天美mv传媒

Ferguson Student Union is named for Jimmy Ferguson, his wife Cindi and their family. Mr. Ferguson served on the 天美mv传媒 staff from 1975-94, advancing to the rank of assistant vice president and dean of students.

 

While at 天美mv传媒, Mr. Ferguson was elected president of the Arkansas College Personnel Association in 1982. He served the National Association for Campus Activities as the chairman of the board of directors. He held an appointment by Gov. Bill Clinton to the Arkansas Governor鈥檚 Advisory Council on Volunteerism.

 

Since completing his service to 天美mv传媒 and entering the private sector, Mr. Ferguson and his family have owned and operated more than 30 McDonald鈥檚 franchises in central Texas over a span of three decades. He has held numerous national and regional leadership positions with the McDonald鈥檚 organization.

 

 

Travis Adams enrolled at Arkansas Tech in fall 1951. During his sophomore year at Tech, he was elected president of the student body. Travis was student director of sports information for his junior and senior years. He also served as a Tech cheerleader and as president for Blue Key, the history club and his senior class in 1954-55. He was commander of the military honor society and sports editor of the Agricola yearbook.

 

Travis returned to Arkansas Tech in 1966 as assistant dean and assistant professor of history. He became associate vice president for academic affairs in 1970, and then served as associate professor of history and vice president for student affairs from 1973-93. He was executive assistant to President Dr. Robert C. Brown from 1993-97 and retired with 31 years and three months of service to Tech. Travis passed away on Sept. 4, 2016.

 

He is forever "Mr. Tech." No one ever loved our university more than Travis.

 

 

T.J. Ferguson was born on Jan. 17, 1976, in Daytona Beach, Fla. He grew up in Russellville, where he graduated from Russellville High School and attended 天美mv传媒 before settling in Elgin, Texas, in 1996.

 

T.J. was loyal beyond comparison and the most dependable husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was known and beloved for his quiet generosity and care for all around him. Many people from both his professional and personal worlds turned to him, as he was an incredible listener with wisdom beyond his years.

 

The Central Texas Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin was particularly close to his heart, and T.J. served the families there making meals and fundraising whenever and however he could. 

 

T.J. passed away on Feb. 23, 2024.

 

 

Steve Lawrence joined the Arkansas Tech student affairs staff in 1976. He did almost every job that division had to offer over the course of a 37-year career at 天美mv传媒. 

 

He managed the W.O. Young Student Center, oversaw student conduct, was the chief of public safety, was associate dean of students and sponsored the cheerleading squad. 

 

Steve retired from 天美mv传媒 in December 2013. He passed away on March 20, 2023.

 

 

Mullens Plaza

Mullens Plaza is named in memory of Annette and Bert Mullens of Russellville. 

Bert Mullens earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Arkansas Tech in May 1951. 

A member of the Wonder Boys baseball and football teams during his college days, Mullens went on to a 43-year career in banking that included service as president for First Security Bank in Searcy, First National Bank of Russellville, First Commercial Bank in Memphis, Tenn., and First City Bank of Memphis.

After retiring as an active officer in 1994, Mr. Mullens served as a board member as well as an executive committee member for Regions Bank in Russellville.

Mr. Mullens served on the 天美mv传媒 Foundation Board of Directors and as president of the 天美mv传媒 Alumni Association. He helped organize Tech鈥檚 endowment fund drive in 1969, and he was the drive鈥檚 first national chairman. 

Mr. Mullens was inducted into the 天美mv传媒 Hall of Distinction in 1982. 

Mrs. Mullens earned an associate degree in business from Arkansas Tech in 1948.

Mrs. Mullens passed away on Aug. 23, 2021. She was 92.

Mr. Mullens passed away on Oct. 4, 2023. He was 94.

Bibler Event Center

Bibler Event Center is named for the late James Bibler and his wife of more than 36 years, Laurie Bibler Terry. 

