Board of Trustees pass resolution
to name Bookout Plaza

The Board of Trustees at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro passed a resolution at a meeting this morning naming Bookout Plaza in honor of the significant contributions of Senator Jerry Bookout and his wife, Emeritus Instructor Loretta Bookout, and their son, State Representative Paul Bookout.

Bookout Plaza will be a flag court located prominently at the southern edge of the campus on the Centennial Pedestrian Mall just as visitors and guests arrive off Caraway Road. A ceremony and dedication honoring the family will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 9:30 a.m.

Senator Bookout, a 1955 alumnus of ASU, began his service to the university while serving in the Student Government Association as a student. He was elected to 11 terms in the Arkansas Legislature. Working with government leaders, ASU administrators and faculty, Senator Bookout has helped develop and secure funding for every classroom, library, and administrative facility built on the ASU campus within the last 30 years. Senator Bookout was named a Distinguished Alumnus of ASU in 1997.

Loretta Bookout, an emeritus instructor of elementary education, has helped the community, state and the ASU campus for many years as an advocate, creator, and developer of early childhood education programs, as well as public school and university programs. Mrs. Bookout holds a bachelor’s degree, ‘73, and a master’s degree, ’80, from the College of Education. As an instructor, she’s influenced the lives of hundreds of ASU students.

Representative Paul Bookout, a 1985 alumnus of ASU, has served the people of Craighead County and the state of Arkansas in the General Assembly for three terms. As a member of the General Assembly, Representative Bookout was a strong advocate for securing the funds to build the Arkansas State University Biosciences Institute.