News

SAU Board of Trustees Elects 2026 Officers

Published

6 months ago

December 1, 2025

Grant Merrill

MAGNOLIA – The Southern Arkansas University System Board of Trustees met in a regularly scheduled session on Friday, November 21, on the SAU–Magnolia campus.

Trustees approved previous meeting minutes and conducted officer elections for 2026, naming Jason Sullivan as chair, Monty Harrington as vice-chair, and Gary Sewell as secretary.

Dr. Bruno Hicks, SAU president, provided an overview of recent accomplishments and ongoing initiatives across the University. Hicks reported that Niche.com has named Southern Arkansas University the Best Small Public College in Arkansas for the second consecutive year. SAU is also ranked No. 2 among public institutions in Arkansas. Hicks shared enrollment initiatives and future efforts with the Board.

SAU recently celebrated a successful Giving Day, raising more than $250,000 from 488 donors.

Hicks highlighted the University’s expanding role in the development of Arkansas’s lithium industry. SAU’s engineering programs and outreach efforts are supporting workforce development tied to critical minerals and energy-related technologies. Trustees viewed an ExxonMobil video created for the recent Lithium Learns Conference that showcased Magnolia, the region, and SAU’s contributions to STEM education and workforce readiness.

SAU’s engineering program continues to build strong partnerships with high schools across the state, and, as Hicks shared, the University’s new mobile STEM lab is expected to arrive on campus this spring.

Hicks recognized SAU student-athletes for their strong academic performance, noting a collective GPA of 3.2. Students achieving these marks represent all academic colleges across campus.

The Board unanimously approved a Resolution of Appreciation recognizing outgoing trustee Nate Evers, who has served from 2021 to 2026, including terms as secretary, vice-chair, and chair. The resolution acknowledged significant system enhancements during his tenure.

Dr. Jerry Thomas

SAU Tech Chancellor, Dr. Jerry Thomas, reported a productive fall semester, highlighted by strong enrollment growth. SAU Tech enrolled 1,019 students this fall, surpassing 1,000 for the first time since the pandemic, reflecting a 2.4% increase over last year. Growth was led by a 5.7% increase in high-school and technical program enrollment.

Thomas announced that SAU Tech has been named a 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence nominee, placing it among the top 200 community colleges nationwide.

Thomas shared updates on SAU Tech’s extensive workforce partnerships with employers in the Highland Industrial Park. Training has expanded in robotics, CNC machining, advanced manufacturing, PLCs, environmental safety, and other high-demand areas. The Arkansas Fire Training Academy has delivered more than 41,000 hours of training statewide this year. The new EMS Training Center will hold a ribbon-cutting on December 3.

Dr. Robin Sronce, provost and vice president for academic affairs, presented several new academic programs and modifications for approval. The Board approved the following:

MBA – Project Management Emphasis
Project Management Graduate Certificate
BS Computer Science – Artificial Intelligence Emphasis
MS Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Track
Education Specialist (Ed.S.) – Rural Educational Leadership
Engineering emphases in Chemical Engineering and Industrial Engineering
MS Computer Information Science – Artificial Intelligence Option
Criminal Justice program restructuring, including combining Cyber Criminology into a track and deactivating the standalone program
Mathematics Education – deactivating with plans for a proposal for this to be in the MAT track

These academic changes will be presented for formal approval to the Arkansas Department of High Education.

The Board also approved updates to the SAU faculty handbook related to post-tenure review processes.

Dr. Valerie Wilson, vice chancellor for academics and planning, presented the initial elements of SAU Tech’s 2026–2029 strategic plan, including a new mission, vision, core values, and four strategic priorities. The complete strategic plan will be presented to the Board for approval at a future meeting.

Dr. Connie Wilson, vice president for advancement, presented updates and revisions to the SAU Foundation Naming Policy and to the memorandum of understanding between SAU and the SAU Foundation to reflect added staffing.

