LR college starts readiness program
Philander Smith College has started a recruitment campaign aiming to improve student success.
The college has begun the Student Tuition and Readiness Tracks, a "specialized enrollment and preparation program" that places undergraduates on one of four tracks to success, according to a news release. Eligibility depends on academic achievement, economic need, civic and community engagement, Christian engagement, and commitment to earning a bachelor's degree, the release states.
The program began after the college's president, Roderick L. Smothers, wanted to help change student outcomes affected by accessibility. Students may want to earn a degree but be stymied by access to institutions, financial assistance and success, Smothers said in the news release.
Students in the program will receive financial packages based on their needs, which could include scholarships, stipends, book vouchers and tuition waivers, the release states.
UALR gives lawyer President's Award
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named a local attorney as the recipient of the 2015 President's Award.
Martha Stephenson will be honored at a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Clinton Presidential Library. The award is given on an annual basis to those with "career success and a profound dedication to the university," according to a news release.
Stephenson graduated from UALR with a bachelor's degree in history and English in 1972. Six years later, she earned a law degree from UALR's Bowen School of Law.
Since then, she has led efforts to build a courtyard near UALR's Ottenheimer Library, which will be finished this month. Stephenson has also served on the university's Foundation Fund board for six years and was behind an endowed scholarship fund, which is awarded to a student with a major in English, history or political science, the news release states.
SAU to put leader's name on college
Southern Arkansas University will name its business college after longtime President David Rankin.
More than $780,000 was raised to name the College of Business after the president, who is retiring June 30, according to a news release. The campaign for the name change began with late SAU board of trustees Chairman Bill Stringfellow, who wanted to honor Rankin, the news release said.
Rankin has served at the helm of the 3,546-student university for 13 years. In that role, Rankin prioritized infrastructure improvements totaling more than $100 million in projects. Most recently, he was behind the $4.4 million SAU Story Arena and Farmers Bank Reception Center, which opened this spring, the news release said.
Before that, he had worked as a faculty member at the Magnolia school for decades.
University officials are hoping to raise $1 million for an endowment,which would be one of the university's largest endowments, the news release states. Money raised from the endowment will go toward scholarships, classroom enhancement funds and travel opportunities for students and student organizations, the release states.
Come July 1, Rankin will have president emeritus status as Trey Berry, who has been the university's provost, takes the reigns.
Metro on 05/10/2015