South Arkansas College Foundation

Congratulations to our Systems Student Art Contest honorable mentions!

Congratulations to our Systems Student Art Contest winners in grades 3 through 4!

Congratulations to our Systems Student Art Contest winners in grades 5 through 6!

Congratulations to our Systems Student Art Contest winners in grades 7 through 9!

Congratulations to our Systems Student Art Contest winners in grades 10 through 12!

Want a chance to win a Yeti Tundra Cooler?

Scan the QR code below, click the link below, or come to the SouthArk Outdoor Expo on Saturday, September 6, and speak with an Army Representative to enter for your chance to win!

https://www.goarmy.com/info?iom=BXMK

Apply today!
Click the following link to fill out the online application https://form.jotform.com/222775087247060

A Final (but Sad) Watermelon Wednesday Update

We are very sad to announce that this will be the end of the updates on the watermelons growing in Heritage Plaza here on campus. On Tuesday afternoon, it was discovered that someone had uprooted the vine, taken the two smaller watermelons, and picked but left behind the large watermelon.

The watermelons brought a lot of joy to campus. Several of us met at the plant multiple times a week to watch its progress and admire the resilience and beauty of nature. We are sad that due to the selfishness of one (or a few) people, the whole of campus no longer gets to have these small but meaningful moments as a community.

To end this on a positive note, something as small as spitting a watermelon seed can bring people together. You never know which of the small actions you take will grow into something bigger and better.

And always remember: Smile, you’re on camera. 😊

🍉 Watermelon Wednesday! An Update on Our Friends in Heritage Plaza! 🌱

Since there has been so much interest in the Watermelon plant that is unexpectedly growing here on campus, we have decided to start posting updates every other Wednesday until the Watermelon(s) are ready to be harvested!

Our original watermelon has officially grown to 12 inches from stem to stern! We are also welcoming two new Watermelon friends to campus, growing alongside the original! 🌞🍉

The plant continues to grow like a wildfire. We can't wait to see how many fruits we get before the first freeze!

🍉 Surprise in Heritage Plaza! 🌱

We’ve got an unexpected guest growing at SouthArk — a watermelon plant has popped up in Heritage Plaza and just produced its first fruit! 🎉

We're pretty sure it got its start the old-fashioned way… someone probably enjoying a summertime snack and spit a seed into the flower bed. And now — boom — watermelon magic! 🌞🍉

It’s thriving, and we’re rooting for it (pun intended). Just another reminder that you never know what might grow when you plant a little joy — or a stray seed.

🎓 Once a SouthArk Student, Always Family 💙

To our amazing alumni —
No matter how far you’ve gone or how long it’s been, we hope you still carry a little piece of SouthArk with you. Maybe it’s the friends you made, the professors who believed in you, or the memories tucked between classes, late-night study sessions, and laughter in the plaza.

You helped shape our story, and your journey inspires today’s students to dream big and keep going.

We’d love to hear where life has taken you — drop a memory in the comments or tag a classmate you still keep in touch with! 💬👣

And remember, the SouthArk Foundation is always here, cheering you on and keeping the legacy strong. 💛

Campus Closure Notice

Just a reminder that SouthArk will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of the holiday. All offices and campus services will resume regular hours on Monday, July 7.

We hope everyone enjoys a safe and relaxing break! 💙

✨ At the SouthArk Foundation, we believe big dreams start right here—with community, compassion, and a lot of HEART. Whether you support scholarships, cheer on our students, or simply believe in brighter futures, YOU make a difference. We’re not just building careers—we’re building confidence, connection, and lifelong impact. And honestly? We’re having a great time doing it. 🎉🎓 Don't stop shooting for the STARS. The best is yet to come! 💫

🎓 From Classroom to Career: Your Impact in Action! 💼✨ Every success story at South Arkansas College begins with opportunity - and opportunity starts with you! Thanks to the generosity of our donors, students are gaining the education, confidence, and tools they need to step into the workforce and change their lives. 🌟 This is what community support looks like. Your gift isn't just a donation—it's an investment in brighter futures. Let’s keep the momentum going!

🌟 Student Spotlight 🌟 We are very excited to announce this month's South Arkansas College Foundation Student Spotlight, Avery McGoogan — a determined SouthArk student, dedicated mom, and future Occupational Therapy Assistant! Avery’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Becoming a mother at 16 gave her a powerful sense of purpose, and she’s using her time at SouthArk to build a brighter future for herself and her son. She’s currently working toward her Associate of Arts degree and plans to continue to an OTA program, where she can live out her passion for helping others. Avery chose SouthArk for its flexible schedules, small class sizes, and supportive environment — all crucial as she balances motherhood, work, and school. Her role in Student Services gives her valuable experience, while the Michael Mahony/Cadence Bank Endowed Scholarship is helping lift the financial burden, allowing her to focus on what matters most: her education and her family. 💬 “This scholarship isn’t just helping me; it’s helping my child and shaping our future.” We’re incredibly proud of Avery’s perseverance, heart, and motivation. She’s proof that strength and success come in many forms — and hers is one worth celebrating!

🎉 Big News! 🎉 We are thrilled to share the conceptual renderings of what a Howard Residence Hall dorm room will look like! 🏠✨ 📸 Picture this: a vibrant community where students can live, learn, and grow right on campus—building friendships, late-night study groups, and memories that last a lifetime. This marks a major milestone for our college, and we’re proud to be part of the journey that brings more opportunities and experiences to our students. Stay tuned for updates as we bring this exciting vision to life! 💙

Thank you to the Dirt Friends for providing us with this beautiful sign so that we may honor the landscaping you all have worked so hard on here at Heritage Plaza on campus! And, thank you to our Physical Plant team, who installed the sign beautifully. We appreciate all your hard work!

Alum Spotlight We are extremely pleased to feature Sherrel Johnson as this month’s South Arkansas College Foundation Alum Spotlight! Sherrel, a 1986 SouthArk graduate, went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from SAU-Magnolia. As the first woman president and CEO of the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce, she helped found the Union County Water Conservation Board, the state’s first board to manage groundwater. She played a key role in securing over $8.5 million in funding for the Ouachita River Alternative Water Project. She was involved in significant projects like the Del-Tin fiberboard plant and the Union Power Station's $1.1 billion plant. She also led a successful campaign to merge local colleges into South Arkansas Community College. Later, she served as interim Vice Chancellor for Advancement at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, launching a Breast Cancer License Plate program that raised over $300,000 for research. Sherrel was instrumental in establishing the Allie Johnson Persistence of the Spirit Award and the Robert C. Compton Scholarship Fund, contributing to campaigns for local organizations like the Salvation Army. This year, she will be honored by the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation as a member of the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame for her significant contributions to groundwater conservation and the local ecosystem. The AGFC website has said the following about Sherrel: "Her impactful leadership in forming and collaborating with the Union County Water Conservation Board enabled Johnson and a coalition of state and local leaders to address the critical groundwater decline in the Sparta Aquifer, then the county’s only source of drinking and industrial water. This solution-driven initiative led to an alternative source of industrial water from the Ouachita River, significantly reducing reliance on the rapidly declining Sparta and leading to its documented recovery, demonstrating a powerful model for innovative groundwater conservation that restored the natural resource and ultimately benefits the long-term health of the ecosystem and associated wildlife habitats.” This month we honor Sherrel and her extraordinary accomplishments. Thank you, Sherrel, for all you do for our community. You are indeed an inspiration to us all!