An Arkansas Tech University icon will soon be represented in sculpture at the historic Russellville Train Depot.
Main Street Russellville has obtained a $10,000 Arkansas Division of Heritage grant to support the creation and installation of a public artwork celebrating Jerry the Bulldog, ATU campus ambassador.
Entitled “Time Out with Jerry,” the sculpture will be created by Calvin Stinger of Beebe. His portfolio of work includes the “Whimsical Toad” in Conway.
For the sculpture in Russellville Downtown, ATU’s Jerry the Bulldog will be depicted on a stack of vintage suitcases.
The grant requires Main Street Russellville to raise $10,000 in matching funds to complete the project. Entities and individuals interested in providing financial support for the effort may contact Danielle Housenick, Main Street Russellville executive director, at (479) 967-1437 or mainstreetrussellvillear@gmail.com.
Online gifts in support of the project may be made at https://square.link/u/lzfoCy7y.
“The statue will be visible from the Depot Park, which hosts many events each year,” said Housenick. “Though these events often welcome students and community members, several annual events are partnerships with ATU. In addition to events, this area has a high amount of daily foot and vehicle traffic. Jerry will be visible from the road as pedestrians and drivers pass the Depot building. He will be situated on the west porch of the Depot. This will position him so he is facing the direction of the ATU campus. This creates the sense that he is looking for students to leave campus and make their way downtown.”
The “Time Out with Jerry” sculpture will be cast in bronze and finished with a brown patina. It will be approximately 4 feet tall.
“The vision for this artwork is to create a visual connection between ATU and Russellville Downtown,” said Housenick. “The publicity plan includes ideas for encouraging new traditions such as a first day of classes or graduation photo with the Jerry statue. Perhaps Jerry can even be patted on the head for good luck before finals week. Arkansas Tech University brought back the tradition of Jerry the Bulldog, and at Main Street Russellville, we aim to embrace this tradition and forge new bonds and traditions linking ATU and Russellville.”
ATU Student Government Association restored a tradition that had been lost for 76 years on Oct. 23, 2013, when it cast a unanimous vote to install Jerry the Bulldog as campus ambassador.
The original Jerry was a daily part of life at Arkansas Tech in the mid-1930s.
He was owned by William O. Young, who oversaw the business affairs of Arkansas Tech as secretary and bursar from 1917-41 and acted as interim president of the college from 1923-25; and his son, Robert A. Young Sr., who grew up to serve as purchasing agent, business manager, vice president for business affairs and vice president for administration and finance at Arkansas Tech from 1941-84 as well as interim president in 1972. Dr. Robert A. Young Jr. has continued his family’s Tech tradition by serving as president of the Arkansas Tech Foundation and as a loyal supporter of Tech athletics.
The original Jerry spent much of his time on campus at the armory (later known as the Stroupe Building) with National Guard Battery F. The students and guardsmen there adopted Jerry as one of their own.
An article from the Feb. 26, 1936, issue of the Arka Tech student newspaper stated that Jerry was “always present at anything of importance at the armory,” which was a social center of campus at that time and the site of Arkansas Tech home basketball games.
When the original Jerry passed away in late 1937, the headline in the Arka Tech proclaimed “Campus Loses Mascot in Passing of Jerry.”
The first modern Jerry, Jerry Charles Young I, was introduced during a Homecoming Saturday ceremony on Oct. 26, 2013, and served until his retirement on Oct. 1, 2022. He was succeeded by Jerry Charles Young II, who took office on Oct. 1, 2022, and retired on April 21, 2023.
Jerry Charles Young III was born on Feb. 23, 2023. He has served as ATU campus ambassador since April 24, 2023.
Jerry attends a variety of campus events and alumni gatherings as well as Wonder Boys and Golden Suns athletic competitions.
He maintains social media presences on Instagram and Facebook under the handle @arkansastechjerry.
Visit www.atu.edu/jerry to learn more about Jerry the Bulldog.
Visit www.mainstreetrussellville.com to learn more about Main Street Russellville.
