UA-Monticello, Southern Ark., Ark. State and Ark. Tech Begin Centennials

Four state universities created by Act 100 of 1909 will launch their centennial celebrations on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, with a joint public re-enactment and re-signing of their founding legislation. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. in the Rotunda of the State Capitol.

The four schools are Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, and the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

A joint statement issued by the presidents/chancellors of the four schools noted, "Though we have followed different paths in our development over the past 100 years, we have remained united in our central mission of providing educational opportunities for the people of this state and this region. Education remains the key to Arkansas's future, and we are committed to an ever-expanding role over our second century."

The celebration ceremony will include greetings from the leaders of the four schools, as well as remarks and a ceremonial resigning of Act 100 by Governor Mike Beebe. Special guests will be members of the Arkansas General Assembly. All alumni and friends of the four schools, as well as supporters of higher education, are invited to attend to launch the schools into their second century.

Act 100 provided for four agricultural schools, one in each district of the state, with each to be known as the State Agricultural School for its respective district. These schools were to teach agriculture, horticulture, and the art of textile making. In 1925, the schools underwent the first of a series of name changes to reflect their growing college curriculums. The school at Russellville became Arkansas Polytechnic College, while the other three became Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges.

Today the four schools have become comprehensive universities with missions in teaching, research, and service. Arkansas State College became Arkansas State University in 1967. The A & M College at Monticello became the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 1971. Arkansas Polytechnic College became Arkansas Tech University and Southern State College became Southern Arkansas University in 1976. Since their founding in 1909, approximately 132,650 students have graduated from the four schools, with degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

For more information on the individual schools, see contacts below:

Sara E. McNeil, director, University Communications, Arkansas State University, telephone: (870) 972-3633; smcneil@astate.edu

Susie Nicholson, assistant to the president for University Relations, Arkansas Tech University; telephone: (479) 968-0402; snicholson@atu.edu

Rebecca Bell, university editor, Southern Arkansas University, telephone: (870) 253-5011; rjbell@saumag.edu

James L. Brewer, director, Media Services, University of Arkansas-Monticello, telephone: (870) 460-1074; brewer@uamont.edu

Hamburg Districts Sets Public Meeting with Candidate for Superintendent

The Hamburg School District’s superintendent review committee, which includes board members and administrators, will have a public forum with Dr. Stanley Miller of Arkadelphia at 12 noon on Tuesday, January 13. The meeting will be held in the S. P. Portis Administration Building on East Parker.

 No More Busy Signals and Much Faster Downloads Available Immediately!

Hamburg Board Decides on Two Potential Finalists for Superintendent of Schools

In a meeting lasting about an hour on Thursday night, January 8, the members of the Hamburg School Board, along with district administrators, decided on two potential finalists for the position of superintendent of schools.

Hamburg Board to Pick from Field of Nine for Superintendent

The Hamburg School Board will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. this Thursday to begin reviewing the applications for superintendent of schools. As of the close of business on Wednesday, December 31, the district had received nine applications for the position.

Bradley Co. Prisoners Bringing $420 Daily to Jail’s Coffers

Two weeks after Ashley County Sheriff David Johnson walked Warren and Bradley County law enforcement and city officials through the Ashley County Detention Center, the county jail is housing 14 Bradley County inmates at a rate of $30 per day per person. The purpose, Ashley County Sheriff David Johnson said, is to assist Bradley County and offset costs to Ashley County.

 Loss from Drew County Arson of Logging Equipment May Reach $1 Million

The Drew County Sheriff's Office and the Arkansas State Police are conducting a joint investigation into the identity of the person or persons responsible for setting fire to nine pieces of logging equipment, belonging to Steve Bolin Logging of Hamburg, that may have caused $1 million in damages.

Ashley Co. Still Seeking Registered Sex Offender

The Ashley County Sheriff's Department is still seeking assistance from the public to locate a Level 3 registered sex offender who has eluded law enforcement officers since October, 2005.

UA-Monticello, Southern Ark., Ark. State and Ark. Tech Begin Centennials

Four state universities created by Act 100 of 1909 will launch their centennial celebrations on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, with a joint public re-enactment and re-signing of their founding legislation. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. in the Rotunda of the State Capitol.

Justices Approve Final 2008 County Budget

In a short meeting on Tuesday afternoon, December 30, members of the Ashley County Quorum Court unanimously approved a series of changes in the county's 2008 budget to provide appropriations for over-expenditures in various budget categories.

UAM Campuses Set Dates For Registration And Orientation

An orientation session for first-time freshmen and transfer students planning to attend the University of Arkansas at Monticello's main campus for the 2009 spring semester will be held January 12 at 12:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center. The session is mandatory for first-time freshmen.

Boy Scouts To Offer Winter Camp at De Soto Jan. 16-18

The Boy Scouts of America are preparing for their 2009 Boy Scout Winter Camp. Troops from all over south Arkansas and north Louisiana will converge on Camp De Soto for this event January 16-18. All boys in the fourth-twelfth grades are invited to attend this premier outdoor skills and digital competition. Winter Camp will be held at Camp De Soto in El Dorado.

ACMC Ends Fiscal Year in Black by $60,639

The Ashley County Medical Center completed its 2007-2008 fiscal year on September 30 and was in the black for the year, but only by $60,639, according to the report presented at the December meeting of the Ashley County Quorum Court.

Three More Hamburg Teachers Earn National Certification

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards on Tuesday, December 9, released the names of 265 Arkansas teachers who attained National Board certification in 2008. This brings the total of National Board certified teachers in Arkansas to 1,116.

Crossett Board Oks Bids For Facilities Work; Hears Update on District Finances

Crossett's board of education meeting was standard with board members taking action on three submitted bids and two facility requests during the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday night, December 16. Members were also presented the monthly financial report and discussed proposed policy changes.

Crossett Council Debates Parking on Lawns

Parking vehicles on lawns was the hot topic of discussion at Crossett's City Council meeting on Monday, December 15.