Southern Arkansas University
Former names
Third District Agricultural School (1909–1925)
Agricultural and Mechanical College, Third District (1925–1951)
Southern State College (1951–1976)
TypePublic university
Established1909 (1909)
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
Endowment$57 million[1]
PresidentDavid F. Rankin (interim)
ProvostDavid Lanoue
Students5,128
Undergraduates3,252
Postgraduates1,876
32
Location
Magnolia
,
Arkansas
,
United States

33°17′30″N 93°14′10″W / 33.29167°N 93.23611°W / 33.29167; -93.23611
CampusRural, Residential
1,418 acres (574 ha)
ColorsRoyal blue and Gold[2]
   
NicknameMuleriders
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division II – Great American Conference
Websitewww.saumag.edu

Southern Arkansas University (SAU) is a public university in Magnolia, Arkansas.

History

Overstreet Hall, the administrative building

Southern Arkansas University was established by an Act of the Arkansas Legislature in 1909 as a district agricultural high school for southwest Arkansas and was originally named Third District Agricultural School, often called by students and faculty "TDAS."[3] Its first term began in January 1911, with its curriculum including only subjects at the secondary school level.[4] In 1925, the State Legislature authorized the school to add two years of college work and to change its name to Agricultural and Mechanical College, Third District (Magnolia A&M).[5] The school continued to offer both high school and junior college courses until 1937, at which time the high school courses were discontinued.[6]

In the fall of 1949, the Board of Trustees, exercising authority vested in it by the State Legislature, decided to develop the college as a four-year, degree-granting institution. The Board authorized the addition of third-year college level courses to being with the fall semester of 1950.[7] Fourth-year courses were added in the fall semester of 1951.[8] By Act Eleven (January 24, 1951), the State Legislature changed the name of the institution to Southern State College.[9]

Like Arkansas' other six state-supported colleges, Southern State College did not allow non-white students to enroll as undergraduates until after 1954's Brown v. Board of Education. Most began to admit African American students—though in tiny numbers and only for Saturday or night classes—in the fall of 1955. SSC's first Black student was Wilmar B. Moss, who "was admitted but only when he refused to accept an initial rebuff," according to an official history of the school. "At SSC from 1956 to 1963 an occasional black student enrolled in a Saturday or summer class, but there is no history of a black undergraduate attending regular classes during fall or spring semesters in those eight years".[10]

More change came after Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. On May 29, SSC’s board of trustees concluded, “Nothing was to be gained by refusing admittance to qualified Negroes.” About ten Black undergraduates were allowed to enroll that fall. In 1966, Black students were finally allowed to live in school dormitories. The first Black graduate received her diplomat in 1967, and the first Black faculty member began teaching in 1974.[11]

In 1975, the institution was approved and accredited to offer a Master of Education Degree in some areas.[12] The Board of Trustees approved another name change, to Southern Arkansas University by the Board of Higher Education on July 9, 1976, in accordance with Act 343 of the General Assembly of 1975.[13]

Also in 1975, Southwest Technical Institute in Camden, Arkansas, joined the SAU system as Southern Arkansas University Tech.[14]

Academics

Southern Arkansas University offers 70 undergraduate options, including pre-professional tracks, and 2+2 degree completion programs in four different academic colleges:[15]

  • David F. Rankin College of Business
  • College of Education and Human Performance
  • Dempsey College of Liberal and Performing Arts
  • College of Science and Engineering

Southern Arkansas University also offers 19 graduate programs, which are offered either face-to-face, online, or as a hybrid combination of the two.[16]

Campus housing

Residence halls

Bussey Hall, residences, and the University Village

The university operates several residence halls, many of which are associated with specific living-learning communities (LLCs):[17]

  • Arkansas Hall (Leadership College)
  • Bussey Hall (Females Only)
  • Burns-Harsh Hall (Freshmen Only)
  • Columbia Hall (Residential College)
  • Fincher Hall (Band Members Only)
  • Greene Hall
  • Harrod Hall
  • Honors Hall (North and South)
  • Magnolia Hall
  • Talbot Hall (Males Only)
  • Talley Hall
  • Mallory Hall

Apartments

  • Mulerider Pointe Apartments (purchased by SAU in 2018)
  • University Village (two-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments)[18]

Athletics

Muleriders football game

Southern Arkansas University is in the NCAA Division II as a member of the Great American Conference.[19]

The university's athletic nicknames are Muleriders and Lady Muleriders. The Muleriders take their name from the legend that the football team in the early 1900s had to ride mules from the college's agricultural department to catch the nearest train 6 miles (9.7 km) north of the college in order to reach out-of-town football games.[20]

The Muleriders football team won the Gulf South Conference Championship in 1997.[21]

