June 14, 2007 -- Arkansas State University in Jonesboro has received the largest single donation in its history, a charitable gift of $14,508,342 from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, according to Dr. Robert L. Potts, chancellor.

The gift will be utilized to construct a three-story health sciences building just northeast of the Student Union/Reng Student Services Center.

“We are thrilled to announce this gift because of what it will mean for generations of ASU students seeking careers in the health sciences,” Potts said.  “The Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences will be a fitting tribute to the memory of the gentleman whose ambition and generosity made this gift possible.”

The Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences is designed as a 50,650 square foot structure that will house the Speech and Hearing Clinic, nursing and nurse anesthesia skills laboratories, large and small classrooms, computer lab, dedicated research spaces and special project rooms. The gift includes more than $1 million in furnishings and major equipment costs.

“The generosity displayed through this gift will make a significant difference for the faculty, staff and students in the College of Nursing and Health Professions and those they serve in our region” said Dr. Susan Hanrahan, dean of the college.  “We are extremely grateful to the Trustees of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation for their confidence in our ability to create a facility that will enhance and enrich the lives of others.”

As part of the overall building project, the university has agreed to renovate 16,750 square feet of space in the Chickasaw Building, immediately south of the building site, for programs in Nursing and Health Professions. Space will include two large classrooms as well as a suite of offices for faculty who teach in the social work department.

The Center construction and the Chickasaw renovation will result in 67,400 square feet of new space for the college, more than doubling the current available space of 65,756 square feet. The Center for Excellence in Education and Regional Programs will occupy the remaining spaces in Chickasaw. Construction on this part of the project will begin this month.

The College of Nursing and Health Professions will retain its current six-story building, which was built in 1936. Primary use for this facility will be for faculty and staff offices, classrooms, radiologic sciences laboratories including sonography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance imaging, mammography and x-ray, and physical therapy labs.

“This development is an outgrowth of the strategic plan for ASU-Jonesboro, and is consistent with the high priority given by the state for the education of health care professionals,” added Dr. Les Wyatt, president of the ASU System.  “These additional facilities made possible by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation trustees will certainly create significant new opportunities for our students in nursing and health professions who will someday work throughout the Mid-South region.”

Mike Gibson of Osceola, chair of the ASU Board of Trustees, also expressed his appreciation to the foundation board.

“The level of support expressed by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation through this gift is extremely gratifying to those of us who serve as trustees for the institution,” he said.  “I believe I speak for the entire five-member Board when I say that we are absolutely delighted to acknowledge this historic expression of support for ASU-Jonesboro and the College of Nursing and Health Professions.”

When the entire project is complete, Hanrahan added, “all programs will have increased square footage, will be in the same physical locale, and faculty will have offices grouped near their peers. The three buildings will also be linked with connectors from one structure to another. It will be quite a nice complex for our work.”

The gift is contingent upon the execution of a Construction Grant Agreement with the Foundation, as well as the creation of a restricted fund for building maintenance, repair and equipment. The restricted fund has to total 20 percent of the total project cost. Funds need to be in place with the opening of the structure.

The building has been designed by Brackett-Krennerich & Associates Architects in Jonesboro. The contractor for the project will be CDI of Little Rock.
 
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named.  Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, it is one of the largest private foundations in the United States.