Pete Kelly has done a little bit of everything at Arkansas Tech University, and it all led to an opportunity that will allow him to contribute to a significant pivot point in his alma mater’s history.
Kelly is ATU’s new director of campus recreation, effective Tuesday, Aug. 19. He will maintain the full class load he is scheduled to teach in the ATU Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science during the fall 2025 semester and will transition away from the classroom to focus on his director of campus recreation duties on Thursday, Dec. 18.
That timeline will allow him to be in place for his new role when the 70,000-square foot Ferguson Student Union opens on the ATU campus in Russellville during the spring 2026 semester.
“I am humbled and honored to work again within student affairs,” said Kelly. “How amazing is it that I get to work with so many outstanding individuals that will be a part of this new era of Tech with the opening of Ferguson Student Union? I am extremely blessed.”
A 1988 graduate of Ola High School, Kelly enrolled at Arkansas Tech the following fall. As a first-generation student from a low-income background, he frequently walked and hitchhiked between his home in Yell County and campus to pursue his college degree.
Kelly persisted and graduated from Arkansas Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education in 1993. He added a Master of Education degree in physical education in 1996, and shortly thereafter, he went to work in student affairs at Tech. Providing oversight for intramural sports was among Kelly’s responsibilities early in his career.
He rose through the ranks to become associate dean of students and director of student life before becoming a full-time member of the ATU faculty in 2011. Over the past decade-plus, he has advanced to the rank of senior instructor of health and physical education.
Now, 14 years later, Kelly is going back to student affairs. His office will be located in the current ATU Office of Campus Recreation building at 513 West L Street until Ferguson Student Union opens.
The stated vision of ATU campus recreation is “to provide opportunities for a diversified population to recreate, exercise and socialize through a variety of programs including intramural sports, fitness, outdoor recreation, club sports and special events.”
Kelly will perform that work in a building named for one of his mentors, Jimmy Ferguson, and Mr. Ferguson’s wife, Cindi Ferguson. Spaces inside the facility are dedicated to the late Travis Adams, another one of Kelly’s mentors, and the late Steve Lawrence, who was Kelly’s long-time colleague in student affairs.
“Those three guys were so supportive in my career from day one,” said Kelly. “It was obvious to me that they all cherished Arkansas Tech and the Russellville community. They each played a pivotal role for me when I was a young guy getting my career started. I am grateful for all of them. They were all about getting our students more involved, more connected to each other and more connected to our campus. I am grateful to be a part of continuing their legacy and working with my colleagues across campus to make Arkansas Tech the place of choice for even more students.”
The campus recreation aspects of Ferguson Student Union will include basketball courts, fitness rooms, a spin class room, free weights, multiple cardio areas, semi-private workout areas, a turf training area and locker rooms.
The ATU Office of Campus Recreation also includes outdoor recreation, which will have its own office and equipment area on the first floor of Ferguson Student Union. Outdoor recreation opportunities for ATU students include mountain and casual bike check outs, canoes and kayaks, hammocks, tents and a bike repair shop. ATU students can also register for outdoors excursions guided by representatives of the ATU Office of Campus Recreation.
Learn more about the Ferguson Student Union at www.atu.edu/studentunion/future.php.
