Reynolds Center Dedication | Trustees Honored | ABI Anniversary
Commerical Innovation Groundbreaking Ceremony
Legislative Day | ASU-Jonesboro Leadership

Centennial Weekend 2009

at Arkansas State University

Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences Dedication

Two years after construction began, the newly-completed Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences was dedicated in a special ceremony Friday, Sept. 25, at 10:30 a.m., as part of Arkansas State University’s Centennial Weekend public events on campus. The dedication ceremony took place on the building’s lower level. Tours of the building, located at 116 North Caraway Road, followed the ceremony.

'This is a landmark event for the College of Nursing and Health Professions,” said Dr. Susan Hanrahan, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “Without the resources of Donald W. Reynolds or the generosity of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, this building would have never become a reality. Our ability to move to the next level has been achieved. Everything about this building is state-of-the-art and we are eternally grateful to the donors, architects, and contractors--it is an incredible space.”

Arkansas State University received the largest single donation in its history when a charitable gift of $14,508,342 from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation was granted to the university in May 2007. The gift was earmarked for the construction of a three-story health sciences building just northeast of the Student Union to support the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Reynolds Center were held November 3, 2007.

'There may not be a greater educational need in the country today than educating doctors and nursing and healthcare providers,” stated Donald W. Reynolds Foundation chairman Fred W. Smith. “Although this facility was funded through the Foundation’s Capital Grants program, it is also an excellent strategic match with our focus on training health care providers to meet the needs of our aging population. With this new facility, we believe that ASU will be better positioned to help improve the quality of health care for the elderly and for all Arkansans.”

"During recent months, our great country has been engaged in debate and discussion about health care reform,” said Chancellor Robert L. Potts. “Despite issues about access and payment, there is little dispute that the quality of health care in America is excellent. Health care professionals are responsible for that, and we, at Arkansas State University, are dedicated to preparing students to become excellent professional health care providers.

"Having the tools and facilities necessary to carry out our mission is crucial. The growth and success in the College of Nursing and Health Professions compelled us to acquire new space. Through its visionary outlook and its outstanding generosity, the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has heard our impassioned dream and converted that dream into reality. Arkansas State University aspires to progress in size and in academic reputation. This stunning facility will enable the Jonesboro campus to make a huge leap toward our goals. Dr. Susan Hanrahan, Dr. Les Wyatt and Mr. Mike Gibson deserve much credit for presenting a compelling case for funding of this project to the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.”

In August 2008, a $1 million commitment was made to ASU by the Judd Hill Foundation for the Reynolds Center. The restricted fund is to be used exclusively for building maintenance and repair including the repair or replacement of specialized equipment within the building.

The center is a 50,650-square-foot structure that houses the Speech and Hearing Center, the Beck PRIDE Center for America’s Wounded Veterans, the Department of Communication Disorders, and a nurse anesthesia lab. The center also houses interdisciplinary labs, a community education center, research labs, classrooms, an auditorium, a computer lab, a student lounge, a conference room, group study rooms, a nursing clinical learning lab, health assessment labs, and special project rooms.

'The Reynolds Center for Health Sciences has provided new learning opportunities for students in the College of Nursing and Health Professions,” said Dr. Sue McLarry, chair, School of Nursing. “Our students are very tech-savvy, and the state-of-the-art technology creates a wonderful environment in which to learn. The Clinical Learning Centers allow students to gain skills and confidence prior to entering an actual patient setting.”

Standard equipment fixtures include high fidelity mannequins and classroom teaching technology. The facility is furnished with $744,801 worth of major equipment and $344,645 of loose furnishings. The College of Nursing and Health Professions will also continue to occupy space in the Eugene Smith Building and the original Nursing and Health Professions Building. The additional 50,000 square foot Reynolds Center was fueled by the tremendous growth of the college and the need for space for new programs, equipment, research, increased enrollment and faculty, and areas for simulations and academic assignments.

Dr. Richard A. Neeley, chairman of the Department of Communication Disorders, said, “A critically important component of the graduate curriculum in Communication Disorders is supervised clinical practicum.  Relocating the ASU Speech and Hearing Center to the new Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences has provided our students and patients a state-of-the-art environment for improving communication skills.
'Approximately 55 patients are treated each week in the ASU Speech and Hearing Center, and each patient is scheduled for two one-hour appointments per week.  Since we use the Speech and Hearing Center as a “hands-on” teaching facility, we provide free services to the campus and the general public.  The Reynolds Center is providing wonderful opportunities to expand the number and types of diagnostic and treatment services students and faculty are offering.  We are convinced that this facility is the nicest and most functional in the state of Arkansas and in the mid-south region.”

"Thanks to the the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, a new building was necessary,” said Dr. Hanrahan. “The Reynolds Foundation made a great choice. Our opportunities are once again unlimited.”

The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Foundation has, since 1994, awarded over $378 million to organizations in Arkansas.

Trustees Honored
for Work at ASU

At Arkansas State University there have been 72 individuals appointed to the ASU Board of Trustees.  These outstanding Arkansans have served as distinguished leaders in the support of this institution.  On September 25, 2009 a public reception was held at the Cooper Alumni Center to recognize the members of the Board of Trustees, past and present.

