Muleriders on Tour – Mena

(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

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

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

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.

Muleriders on Tour – Hot Springs Village

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

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.

SAUF Supporters Enjoy Annual President’s Gala

Alumni and friends who have contributed to Southern Arkansas University through the SAU Foundation during the past year enjoyed the President’s Gala on Friday, December 12, 2008, at the Magnolia Country Club. This annual event is a “thank you” to the alumni and friends who have so graciously shown their support for the University.

Entertainment was provided by “The Road Hoggs,” led by Zane Glasscock on guitar, and featuring vocals by David Price. Other members of the band included Andy Ray on drums, Brett Traylor on keyboard, and James Otwell on saxophone. Beth Anne Rankin, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. David Rankin, and Josh Kee, Associate Director of the SAU Foundation, sang “Silver Bells” and other selections. Heavy hours d’ oeuvres including shrimp, sausage croissants, spinach dip, and decadent chocolate cake were served.

Each guest received a blue and gold Mulerider Christmas Ball dated 2008 to display on their Christmas tree in the coming years.

SAU sponsors Wharton Nursing Building dedication

Southern Arkansas University dedicated the Wharton Nursing Building addition and renovation project on December 1 in classroom 244. Keynote remarks were made by U.S. Congressman Mike Ross.

“We are facing a nationwide nursing shortage and without aggressive intervention, the supply of nurses in America will fall 29 percent below what we need by 2020. This nursing shortage not only affects our hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices, but it also has a devastating impact on our local communities,” said Ross, of Prescott. “I was happy to help secure funding in 2005 to help make possible the expansion of the Wharton Building.SAU will continue to grow and proposer with this nursing program and help southwest Arkansas with the necessary nursing force to meet the growing demands of the community and the state.”

Dr. Bernadette Fincher, Chair of the SAU Department of Nursing, agreed the expansion comes at a time when there is a growing need for registered nurses, particularly in rural communities. “The expansion of SAU’s Wharton Nursing Building is an important element toward increasing the number of professional nurses available in south Arkansas to provide the surrounding health care facilities with qualified nurses to meet current and future workforce demands,” said Fincher.

The new addition and renovations were completed in two phases. Phase 1 was conducted January through March of 2007 and included connecting the building to the University’s district cooling loop, renovations to the mechanical room and design work necessary for Phase II. All work connected to Phase I was made possible through a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant of $334,000 sponsored by Congressman Ross.

Phase II included renovation of three existing classroom/laboratories and the addition of 10,287 square feet in new classrooms/laboratories, offices, support facilities and parking. This phase was conducted February through November 2008, cost approximately $1.9 million and raised total square footage to 25,114. The building addition was designed by CADM architects of El Dorado, Arkansas and constructed by general contractor Coker Building Company Inc. of Arkansas.

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.

Honors Dinner 2008 Photo Album

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