HOT SPRINGS -- Henderson State University and National Park Community College hosted a grand opening ceremony for the Hot Springs Downtown Education Center on Friday at the Landmark Building.
Henderson President Glen Jones said he met with Shane Broadway, former director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, and legislators shortly after he began as president three years ago. State Sen. Bill Sample, R-Hot Springs, and state Rep. John Vines, D-Hot Springs, had expressed their disappointment that Henderson had yet to establish a physical presence in Hot Springs.
"What I heard that day was a lot of passion for bringing more educational opportunities to Hot Springs, to make certain that people who are in this community desired to have extended opportunities could be afforded those opportunities," Jones said. "When I listened to Sen. Sample and Rep. Vines, I knew then that this community had great leadership from a political standpoint."
Jones said Sample and Vines took advantage of an opportunity in the state Legislature to find available funding for the Downtown Education Center. National Park Community College President John Hogan said other colleges and communities in Arkansas are envious of the legislative support provided to the Hot Springs area.
"We didn't bend any rules, but we had to push some things along to get this here on the timeline that we made," Sample said. "It's all about Hot Springs. It's all about our young people."
Vines praised the cooperation of the governing boards of both Henderson and the community college for their work in bringing HSU-Hot Springs to the Landmark Building.
"It's amazing what we can get done together when we don't care who gets the credit," Vines said. "And this is one of those days that everybody deserves credit for this institution being here."
Hogan said Henderson's presence was key to the economic development of the Hot Springs area. He praised the relationship between the community college and Henderson forged by former community college President Sally Carder and Jones.
"One of the best strengths of a community college -- a robust two-year college -- is its ability to partner," Hogan said.
"In our case, I think you get the best of both worlds -- the presence of a four-year university to complement the presence of an outstanding two-year college," Jones said. "We are excited about that. We recognize that we are here to support National Park. It's not Henderson or National Park. It's Henderson and National Park working together for the benefit of the citizens of this area."
Jones said he knew who he wanted to head HSU-Hot Springs as soon as an agreement was reached over a year ago to house classes in the Landmark Building. He previously had met Christi Batts, now executive director of HSU-Hot Springs, at a local event.
"We did a search, and we had some great, great applicants," Jones said. "I don't want to sell anyone short. They were great, but clearly [Batts'] passion just rose to the surface and the vision she had of what we could do and what we could create came bursting through in everything she said and did."
Each speaker praised the contributions and efforts of Rick Williams, owner of the building. Williams' construction team and Harris Architecture renovated the interior of the Landmark Building to begin housing Henderson classes this semester.
"I haven't lived in Hot Springs long, but I consider it my home now," Williams said. "What a great place to live."
Williams said he is "in love" with the city and plans to lead more local projects.
"If I could help anybody with their projects, let me know," Williams said. "It's what John said, I'm working with people. Anybody who needs help on a building or needs something I've got to help them put together what they've got, this is about a community. This is about us winning together. It's not about one man and I'm just thankful to be here."
Sample said he has been pleased with the amount of hours already being taken by local students in the Downtown Education Center. HSU-Hot Springs students enrolled in 1,801 hours in its first two semesters, exceeding expectations by more than 500 hours.
Metro on 03/15/2015