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A Brief History of University of Arkansas – Fort Smith/Westark College

A Brief History of University of Arkansas – Fort Smith/Westark College. Based on the Westark Oral History Project, 1997-99 Presented by Henry Rinne and Billy Higgins. What’s in a name?. Fort Smith Junior College -- 1928-1965 Westark Junior College -- 1965-1973

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A Brief History of University of Arkansas – Fort Smith/Westark College

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  1. A Brief History of University of Arkansas – Fort Smith/Westark College Based on the Westark Oral History Project, 1997-99 Presented by Henry Rinne and Billy Higgins

  2. What’s in a name? • Fort Smith Junior College -- 1928-1965 • Westark Junior College -- 1965-1973 • Westark Community College -- 1973-1998 • Westark College - 1998-2001 • University of Arkansas – Fort Smith – 2002-present

  3. Public-to-Private-to-Public • 1928 FSJC founded as part of the Fort Smith Public Schools (funded by school district) • 1950 FSJC separated from FSPS and established as a private institution, because of change in state laws • 1952 FSJC moves to Grand Avenue Campus (County Poor Farm) • 1965 Sebastian Co. Community Junior College District is created (funded by local mileage and state) • 2002 Junior College District is dissolved and the campus becomes a member of the University of Arkansas System as a four-year institution

  4. FSJC/Westark/UA Fort Smith President/Chancellors • J. W. Ramsey 1928-1952 • Elmer Cook 1954-1958 • E. T. Vines 1958-1967 • Dr. Shelby Breedlove 1968-1974 • Dr. James Kraby 1975-1983 • Joel Stubblefield 1983-2001 (President); 2002-2005 (Chancellor) • Dr. Sandi Sanders 2005-2006 (Interim) • Dr. Paul B. Beran 2006-present

  5. A Few Watershed Events • Founded in 1928, Fort Smith Junior College holds first classes in Fort Smith High School. Nine students graduate in 1930.

  6. A Few Watershed Events • In 1936, Fort Smith High School moves to its new site and FSJC holds classes under the stadium.

  7. A Few Watershed Events • 1950 FSJC leaves the public school system and becomes a private two-year college • Moved to the Grand Avenue Campus in the summer of 1952

  8. A Few Watershed Events • Introduction of Vo/Tech education in 1961

  9. A Few Watershed Events • Integration of FSJC takes place Summer term 1962

  10. A Few Watershed Events • Creation of state supported community college system 1965 • Accreditation 1960-1973 (First accreditation for five year period in 1973)

  11. More events... • Vietnamese education/relocation program 1975

  12. More events... • Men’s Basketball team wins national title 1981! • And again in 2006!!!

  13. More events... • And the Lady Lions win it all in 1995!!! Where men are men, and WOMEN are CHAMPIONS!!!

  14. More events... • Business and Industrial Institute established in 1982 • Echols campus purchased 1986 • Boreham Library completed 1987 • Westark Foundation begins first major gifts campaign 1988 • University Center approved by state 1989

  15. Even more events... • Dizzy Gillespie performs with Westark Jazz 1989

  16. Even more events... • Reynold’s Foundation funds building campus green and carillon 1995

  17. Even more events... • Act 971 of 1997 designates Westark College as a “Unique Community College” • 1999, Westark College partners with the Higher Learning Commission to develop bachelor’s degree programs at two-year colleges • December 15, 2000 merger agreement signed by Board of Trustees • July 17 2001, Sebastian County voters approve dissolution of the community college district and tax changes

  18. Even more events... • January 1, 2002, Westark College becomes the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (Change of affiliation granted by HLC in November 2001; Focus visit in April 2002) • UA Fort Smith acquires the Drennen-Scott Historic Site and begins $5.6 million restoration project 2005 • Chancellor Joel Stubblefield dies, October 2005

  19. And Even more events... • Paul B. Beran, Ph.D. named Chancellor, April 2006 • New colleges formed 2008: College of Languages and Communication; College of Humanities and Social Sciences; and College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

  20. Bricks and Mortar • Ballman-Speer 1957 • Holt Library 1960 • Technical Complex 1960 • Gymnasium 1964 • Science Building (Flanders) 1968 • Vines Building 1968 • Fullerton Student Union 1970

  21. More Bricks and Mortar • Gardner Building 1972 • Breedlove Building 1976 • Boreham Library 1987 • Science, Math, and Engineering/University Center 1993 • Campus Green & Bell Tower 1995 • Business & Industrial Institute addition 1997

  22. More Bricks and Mortar • Baldor Technology Center 2000 • Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center 2001 • Joel R. and Barbara L. Stubblefield Center 2002 • Sebastian Commons opens as first residence hall on campus 2004 • Pendergraft Health Sciences Center 2005 • Fullerton and Vines remodeled 2006-2008 • Lions Den, first traditional residence hall and dining facility opens 2010 To date, the state has not funded a building on the campus.

  23. Numa • Numa sculpture dedicated April 2010

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