Graduation: Celebrating the Class of 2025 | | |
ASU Three Rivers celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2025 with a memorable commencement ceremony at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs. Held on May 13, the event brought together graduates, families, faculty, and staff for an evening of pride and recognition.
The ceremony honored the hard work and dedication of our students as they crossed the stage and stepped into the next chapter of their journeys. It was a powerful reminder of the impact of perseverance, community, and education, and a highlight of the year for the entire ASUTR family.
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Teeing up Success for Students at the
ASUTR 5th Annual 3-Player Golf Scramble
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This year’s Golf Tournament was nothing short of remarkable. Held on a beautiful fall day, the event brought together teams from across the region for friendly competition, community connection, and a shared commitment to supporting ASU Three Rivers students.
Thanks to the enthusiasm of our players, the generosity of our sponsors, and an exciting silent auction, the tournament raised over $24,000 for student scholarships — one of our strongest fundraising totals to date.
From the first tee-off to the final award, the day was filled with energy, camaraderie, and a true spirit of giving. We are deeply appreciative of everyone who helped make this year’s scramble such a memorable success, and we look forward to growing this event even more in the years to come.
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Welcome Week Fall '25
Set the Tone for the Semester
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ASU Three Rivers kicked off the fall semester with an energetic and engaging Welcome Week designed to help students feel at home from day one. Throughout the week, students enjoyed a full lineup of activities—from games and themed events to free food, giveaways, and opportunities to connect with campus resources.
The excitement and involvement we saw across campus set a positive tone for the year ahead and highlighted our commitment to building a supportive, student-centered community.
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Celebrating our Scholarship Recipients
and their Donors
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ASU Three Rivers Council for Advancement hosted two Scholarship Donor Receptions this year, giving our generous scholarship donors and dedicated students meaningful opportunities to meet and connect.
We are deeply grateful for the continued support of our donors, whose generosity made these scholarships possible, and for the hard work and commitment shown by our students. Together, these receptions demonstrated the lasting impact of community support on student success at ASU Three Rivers.
| | Spring 2025 Scholarship Recipients | | Fall 2025 Scholarship Recipients | | Jackie Yarbrough Joins ASUTR as
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration | | |
Jackie Yarbrough joined our leadership team as the new Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration in February. Jackie comes to us from the UAMS College of Medicine, where she served as Clinical Research Finance Director, overseeing complex financial operations and ensuring strong fiscal stewardship in a dynamic research environment.
Jackie brings with her a deep well of expertise in financial management, budgeting, financial statement analysis, human resources, and grant administration. Her background demonstrates not only technical skill, but also a strong commitment to supporting organizational growth, improving internal processes, and fostering collaboration across departments.
Throughout her career, Jackie has been recognized for her strategic mindset, her dedication to accuracy and accountability, and her ability to build strong, solutions-focused teams. Her leadership has already played a vital role in strengthening our financial operations and supporting the mission and long-term success of ASU Three Rivers.
| | Mason Robinson Returns to ASUTR as
Vice Chancellor for Saline County Career Technical Campus
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We are proud to highlight Mason Robinson, who has returned to Arkansas State University Three Rivers and serves as the Vice Chancellor for the Saline County Career Technical Campus (SCCTC). Robinson was previously the College's Workforce Director, and instrumental in the development and extensive growth of workforce training for the College.
In his vice chancellor role at SCCTC, Robinson helps guide the strategic direction of one of the region’s most innovative hubs for workforce and technical education. His leadership supports SCCTC’s mission to expand access to high-quality career pathways, strengthen industry partnerships, and prepare students for in-demand careers across Saline County and beyond.
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Saline County Career Technical Campus
Celebrated Note-Burning Ceremony
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In 2018, Saline County voters approved a 3/8-cent sales tax dedicated to building the Saline County Career Technical Campus. The $43 million bond associated with this project was originally projected to be paid off in 2037. We are pleased to share that the bond will be fully paid in 2025—an impressive twelve years ahead of schedule. As a result, the 3/8-cent sales tax officially concluded on October 1, 2025.
