New home of Mulerider Baseball takes shape
October 28, 2010
Construction is underway for an expansion of the Southern Arkansas University baseball stadium. The project includes an on-site locker room, coaches’ offices, concession stand and press box. The new facilities will enhance the educational experiences of the University’s student athletes while bringing the stadium up to the quality of a successful NCAA Division II baseball program.
Although some work has been completed at the stadium in the past, the new expansion will allow for services that are not presently available. The former facility consisted of a concession stand and a one-room office for all coaches that doubled as the press box during the baseball season. There was no locker room for the baseball team.
A new state-of-the-art score board will also be installed at the field.
The improvements will cost an estimated $1 million, and the University has received a $500,000 matching grant from the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. Project funds are being raised from private donors through the Southern Arkansas University Foundation.
Several naming opportunities still remain, and there is still time to add your name as a member of the Goodheart Society. Click here for more information on the Goodheart Society and for a current list of Members. Please call 870-235-4078 for more information on the opportunities to support Mulerider Baseball or to invest in Mulerider Baseball and this facility click the Make a Gift button located at the top of this page . Construction is expected to be completed in spring 2011.
For live construction progress, click below.
SAU Alumni and Friends visit Canada
July 22, 2010
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.
SAU receives $2 million gift to build new University Rodeo Arena
April 20, 2010
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.
SAU Foundation presents Canadian Rockies by Train
January 6, 2010
The Southern Arkansas University Foundation presents Canadian Rockies by Train
Join fellow alumni and friends of Southern Arkansas University on a trip to experience the most breathtaking scenery in the world.
July 12 – July 20, 2010 – 9 Days, 13 Meals
Highlights of the trip include Vancouver, VIA Rail, Jasper Columbia Icefields, Chateau Lake Louise Banff Springs Hotel, and Calgary
For more information call the SAU Foundation office at 877-235-7409.
For more a detailed itinerary of trip, please log onto the following website:
http://www.collettevacations.com/group-page/index.cfm?ID=361967
SAU FOUNDATION RECEIVES $10,150 FROM MONSANTO FUND
November 20, 2009
Pictured are: (Left to Right) Southern Arkansas University students Brittany Horten, junior biology major from Omaha, Texas and Heather Rochelle, junior biology major from Redwater, Texas, measure the production of oxygen and carbon dioxide with one of the Vernier Lab Quest packages recently purchased through a grant from the Monsanto Foundation. Dr. James Rasmussen, chairman of the SAU Department of Biology explains the use of the equipment
SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION RECEIVES $10,150 FROM MONSANTO FUND TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT FOR THE NEW UNIVERSITY SCIENCE CENTER
Southern Arkansas University Foundation today announced it has received $10,150 from the Monsanto Fund, a private foundation and the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, to purchase seven Vernier Lab Quest packages with appropriate sensors and biochambers. The equipment will be utilized by the SAU Biology Department in the University Science Center currently under construction on the Magnolia campus. The SAU Foundation raises funds for the literary, scientific, and educational purposes of the University.”
“SAU Foundation is pleased to team up with the Monsanto Fund to help provide the latest in teaching and laboratory equipment for the new University Science Center,” said Jeanie Bismark, Executive Director of the Foundation. ”Agricultural education is an important part of the University’s mission. The new center will provide a centralized facility for the study of the interrelated energy sciences: chemistry, physics, and biology, and will support teaching in the agri-sciences, including plant production.”
“Monsanto has targeted 2030 as a goal for doubling yields in our four core crops of corn, soybeans, cotton and canola. To reach that goal Monsanto will need the brightest and most talented future scientists available,” said Dr. Floyd Hancock, Soybean Breeding Manager of the Monsanto facility at Stuttgart, Ark. “Supporting education is a way that Monsanto can help insure that the talent needed to reach our goal is available.”
The Monsanto Fund is the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company. Incorporated in 1964, the Fund’s primary objective is to improve the lives of people by bridging the gap between their needs and their resources. The Monsanto Fund is focused on grant-making in four main areas: nutritional well-being through agriculture; science education, primarily on professional development for teachers; healthy environment, which includes conservation, protection of biodiversity, clean water and restoration of wildlife habitat; and improving the quality of life in communities where Monsanto employees live and work.
