muleriders on Tour made a stop at Hot Springs Village where Laverne White graciously hosted alumni and friends of SAU in her home. “The gatheing offers SAU Alumni the opportunity to network and build additional support for the University,” said SAU President Dr. David Rankin. “Muleriders on tour’ is a wonderful opportunity for alumni and friends of the University to enjoy a great evening of fellowship and get the latest updates on SAU.”
Muleriders on Tour – Texarkana
March 24, 2009
Southern Arkansas University hosted alumni and friends of the University on Tuesday, March 17, at the Texarkana Country Club in Texarkana, Ark. The event, dubbed “Muleriders on Tour,” was sponsored by the Office of the President, the SAU Foundation, SAU Alumni Association, and the Mulerider Club.
Local hosts included Dan and Judy Carmeli, Eddie and Emmie Gamble, Allen and Shelby Brown, Amy Jo Freedman, and Buddy and Sherry Hawkins.
Created by Act 100 of the Arkansas General Assembly in 1909, Southern Arkansas University is holding events like the one in Texarkana as part of its Centennial celebration. Attendees heard an update on the University from Dr. David Rankin, president of SAU. Bill Keopple, head football coach at SAU, gave a preview of the 2009 Mulerider football season and the annual spring scrimmage game scheduled for March 19. Keopple was formerly the head coach for the Arkansas High School Razorbacks in Texarkana.
