Bob and Edna Cook Norvel
A gift of more than $1 million by a Southern Arkansas University alumna will benefit scholarships for SAU's growing Engineering program.
The donor, Edna Cook Norvell, told SAU President Dr. Trey Berry that she chose to make the gift because of all the generous people who helped her while she was a student at Magnolia A&M (now SAU). Funds from this endowment will benefit future generations of students in the form of what will be known as NORCO SAU Engineering Scholarships.
Mrs. Norvell was born in Venice, IL, and moved with her family to Buckner, AR, in Lafayette County, in the 1930s. She attended Stamps High School before becoming a student at Magnolia A&M. She graduated from A&M in 1938; her brother, Edward J. Cook, also graduated from A&M in 1942. Norvell embarked on a teaching career that spanned 55 years, nine states and four countries, including Japan, Libya, Germany and England. Her husband, Major Robert Norvell (USAF, Retired), was an engineer and served during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Neither of them lost sight of their love of education.
"Her gift will be truly transformational, both for our Engineering students and all of SAU," said Berry. "We are blessed by her kindness and care for her alma mater."
SAU Engineering, which started fall of 2014, has seen steady growth. Enrollment numbers for Fall 2016 are around 200 declared majors, up from 172 in Fall 2015.
"The popularity of SAU Engineering, the only such program in all of south Arkansas and most affordable in the state, is due to many reasons," said Berry. "Strong industry support since the program's inception has offered students internships and job opportunities. This support has also translated into more than $400,000 in gifts and grants from industry partners to provide the program with the latest technologies and equipment so students enter the workforce with hands-on experience."
With more students comes the need for more class and lab space. After the National Guard Armory building was granted back to the university in 2015, a $1.4 million renovation project turned it into a state-of-the-art engineering facility neighboring the SAU Science Center. Six labs were created along with three large classrooms, and the motor pool area is being converted to a machine shop for hands-on instruction and training.
SAU Engineering offers several areas of emphasis, including Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Technology and a new Welding Engineering Technology program developed by the SAU System.
For more information contact:
Southern Arkansas University
100 East University
Magnolia, AR 71753
870-235-4000
www.saumag.edu