Arkansas Tech History

Arkansas Tech University was founded by act 100 of the 37th general assembly. On February 10, 1910 it was announced that Russelville will be home to Arkansas’s second Agricultural school. First day that school was held was October 26, 1910. A.K. Short was announced the school's first president. First day of classes at the Second District Agricultural School. There were nine faculty members and 186 students. In the spring of 1912 Eleven students graduate from the Second District Agricultural School, the first graduating class in school history. Between 1910 and 1920 there were 4 president changes they went, in order, George A. Cole, Charles E. Scott, Charles G. Lueker, and Hugh Critz. In the spring of 1925 twenty earned a bachelor's degree

The class offerings at Arkansas Tech are re-organized into eight academic divisions - agriculture, business administration, education, engineering, fine arts, languages and literature, science and mathematics, and social studies - and one vocational division in 1949. In 1950 the first four year post World war II college graduating class graduates. George T Hudgens became the first African American graduate in 1963. In 1964 Arkansas Tech University founds the Hall of Distinction as a way of honor distinguished alumni and those who have given outstanding service to the University. In 1967 one of the greatest presidents for Arkansas Tech, President J Hull, resigned after 30 years of service and Dr. George L.B. Pratt was selected to be the ninth president.
In 1976 the name was officially changed from “Arkansas Polytechnic college” to “Arkansas Tech”. In may of 1977 ATU awards the first Master's degrees to students. An important mark in ATU’s history was when they topped the 3000 student mark in the fall of 1980. In 1985 Arkansas Tech University reorganized class offerings into five schools: the School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Liberal and Fine Arts, the School of Physical and Life Sciences, and the School of Systems Science. In the years that follow, Tech adds one more school to the current line-up: the School of Community Education and

In 1995 Arkansas Tech University becomes a member of NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference. In June of 1996 one of the most important moments in the history of the University, the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation announces a gift of more than $13 million to Arkansas Tech University to fund construction of a new library and technology center. In the Summer of 2005 Arkansas Tech University announces the Return to Glory capital campaign, which had a goal of $4 million and was designed to support enhancements to the University’s athletic facilities. The campaign exceeded its goal, raising $5 million to help fund renovations to what is now Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field and construction of the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex. Arkansas Tech University announces the purchase of the former Tyson Management Development Center. The name is changed to Lake Point Conference Center and offers the University additional educational facilities and community outreach opportunities in August