The Southern Arkansas University System Board of Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, December 7, at the SAU campus in Magnolia. The Board heard a variety of agenda items, including campus highlights and updates, a resolution for the SAU Tech campus, academic changes for SAU and SAU Tech, and an update on the SAU Tech chancellor search.
Board chair, Erica Woods, opened the meeting with greetings and received approval of the minutes from the last meeting.
Dr. David Rankin, interim president for Southern Arkansas University, expressed his appreciation to the Board for the opportunity to be back and to serve the University. Rankin shared, “I love this place and will do whatever is needed to help out.”
Rankin highlighted current trends in undergraduate and graduate programs in a brief enrollment update. With the enrollment at SAU being above 5,000 in a rural area of south Arkansas, it is quite an accomplishment. Rankin noted that the entire system enrollment was up 29 students for the fall enrollment period. In a time across the nation when many institutions are experiencing a decline in enrollment, this is something to celebrate.
Rankin presented notable academic highlights for the SAU campus. He specifically recognized the top 25 ranking of the online master’s program in kinesiology. He emphasized the original development of online programs at SAU and the investment in continuing to develop these online educational opportunities for the students. Rankin stressed the importance of multiple college, department, and program accreditations that are represented across the different colleges at SAU. These accreditations validate the high quality of the educational programs provided by SAU.
An update on the Norm DeBriyn Athletics Operation Center was provided by Rankin. Construction efforts for this facility are well underway with completion estimated this July. The 9,000-square-foot facility, which will serve as the central hub for Mulerider Athletics’ 16 athletic programs, is designed to address the academic, nutritional, personal, and professional development of more than 450 student-athletes. Components will include multiple learning environments, including a large classroom also serving as a team meeting room, a computer lab, tutoring rooms, administration, academic advisor, and coaches’ offices, a nutrition center, and locker rooms for men’s and women’s Track and Field/Cross Country programs.
Rankin shared campus beautification plans for areas such as the Story Arena and improved fencing along the farm. Updates on the Norvell-Cook Engineering building renovations that include additional classrooms and academic spaces within the center of that building were provided to the Board.
J Courson was recently recognized by SAU for his years of service to SAU and his contributions of several long-standing SAU traditions such as Family Day, Residence Hall Association Bedraces, Great Greek Canoe Race, Freshmen Steak Dinner, and the Celebration of Lights. Rankin noted that he was pleased to be able to honor J Courson last week.
Rankin acknowledged the success of the SAU football team over the 2023 season and their recent bowl game victory over Missouri Western at the Farmers Bank and Trust Live United Bowl in Texarkana on December 2. He recognized this was the first ten-game winning season in many years.
Dr. Valerie Wilson, vice chancellor for academics, provided an update for the SAU Tech campus. She shared that SAU Tech has experienced a very busy fall. Some highlighted events included a mid-cycle accreditation visit from the Higher Learning Commission, two academic program reviews, an annual fiscal audit, training for the newly implemented student information system, and the new chancellor search.
Wilson elaborated on the HLC accreditation visit that took place on October 6 and 7 on the SAU Tech campus. She noted that the final report was received from the accreditation team just last week. Wilson praised the SAU Tech team for their hard work, resulting in a positive HLC report. The next visit for SAU Tech will be a reaffirmation visit in six years.
Program reviews for the clinical nursing program and the adult education program were conducted. The nursing program review went very well resulting in a positive report. The comprehensive visit for the adult education program was at the end of October. Wilson praised Barbara Hamilton, associate vice chancellor of adult education, for her work and a very successful review.
In her final notes, Wilson shared updates on student activities, athletics, volunteer firefighter training, additional funding for the firefighter program, workforce-training grants, and the implementation of the new student information system, Jenzabar One.
In other business, Rankin presented a resolution to rename the current administration building at SAU Tech to the Gaye and Gerald Manning Administration Building. This building will also be known as the Manning Hall. The Board passed this renaming resolution. Rankin shared a history of many significant contributions and improvements at SAU Tech that were the direct result of the dedication and hard work of the Manning’s collective 73 years of service.
Dr. David Lanoue, SAU provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Valarie Wilson, SAU Tech vice chancellor for academics, presented academic changes for both campuses. The Board approved the academic changes.
The Board then took a recess and exited into executive session to discuss personnel changes. Upon return from the executive session, the Board approved the changes. The Board requested that the committee review applications of the search firms for the upcoming presidential search. Any decisions related to the presidential search will be made by the Board at a later date.
In the last segment of business, Dr. Jennifer Rowsam, dean of the Dempsey Liberal and Performing Arts and chair of the SAU Tech chancellor search, provided an update on the search for the new SAU Tech chancellor. The following five individuals have completed finalist interviews for the position: Dr. Jerry Thomas, National Park Community College; Dr. Don Simpson, University of Louisiana-Monroe; Dr. Valarie Wilson, SAU Tech; Dr. Keith McClanahan, Arkansas Northeastern College; and Dr. Billy Adams, Panola College. The search committee will reconvene on Tuesday, December 12, to recommend finalists to Rankin.
Southern Arkansas University provides students the complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to fit the needs of career and professional trends of today. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.
