Higher education notebook

ASU will consider osteopathic deal

JONESBORO - Arkansas State University and the New York Institute of Technology have signed a nonbinding agreement to explore the development of an osteopathic medicine school here.

Both parties agree to consider the project with each other for 90 days.

ASU is consulting with Tripp Umbach, a medical industry research firm in Pittsburgh, to assess the adequacy of community and regional support for the establishment of an osteopathic medical school. A report is expected by officials in December.

“If the study determines a school in Arkansas is feasible, then we will advance the overall idea with NYIT,” ASU Chancellor Tim Hudson said in a news release.

Henderson State to add residencies

ARKADELPHIA - Henderson State University’s board of trustees approved a $33 million bond issue Thursday to build two residential buildings on campus and purchase an existing apartment complex.

Plans call for the construction of a 300-bed residence hall, a 240-bed apartment-style complex and the purchase of Whispering Oaks apartment complex with a capacity of 288 tenants, the university said.

Bobby Jones, the university’s vice president for finance and administration, said an economic feasibility study will be submitted to the Higher Education Coordinating Board for approval.

Locations have not been selected.

U.S. congressman

to speak at UAPB

PINE BLUFF - U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill. and a former Arkansan, will give the keynote speech at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff commencement Dec. 13.

Davis - born in Parkdale, a town of about 275 people in Ashley County - graduated from Arkansas AM&N College, now UAPB, and moved to Chicago.

He spent 11 years as a member of the Chicago City Council representing the 29th Ward. Voters elected him to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in November 1990 and re-elected him to the board in November 1994. Two years later, voters elected him to Congress.

Davis represents Illinois’ 7th District, which is in Chicago.

UAPB’s winter commencement is scheduled at 10 a.m. in the H.O. Clemmons arena of the Kenneth L. Johnson Sr. Health, Physical Education and Recreation Complex - commonly called the HPER building - on the UAPB campus.

Admission is free.

Henderson State increases payouts

ARKADELPHIA - Henderson State University has revised its scholarship packages.

The university said last week it will offer $14,000 per year - an increase of $3,000 - to students who qualify for the Distinguished Freshman Scholarship. Students must have an ACT college entrance exam score of at least 30 and a cumulative high school GPA of 3.25 to qualify.

The Presidential Excellence Scholarship - given to students with an ACT score of 27-29 and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 - has increased to $10,000 per year.

Another award, the Community College Transfer Scholarship, has increased to $6,000 per year for transfer students with up to 60 hours or an associate degree with a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

A new, $5,000 yearly scholarship is available to high school valedictorians and salutatorians who have a minimum ACT score of 19 and cumulative 3.0 GPA.

HSU said two other programs will be offered:

The University Centurium Scholarship, which is for students with ACT scores of 24-26 and minimum GPAs of 3.0. They can receive a total of $6,500 per year, officials said.

The Red and Gray Leadership Scholarship, which is given to students with an ACT score of 19-23 and a minimum GPA of 2.75. Students can receive $2,500 per year.

HSU’s average annual instate tuition, fees and room and board cost an incoming freshman about $13,458, the university said. The actual amount can vary depending on a student’s major, course load and whether the courses require lab use, among other factors.

Henderson State officials said scholarships are limited and awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. The priority deadline for scholarship applications is Feb. 1.

Arkansas, Pages 16 on 11/24/2013

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