ASU-Heber Springs: 15th Anniversary Celebration
10/22/2014
Arkansas State University-Heber Springs, a center of ASU-Beebe, will celebrate their 15th Anniversary Celebration with a reception on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. in the Entergy Room of the Student Services/Administration Building.
In early 1997, a group of Heber Springs citizens gathered to discuss the possibility of having a college campus in Cleburne County. The following fall, ASU-Beebe began offering courses at Heber Springs High School. Later, classes were held at the Courthouse Annex on Main Street using part-time faculty, as well as "compressed" or interactive video courses. Act 426 of 1999, sponsored by Representative Rebecca Lynn, established funding for the campus as a center of ASU-Beebe.
Student demand for continued college courses and the need for a permanent campus increased, and the citizens of Cleburne County voted to support ASU-Heber Springs continued growth with the passage of a half-cent countywide sales tax. The first ASU-Heber Springs facility, the John L. Latimer Skills Training Center, officially opened in 2002 at the Cleburne County Industrial Park on Highway 210 East.
Beginning in March 2002, ASU-Beebe purchased 249 acres on the east side of the city of Heber Springs. Construction on the ASU-Heber Springs campus at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain was completed in 2007, which consists of the Academic Center and Student Services/Administration Building.
In addition to community support, ASU-Heber Springs grew under the vision and leadership of Dr. Dianne Tiner, who served as the first Vice Chancellor for ASU-Heber Springs, and the late Steve Storm, who was the first full-time faculty member.
“ASU-Heber Springs stands today as an example of what the will of a community combined with the hard work and vision of many can accomplish,” said Vice Chancellor for ASU-Heber Springs Dr. Chris Boyett. “We are excited to gather to celebrate these efforts and to look forward as we continue to provide high quality education in Cleburne County.”
In addition to general education course work, ASU-Heber Springs offers several specialty programs. ASU-Heber Springs offers a Certificate of Proficiency, a Technical Certificate, and an Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology. The practical nursing program continues to provide students an opportunity to earn a technical certificate in 18 months.
Also, ASU-Heber Springs offers an Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Administration with an emphasis in culinary arts or in administration to prepare students for careers in tourism or related industries. An Associate of Science in Environmental Science program provides a basic understanding of environmental principles, and serves as the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at several four-year institutions in the State.
The ASU-Heber Springs 15th Anniversary Celebration is open to the public. The campus is located at 101 River Crest in Heber Springs. For more details, call (501) 362-1100, or view the website at www.asub.edu.
Arkansas State University-Beebe is a regional state university that is an operationally separate, two-year institution of the Arkansas State University System. With campuses located in Beebe, Heber Springs, Searcy, and Little Rock Air Force Base, the university offers associate degrees, certificates, and non-credit training for business and industry. The Beebe campus also collaborates with A-State Jonesboro to offer baccalaureate and graduate degrees on the Beebe campus.
