Albemarle Foundation representatives give a check for $60,000 to representatives from Southern Arkansas University for SAU engineering. Pictured, from left, are Albemarle Foundation Magnolia Council members Brinkley Jackson, Lisa Hackenberger, Kimberly Jones, Pat Hammock, Walter Hale, Sara Morris, Bob Stevens, and Lacey Fincher; and from SAU are Dr. David Rankin, Jeanie Bismark, Dr. Scott McKay, Dr. Sam Heintz, and Dr. Mahbub Ahmed.
In a dramatic kickoff for an engineering fundraising campaign by Southern Arkansas University, Albemarle and the Albemarle Foundation have donated a total of $200,000 to create the SAU Albemarle Endowed Professor of Engineering.
On May 27, 2014, representatives from SAU were given a check for $60,000 from Albemarle Foundation representatives at their Magnolia chemical plant. This money will be added to a previously established Albemarle endowment of $140,000 to complete the engineering endowment.
Albemarle is a leading specialty chemical company providing innovative chemistry solutions to customers in more than 100 countries around the world.
Albemarle was one of several industry supporters in the region to support the approval of SAU’s engineering program earlier this spring by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Beginning this fall, SAU will have the only engineering program in the south Arkansas region.
The starting enrollment for the program should be more than 20 students. With growth anticipated, plans are already in the works for an 11,015 square-foot construction project estimated at $2,753,580, as well as the addition of faculty.
According to SAU President Dr. David Rankin, the University is seeking out both public and private funds for the engineering campaign.
“I am amazed by the number of people around the state who know about our new engineering program. It is very encouraging,” said Rankin.
