Following more than 45 years of service and countless speeches as a Mulerider, Southern Arkansas University’s retiring President Dr. David Rankin and his wife Toni were rendered speechless Saturday night. At a dinner to honor the Rankins, it was announced that more than $780,000 has already been raised to name the University’s College of Business the David F. Rankin College of Business.
More than 250 people gathered for the dinner, which was emceed by Senator Bruce Maloch at SAU’s Grand Hall. A series of heartfelt tributes were given by close friends and respected peers, which included video messages from Governor Mike Huckabee, Governor Asa Hutchinson and Senator John Boozman.
SAU icon Louis Blanchard opened the evening with his reflections of Rankin’s arrival at SAU in 1968. Former Rankin student Jim F. Andrews, vice president, general counsel, and secretary for Deltic Timber, shared with the crowd how Rankin played an instrumental role in Andrews’ decision to choose SAU and they have stayed close for 33 years. SAU Dean of the College of Business Lisa Toms got choked up as she gave Rankin credit for not only countless achievements during his tenure as dean, but also for his inspiration that helped her get her Ph.D. and become dean herself. Current student and SAU President’s Ambassador Caleigh Moyer concluded the tributes with a touching speech.
The idea for the David F. Rankin College of Business campaign began with the late Board of Trustees Chair Bill Stringfellow, according to Josh Kee, assistant vice president for Development. After Rankin’s retirement announcement in the summer of 2014, Stringfellow began to ponder how to honor Rankin in a meaningful way. He shared his idea with Kee and incoming President Dr. Trey Berry, then went to Board of Trustees and got their approval.
Kee said that Rankin’s philosophy has been that when there is fundraising involved in a naming project, it is much more meaningful to the future of the institution. The fundraising goal for David F. Rankin College of Business is $1 million, and it will be one of the SAU’s largest endowments once it is completed. A permanent donor wall recognizing all the donors to the campaign will be installed later this summer.
Proceeds from the endowment will provide scholarships, classroom enhancement funds and travel opportunities for students and student groups.
If anyone wants to be a part of this effort to honor Dr. Rankin, please contact Kee at (870)235-4321 or JoshKee@saumag.edu.
Rankin will retire at the end of this academic year on June 30. He has served SAU for 45 years, and the past 13 as president. In 2002, he set forth with his ambitious “Blue and Gold Vision,” SAU’s first capital campaign. He has almost completed that vision with numerous campus capital projects completed, totaling more than $100 million. The most recent project, the $4.4 million SAU Story Arena and Farmers Bank Reception Center, opened this spring.
