Arkansas Tech University and three other state universities are turning 100 years old today. Today marks the anniversary of Act 100, which created the four schools. All four schools will join together this morning for a Centennial Celebration in the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Little Rock. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m.
The four schools celebrating their Centennial include:
- Arkansas State University in Jonesboro
- Arkansas Tech University in Russellville
- Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia
- University of Arkansas at Monticello
A joint statement issued by the presidents/chancellors of the four schools noted, “Though we have followed different paths in our development over the past 100 years, we have remained united in our central mission of providing educational opportunities for the people of this state and this region. Education remains the key to Arkansas’s future, and we are committed to an ever-expanding role over our second century.”
The ceremony will include greetings from the leaders of the four schools, as well as remarks and a ceremonial re-signing of Act 100 by Governor Mike Beebe.
All alumni and friends of the four schools, as well as supporters of higher education, are invited to attend to launch the schools into their second century.
Act 100 provided for four agricultural schools, one in each district of the state, with each to be known as the State Agricultural School for its respective district. These schools were to teach agriculture, horticulture and the art of textile making.
One hundred years later, the four schools have become comprehensive universities with missions in teaching, research and service. Since their founding in 1909, approximately 132,650 students have graduated from the four schools, with degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Be sure to log back on to arkansastechnews.com following the ceremony to see pictures and video from the event.
