Southern Arkansas University

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Southern Arkansas University
SAU seal.png
TypePublic university
Established1909
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
Endowment$54.6 million[1]
PresidentTrey Berry
ProvostDavid Lanoue
Students4,447
Undergraduates3,408
Postgraduates1,007
32
Location
Magnolia
,
Arkansas
,
United States

33°17′30″N 93°14′10″W / 33.29167°N 93.23611°W / 33.29167; -93.23611Coordinates: 33°17���30″N 93°14′10″W / 33.29167°N 93.23611°W / 33.29167; -93.23611
CampusRural, Residential
1,418 acres (574 ha)
ColorsRoyal blue and Gold[2]
   
NicknameMuleriders
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division II – Great American Conference
Websitewww.saumag.edu
Southern Arkansas University logo.svg

Southern Arkansas University (SAU) is a public university in Magnolia, Arkansas.

History[]

Overstreet Hall, the administrative building

Southern Arkansas University was established by an Act of the Arkansas Legislature in 1909 as a district agricultural high school for southwest Arkansas and was originally named Third District Agricultural School, often called by students and faculty "TDAS."[3] Its first term began in January 1911, with its curriculum including only subjects at the secondary school level.[4] In 1925, the State Legislature authorized the school to add two years of college work and to change its name to Agricultural and Mechanical College, Third District (Magnolia A&M).[5] The school continued to offer both high school and junior college courses until 1937, at which time the high school courses were discontinued.[6]

In the fall of 1949, the Board of Trustees, exercising authority vested in it by the State Legislature, decided to develop the college as a four-year, degree-granting institution. The Board authorized the addition of third-year college level courses to being with the fall semester of 1950.[7] Fourth-year courses were added in the fall semester of 1951.[8] By Act Eleven (January 24, 1951), the State Legislature changed the name of the institution to Southern State College.[9] In 1975, the institution was approved and accredited to offer a Master of Education Degree in selected areas.[10] Following approval of the Board of Trustees, the name of the institution was changed to Southern Arkansas University by the Board of Higher Education on July 9, 1976, in accordance with Act 343 of the General Assembly of 1975.[11]

Also in 1975, Southwest Technical Institute in Camden, Arkansas, joined the SAU system as Southern Arkansas University Tech.[12]

Academics[]

Southern Arkansas University offers 70 different undergraduate options, including pre-professional tracks, and 2+2 degree completion programs in four different academic colleges:[13]

  • David F. Rankin College of Business
  • College of Education
  • College of Liberal and Performing Arts
  • College of Science and Engineering

Southern Arkansas University also offers 19 graduate programs, which are offered either face-to-face, online, or as a hybrid combination of the two.[14]

Campus housing[]

Residence halls[]

Bussey Hall, residences, and the University Village

The university operates several residence halls, many of which are associated with specific living-learning communities (LLCs):[15]

  • Arkansas Hall (Leadership College)
  • Bussey Hall (Females Only)
  • Burns-Harsh Hall (Freshmen Only)
  • Columbia Hall (Residential College)
  • Fincher Hall (Band Members Only)
  • Greene Hall
  • Harrod Hall
  • Honors Hall (North and South)
  • Magnolia Hall
  • Talbot Hall (Males Only)
  • Talley Hall
  • University Hall Learning Community

Apartments[]

  • Mulerider Pointe Apartments (purchased by SAU in 2018)
  • University Village (two-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments)[16]

Athletics[]

Main article: Southern Arkansas Muleriders
See also: Southern Arkansas Muleriders football and Southern Arkansas Muleriders baseball
Muleriders football game

Southern Arkansas University is in the NCAA Division II as a member of the Great American Conference.[17]

The university's athletic nicknames are Muleriders and Lady Muleriders. The Muleriders take their name from the legend that the football team in the early 1900s had to ride mules from the college's agricultural department to catch the nearest train 6 miles (9.7 km) north of the college in order to reach out-of-town football games.[18][self-published source]

The Muleriders football team won the Gulf South Conference Championship in 1997.[19]

In each of 1953 and 1954, the then Southern State College Mulerider tennis team went undefeated winning the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference in both singles and doubles and was invited by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to represent their district in their National Tennis Championships in 1953.[20][self-published source]

In 2006 and 2009, the Mulerider baseball team won the Gulf South Conference championship. In 2009 the Mulerider baseball team hosted the NCAA Division II South Regional for the first time in school history.[21]

In 2007, the Mulerider coed cheerleading squad competed at the NCA National Competition. In 2008, the cheerleading squad went back to nationals and took 5th in their division.[22]

Traditions[]

Bed races[]

Family Day Bed Race

The annual Bed Races have been a unique tradition as a part of SAU's Family Day festivities since November 7, 1981. Representatives from SAU's residence halls build and race twin-sized "beds" with a mattress platform on top of four bicycle tires. Once constructed, the beds are decorated according to a theme decided annually by the residence's Hall Councils. The bed must have one reclining student, protected by a football helmet, and four runners. Each team competes in a double elimination race, and the winners take home the coveted Bed Race Trophy.[23][self-published source]

Celebration of Lights[]

Celebration of Lights

The Celebration of Lights has been a Christmas tradition at SAU since 1984. What once started as a single display to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the school has become an annual part of the holidays in Magnolia. During the celebration, a large Christmas tree is lit in front of Overstreet, as well as light displays all over campus. Additional strands of lights are strewn along the 187-foot SAU bell tower, transforming it into a giant Christmas candle. Included in the festivities each year are: the Magnolia City Christmas Parade, caroling, pictures with Santa Claus for the children, and a holiday buffet dinner for the community.[24][self-published source]

Greek life[]

Sororities[]

National Panhellenic Conference affiliates[]

National Pan-Hellenic Council affiliates[]

Other[]

Fraternities[]

North-American Interfraternity Conference affiliates[]

National Pan-Hellenic Council affiliates[]

Band[]

Notable alumni[]

Notable faculty[]

Gallery[]

  • Science building

  • The marching band

  • Southern Arkansas University Biology student with microscope.jpg

  • Business building

  • Southern Arkansas students walking on campus.jpg

  • Engineering lab

  • Runner on the farm road

  • Bell tower and mall area

References[]

  1. ^ As of January 12, 2021. Willis, James. "Southern Arkansas University (SAU)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  2. ^ "Colors | University Communications & Marketing | Southern Arkansas University". Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  3. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. pp. 27–33. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  4. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  5. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 88. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.[self-published source]
  6. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 108. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  7. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. pp. 188–190. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  8. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  9. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 195. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  10. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 268. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.[self-published source]
  11. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. p. 289. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  12. ^ Coker, Kim. "Southern Arkansas University Tech". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  13. ^ "Southern Arkansas University Magnolia Undergraduate Catalog 2013–2014" (PDF). Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  14. ^ "Programs". Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  15. ^ "Housing Options". Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  16. ^ "University Village". Southern Arkansas University. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  17. ^ "Great American Conference Member Institutions". Great American Conference. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  18. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. pp. 13–17. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  19. ^ "Important Dates in SAU History". Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  20. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States: Xlibris Corporation. p. 229. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  21. ^ "Important Dates in SAU History". Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  22. ^ "Gooooooo... cheerleaders!" (PDF). The SAU Stater. Southern Arkansas University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  23. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States: Xlibris Corporation. p. 312. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
  24. ^ Willis, Dr. James (2009). The Mulerider School's Centennial History, 1909–2009. United States: Xlibris Corporation. p. 312. ISBN 978-1-4415-5364-5.
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External links[]

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