Arkansas Tech University will honor its 12th president, Dr. Robin E. Bowen, with a week of inauguration activities in April. Bowen took office as president of Arkansas Tech on July 1, 2014. She is the first female president of a public, four-year university in Arkansas. “The inaugural activities will be a celebration of the past, present and future of Arkansas Tech University,” said Julie Morgan, assistant to the president and chairperson of the inaugural committee. “The week will provide the Tech family with an opportunity to celebrate the achievements that have made us an institution of significance and collectively imagine the possibilities of our shared, bright future.” The centerpiece of the week will be the formal inauguration of Bowen. The event is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, April 17, at Tucker Coliseum. The public is invited to attend the inauguration. “This will be the first inauguration in Arkansas Tech history, so it would be natural for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university to be curious about the meaning and timing behind the events,” said Morgan. “Inaugural activities are generally planned for 9-to-12 months after a new university president takes office, particularly if the individual is a newcomer to his or her institution. This provides the new president with an opportunity to develop a feel for the institution and begin to formulate his or her vision for the future of the university. The inaugural activities serve as a launching point for that vision.” A week of events to celebrate the inauguration will begin on Sunday, April 12. In addition to a sampling of events that will display the artistic and athletic talents of Arkansas Tech students, the university community and the surrounding communities will work together on a 24-hour drive to register individuals with the “Be the Match” bone marrow registry. The bone marrow registry drive will begin at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, and continue through 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15. Individuals age 18-44 are eligible to register for free. Joining the registry is accomplished through collecting cheek cells with a cotton swab. Trained volunteers will register individuals at the W.O. Young Building Ballroom, located at 207 West O Street on the Arkansas Tech campus in Russellville, throughout the 24-hour period. More details about the inaugural events can be found at www.atu.edu/inauguration. Below is a complete listing of public events: Sunday, April 12 *Community Brunch, Chambers Cafeteria, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. *Senior graphic design show reception, Norman Hall Art Gallery, noon-2:30 p.m. *Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Chorale performance, First United Methodist Church in Russellville, 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 13-Friday, April 17 *Senior graphic design show continues, Norman Hall Art Gallery, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, April 14 *24-hour “Be the Match” bone marrow registry drive begins, W.O. Young Ballroom, 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 15 *Community Open House (campus and facility tours), departing from Tucker Coliseum, 4-6 p.m. *24-hour “Be the Match” bone marrow registry awards ceremony, W.O. Young Ballroom, 9 p.m. Thursday, April 16 *Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees meeting, Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center, 1 p.m. Friday, April 17 *Inauguration of Dr. Robin E. Bowen, 12th president of Arkansas Tech, Tucker Coliseum, 2 p.m. (reception to follow) *Inaugural Scholarship Gala, L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club, 6:30 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. dinner Saturday, April 18 *Out of the Darkness Walk for suicide prevention, Doc Bryan Student Services Center, 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. walk *Bash at the Ballpark community event sponsored by Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce, Tech Field, 11 a.m. *NCAA Tennis, Arkansas Tech vs. Southwest Baptist, Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex, Noon *NCAA Baseball, Arkansas Tech vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Tech Field, 1 p.m. *Wonder Boys Football, Green and Gold scrimmage, Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field, 2 p.m.