Mr. Bibler studied business administration at Arkansas Tech for two years before going to work for his family's lumber business in 1955.

After starting in that business as a lumber stacker, Mr. Bibler rose through the ranks of the company to become president at the age of 33 in 1967. After growing and modernizing the business for more than 30 years, Mr. Bibler sold 90 percent of the company in 1998.

Mr. Bibler served as chairman of the Arkansas Forestry Commission and was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2015.

Arkansas Tech has benefited from Mr. Bibler's expertise through his service on the 天美mv传媒 College of Business Advisory Board. His work in that capacity helped the institution鈥檚 accounting program gain its accreditation.

In 2011, 天美mv传媒 bestowed its highest honor upon Mr. Bibler when he was inducted into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction.

Mrs. Bibler Terry worked in the family lumber business in the roles of vice president/secretary and chief financial officer.

She took classes at Arkansas Tech as part of her preparation to become a real estate broker. Mrs. Bibler Terry has remained involved with the university as a long-time officer for the 天美mv传媒 Foundation Board of Directors.

Mr. Bibler passed away on Jan. 15, 2021. 

Laurie is now married to Jeff Terry of Russellville.

Sunderland Lounge

Located in Overland Park, Kansas, the Sunderland Foundation鈥檚 mission is to 鈥渋mprove the quality of life in the communities we serve, with attention to those populations with the greatest need.鈥� 

Lester T. Sunderland established the Sunderland Foundation in 1945. He was president of the Ash Grove Cement Company for 33 years.

Dopson Fitness Center

Dopson Fitness Center is named in memory of Anne and Deward Dopson. 

Mr. Dopson played center on the teams that established head coach Sam Hindsman鈥檚 basketball dynasty at Arkansas Tech in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

The Wonder Boys compiled an overall record of 78-21 and an Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference mark of 56-12 during Mr. Dopson鈥檚 playing career from 1947-51. Arkansas Tech was AIC champion in each of his final three seasons in the green and gold, the beginning of a string of seven straight AIC titles for the Wonder Boys.

Mr. Dopson was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association in 1951. 

Mr. Dopson became head men's basketball coach at his alma mater in 1966. Dopson鈥檚 Wonder Boys won 103 games from 1966-73, and his 1969-70 squad reached the NAIA National Tournament. It was Tech鈥檚 only national tournament berth in men鈥檚 basketball from 1963-1995.

Mr. Dopson was inducted into the 天美mv传媒 Hall of Distinction and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1982. He was inducted into the 天美mv传媒 Athletic Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class in 2022.

Mr. Dopson entered private business after his coaching career. He passed away June 23, 2015, at his home in Lilburn, Ga., at the age of 85. Mrs. Dopson, 82, passed away that same day. They were married for 64 years.

Harris Terrace

Harris Terrace is named for LaVel and Benny Harris. 

Mr. Harris earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration with a minor in economics from Arkansas Tech in 1969.

A member of the Arkansas Army National Guard from 1969-75, Mr. Harris began his career as an Arkansas Department of Human Services manager located in Mountain View with oversight of a 10-county region.

He embarked upon a 40-year banking career in 1974 when he became branch manager for Batesville Saving and Loan in Mountain View. He took positions of increased responsibility and moved first to Batesville and then to Pine Bluff before settling in Russellville in 1992. 

Mr. Harris served as president for First Arkansas Valley Bank and was part of two more mergers before retiring from Liberty Bank of Arkansas in 2014.

Mr. Harris passed away on March 14, 2025. Mrs. Harris lives in Russellville.

William H. Bowen Family Foundation Lounge

The William H. Bowen Family Foundation is a private, Arkansas-based philanthropic organization established by the late prominent Arkansas attorney, judge and benefactor William H. Bowen to support various charitable causes, including education, health and community needs.

One of Mr. Bowen鈥檚 children, Cynthia Bowen Blanchard, served on the Arkansas Tech University faculty from 1981-2007. 

