The Herald Online

Issue date: 9/15/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Hannah Tubbs Beebe presents a check for $4 million to ASU at half-time of the football game against Southern Mississippi.

It seems the drawing of a new liberal arts building on display in Wilson Hall may finally become a reality.

Gov. Beebe released $4 million Saturday to ASU for construction of a new building for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He made the presentation during the annual Legislative Day luncheon at the Fowler Center and again during half-time of ASU's football game.

The new building will be between the old post office and Twin Towers locations.

"We are very honored and excited to receive this contribution from the Governor," Gloria Gibson, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, said. "The state-of-the-art building will not only house faculty offices, but it will enhance the teaching and learning of our students."

The groundbreaking ceremony will be Saturday at 3 p.m., Gibson said.

ASU officials did not say what would happen to Wilson Hall, current home to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Also at the luncheon, six constituents of the general assembly who played an integral part in the funding were honored for their dedication to Arkansas. Those honored included, Sen. Paul G. Miller, D-Melbourne; Rep. Tommy Baker, D-Osceola; Rep. Joan Cash, D-Jonesboro; Rep. Monty Davenport, D-Yellville; Rep. Larry "Buddy" Lovell, D-Marked Tree; and Rep. Gregg Reep, D-Warren, respectively.

"Legislative Day represents a special time to express our thanks and appreciation to those with whom we have the opportunity to work and serve," Dr. Les Wyatt, president of the ASU System, said in an ASU press release.  Dr. Wyatt commented the legislators to be honored are, "…friends of the university who have served their districts and our state with distinction."

Gov. Beebe shared many accomplishments of the legislators.

"Just to [relay] a few of their accomplishments, after 30 years of people trying, after six different governors trying, after countless members of the house, they cut sales tax on groceries in the state in half," he said. "For the first time in 52 years, they did something that many thought was impossible, by virtue, half-way unconstitutional. They passed a severance tax on natural gas that will help people and not adversely affect economic development."

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