Arkansas State University - Indian Yearbook (Jonesboro, AR)

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Athletic Director Larry Lacewell and President Eugene Smith show Governor Bill Clinton a new tradition in the making. The Convocation Center will serve as the marque for Arkansas State Uni- versity and will be the focal point for edu- cational, cultural, athletic, and conven- tion activities for the entire Northeast Ar- kansas region and Midsouth region. It will become a unique activity center re- flecting the vitality and joyful life of ASU and the greater Jonesboro area. The $18.3 million arena has 10,523 seats that can be moved back with the push of a button. There is no seat with a view obstructed by a support column, because of the unique floating roof structure. The upper level of the arena will have a permanent running track, seven volleyball courts, and three bas- ketball courts. The eight and one-half stories high building will have a main scoreboard in the center of the arena, complete with graphics. The Convocation Center will be viewed as a valuable asset to the com- munity and will have a significant impact on the improved quality of life on cam- pus. Expanding traditions, such as this arena, show a uniform effort for the bet- terment of Arkansas as a whole.

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EXPANDING TRADITIONS WITH Construction of the Convoca- tion Center began in March 1985. The pictures illustrate the various stages of the new facility. Arkan- sas Governor Bill Clinton toured the building to examine the new addition to the A-State campus. The students are anticipating the naming of the new construction. Some have expressed their desire to Call It BUBBA . Whatever the official name may be, the convo- cation center is an addition to ASU that Arkansas should be proud to have in its state. (Pictures donated by Tim Dean 86 )

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EXPANDING ENROLLMENT Enrollment has reached record heights this year at ASU. This makes the second straight year for record setting attendance. Presently 8,504 students are enrolled. This number is up 58 students from the previous re- cord of 8,446 students last fall. In addi- tion to the incoming freshmen, 100 new students enrolled at ASU this fall, according to Karen Toombs, Director of Admissions. The freshman class number is down from previous years. This is due to the end of the baby boom era which has resulted in fewer students graduating from high school. The largest loss of students, 62, occu- red in the freshman class. The highest gain was 72 in the Jr. class. Ms. Toombs stated that ASU is pleased to be able to increase enrollment in spite of declining incoming freshman. The enrollment classification breaks down as follows: Freshman - 3,057 stu- dents; Sophomore - 1,432 students; Junior - 1 ,287 students; Senior - 1 ,465 students; Graduate - 1 ,048 students; Unclassified - 215. Ms. Toombs stres- sed that recruitment of new students was an important campus-wide con- cern. Equally important is the retention of students presently enrolled.