A Brief History of University of Arkansas – Fort

Smith/Westark College

Based on the Westark Oral History Project, 1997-99Presented by Henry Rinne and Billy Higgins

What’s in a name?

Fort Smith Junior College -- 1928-1965Westark Junior College -- 1965-1973Westark Community College -- 1973-1998Westark College - 1998-2001University of Arkansas – Fort Smith –

2002-present

Public-to-Private-to-Public

1928 FSJC founded as part of the Fort Smith Public Schools (funded by school district)

1950 FSJC separated from FSPS and established as a private institution, because of change in state laws

1952 FSJC moves to Grand Avenue Campus (County Poor Farm)

1965 Sebastian Co. Community Junior College District is created (funded by local mileage and state)

2002 Junior College District is dissolved and the campus becomes a member of the University of Arkansas System as a four-year institution

FSJC/Westark/UA Fort Smith President/Chancellors

J. W. Ramsey 1928-1952Elmer Cook 1954-1958E. T. Vines 1958-1967Dr. Shelby Breedlove 1968-1974Dr. James Kraby 1975-1983Joel Stubblefield 1983-2001 (President);

2002-2005 (Chancellor)Dr. Sandi Sanders 2005-2006 (Interim)Dr. Paul B. Beran 2006-present

A Few Watershed Events

Founded in 1928, Fort Smith Junior College holds first classes in Fort Smith High School. Nine students graduate in 1930.

A Few Watershed Events

In 1936, Fort Smith High School moves to its new site and FSJC holds classes under the stadium.

A Few Watershed Events

1950 FSJC leaves the public school system and becomes a private two-year college

Moved to the Grand Avenue Campus in the summer of 1952

A Few Watershed Events

Introduction of Vo/Tech education in 1961

A Few Watershed Events

Integration of FSJC takes place Summer term 1962

A Few Watershed Events

Creation of state supported community college system 1965

Accreditation 1960-1973 (First accreditation for five year period in 1973)

More events...

Vietnamese education/relocation program 1975

More events...

Men’s Basketball team wins national title 1981!

And again in 2006!!!

More events...

And the Lady Lions win it all in 1995!!!

Where men are men, and WOMEN are CHAMPIONS!!!

More events...

Business and Industrial Institute established in 1982

Echols campus purchased 1986Boreham Library completed 1987Westark Foundation begins first

major gifts campaign 1988University Center approved by state

1989

Even more events...

Dizzy Gillespie performs with Westark Jazz 1989

Even more events...

Reynold’s Foundation funds building campus green and carillon 1995

Even more events...

Act 971 of 1997 designates Westark College as a “Unique Community College”

1999, Westark College partners with the Higher Learning Commission to develop bachelor’s degree programs at two-year colleges

December 15, 2000 merger agreement signed by Board of Trustees

July 17 2001, Sebastian County voters approve dissolution of the community college district and tax changes

Even more events...

January 1, 2002, Westark College becomes the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (Change of affiliation granted by HLC in November 2001; Focus visit in April 2002)

UA Fort Smith acquires the Drennen-Scott Historic Site and begins $5.6 million restoration project 2005

Chancellor Joel Stubblefield dies, October 2005

And Even more events...

Paul B. Beran, Ph.D. named Chancellor, April 2006

New colleges formed 2008: College of Languages and Communication; College of Humanities and Social Sciences; and College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Bricks and Mortar

Ballman-Speer 1957Holt Library 1960Technical Complex

1960Gymnasium 1964Science Building

(Flanders) 1968Vines Building 1968Fullerton Student

Union 1970

More Bricks and Mortar

Gardner Building 1972Breedlove Building 1976Boreham Library 1987Science, Math, and

Engineering/University Center 1993

Campus Green & Bell Tower 1995

Business & Industrial Institute addition 1997

More Bricks and MortarBaldor Technology Center 2000Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center 2001 Joel R. and Barbara L. Stubblefield Center

2002Sebastian Commons opens as first residence

hall on campus 2004Pendergraft Health Sciences Center 2005Fullerton and Vines remodeled 2006-2008Lions Den, first traditional residence hall and

dining facility opens 2010

To date, the state has not funded a building on the campus.

Numa

Numa sculpture dedicated April 2010