On Friday, January 8, 2016, Southern Arkansas University hosted a dedication ceremony of the Sturgis Auditorium at the Wharton Nursing Building.
This event recognized the generous gift of $40,000 by the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust. The donation helped fund recent renovation of the lecture hall, combined with support from alumni and friends who purchased seats through the Name-A-Seat Campaign.
The renovation of the Wharton Nursing auditorium was important because it is a high-use area where more than 200 nursing majors meet for instruction throughout each semester.
“Although the nursing building at SAU in recent years underwent a significant expansion and remodeling, there were insufficient funds to update the lecture hall,” said Josh Kee, associate vice president for development. “The enhancements to the auditorium made it a much more interactive learning space for students and faculty members.”
Upgrades in the renovation included new auditorium seats with larger laptops, lighting upgrades, new carpet, fresh paint, and an upgrade in wireless internet capabilities. According to the SAU Physical Plant Associate Director Robert Nash, the project started with workers completely gutting the space and removing the outdated projector room. By removing the projector room, the auditorium gain much-needed space.
There is still time for alumni and friends of SAU to purchase a seat for $250 in the auditorium. According to Kee, this is a great opportunity to remember a loved one, honor a friend, or recognize a cherished faculty member while helping in the education of our future health care providers.
To purchase a seat, click on the “Make a Gift” button or call 870-235-4078.
Below is a list of seats that have been purchased since the start of our Name-A-Seat Campaign.
In Honor Of
Adriane Elliott Delaney by Dan and Beth Galway
Ava, Abagail, and Anastacia Seymour by John David and Stephanie Seymour
Becky Parnell by Austin and June Bollen
Becky Parnell by Stacey Willard
Bridget and Timothy Sanders
BSN Class of 2015
Charlotte Machen by Joan C. Bernard, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Intagliata, and Julia Laney Machen
Department of Nursing Faculty 2012-2013 by Mary Armwood, Ginger Covington, Janet Johnson Deeds, Jan Herren, Becky Parnell, Caroline Hammond, Stephanie Seymour, Laura Shirey, Josie Jackson, Barbara Hudgens, Sherri Arrington, Bernadette Fincher, Bridget Sanders, and Pam DeGravelles.
Jeanna Colvin Thomason by Byron Thomason
Josie and Gary Jackson
June Bollen by Austin and June Bollen
Lesley Butler Floyd by David and Vicki Butler
Marla Beth Hudnall Matthews by Greg and Beth Matthews
Mary Armwood by Ginger Covington
Mr. and Mrs. N. K. Calaway, Jr. by Deborah Spraggins
Sharon Willeford by Becky Parnell
Shelia Owen Cunningham by Ashley Owen-Cunningham, Frank Cunningham, Patricia Owen, and Teresa Owen
Tara Grimmett Almand by Margaret Hawkes
Traci Tripp Sutton by Charles and Maurice Tripp
Terri Ferguson Dodson by Jill Ferguson
Hayden Fanning and Molly Fanning by Mr. and Mrs. Alan Fanning
In Memory Of
Justin Scott Arrington by John, Sherri, and David Arrington
Margie Hunter by Barbara Hudgens
Marie Brown by Mary Armwood
Marie Owens by Brandi and Geoffrey Trisollini, Sonya Justice, Mary McMullan, Elaine Whitman, Becky Parnell, Susan and Dr. Joseph Templeton, Kerry Murphree, Shellie Reynolds, Rebecca Luper, and Sue Crawford
Pat Williams by Bruce and Melinda Butterfield
Pat Williams by Helen Samuel
Reola Lewis by Debra Feagins
Rosemary McKay by Dr. and Mrs. Scott McKay