About SAU
About SAU
Southern Arkansas University is a quality,
comprehensive regional university that offers degrees in the Colleges of
Business,
Education, Liberal and Performing Arts, and
Science and Technology. It holds
accreditation from the
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, National Association of Schools of Music, Council on
Social Work Education, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher
Education, the National League for Nursing, the Commission of Accreditation of
Allied Health Education Programs and the Joint Review Committee on Athletic
Training Education Programs, and the Higher Learning Commission of the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
About Magnolia
Magnolia is a city of almost 11,000 people and is
located approximately 55 miles east of Texarkana, 80 miles northeast of
Shreveport, and 140 miles south of Little Rock.
The city offers a number of restaurants, a movie
theater, and businesses that cater to SAU students within minutes of the
University. Magnolia provides students and visitors an opportunity to tour the
landmark Magnolia Murals, visit a classical Old South courthouse square, shop in
many fine shops, and see antebellum homes. Fishing and water sports are
available at Lake Columbia, and visitors can explore nature at nearby Logoly
State Park.
Magnolia is also home to the World Championship
Steak Cook-Off held each May during the
Magnolia Blossom Festival.
To find out more about Magnolia, visit the Magnolia
Chamber of Commerce website at
http://www.magnoliachamber.com. To learn more about Arkansas, visit
the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism at
http://www.arkansas.com.
History
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. Students and faculty often called the school TDAS. Its first term began
in 
January of 1911 and until 1925 its curriculum included only subjects at the
secondary school level. In 1925, the state Legislature authorized the school to
add two years of college work and to change the name from Third District
Agricultural School to Agricultural and Mechanical College, Third District. The
school offered both high school and junior college courses until 1937, at which
time high school courses were discontinued. In the fall of 1949, the Board of
Trustees decided to develop the college as a four-year, degree-granting
institution. The Board authorized the addition of third-year college level
courses beginning in the fall of 1950 and fourth-year courses were added in
1951. By Act 11, dated Jan. 24, 1951, the state Legislature changed the name of
the institution to Southern State College. In 1975, the institution was approved
and accredited to offer a master of education degree in selected areas.
Following approval of the Board of Trustees, the name of the school was changed
to Southern Arkansas University.
Facilities
Southern Arkansas University sits on 1388 acres on
the northern edge of Magnolia, Ark. The University has spent more than $5
million on renovations and improvements over the past five years, and there is
currently $22.4 million in new building projects now underway.
Some of the newest additions to the campus include
the $12.5 million Donald W. Reynolds
Campus and Community Center. Two new residence halls have also been
completed within the last two years. Beginning summer 2006, a new band hall will
be constructed behind Dolph Camp.
