About SAU

Overview

Southern Arkansas University is a unique, yet comprehensive liberal arts uni­versity at the heart of southern Arkansas. Established in 1909, SAU has built on its foundation tied to the region’s agricultural past and continues to grow while expand­ing its tradition of success into more than 60 degrees in four distinct colleges. The University is committed to providing the best tools, programs, services and oppor­tunities with qualified professors dedicated to helping their students reach their educa­tional goals and professional future.

Mission Statement

The mission of Southern Arkansas University is to educate students for productive and fulfilling lives in a global environment by providing opportunities for intellectual growth, individual enrichment, skill development, and meaningful career preparation. the University believes in the worth of the individual and accepts its responsibility for developing in its students those values and competencies essential for effective citizenship in an ever-changing, free, and democratic society. Further, the University encourages and supports excellence in teaching, scholarly and creative endeavors, and service.

Academics

As career and professional trends change, the colleges of business, liberal and performing arts, education and sci­ence and technology adapt and initiate new degree programs to fit those needs. Digital Cinema is a growing field, and SAU built a program to meet that demand. The cutting-edge program offers high-defini­tion video cameras and contemporary audio- and video-editing software.

Even as new programs are added, SAU maintains a quality 16-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows students to get personalized attention without feeling like another face in the crowd. SAU students grow to ap­preciate the individualized direction and enhanced learning experience that ensures their success in the classrooms and in their future careers.

In adapting to the busy lives of those who already have achieved bachelor de­grees, the School of Graduate Studies at SAU shapes advanced course work to im­prove opportunities and further careers. The next step in higher learning, the School of Graduate Studies offers many master’s degrees that can be completed entirely online or can be custom fit with a combination of in-class experience and online convenience.

Campus Life

The list of opportunities available outside of the classroom is as broad and diverse as the list of degree programs. While earning a degree at SAU, students can find a niche to match any interest through one of more than 100 student organizations. Through the Residential Interest Group program, SAU even offers students the unique experience of living with others who share similar interests. The University Village is also another popular housing option at SAU. The fully furnished on-campus apartment complex includes a community clubhouse and swimming pool.

Entertainment flavors the campus ex­perience throughout the year as SAU of­fers professional entertainment, concerts, plays, movies, lectures, workshops and intramural sports to round out the com­plete college experience.

For the die-hard sports fans and ath­letes, SAU is a competitive member of the NCAA Division II and part of the new Great American Conference. Men’s teams compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, football and golf.  Women’s teams compete in volleyball, basketball, cross country, softball, golf and tennis.

In 2012, SAU added a sports fishing team to their list of extracurricular com­petitive sports. The SAU Rodeo Team is nationally competitive and consistently ranks high in regional and national inter­collegiate competitions.

Facilities

Building on a strong foundation, SAU continues to grow. The Mulerider Activ­ity Center is the newest addition to the 1,400-acre campus. The new state-of-the-art student recreation facility provides car­diovascular, weights, workout equipment, full-size athletic courts and a smoothie bar equipped with nutritional options. The new MAC adds to the repertoire of new buildings that enhance the beautiful Mag­nolia campus that includes the 60,000- square-foot Science Center, the Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Cen­ter, Walker Stadium, The Ribble Weight Training Center, new softball field and the 10,027-square-foot expansion of Whar­ton Nursing Building that are just a few of the completed projects that provide quality space for exceptional academic instruc­tion, socializing and athletics. Recent ground breakings launched construction of the new rodeo arena and new agriculture building, which are planned for comple­tion by early 2013.

The Bruce Center is the home to a stu­dent game room equipped with pool ta­bles, air hockey, foosball, ping pong, wide-screen TVs and lounging areas. To help with academic pursuits, SAU also provides the Mulerider Study Lounge with computer stations, Internet access, printers and quiet areas. The academic heart of any univer­sity is its library. Magale Library provides access to more than 152,000 books, 75 databases and more than 12,000 full-text publications.

Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid is able to assist most students in finding financial assistance for their education. SAU also offers a number of scholarship oppor­tunities. Academic scholarships include the Presidential Scholarship, the Founda­tion Scholarship, the Alumni Scholarship, the Community College Scholarship, the Achievement Award and the Leadership Award. Performance scholarships are avail­able in art, band, choir and theater. Other scholarships are available in athletics and rodeo. Now is the time to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The deadline for financial aid priority filing is June 1.