Businesses and institutions that stand the test of time celebrate milestones.But when an institution or entity that has the kind of impact on a regional economy that Arkansas State University has celebrates a milestone; more times that not it’s news.
It’s difficult to believe in some ways that it’s only been 100 years since the Arkansas Legislature created what has now become ASU.When you think about how quickly a decade can pass (think Y2K to now), it’s almost mind-boggling to measure the growth and contributions that Arkansas State have made to the city of Jonesboro, the Northeast Arkansas Region and the entire state in such a relatively short period of time.
Graduates from as little as 20 years ago can hardly recognize the campus when coming back home for an event.Mayor Harold Perrin, once a member of the University’s Board of Trustees, has been quoted as saying that “ever since Les Wyatt arrived there’s been a crane on campus”; referring to the litany of construction projects ranging from the landmark library to the new Delta Center on Economic Development, the Fowler Center, the Arkansas Biosciences Institute (part of a collaborative effort among five institutions to conduct agricultural and medical research to improve the health of Arkansans), the Reynolds Healthcare Center, new housing, etc.New doctoral programs were also added, including PhD’s in environmental sciences, molecular biosciences, and heritage studies.It’s no wonder that it took several years of planning and preparation just to get ready for the Centennial celebration.
Arkansas State University officially started the more than year-long series of events April 1, 2009 with a celebration of Founders’ Day Events to commemorate the signing of the legislation that created the institution. Numerous faculty, staff, students and people from the community attended the celebration held on the ASU campus. Hundreds of people turned out for the Exhibit Fair, float displays, entertainment and picnic luncheons. The end of the day was highlighted with a parade in downtown Jonesboro. A host of events and programs were celebrated throughout the year, and official Centennial celebrations will continue through Oct. 2010, which will mark 100 years from when the campus first actually opened.
Paula Miles, program manager for the Arkansas Heritage program, said the 100 year celebration has been designed to take place over 18 months.
ASU has already scheduled a host a number of events in coordination with the celebration in 2010 including:
• January – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration – “Embrace Our Past: Imagine Our Future”, including a host of events throughout the week to commemorate the life, work and death of the civil rights leader.
• April 23 – Spring Gala – This will include a presentation of the first Hattie Caraway Public Service Award to a public servant who has followed in the tradition of service set by Sen. Hattie Caraway of Jonesboro. Caraway was the first female elected to the U.S. Senate.
• May 8 – Commencement, Centennial Class of 2010.
• Oct. 1-3 – Student-orientated centennial celebration in recognition of the first day of classes in 1910.
