When Dr. Robert C. Brown spoke at the dedication of Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center on Oct. 30, 1999, he predicted that the new facility would “thrust Arkansas Tech 25 years into the next millennium.”
Brown, who served as Arkansas Tech University president from 1993-2014, returned to Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center on the 25th anniversary of its dedication and spoke about the role the landmark building has played in transforming the university.
His remarks were part of a reception hosted in Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center room 300 on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Brown told of how Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center was integral in helping Arkansas Tech achieve the four strategic goals established early in his administration: to have a curriculum that reflected current practices, to have the most modern physical plant, to tell the story of ATU and to achieve modern fundraising.
“It fit all four of our goals,” said Brown.
Brown shared the story of personally writing the grant to the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation that resulted in $13 million in funding to support the construction of Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you,” said Brown when speaking of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation and its trustees.
He expressed gratitude to the donors who contributed to the $2.5 million endowment that has ensured and will continue to ensure that the technology within Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center remains up-to-date throughout its lifespan.
Brown also expressed appreciation to several leaders within his administration, including David Moseley, who served as vice president for administration and finance; Shauna Donnell, who served as director of admissions and assistant vice president for enrollment management; Dr. Larry Robinson, Dr. Jack Hamm and Dr. John W. Watson, each of whom served as vice president for academic affairs; Jackie Gardner, who served as administrative assistant to the president; Susie Nicholson, who served as director of university relations and later as vice president for student services; Thomas Pennington, who served as associate vice president and legal counsel; and Jill Brown, who was first lady of Arkansas Tech from 1993-2014.
The 11th president of Arkansas Tech offered additional appreciation to Major Gen. William E. Harmon, who oversaw the implementation of technology in Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center at the time the building opened in 1999.
“Without his help, none of what you see today would be possible,” said Brown. “I’ll never forget the day the 18-wheeler arrived at the library with nothing but computers in it. Pendergraft was just the thing we needed to capture the imagination of prospective students in the 1990s and early 2000s.”
Harmon was also among the speakers at the 25th anniversary of the dedication of Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center.
“(Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center) quickly became the academic, social and electronic hub of not only the university, but the community as well…enhancing computer literacy with open-use computers throughout the library, with new computer labs and modern classrooms for instruction and public meetings,” said Harmon, a 1960 graduate of Arkansas Tech and a 1990 inductee into the ATU Hall of Distinction. “The new technology environment facilitated the sophistication of the university website as a window to the world, course management software, the distance learning programs, campus networking, centralized data bases, virtual servers, high-speed bandwidth and the first-ever, one-of-a-kind music lab.
“Today, (Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center) stands positioned with an extremely talented technical staff under the leadership of Steve Milligan to facilitate the university learning environment and skills development in the emerging technologies,” continued Harmon. “And Tech will continue to accomplish the university foundation mission of ensuring the employability of our students.”
Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center was designed by AMR Architects. Van Horn Construction was the primary contractor for the project. Brown lauded both companies for their work on the project at the 25th anniversary reception.
Jayne Jones was associate vice president for administration and finance at Arkansas Tech when Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center was constructed. Jones joined Brown and Harmon as featured speakers for the 25th anniversary reception, and she spoke about the role the late Rick Redden played as the lead architect in the planning of the facility.
“Rick Redden was a talented and knowledgeable architect,” said Jones. “He was a creative thinker and an artist. From the first time AMR made their presentation to the architect selection committee for this building, it was evident that Rick was well-versed in Tech history. The design of this building reflected the architectural heritage on this campus.”
Redden was represented at the 25th anniversary reception by his daughter, Kate East, principal at AMR Architects.
Additional speakers at the 25th anniversary reception included Steve Milligan, director of the ATU Office of Information Systems and ATU chief information officer, and Eric Rector, ATU library director. Both recognized past and present staff members and spoke of the ongoing benefits Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center provides to the ATU community.
Dr. Russell Jones, ATU president, served as master of ceremonies and offered the closing remarks.
“As we stand here a quarter-century later, it is our responsibility to embrace and build upon that spirit of innovation by continuing to understand the technological advances around us and harness them for the benefit of our students,” said Jones. “Artificial intelligence…virtual reality…the role of automation in reshaping the workforce…these are just some of the technology issues that we are confronted with in 2024.
“Arkansas Tech University is well positioned to help students prepare for the world they will encounter beyond graduation day,” continued Jones. “This facility and all that it contains provide Arkansas Tech and its students with an advantage so large it is impossible to quantify. Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center has fulfilled its promise to forever change Arkansas Tech University. As we move forward, may we have the courage as a university community to continue changing to meet the evolving educational needs of those who pass through its doors.”
