A-State’s Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing receives $10 million

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

A $10 million Congressional appropriation, led by U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., will advance plans for the Arkansas State University Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing to support the largest steel producing region in the country.

A-State will use the funding to invest in high-tech equipment for a multi-million dollar facility that will advance the rapidly growing steel industry in the Arkansas Delta and throughout Northeast Arkansas. The region is the nation’s leader in steel production, with more than 20 steel-related companies employing some 3,600 workers and another $3 billion in facilities under construction creating another 900 jobs.

The university anticipates close partnerships with steel manufacturers for research, process improvements, testing of advanced materials and steel manufacturing while training a growing, professional workforce for the industry and region.

A-State’s Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing receives $10 million

Former Arkansas State defensive back arrested on murder charges

KUAR | By Nathan Treece

A former Arkansas State University football player is accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend in Tennessee.

Deputy U.S. Marshals arrested 27-year-old Blaise Taylor in Utah on Thursday, after being indicted by a Nashville grand jury. Taylor is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the poisoning deaths of Jade Benning and her five-month-old fetus, which Taylor allegedly fathered.

Benning died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in March of last year on her 25th birthday. Taylor had called 911 saying he believed Benning was having an allergic reaction.

Construction on $25.2 million A-State Windgate Art Innovation Center set to begin

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Construction will begin on the $25.2 million Windgate Art and Innovation Center at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro following approval by the ASU System Board of Trustees on Thursday (March 14) at its regular quarterly meeting on the ASU-Newport campus.

The new, 38,887-square-foot Windgate Center will house spaces to support learning and creative activities for the Department of Art + Design, as well as the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Funding includes $22 million in private support from the Windgate Foundation and $3.2 million in institutional reserves. Construction is projected to be finished sometime in 2027.

System Interim President Robin Myers thanked U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., for helping to secure a $10 million federal appropriation to advance development of the A-State Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing. A-State will use the funding to invest in high-tech equipment for a multimillion-dollar facility that will support Northeast Arkansas’ position as the largest steel producing region in the country.

Construction on $25.2 million A-State Windgate Art Innovation Center set to begin

Arkansas State University begins search for vet school dean

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas State University is taking applicants and nominees for the next dean of its proposed College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM).

The dean will be chief administrative officer for the CVM, responsible for its missions in teaching, research and service. Primary duties will include oversight for all academic programs associated with the CVM, along with management of budget and other resources.

Applicants must possess an earned doctor of veterinary medicine degree or the equivalent, a demonstrated and robust research agenda, and a distinguished record of visionary leadership and excellence in administration.

Arkansas State University begins search for vet school dean

Arkansas Higher Education Board approves A-State’s preliminary plan for veterinarian school

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board has approved Arkansas State University’s outline for its College of Veterinary Medicine, including the potential for 40 new faculty and staff positions dedicated to the program.

The state board also approved the program of study along with the individual program requirements and courses. The next step for A-State is to forward ADHE’s approval on to the national accrediting agencies associated with veterinary colleges.

“Today is another milestone for residents of the state of Arkansas and for our significant agricultural industry,” Chancellor Todd Shields said. “We appreciate the approval of the coordinating board and we are looking ahead to becoming the university of choice for those residents who want to become veterinarians. Right now, everyone who dreams of becoming a vet has to leave the state. That’s a hardship to them and to their families.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/07/arkansas-higher-education-board-approves-a-states-preliminary-plan-for-veterinarian-school/

Dr. Glen Hoffsis named founding dean of A-State’s veterinary school

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Dr. Glen Hoffsis has been named as the founding dean for Arkansas State University’s upcoming College of Veterinary Medicine, Chancellor Todd Shields said.

Hoffsis has served as dean of two of the nation’s largest vet colleges, Ohio State University and University of Florida, and recently guided the creation of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn.

“We are thrilled that we could bring Dean Hoffsis back into higher education to help guide the launch of our program at Arkansas State,” Shields said. “His reputation as both an academician and veterinary researcher is outstanding, and we are confident his connections and knowledge within the field will be a major asset in our goal of educating more veterinarians for our state and region.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/06/dr-glen-hoffsis-named-founding-dean-of-a-states-veterinary-school/

Medical industry to move from ‘sick’ care to focus on ‘health’ care

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

A paradigm shift in the way medical care is paid for and administered will occur during the next decade or so, healthcare consultant Eric Shell told Talk Business & Politics.

Shell recently gave a lecture, “The Future of Healthcare: Strategies for Success,” at the Fowler Center on the Arkansas State University campus. New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine hosted the event.

Shell is the chairman of Stroudwater Associates, a Maine-based healthcare consulting firm that provides research and strategy for rural and community hospitals, health systems and large physician practices. He is the leader of the firm’s rural practice and chairman of the firm’s board of directors.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/05/medical-industry-to-move-from-sick-care-to-focus-on-health-care/

Arkansas State University announces plans for veterinary college

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas State University intends to start a College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and now it plans to undergo the endeavor without the help of any outside entity. Once it’s completed, the A-State veterinary program would be the second in the state.

Batesville-based Lyon College is in the process of forming its own vet training program in Little Rock, the school announced in May.

The new college will cost about $15 million to start. A specific timeline of when the college will become accredited and when it will start training students was not released.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/01/arkansas-state-university-announces-plans-for-veterinary-college/

Michael Noble Jr./NPR

Veterinarian Dr. Remington Pettit and veterinarian assistant Zack Harmon check up Oreo on Dec. 12, 2022, in Stillwater, Okla.