Arkansas Tech University will invest more than $1 million in facility renovations and improvements during summer 2025 following approval by the ATU Board of Trustees during its meeting on Friday, Feb. 28.
The scope of the summer 2025 projects includes $489,500 in projects overseen by the ATU Office of Facilities Management. Those projects include exterior cleaning of buildings, stucco repairs at McEver Hall, exterior painting at the Alumni House, air handler replacement at Tucker Coliseum, floor covering replacement in the press box at Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium, roof replacement at Crabaugh Hall, a lighting retrofit at Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center, landscaping on Q Street and replacement of grounds equipment.
The ATU Office of Information Systems will oversee eight computer lab upgrades that will result in 210 new computer systems and the procurement of six new audio-visual presentation and control systems across campus during summer 2025. Cost of those projects will be $500,000.
Funding for the facilities management and information systems projects in summer 2025 will come from the educational and general fund on the ATU campus in Russellville.
The ATU Department of Residence Life will oversee an additional $260,000 in improvements during summer 2025 with resources coming from an unexpended plant fund for summer projects. Those projects will include bathroom renovations and dryer vent improvements at Caraway Residence Hall, replacement of two roofs at University Commons Apartments and replacement of mattresses in all residence halls.
In other business on Thursday, Feb. 28, the ATU Board of Trustees approved:
*election of Dr. Robert Charles Brown and Jill Lestage Brown to the ATU Hall of Distinction under the Distinguished Service category with induction to occur during spring 2025 commencement;
*a transfer of up to $250,000 from educational and general funds to university project funds for the purpose of completing small capital and maintenance projects;
*a transfer from the ATU-Ozark Campus educational and general fund balance of $250,000 as matching funds for a Higher Industry Readiness Educational Development (HIRED) grant from the State of Arkansas, a request to allow up to 10 percent additional assignment to cover unexpected project costs and releasing a request for qualifications for an architect search for the design and construction administration of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Building at ATU-Ozark;
*a resolution authorizing ATU to apply for Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council grant funding for potential future renovation projects at Browning Hall and Hughes Hall as well as a request to initiate the architect search for those projects;
*a letter of notification to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board expressing Arkansas Tech’s intention to delete its Bachelor of Science degree in computer science education;
*forgiveness of an internal loan for the scoreboard at Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium;
*residence hall rates for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which represent an average increase of 2.48 percent as compared to the 2024-25 fiscal year;
*meal plan rates for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which represent a 9 percent increase as compared to the 2024-25 fiscal year base daily rate for block plans and commuter plans;
*a proposal to designate ATU Board of Trustees members to serve as liaisons to specific divisions within the university for the upcoming term and moving forward;
*appointment of ATU Board of Trustees members to serve as ex-officio members on three committees: vice president for student affairs search committee, Stephanie Duffield; vice president for advancement search committee, Jim Smith; and strategic planning committee, Bill Clary;
*and continuation of ATU-Ozark Campus provisional positions for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
In personnel matters, the ATU Board of Trustees approved the following full-time appointments:
*Joanna Alvarenga, administrative assistant, effective Jan. 13, 2025; Christopher Bonta, assistant football coach, effective Feb. 3, 2025; Mariya Branch, administrative assistant II, effective Jan. 2, 2025; Sydney Dale, administrative specialist II, effective Jan. 13, 2025; Maybin Espy, football defensive coordinator, effective Jan. 2, 2025; Dr. Trevor Frost, visiting assistant professor of music and associate band director, for the spring 2025 semester; Stacy Galbo, Title IX coordinator, effective Feb. 17, 2025; Richard Hutchings, assistant football coach, effective Jan. 2, 2025; Justin Keller, grant coordinator, effective Jan. 13, 2025; Brendin Kinsey, administrative specialist III, effective Jan. 2, 2025; Corey Lemieux, patrol officer, effective Feb. 3, 2025; Michael May, patrol officer, effective Jan. 13, 2025; Rachel McCutcheon, cards and procurement coordinator, effective Feb. 3, 2025; Eric Raible, ATU-Ozark assessment coordinator, effective Jan. 6, 2025; Blandy Reyes, coordinator for campus visit experience, effective Feb. 10, 2025; Adrian Riley, assistant football coach, effective Jan. 2, 2025; Kristyn Sheets, visiting instructor of agriculture, for the spring 2025 semester; Kaitlyn Tucker, financial aid specialist, effective Jan. 2, 2025; Kevin Wewers, football offensive coordinator, effective Jan. 2, 2025; and Hannah Wuest, head volleyball coach, effective Feb. 3, 2025.
Trustees approved three changes in assignment.
Dr. Justin Killingsworth, associate professor of agricultural education, was named interim head of the ATU Department of Agriculture and Tourism.
Dr. Jeanine L. Myers, who served as ATU associate vice president for academic affairs from July 2022-January 2025, returned to full-time teaching in her role as professor of mathematics.
Steven Nieken was approved for a promotion from general maintenance worker to equipment mechanic.
The board accepted resignations from the following ATU employees:
*Max Boyles, administrative specialist III at ATU-Ozark, effective Jan. 24, 2025; Dr. Theresa Cullen, professor of curriculum and instruction and director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, effective Feb. 6, 2025; Elijah Drain, maintenance specialist at ATU-Ozark, effective Jan. 24, 2025; Cori Hinson, registered nurse, effective Feb. 14, 2025; Savanah Leigh, financial aid specialist, effective Jan. 2, 2025; Dr. Shellie Maggard, assistant professor of nursing and simulation laboratory coordinator, effective Jan. 10, 2025; Dr. Keegan Nichols, vice president for student affairs, effective April 1, 2025; Brandie Paz, financial aid analyst, effective Feb. 28, 2025; Kendrick Van Ackeren, football defensive coordinator, effective Jan. 10, 2025; and Dr. Georgeanna Wright, assistant professor of health informatics and director of University Honors, effective Jan. 16, 2025.
Trustees granted requests for retirement from Susie Capehart, instructor of computer and information science, effective May 10, 2025; and Dr. Cynthia Jacobs, professor of biology, effective May 10, 2025.