Trustees also approved the naming of the SAU trap and skeet fields and the sporting clay field trap facilities in honor of Dr. Bob Burns, recognizing his long-standing philanthropic support and leadership. The facility will be renamed the Dr. Bob L. Burns Fields at the Farmers Bank & Trust Range.

Following the executive session, the Board approved personnel changes and adjourned the meeting.

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El Dorado Man Faces Charges After SWAT Standoff

Published

21 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — A 39-year-old El Dorado man is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Union County District Court on Friday after being taken into custody following a lengthy police standoff earlier this week.

According to the El Dorado Police Department, Gary Lee Moore was arrested Tuesday morning after officers responded to a reported aggravated assault and spent more than an hour attempting to negotiate his surrender.

Authorities said officers were first called to South Arkansas Regional Hospital at approximately 6:45 a.m. Tuesday after receiving information about a suspected aggravated assault. Investigators reported that the victim told officers Moore had threatened her life and warned that he would kill any law enforcement officers who attempted to intervene.

Following the report, officers went to a residence in the 2700 block of Mount Holly Road to locate Moore.

Police secured the area around the residence, including shutting down a portion of Mount Holly Road, while ensuring no other individuals were inside the home. Crisis negotiators then began efforts to persuade Moore to surrender peacefully.

According to police, negotiators used verbal commands and communicated with Moore several times by telephone during the standoff. Despite those efforts, Moore repeatedly refused to leave the residence.

After negotiations proved unsuccessful, the El Dorado Police Department’s SWAT team implemented tactical measures that ultimately prompted Moore to exit the home.

Moore was taken into custody without further incident.

He has been charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threatening, resisting arrest and several additional charges.

Moore remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Union County District Court on June 5.

The investigation remains ongoing.

News

Youth Festival Of The Arts Set For This Weekend

Published

21 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO, — Young artists from across South Arkansas will have an opportunity to display their creativity and connect with the community during the upcoming Youth Festival of the Arts on Saturday, June 6.

The event, presented through a partnership between the South Arkansas Arts Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Union County, will take place from 10 a.m. until noon at the Boys & Girls Club, located at 1201 N. West Ave. in El Dorado.

Organizers describe the event as a one-of-a-kind children’s art marketplace designed to celebrate and support young artists while encouraging creativity and artistic expression.

The festival will transform the indoor Lanxess Gym at the Boys & Girls Club into an art fair featuring artwork created by children and youth from throughout the region. Community members will have the opportunity to view the artwork, meet young artists and show their support for the next generation of creative talent.

The event is part of an ongoing effort by both organizations to provide artistic opportunities for local youth and help foster an appreciation for the arts in South Arkansas.

SAAC and the Boys & Girls Club have partnered on numerous programs focused on arts education, and organizers say the Youth Festival of the Arts is designed to give young creators a platform to share their work while building confidence and developing their artistic skills.

Community members are encouraged to attend and help support the area’s emerging artists.

Event Details

What: Youth Festival of the Arts
When: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Boys & Girls Club of Union County, 1201 N. West Ave., El Dorado
Hosted By: South Arkansas Arts Center and Boys & Girls Club of Union County
Admission: Open to the public

The event offers families a chance to celebrate creativity, encourage young artists and enjoy a morning dedicated to the arts in El Dorado.

News

Juneteenth Celebration Set For June 19th

Published

21 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Families from across South Arkansas are invited to gather for a day of celebration, education and community as the Justice League hosts its annual Juneteenth Stop the Violence Family Fun Day on June 19 at the Murphy Arts District Amphitheater.

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MAD Amphitheater and will feature food, entertainment, activities for children and community engagement opportunities designed to bring residents together while promoting peace and unity.

Organizers say attendees can enjoy free food, frozen treats, community vendors, a bounce house, water slide, poster contest, speakers, live entertainment and free T-shirts while supplies last.

The event is presented by the Justice League and made possible through support from title sponsor Clean Harbors.

Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Although Lincoln’s proclamation officially declared enslaved people in Confederate states free on Jan. 1, 1863, enforcement depended on the presence of Union troops. In many parts of the South, slavery continued until federal troops arrived and enforced the order.

The announcement in Texas marked one of the final acts of emancipation in the United States and became a day of celebration among formerly enslaved people and their descendants.

Over the decades, Juneteenth grew from local community gatherings into a nationally recognized observance. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day.

Today, communities across the country celebrate the holiday with festivals, educational programs, cultural events, parades and family gatherings that honor freedom, resilience and African American history.

Bringing the Community Together

Organizers of the El Dorado event say the Family Fun Day is designed not only to celebrate Juneteenth but also to encourage positive community engagement and promote efforts to reduce violence through education, fellowship and outreach.

Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend and take part in the festivities.

Event Information

What: Juneteenth Stop the Violence Family Fun Day
When: June 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Murphy Arts District Amphitheater, El Dorado
Admission: Free
Activities: Food, frozen treats, vendors, bounce house, water slide, poster contest, speakers, entertainment and more

The event is open to the public and welcomes families throughout the region to celebrate Juneteenth and the spirit of community together.

News

“Calling The Hogs” Event With Chuck Barrett Set For Tonight

Published

21 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Razorback fans will have a chance to hear behind-the-scenes stories from one of the most recognizable voices in Arkansas sports tonight as “Calling The Hogs – Stories from the Booth” comes to the Murphy Arts District.

The special event, scheduled for June 4 inside the First Financial Music Hall, will feature legendary Arkansas Razorbacks play-by-play broadcaster Chuck Barrett, whose voice has become synonymous with some of the most memorable moments in Razorback athletics.

Barrett will share stories from his years behind the microphone, offering fans a unique look at the people, moments and memories that have shaped Arkansas sports. The evening is expected to include tales from the broadcast booth, locker room stories and insights into some of the biggest games in Razorback history.

Serving as master of ceremonies will be longtime Arkansas broadcaster and storyteller Rex Nelson, who will help guide the conversation and add his own blend of humor and perspective throughout the program.

Guests will also enjoy a catered dinner provided by Madhouse 101. Dinner service begins at 6:30 p.m. before the evening’s program gets underway.

Organizers say the event is designed to bring together sports fans, community members and supporters of Arkansas athletics for an entertaining night of storytelling and fellowship.

Tickets are $50 per person, plus applicable fees and taxes. Seating is limited.

The event will be held tonight at the First Financial Music Hall at Murphy Arts District in downtown El Dorado.

Event Details

What: Calling The Hogs – Stories from the Booth
When: Tonight, June 4
Where: First Financial Music Hall at Murphy Arts District, El Dorado
Dinner Service: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $50 per person plus fees and taxes
Seating: Limited availability

News

Farmers Market On The Square Celebrates Growers Month

Published

21 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Main Street El Dorado is inviting families to kick off June with fresh produce, local vendors and a creative activity for children during this week’s Farmers Market on the Square.

As part of Growers Month, the market will welcome local artist Pam Vernon for a free watercolor class designed especially for children. The class will take place Saturday, June 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., offering young artists an opportunity to explore their creativity while learning the basics of watercolor painting.

The activity is free and open to children attending the market with their families.

The Farmers Market on the Square is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon on Jefferson Avenue near the Union County Courthouse in downtown El Dorado. The market features a variety of local growers, farmers, artisans and vendors offering fresh produce, homemade goods, plants and other locally sourced products.

Main Street El Dorado officials say Growers Month is a celebration of the farmers and producers who help supply fresh, locally grown products to the community throughout the season.

Families are encouraged to come early, shop the market and participate in the watercolor class while enjoying a morning in downtown El Dorado.

The event provides a fun and educational opportunity for children while supporting local growers and small businesses that make the Farmers Market a community favorite each summer.