CAMDEN — By PATRIC FLANNIGAN
Staff writer
The Camden Kiwanis Club showed that it knows how fortunate it is to have an institution of higher learning in its backyard earlier this week.
After Southern Arkansas University Tech Chancellor Dr. Jason Morrison served as the guest speaker for the Camden Kiwanis Club meeting on Tuesday at Catherine’s Bistro, Morrison was presented a check of $2,000 from the club to show its support for the college.
Morrison attended the meeting along with SAUT Vice Chancellor for Academics Valerie Wilson and SAUT Media Production Specialist Taylor May and provided a positive update on the happenings at the school.
During Morrison’s power point presentation, he announced that the school has been recognized by several distinct college ranking systems. The Aspen Institute ranks SAU Tech in the top 150 of community colleges through out the nation. Best Value Colleges ranks SAU Tech at No. 19 and it is also ranked as the fifth best in the state in regards to online education.
SAU Tech has also welcomed a 37 percent increase in Summer II enrollment which is historically low for many colleges.
Morrison announced that the on-campus housing is full and a third of off-campus housing is full which indicates there may be a record enrollment in the fall. The campus also added two-new dorm rooms and looking to continue to grow and renovate.
The theme for SAU Tech this year is: “Stay, Play and Study.” Morrison explained that the ‘play’ portion of the mantra are the activities the school offers such as intramural sports, drama department, basketball, cheer-leading, choir etc. He shared that when students are in a fun campus environment, they are more likely to stay and graduate.
There is a multitude of training programs available at the college from aviation maintenance to nursing and video game design.
“Your Southern Arkansas University Tech is leading the way,” Morrison said.
SAU Tech offers a Scholars program that pays students $6,000 per year to attend Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia after graduating from SAU Tech with at least a 3.25.
The Rocket men and women’s basketball teams will host a Tip-Off Classic on Nov. 2 at the Saddock Field House. Teams from Mississippi, Little Rock and Louisiana will participate.
“We have done a lot with the Ouachita County Recreational Center to being it back to life,” Morrison said. “We are doing this because SAU Tech fells the community needs Civic Center. A place where people and our kids can have activities at. But we need help.”
In addition to two students recently receiving scholarships from NASA, Morrison said the school is in serious talks about building a fire dorm.
Sponsorships for SAU Tech are still available.