Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Tarpley addresses Rotary regarding HSU

Henderson State University was the topic of discussion at the Gurdon Rotary Clubs meeting on Thursday, Jan. 11. Billy Tarpley, director of development at HSU, gave a presentation which highlighted some of the universitys key features.

One of those features is Hendersons designation as Arkansass Liberal Arts University. Although several other state colleges in Arkansas now follow a liberal arts curriculum, Tarpley said Henderson is the only college in Arkansas created as a liberal arts institution.

Tarpley also noted that HSU is the second oldest state university in Arkansas, second only to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Henderson was founded in 1890 as Arkansas Methodist College.

Over the years, HSU has earned memberships into various organizations which add to the universitys prestige, Tarpley said. HSU is the only Arkansas university which is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges and is also a member of Colleges of Distinction. HSU has also been commended by U.S. News and World Report.

In 2006, no other Arkansas public college was ranked higher in the category where Henderson was ranked, Tarpley said.

In 2005 Henderson took pride in having an above average freshman class based on students scores on the American College Test. Tarpley said the class average ACT score was 23, and Henderson was ranked among the top one-third of colleges nationally based on this statistic.

ACT scores are a big deal, he said.

Hendersons academic notability is further enhanced by the schools honors college - the second oldest such institution in the state. Tarpley said the requirements for students entering this program are even more stringent than general admission. About 250 students are able to enroll the program.

The honors college is set apart from the remainder of the university in the recently-completed Sturgis Hall.

The honors college has received national notice.

In reviewing our honors college, they said ours was a model for others to follow, Tarpley said.

Other academic programs at Henderson have unique characteristics as well. HSU offers the only collegiate degree in aviation in Arkansas; the school of business allows students to manage a real money stock portfolio; the school of nursing has experienced a 100 percent pass rate over the last two years; and the school of music has graduated five Fulbright Scholars.

A total of seven Fulbright Scholars have graduated from HSU as well as a Rhodes Scholar.

The teacher education program is legendary as well, Tarpley noted.

Another interesting note Tarpley shared with the Rotarians is that Henderson has produced three 4-star generals.

It is so true that when Henderson calls itself the school with a heart it has been that way for decades, Tarpley said.