Legendary head of the FBI’s Investigative Support Unit to speak at SAU
February 10, 2010
John Douglas, a noted FBI profiler, will be featured at the 2010 Emerson-Thomas-Crone Lecture on Monday, April 12th at 6:00 p.m. in Foundation Hall of the Reynolds Center.
Mr. Douglas has hunted some of the most notorious and sadistic criminals of our time: the Trailside Killer in San Francisco, the Atlanta child murderer, the Tylenol poisoner, the man who hunted prostitutes for sport in the woods of Alaska, and Seattle’s Green River killer, the case that nearly ended his own life.
He developed the first psychological profile of the Unabomber, but found the FBI wary of his pioneering techniques. His aggressive plan of action was ignored.
He has confronted, interviewed, and studied dozens of serial killers and assassins — including Charles Manson, Sirhan Sirhan, Richard Speck, John Wayne Gacy, David Berkowitz (Son of Sam) and James Earl Ray — for a landmark study, to understand their motives and motivations. To get inside their minds.
He is able to become both predator and prey. He examines a crime scene and creates profiles of the perpetrators, describing their habits and predicting their next moves. Ultimately, when his work has helped snare the criminals, he can help build strategy for interrogating and prosecuting them.
He is Special Agent John Douglas, a legendary figure in law enforcement and the model for the Scott Glenn character in The Silence of the Lambs. (He was also the original choice to play the role.) As chief of the FBI’s Investigative Support Unit — the team that tackles the most baffling and senseless of unsolved violent crimes — Douglas is the man who ushered in a new age in behavioral science and criminal profiling. Now, after 25 years of service, he has retired and can finally tell his unique and compelling story.
Expanding on his national best sellers, Obsession, Mind Hunter and Unabomber: On the Trail of America’s Most Wanted Serial Killer (all co-authored with Mark Olshaker), Douglas’ lecture program delivers a fascinating inside look at some of the most intriguing criminal cases of our time. His most recent book, The Anatomy of Motive, analyzes such notorious criminal minds as Lee Harvey Oswald, Theodore Kaczynski, and Timothy McVeigh – and helps us learn how to anticipate potential violent behavior before it’s too late. Drawing from his long and extraordinary career, Douglas takes us inside the cat-and-mouse struggle between his elite squad of investigators and a chilling rogues gallery of assailants, a sort of surreal chess game with life-and-death consequences.
The Emerson-Thomas-Crone Lecture series was created through a gift by the late Sarai T. Crone, and completed by her son, John T. Crone III, as executive of her estate.
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.
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.
Muleriders on Tour – Porterfield Day
November 20, 2009
Lewis T. and Maxine Porterfield were honored for their service to the University at Porterfield Day on October 31, 2009. Approximately 250 people attended the event, organized by the Agri Department and agri alumni as part of the Centennial Muleriders on Tour series. Dr. David Rankin presented the Porterfields with a plaque recognizing their contribution to SAU. Ed McCrary of Nashville and Billy Moore of Hartford spoke in tribute to Lewis Porterfield and the SAU Agri program. Proceeds from an auction conducted by Representative Bruce Maloch established a scholarship endowment honoring the Porterfields. Gifts to the Porterfield Agri Scholarship may be sent to SAU Foundation, P. O. Box 9174, Magnolia, AR 71754-9174, or you may click the Make a Gift button on this page.
AG Day 2010 is scheduled for September 25, 2010.
Other Pictures from this event:
2009 SAU Foundation Honor Societies Dinner
November 20, 2009
On Tuesday, November 17, 2009, the contributors to Southern Arkansas University were recognized at the 2009 SAU Foundation Honor Societies Dinner. This annual event acknowledged those who have give $1,000 or more annually, $10,000 or more lifetime, given twenty-five consecutive years, the Top Five Donors, and members of the Legacy Society.
Top Five Award
Special recognition is given to the Top Five, those five individuals who, in a given July 1 – June 30 year, are the most generous to Southern Arkansas University.
Members of the 2009 Top Five are (Left to Right) Dr. and Mrs. David Rankin, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Fincher, Mrs. Mary Harsh, and Mr. and Mrs. Andy Franks.
Other Pictures from the event
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.
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.”
