Normans Give $500,000 for ATU Scholarships

Robert and Sandra Norman of Tulsa, Okla., have made a $500,000 gift to the Arkansas Tech University Foundation to endow scholarships for business data analytics, management and marketing students in the ATU College of Business.

“The Norman family has a long and distinguished history of philanthropy at Arkansas Tech University,” said Mike Hutchison, ATU vice president for advancement. “They are invested in our mission of student success. This gift augments the already sizable legacy of the Norman family at Arkansas Tech and further demonstrates their affection for their alma mater. On behalf of the students who will benefit from their generosity, we express our appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Norman.”

Robert Norman was recruited to Arkansas Tech by Coach Sam Hindsman to join the Wonder Boys football program. He was also active in the U.S. Army ROTC program while at Tech, and upon his graduation from Tech, he served his country in the military.

Sandra Norman is the daughter of the late Mrs. Eunice Brownlee Ferguson, the long-time food service manager for the university. Robert and Sandra met and were married while they were students at Tech.

The innovative classroom on the first floor of Brown Hall is named in memory of Mrs. Ferguson.

Much of the landscaping on the Tech campus is a direct result of the Normans’ interest and philanthropy, including more than 950 trees planted with their support. They provided for modern equipment for students seeking career advice, and thus the Norman Career Services office is located in the Doc Bryan Student Services Center.

In addition to Norman Career Services, Mr. and Mrs. Norman have been recognized for their contributions with the naming of the Robert and Sandra Norman Center for the Arts. Norman Hall, as it is commonly known, opened in summer 2006.

Mr. Norman has served the university as chairman of the annual fund drive in 1983 and as a member of the Tech College of Business Advisory Board. He was inducted into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction in 1985, and the Normans received the Presidential Fellow award from Tech in 2011.

Mrs. Norman has served on the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors.

The first floor of Brown Hall is for Mr. and Mrs. Norman in recognition of their lead gift to the Dr. Robert Charles Brown and Jill Lestage Brown Endowment through the Arkansas Tech University Foundation.