In each of 1953 and 1954, the then Southern State College Mulerider tennis team went undefeated winning the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference in both singles and doubles and was invited by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to represent their district in their National Tennis Championships in 1953.[22]

In 2006 and 2009, the Mulerider baseball team won the Gulf South Conference championship. In 2009 the Mulerider baseball team hosted the NCAA Division II South Regional for the first time in school history.[23]

In 2007, the Mulerider coed cheerleading squad competed at the NCA National Competition. In 2008, the cheerleading squad went back to nationals and took 5th in their division.[24]

Traditions

Bed races

Family Day Bed Race

The annual Bed Races have been a unique tradition as a part of SAU's Family Day festivities since November 7, 1981. Representatives from SAU's residence halls build and race twin-sized "beds" with a mattress platform on top of four bicycle tires. Once constructed, the beds are decorated according to a theme decided annually by the residence's Hall Councils. The bed must have one reclining student, protected by a football helmet, and four runners. Each team competes in a double elimination race, and the winners take home the coveted Bed Race Trophy.[25]

Celebration of Lights

Celebration of Lights

The Celebration of Lights has been a Christmas tradition at SAU since 1984. What once started as a single display to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the school has become an annual part of the holidays in Magnolia. During the celebration, a large Christmas tree is lit in front of Overstreet, as well as light displays all over campus. Additional strands of lights are strewn along the 187-foot SAU bell tower, transforming it into a giant Christmas candle. Included in the festivities each year are: the Magnolia City Christmas Parade, caroling, pictures with Santa Claus for the children, and a holiday buffet dinner for the community.[26]

Greek life

Sororities

National Panhellenic Conference affiliates

National Pan-Hellenic Council affiliates

Other

Fraternities

North-American Interfraternity Conference affiliates

National Pan-Hellenic Council affiliates

Band

Music

Notable alumni

Notable faculty

References

  1. ↑ As of January 12, 2021. Willis, James. "Southern Arkansas University (SAU)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Colors | University Communications & Marketing | Southern Arkansas University". Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  3. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. pp. 27–33. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  4. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  5. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 88. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  6. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 108. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  7. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. pp. 188–190. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  8. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  9. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 195. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  10. ↑ Willis, James F. "Integration, 1955: Wilmar B. Moss, First African American to Attend SSC". University Archives | Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  11. ↑ Willis, James F. "Integration and the First Black Professor". University Archives | Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  12. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 268. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  13. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 289. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  14. ↑ Coker, Kim. "Southern Arkansas University Tech". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  15. ↑ "Southern Arkansas University Magnolia Undergraduate Catalog 2013–2014" (PDF). Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  16. ↑ "Programs". Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  17. ↑ "Housing Options". Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  18. ↑ "University Village". Southern Arkansas University. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  19. ↑ "Great American Conference Member Institutions". Great American Conference. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  20. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. pp. 13–17. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  21. ↑ "Important Dates in SAU History". Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  22. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States: Xlibris Corporation. p. 229. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  23. ↑ "Important Dates in SAU History". Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  24. ↑ "Gooooooo... cheerleaders!" (PDF). The SAU Stater. Southern Arkansas University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  25. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States: Xlibris Corporation. p. 312. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  26. ↑ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States: Xlibris Corporation. p. 312. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  27. ↑ "Jordan Babineaux". DatabaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Kenneth Beck". mindenmemories.org. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  29. ↑ "Bruce Bennett (1917–1979)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Ken Brown". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Biography of The Honorable Joyce Elliott Arkansas State Senator" (PDF). Arkansas State Legislature. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  32. ↑ "Steve Forbes named to lead ETSU men's basketball". Raiders Athletics. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Tanner Hudson". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Daniel G Kyle". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Tracy Lee Lawrence (1968–)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Nik Lewis". Calgary Stampeeders website. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  37. ↑ "In Loving Memory of Lynn Lowe". Republican Party of Arkanasas. Archived from the original on March 7, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Fred Perry". NFL Enterprises LLC. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Kenneth Pettway". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Ron Simmons' Biography". votesmart.com. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  41. ↑ Billy Hathorn "Otto Passman, Jerry Huckaby, and Frank Spooner: The Louisiana Fifth Congressional District Election of 1976", Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association, LIV No. 3 (Summer 2013), p. 346
  42. ↑ "Principals". Mozark Productions. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  43. ↑ "Cedri Thornton". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Tommy Tuberville, University of Cincinnati". AFCA. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  45. ↑ "DeAnn Vaught". arkansashouse.org. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  46. ↑ "General Horace M. Wade". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  47. ↑ "Dennis Woodberry". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2020.

Further reading

  • Willis, James F. Southern Arkansas University: The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909-2009 (Magnolia: Southern Arkansas University Foundation, 2009) 447 pages.
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