Arkansas Tech University will invest $975,000 in renovating and enhancing its existing facilities on the Russellville campus during summer 2026 following action by the ATU Board of Trustees at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Feb. 19.
The approved summer 2026 projects from educational and general funds will include an exterior renovation of the building that houses the campus post office ($20,000), electrical gear replacement in the Hull Physical Education Building ($240,000), miscellaneous sidewalk additions and improvements ($55,000), Tucker Coliseum air handler replacement ($165,000) and Rothwell Hall interior painting and flooring replacement ($50,000).
The ATU Office of Information Systems’ proposal to invest $175,000 in upgrading student computer labs was also approved. As a result, 135 computers in labs at Corley Hall, McEver Hall and Rothwell Hall will be replaced.
The ATU Department of Residence Life brought forth a proposal to perform $220,000 in renovations to University Commons Apartments and $50,000 in improvements to Caraway Residence Hall. That proposal also gained board approval.
Also during Thursday’s meeting, the ATU Board of Trustees approved meal plans and rates for the 2026-27 academic year and new residence hall rates effective summer 2026.
The 2026-27 meal plan rates represent a 3 percent increase across each meal plan compared to 2025-26 rates.
The new residence hall rates represent an average 3.5 percent increase compared to 2025-26 rates.
A memorandum from Amy Pennington, ATU vice president for student affairs, explained that the increase in residence hall rates is “aligned with ongoing inflationary increases in utilities associated with operations and maintenance costs” and that the “additional revenue is also critical to addressing deferred maintenance needs and sustaining a safe, competitive and high-quality living environment for students on the Russellville campus.”
In other business on Thursday, the ATU Board of Trustees approved:
*deletion of the Bachelor of Science degree in coaching athletics and physical activity due to duplicity with another, similar program at ATU;
*an annual request to re-establish provisional positions for the upcoming fiscal year in the following grant-funded programs on the ATU campus in Russellville: Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math and Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Teacher Preparation Student Support Services, Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS), the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center regional office at ATU, the Arkansas Nexus for Excellence in Technology, Workforce, Outreach, and Research Knowledge (AR-NETWORK), National Science Foundation EPIIC BUILD, Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) and the University of Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services Child Welfare Emphasis Partnership;
*an annual request to re-establish provisional positions for the upcoming fiscal year in the following grant-funded programs on the ATU campus in Ozark: the ATU-Ozark Office of Adult Education, the Career Pathways Initiative, the Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and Student Support Services;
*induction of Dr. Bill Hardgrave of Memphis, Tenn., and Charles “Chuck” Gordon of Russellville into the ATU Hall of Distinction;
*a request authorizing ATU President Dr. Russell Jones to enter into negotiations to sell the ATU-owned property at 404 N. El Paso Ave. to Pope County;
*and a request authorizing Jones to finalize the selection of a fiduciary consulting services firm for ATU retirement plans.
In personnel matters, the ATU Board of Trustees approved the following appointments:
*Lucia Aguero, administrative specialist III, effective Dec. 8, 2025; Taryn Ballard, public safety officer, effective Nov. 3, 2025; Zach Clary, computer support services manager, effective Feb. 9, 2026; Marla Collier, fiscal support analyst, effective Jan. 16, 2026; James Di Naso, visiting instructor of health and physical education, for the spring 2026 semester; Alison Dickey, coordinator of alumni engagement, effective Jan. 5, 2026; Bridget Duke, visiting workforce education faculty of health science at Arkansas Tech Career Center in Paris, effective Jan. 5, 2026; Wesley Duke, wellness case manager, effective Jan. 5, 2026; James Ellis, housing maintenance supervisor, effective Jan. 5, 2026; Jeff Fantuzzi, assistant football coach, effective Feb. 12, 2026; Debra Fithen, project coordinator, effective Jan. 5, 2026; Ryan Frank, housing maintenance, effective Feb. 1, 2026; Arielle Holloway, visiting instructor of nursing, for the spring 2026 semester; Stephanie Littlefield, custodial services, effective Jan. 5, 2026; Sarai Mora, career and technical specialist in student services at ATU-Ozark, effective Jan. 6, 2026; Allen Neece, public safety officer, effective Jan. 12, 2026; Ana Reyes, custodial services, effective Jan. 5, 2026; David Schrock, public safety officer, effective Jan. 5, 2026; Julia Thompson, administrative specialist III, effective Jan. 5, 2026; Amee Virden, human resources recruitment coordinator, effective Jan. 1, 2026; Cassandra Watkins, visiting workforce education faculty in health information technology, effective Jan. 12, 2026; Corey White, testing services coordinator, effective Jan. 5, 2026; Elli White, coordinator of student involvement, effective Jan. 1, 2026; and Misty Whorton, administrative specialist III at ATU-Ozark, effective Jan. 12, 2026.
The board approved the following changes in assignment:
*Dr. Erin Futterer, from visiting instructor of music to instructor of music, effective Jan. 1, 2026; Traci Halsted, from fiscal support analyst to accountant, effective Oct. 16, 2025; Ashlyn Lee, from financial aid analyst to financial aid administrator, effective Feb. 1, 2026; and Kevin Moles, from housing maintenance to HVAC mechanic, effective Feb. 1, 2026.
Trustees accepted resignations from the following ATU employees:
*German Beltran-Solis, HVAC mechanic, effective Jan. 16, 2026; Trey Curtis, public safety officer, effective Jan. 31, 2026; Stephen Fletcher, public safety officer, effective Jan. 7, 2026; Randy Gunter, ATU-Ozark shop aide, effective Jan. 23, 2026; Richard Hutchings, assistant football coach, effective Jan. 16, 2026; Zoe Lenhof, administrative specialist III at ATU-Ozark, effective Feb. 6, 2026; April Parsons, fiscal support analyst, effective Dec. 11, 2025; Tyler Pepi, facilities maintenance at ATU-Ozark, effective Jan. 22, 2026; and Rosendo Trapala, outreach services coordinator, effective Jan. 7, 2026.
Trustees granted requests for retirement from the following individuals:
*Dr. Cheryl Monfee, professor of nursing and member of the ATU faculty for 34 years, effective May 9, 2026; Tommy Mumert, assistant professor of journalism and member of the ATU faculty for 37 years, effective May 9, 2026; Dr. Hanna Norton, professor of journalism and member of the ATU faculty for 25 years, effective May 9, 2026; Dr. Rockie Pederson, head of the ATU Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science, professor of health and physical education and member of the ATU faculty for 15 years, effective May 15, 2026; and Dave Wilbers, head women’s basketball coach for 19 years, effective June 30, 2026.
