McKay's successor to be chosen by '16
The Arkansas State University System has announced the initiation of a search for a chancellor to succeed retiring ASU-Beebe Chancellor Eugene McKay.
In May, McKay announced that he planned to retire in January. He has worked for almost 50 years at ASU-Beebe, including the past 21 years as chancellor.
"We're going to really miss his institutional knowledge," ASU System President Chuck Welch told the board of trustees during its Friday meeting in Newport. "McKay has always been focused on student success."
The system will start reviewing applications Oct. 15, according to a news release. The university plans to have a successor named before January, said Welch, who is serving as chairman of the search committee.
The search committee includes a student, community representatives, and several faculty and staff members at the Beebe campus and elsewhere in the system.
9 colleges reworked
into 6 at Jonesboro
Arkansas State University at Jonesboro is realigning its nine academic colleges into six -- each under the leadership of one academic dean.
The move was approved by the ASU System board of trustees on Friday at its meeting in Newport.
"I want to commend [university officials] who worked for a long period of time with faculty and staff in looking at this," ASU System President Chuck Welch said. "As you know, everyone is for efficiency and change until it affects their unit. That's understandable."
The move is intended to make the university more efficient and effective, and to increase collaboration between academic disciplines.
The colleges are now:
• College of Agriculture and Technology and College of Engineering
• College of Business
• College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
• College of Fine Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and College of Media and Communication
• College of Nursing and Health Professions
• College of Sciences and Mathematics
The transition is ongoing through the 2015-16 academic year. Board approval will be requested in early 2016 for the final naming of combined colleges and any other additional restructuring of departments and/or academic programs.
The academic college restructuring was recommended by the consensus of two task forces.
According to a board resolution, the realignment will contribute "to the long-term financial health of the university, better [meet] the changing academic and career needs of its students and [create] ways to enhance academic quality through collaboration."
Athletic complex,
room receive names
A building and a room on the newest Arkansas State University System campus were given names.
During its Friday meeting in Newport, the system board of trustees approved the naming of an ASU Mid-South campus building after one person and a room on the same campus after another. Formerly Mid-South Community College, the West Memphis school became part of the ASU system in July. Debra West is now the ASU Mid-South chancellor.
The school's athletic and wellness facility is now known as the Dr. Glen F. Fenter Athletic Complex, named after Fenter, who was the sole president of Mid-South Community College from June 1992 to June 30, 2015.
The board's resolution noted that Fenter is a "highly respected advocate for higher education and the students we serve" and "made outstanding contributions to Arkansas State University Mid-South of a magnitude worthy of special gratitude and lasting recognition."
"He did amazing things for that institution," ASU System President Chuck Welch said.
The board also approved naming the student-athlete training room, in the athletic complex, the Thomas B. Goldsby Training Center. Thomas B. Goldsby Jr. died in March.
Welch said the Goldsby family has made a significant financial contribution to the facility and substantial contributions to the institution.
Board Chairman Charles Luter said Goldsby Jr. was "awfully, awfully proud of the college."
State Desk on 09/19/2015