Beck PRIDE Center receives surprise donation from local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter

October 8, 2009 – In a surprise move, Arkansas State University’s Beck PRIDE Center for America’s Wounded Veterans was the recipient of a special donation during Thursday afternoon’s open house at the center’s new home in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences.

Beck PRIDE Center director Susan Tonymon was paying tribute to the Veterans of Foreign Wars for the organization’s support and service to the center by presenting a certificate to veteran representative Sid Mize of the Jonesboro Chapter 1991. Mize turned the tables by presenting a check for $2,000 to a surprised Tonymon.

“Thank you so much,” said Tonymon. “This is a wonderful surprise gesture, and I promise you that this money will go toward helping the veterans and their needs in the Beck PRIDE Center.”



Susan Tonymon, director of the Beck PRIDE Center for America’s Wounded Veterans at Arkansas State University, accepts a check for $2,000 from Sid Mize of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Jonesboro Chapter 1991.

The open house was held to celebrate the new home of the Beck PRIDE Center which is now located on the first floor of the Reynolds Center. 

Beck PRIDE opened in 2007 and has served more than 135 active duty or discharged service members and their families of all branches of military service from across the United States. “PRIDE” is an acronym for Personal Rehabilitation, Individual Development and Education. The program is now housed in the new Reynolds Center which was officially dedicated Sept. 25.

Arkansas State University is a military-friendly institution which offers comprehensive higher education programs and degrees that directly support veterans. The school also has an active ROTC program and houses the 875^th Arkansas National Guard Armory.

The center was selected as a recipient of the prestigious 10^th annual Newman’s Own Award Sept. 10. ASU Chancellor Robert L. Potts accepted the $5,000 award at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., as awards totaling $75,000 were presented to 11 volunteer organizations for their innovative programs to improve military quality of life.

The mission of the Beck PRIDE Center is: ‘To provide combat wounded veterans with first class educational programs and services at Arkansas State University. These include, but are not limited to: resources to access to the higher education experience, resources for counseling, personal rehabilitation, advocacy, and financial assistance. We are dedicated to helping these individuals to achieve their post military service goals.’

###