Peoples Bank recently presented Southern Arkansas University with a gift of $50,000 to be placed toward its $500,000 funding commitment to the Peoples Bank Endowed Dean’s Chair in the David F. Rankin College of Business. Dr. Trey Berry, president of SAU, has named Dr. Robin Sronce, dean of the Rankin College of Business, as the first recipient of the endowed dean’s chair.

By funding this endowment, Peoples Bank is allowing faculty the opportunity to go beyond the basics and continue offering students a first-rate education.

Berry said SAU’s ability to provide students with the finest education available “rests with the quality of our faculty. Endowed Chairs are crucial for recruiting and retaining the highest-quality faculty and administration, and essential if we are going to continue to excel as an institution.”

He explained the Peoples Bank Endowed Dean’s Chair “provides a permanent source of annual resources to propel research, pursue collaboration and help a dean realize his or her vision.”

Berry said this is the first endowed dean’s chair at a public university south of Little Rock.