Arkansas Tech Student Government Association officers and senators marked the university’s 100th birthday with a special resolution during their meeting at the Mary Anne Salmon SGA Senate Room inside the Doc Bryan Student Services Building on Wednesday. The SGA resolution was passed 100 years to the day after Gov. George Donaghey signed Act 100 of the 37th Arkansas General Assembly into law on April 1, 1909.
That legislative act created Arkansas Tech University, which was originally known as the Second District Agricultural School, as well as the institutions known today as the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas State University and Southern Arkansas University.
Arkansas Tech has grown from an initial class of 186 students in fall 1910 to 7,498 students in fall 2008.
Wednesday's resolution was signed by all eight SGA officers, all 21 senators, Dean of Students Dr. Jerry Forbes, Associate Dean of Students Pete Kelly and Vice President for Student Services Dr. Gary Biller.
SGA members also enjoyed a birthday cake in celebration of the day. Click here to view photographs.
The complete text of the resolution is included below:
ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY CENTENNIAL
WHEREAS, on this day in 1909, Act 100 was signed into law, establishing State Agricultural School, Second District; and
WHEREAS, State Agricultural School, Second District offered classes for the first time on Oct. 26, 1910; and
WHEREAS, State Agricultural School, Second District became Arkansas Polytechnic College in 1925 and then Arkansas Tech University in 1976; and
WHEREAS, Arkansas Tech University has had the privilege of educating students and preparing them for a successful future; and
WHEREAS, the celebration of Arkansas Tech’s first 100 years will preserve the past as a building block for the future; and
WHEREAS, the centennial will launch the university into the next century and accept responsibility for defining that vision; and
WHEREAS, Arkansas Tech re-affirms its commitment to educational excellence; and
WHEREAS, Arkansas Tech graduates will shape the future for the next 100 years; and
NOW THEREFORE, the Student Government Association of Arkansas Tech University congratulates the university for outstanding contribution to its students, the community and the state of Arkansas in recognition of its proud history and promising future.