Visit the Monsanto Fund at http://www.monsantofund.org/asp/welcome.asp.
Your time is now – Join with your former teammates, friends, and family to support Mulerider Baseball
May 7, 2009
You can help move SAU Baseball to the next level of excellence by joining the Goodheart Society.
Southern Arkansas University is pleased to announce a unique opportunity for players and fans to recognize the commitment and accomplishments of Coach Steve Goodheart’s tenure at SAU by joining the Goodheart Society. Your gift of $1,000 or more to the Mulerider Baseball Complex will secure your membership in this prestigious organization. Members of the Goodheart Society will be listed on a permanent plaque at the new stadium facility. The goal of the Goodheart Society is to raise $200,000 to transform Mulerider Field into Goodheart Field.
Current Members of the Goodheart Society are:
Dr. and Mrs. David Rankin
George and Jerra Baylis
Dr. and Mrs. Mark Dixon
Friends of Coach Ralph Ross
Family of Ralph J. Ross
Paul and Jeanie Bismark
Josh and Bekah Kee
Dr. and Mrs. Willis Beene
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Gum
Mr. Scott Rowland – Neill Forestry Consultants
Bill and Betty Stringfellow
Jay and Bonnie Adcox
Chris, Clarice, and John Long
Mike and Angie Waters
Renee Eads
Hollis and Ceceile Eads
Wayne Calloway
Bill Elmore
Ray and Daisy Helen Uhrich
Russ Mattes
Dr. John Coppett
Judge Kelvin Wyrick
Julia Laney Machen
Darrell and Kelli Morrison
Phil and Jean Brooks
SAU Alumni Association
John and Jayna Callender
Beth Anne Rankin in honor of Dr. David and Mrs. Toni Rankin
Ann Reeves Eddy
Mr. and Mrs. Nate Evers
Mr. and Mrs. Travis Buchanan
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tripp
Louis and Martha Blanchard
Mary Harsh
Bill O’Brien – Entegra
Lane and Judi Jean
Craig and Shelley Cheatham
Patsy Maddox
Larry and Jennifer Lundeen
Bob and Molly Burns
Steve and Brandy Browning
Jimmie and Mary Solomon
Cheryl, Matt, Katy Goodheart and Doris Warren
Sammie and Jennifer Mathis
Claude and Skeet Baker
Houston Taylor
Joe and Angela Pieratt
CMC Steel – Magnolia
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Bearden
The Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation
Mr. J.W. Evers
Dr. and Mrs. Jack Harrington
Dan and Beth Galway
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Wiley
Dr. and Mrs. Ed Bacon
Allard and Julie Baird
Kevin and Karen Solomon
Mr. and Mrs. O.A. “Buddy” Franks
Dr. and Mrs. Corbet Lamkin
Pete and Priscilla Southall
Click on the make a gift button on the right of this page to become a member of the Goodheart Society today.
Graphic Arts Department Receives Gift
March 24, 2009
Mark Taylor, president and CEO of Southern Aluminum Manufacturing, Inc. in Magnolia, recently made a $5,000 donation to the graphic arts department at Southern Arkansas University. In the photo from left to right, SAU Foundation Director Jeanie Bismark, art professor Doug Waterfield, Taylor and Associate Director of Development at SAU, Josh Kee.
Tom Ulrich coming to SAU
February 11, 2009
Famed nature photographer Tom Ulrich will present a lecture featuring his photographic transparencies at Southern Arkansas University on April 15-16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Reynolds Center. The event is being sponsored by donations to the Southern Arkansas University Foundation.
Ulrich’s collection of over 600,000 transparencies has been used by many prestigious national publications including National Geographic, the Audubon Society, National Wildlife, Ranger Rick, and Life. He has published seven nature books: Mammals of the Canadian Rockies, Birds of the Canadian Rockies, Mammals of the Northern Rockies, Birds of the Northern Rockies, Once Upon a Frame, Photo Pantanal, and Mt. Reynolds: The Story.
For more information on Tom Ulrich, visit his website at www.tomulrichphotos.com[we would probably have to charge].
SAUF Supporters Enjoy Annual President’s Gala
December 15, 2008
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
December 4, 2008
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.