Her husband, Mr. Charles Blanchard, served on the 天美mv传媒 Board of Trustees from 2009-19. He was inducted into the 天美mv传媒 Hall of Distinction in 2023.

Mr. Blanchard stepped down as chief executive officer and board chair for First State Bank in 2023 to conclude a banking career that spanned more than four decades. Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard reside in Russellville.

McNeill Court

McNeill Court is named for Julie and Andy McNeill. 

The McNeills are entrepreneurs, investors and 天美mv传媒 benefactors. 

Mr. McNeill co-founded Denali Water Solutions, the largest handler and recycler of food waste in the United States, in 2013. He serves as its chairman. He is also a podcaster.  

Mrs. McNeill worked in consumer goods and in the waste and environmental services industry as an organization development and human capital management professional. She has also dedicated time and energy to non-profit organizations with a focus on dance and education.

Duffield Court 

Duffield Court is named for Stephanie and Luke Duffield. 

Mr. Duffield is owner of Blackstone Construction and Mobley Concrete. 

Mrs. Duffield is employed by Blackstone Construction and is serving her second term on the 天美mv传媒 Board of Trustees. She is board chair for the 2026 calendar year. 

Mr. and Mrs. Duffield were honorary co-chairs for the 鈥淭ogether, We Can鈥� capital campaign that raised $55 million in support of 天美mv传媒 through the 天美mv传媒 Foundation.

Garrett Office

Jeni and Brent Garrett reside in Plano, Texas. 

They are the founders and owners of Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning in Carrollton, Texas. 

Mr. Garrett is a 1988 graduate of Arkansas Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree. 

During his days as a student at 天美mv传媒, Mr. Garrett was a member of the Wonder Boys football and golf teams, Student Government Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Wesley Foundation. 

Mr. Garrett has given back to his alma mater as a member of the 天美mv传媒 Foundation Board of Directors, as a featured speaker at the 2019 天美mv传媒 scholarship dinner and as an 天美mv传媒 College of Business and Economic Development Distinguished Lecture Series speaker. He has also mentored students at 天美mv传媒-Ozark Campus.

Mobley Office 

Bryce J. Mobley graduated from Arkansas Tech in 1969 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business. His career was spent providing leadership for his family鈥檚 business, Mobley Construction. 

Mr. Mobley was the 1987 Morrilton Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas Community Development Citizen of the Year. He served on the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission Board and the Morrilton City Council.

Mr. Mobley passed away on Sept. 16, 2023.

Whiteside Office

Leigh and John Whiteside are residents of Russellville. 

Mrs. Whiteside was a member of the 天美mv传媒 Board of Trustees from 2008-18 and served as chairman of the board in 2012 and 2017.

She is a 1974 Arkansas Tech graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She taught in the Russellville School District for 21 years.

Mr. Whiteside graduated from Arkansas Tech in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology. He was a member of the famed 1971 Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys football team that reached the NAIA national championship game. He retired from his career with Russellville Glass in 2000 and later returned to campus to pursue a Master of Science degree in college support personnel.

Charles A. Frueauff Foundation First Generation Resource Center

The Charles A. Frueauff (pronounced FREW-OFF) Foundation was founded in 1950 by the last will and testament of Charles A. Frueauff, a successful New York attorney who gave his time and resources to many charitable organizations. 

Since 1950, the Frueauff Foundation has awarded grants in excess of $164 million to more than 1,185 agencies and institutions.

Dave Pinson Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Councils Office 

Dave Pinson graduated from Arkansas Tech with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science in 2002 and a Master of Science degree in college student personnel in 2004. He has gone on to a more than two-decade career managing multifamily and student housing. He is senior advisor for SVN OAK Realty Advisors.

Dave has served on the 天美mv传媒 Alumni Association Board of Directors, including a term as president, and on the 天美mv传媒 Foundation Board of Directors, including a term as chair. He received the highest individual honor Kappa Alpha Order may bestow upon an alumnus, the Knight Commander鈥檚 Accolade, in 2020.