Governor Mike Beebe, Jonesboro Mayor Herold Perrin, ASU President Dr. Les Wyatt, ASU Chancellor Dr. Robert Potts and about 100 other ASU supporters were in attendance for the event, which culminated with the unveiling of a plaque remembering current and former ASU trustees.

Governor Beebe said, “This University means so much to so many people.  We will never be able to show how much we appreciate them.”  “No one will ever be able to count how much the trustees have done for this great university and this great city.”

“These people have received far too little appreciation for what they have done over the past 100 years,” ASU President Les Wyatt said.  “From the beginning of our university, these people have been instrumental in making this university what it today."

Wyatt said, “We just want to express our appreciation for all the trustees who have given their time to make this University what it is today.  It only seems appropriate to recognize them.”

Following the reception, the Trustees were guests at an Appreciation Dinner hosted by the Centennial Celebration Commission and served in the Drama Theatre of the Fowler Center.

The Trustees ended their evening by attending the performance of San Jose Taiko presented at the Fowler Center, Riceland Hall.

Arkansas State University Board of Trustees
1909-2009

ABI 5th Anniversary
and
Commercial Innovation Center Groundbreaking

Saturday, September 26, 2009 was a day of celebration at Arkansas State University as Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) celebrated their fifth anniversary as well as the groundbreaking for ABI’s Commercial Innovation Center.

The events were held at the ABI facility with Governor Mike Beebe present as the featured speaker and also on campus for recognition, along with other legislators, as part of ASU’s Legislative Day. Governor Beebe, who was the state’s attorney general at the time, also participated in the dedication of the ABI building that was held September 18, 2004.

Following the ceremony, tours of ABI were offered to the public.

The ABI’s Commercial Innovation Center’s groundbreaking ceremony was staged inside the ABI building due to inclement weather throughout the week and poor ground conditions.

A $1.75 million grant to ASU, provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration provided funds for completion of the Arkansas State ABI-COM business incubator  and is part of the grant funding to assist the economic recovery effort in Arkansas following severe storms, flooding, and tornados that occurred in 2008.  The Center will play an integral role in the development of a knowledge-based business technology sector in northeast Arkansas.  Additionally, the center will offer an extensive range of facilities to transform ASU research into business and economic development opportunities, especially in the development of disaster resistant crops.

Legislative Day

September 26, 2009

United States Representative Marion Berry was honored by the unveiling of the “Marion Berry Parkway” during the annual Legislative Day event that recognizes local, state and federal legislators.  The announcement of the name for the west side overpass that is under construction was made by ASU President Dr. Les Wyatt at a brunch in Centennial Hall at the ASU Student Union.

Berry shared the credit by recognizing Chad Causey, a member of his staff,  who spent many hours on the Marion Berry Parkway and other projects in Northeast Arkansas.

Berry said, that no one person can take the credit for getting an overpass across the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad tracks south of the ASU campus.  Berry credited the project to good people” working together.

Berry also credited Governor Mike Beebe, Arkansas legislators and “a great bunch of people” for good things that happen at ASU.

Several other state legislators were recognized for their work with the General Assembly:  Senator Paul Bookout of Jonesboro, Representative Butch Wilkins of Bono, Representative Mike Patterson of Piggott, Senator Robert Thompson of Paragould, Representative Charolette Wagner of Manila, Senator Jimmy Jeffress of Crossett and Representative Robert S. Moore Jr. of Arkansas City.

Governor Mike Beebe said the representatives deserve “thanks, praise and respect.  You can’t honor these legislators enough.”

On behalf of three million Arkansans, the governor thanked the members of the General Assembly on ASU Legislative Day.

The legislators were also honored at halftime of the Sun Belt Conference opener with Troy.

                                           Information and quotes from articles by Sherry F. Pruitt and Ray Whiteside, Jonesboro Sun.

Arkansas State University-Jonesboro Leadership

We would like to recognize the former and current leaders of Arkansas State University.  These individuals have made significant contributions to make ASU the educational institution it is today.
 
Victor Cicero Kays, President, June 1910-January 1943
 Horace Thompson, President, January 1943-June 1945
 Victor Cicero Kays, Interim President, June 1945-Apri1 1946
 Dr. William J. Edens, President, April 1946-March 1951
J. Walter Turner, Interim President, March 1951-Apri1 1951
 Dr. Carl R. Reng, President, April 1951-June 1975
Dr. Ross Pritchard, President, July 1975-June 1978
 Carl Whillock, President, July 1978-January 1980
Dr. Eugene W. Smith, Interim President, January 1980-June 1980
 Ray Thornton, President, July 1980-January 1984
Dr. Eugene W. Smith, President, February 1984-June 1992
 Dr. John Mangieri, President, June 1992-Apri1 1994
Dr. Robert Hoskins, Interim President, April 1994-July 1994
Dr. Mossie J. Richmond, Jr., Interim President, July 1994-August 1994
 Dr. Eugene W. Smith, Interim President, September 1994-June 1995
 Dr. J. Leslie Wyatt, President, July 1995-0ctober 2006; ASU System President, October 2006-June 2010
Dr. Robert L. Potts, Chancellor, October 2006-June 2010; ASU System Interim President, July 2010-Present
Dr. G. Daniel Howard, Interim Chancellor, July 2010-Present

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