$68,000 bequest will provide scholarships at SAU

Rhonda Woodroff, center left, sister of Quintus Crews and executor of his estate, presents SAU President Dr. David Rankin with a check for $68,000. Also pictured are Josh Kee and Jeanie Bismark of the SAU Foundation.

Quintus Crews was a legendary figure in south Arkansas college athletics during his career. A Mulerider football player in the 1950s, he later went on to coach at Ouachita Baptist University and the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He passed away on Dec. 5, 2009, at age 77, but his legacy will live on at Southern Arkansas University after a $68,000 bequest from his estate was presented to University officials this week. The gift will fund an endowed scholarship in Crews’ name through the Southern Arkansas University Foundation.

“We are pleased and grateful that Mr. Crews made this bequest to create a perpetual resource for future generations,” said Jeanie Bismark, executive director of the SAU Foundation. “He was a beloved coach and mentor to many young students, and the SAU Foundation is thrilled to be a part of his dream of helping young people achieve their educational goals.”

The scholarship created with the Crews bequest will be available to students who demonstrate financial need, regardless of academic major. Crews had previously funded a scholarship for a student in the College of Business and was a faithful supporter of the athletic programs at SAU.

A native of De Queen, Crews played all sports in high school and achieved All-State status in football. After high school, he attended Southern State College (now SAU) where he played football for Coach Elmer Smith during the Muleriders’ 1951 and 1952 seasons. He later transferred to Arkansas A&M (now UAM) where he earned All-AIC and All-American honors in 1955. After graduating from college, he attended officer’s training for the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned as lieutenant. With an honorable discharge, he returned to Arkansas and began coaching in 1967. After coaching at OBU and UAM, he retired to Prescott where he owned and operated Baker’s Easy Pay Store until 2007.

For more information on making a bequest to Southern Arkansas University or creating an endowment, contact the SAU Foundation at (870) 235-4078.

A debt repaid

Joan Dempsey , a former U.S. intelligence official and Southern Arkansas University alumnus, recently pledged to invest in SAU and the William C. Nolan Endowment which will provide a stipend for a student intern in Washington D. C.

While at SAU as an undergrad, Mrs. Dempsey benefited from the teaching of both Dr. William Nolan and Dr. James Willis.  During Mrs. Dempsey’s final semester at SAU,  Dr. Nolan recommended that she pursue graduate school.  Dr. Nolan contacted colleagues at the University of Arkansas and secured a graduate assistantship for Mrs. Dempsey that facilitated her work toward a Masters in Public Administration.  She completed that degree in 1983, and applied for and was selected as a Presidential Management Intern.

In 2005, Mrs. Dempsey retired after 25 remarkable years of combined military and civilian service at all levels of the US Government to include serving as a political appointee in both Democratic and Republican administrations and after a final two years in the White House.  From the White House, Mrs. Dempsey, was recruited by arguably the best private company working in the national security business today to become an officer and a shareholder in the firm.

“None of it would have been possible without Professor Nolan’s gentle encouragement and active support”,  Mrs. Dempsey stated. “He, Dr. Willis, and Mr. Sixbey, among others, encouraged me to rise above my circumstances and exceed my grasp.  I have served with many colleagues over the years who received their degrees from the finest institutions in the world but none of them got a better education than I.  None of them were taught how to think more critically or express themselves better.”

Mrs. Dempsey plans to complete this internship endowment in Dr. Nolan’s honor in gratitude to him and Dr. Willis.  Mrs. Dempsey said, “It’s a dept I owe and gladly repay.”

Emerson-Thomas-Crone Lecture

The Emerson – Thomas – Crone Lecture on Monday, April 12, 2010 at the Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center in Foundation Hall drew a standing-room-only crowd.  Honored guest at the lecture were Mr. John T. Crone, III and his fiance Joy Lopez.  The Emerson-Thomas Crone Lecture in Humanities was established by an initial gift from Sarai T. Crone.  Her son, John T. Crone, III  completed the funding of her commitment as executor of her estate.  The lecture provides for an annual presentation by an outstanding figure in history, literature, psychology, sociology, or political science.

This year’s lecture featured John Douglas, Legendary Criminal Profiler and FBI Investigative Unit Founder.

Mr. Douglas  shared stories of hunting 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 shared several video clips of his interviews with serial killers such as  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 concluded his presentation with a scenario to allow the audience to profile the murderer.

A large number of those who attended this event remained after the lecture  to purchase one of Mr. Douglas’ books and have him personally sign it.

For more information on the Emerson-Thomas-Crone Lecture or how to begin an endowment to fund a lectureship series please contact the SAU Foundation Office at 877-235-7409.

2009 President’s Gala

(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

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

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

(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.

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