Southern Arkansas University
Founded in 1909 under legislative action, Southern Arkansas University began as a district agricultural high school in the southwestern part of the state, initially called the Third District Agricultural School or “TDAS” for short. Its doors opened to students in January 1911, offering secondary school-level courses. By 1925, the institution was granted permission to introduce collegiate studies and underwent a name change to Agricultural and Mechanical College, Third District, also known as Magnolia A&M, while phasing out high school programs by 1937.
In 1949, the institution’s trustees envisioned a future as a four-year degree institution!
Thus, initiating third-year courses in 1950 and adding the fourth year by 1951. Legislative action in early 1951 renamed the college to Southern State College.
The college originally adhered to the segregation policies of the era, only starting to admit African American students after the pivotal Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 accelerated integration, with the college officially opening its doors to African American students that fall. Residential integration followed in 1966, and by 1967 the college celebrated its first African American graduate. The faculty also diversified with the appointment of the first African American professor in 1974.
Southern Arkansas University expanded its academic offerings to include a Master of Education degree in select fields by 1975.
That same year, the Board of Trustees endorsed another name change to Southern Arkansas University, reflecting its broader academic scope, as sanctioned by the Board of Higher Education and the state’s General Assembly.
In 1975, the Southwest Technical Institute in Camden became part of the SAU system, renamed Southern Arkansas University Tech.
Academically, Southern Arkansas University now provides a plethora of undergraduate programs across four distinct colleges and offers 19 graduate degrees available through various delivery methods.
Regarding student accommodation, the university boasts several residential facilities, including apartments and residence halls linked with thematic learning communities.
The university’s sports teams, known as the Muleriders and Lady Muleriders, participate in NCAA Division II within the Great American Conference. The name ‘Muleriders’ originates from a historical account where early football teams rode mules to travel to games. The football team has a notable achievement of winning the Gulf South Conference Championship in 1997, while the tennis team in the 1950s and the baseball team in 2006 and 2009 also claimed conference titles.
SAU’s unique traditions include the Bed Races during Family Day, a competition where students race in bed frames on wheels, and the Celebration of Lights, a festive event marking the holiday season with a grand tree lighting, light displays, and community festivities.