Since its opening in 2021, the Saline County Career Technical Campus has welcomed more than 2,000 students and hosted over 500 tours. The campus has become a cornerstone for workforce development in our region, offering hands-on training and industry-recognized certifications in welding, medical professions, construction, manufacturing, HVAC, automotive technology, and more.
This milestone reflects both the community’s investment in education and the continued success of students pursuing high-demand career pathways.
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The 9th Annual Ouachita River Rumble brought another exciting night of community spirit and hometown pride. ASU Three Rivers was proud to once again sponsor this long-standing rivalry matchup between the Malvern Leopards and the Arkadelphia Badgers.
This year, the Badgers claimed the victory belt on their home turf, and standout players from both teams were recognized for their performance on the field: Elijah Woods from Malvern and Jason Moss from Arkadelphia were named this year’s MVPs.
We appreciate both teams, their coaches, and the fans from each community who helped make the 2025 Rumble a great success. We look forward to carrying on this tradition next year!
| | Malvern Leopard MVP | Elijah Woods | | Arkadelphia Badger MVP | Jason Moss | | |
Celebrating the Opening of the
Nursing Complex with a Ribbon Cutting
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The new Nursing Complex, featuring spacious classrooms and four state-of-the-art simulation rooms, will enhance the Health Sciences Division’s ability to prepare graduates for safe and effective clinical practice. The expanded classroom space provides an environment that comfortably supports teaching and learning for our nursing students.
"We want the Nursing Complex to be both engaging and welcoming," said Melinda Sanders, Dean of Health Sciences. "We know that nursing school is hard, and it is important to us that our students have a place to relax and recharge. For this reason, a much-needed student commons area was included in the design and is bright, inviting, and student-centered."
The simulation suites allow us to replicate real-world clinical scenarios, giving students the opportunity to practice critical decision-making and experience challenging situations they may not otherwise encounter during clinical rotations. This hands-on preparation strengthens their ability to meet essential student learning outcomes and enter the workforce with confidence.
| The Historic Ritz Theatre Ribbon Cutting | | |
The Historic Ritz Theatre project was unveiled to the community earlier this week after eight years of restoration thanks to funding from Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council and community donors.
The community gathered with excitement and pride for the Ribbon Cutting and Open House of the Historic Ritz Theatre in Downtown Malvern, marking the first time the doors have reopened since the restoration journey began in 2018. Guests were welcomed into the beautifully revived 1938 community landmark, taking in the restored marquee, glowing neon, renewed architectural features, and the meticulous craftsmanship that brought this regional treasure back to life. The event also offered donors the first opportunity to see their named seats inside the auditorium, a tangible tribute to their generosity and belief in preserving a piece of Malvern and Hot Spring County’s cultural history.
During the celebration, Dr. Steve Rook, ASUTR Chancellor, reflected on the theatre’s transformation and the community effort behind it. “The Ritz is more than a building—it’s a symbol of what happens when a community believes in its past and invests in its future,” Dr. Rook shared. “This restoration honors the generations who cherished this space and opens the door for new memories, new performances, and new opportunities for our students and our town.” The ribbon cutting marked not just the reopening of a venue, but the rebirth of a gathering place that will continue inspiring and enriching the region for years to come.
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A Letter from the Athletic Director
As we look back on last year’s athletic season at ASU Three Rivers, I’m proud to share just how much our student-athletes accomplished—on the field, in the classroom, and in their continued journeys beyond our campus. It was a year filled with growth, grit, and moments that reminded us why ASUTR Athletics continues to rise.
Our softball program had an exceptional spring, advancing to the Regional Tournament in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and competing all the way into Day 3 of the bracket. Their performance on the field was matched by their success in the classroom, finishing the year with an outstanding team GPA of 3.4.
Baseball also delivered big moments, highlighted by an impressive victory over Connors State, one of the top-ranked programs in the nation. This defining win demonstrated the level of talent and competitiveness our athletes bring to every game.
We were thrilled to celebrate several major signing announcements as well. Softball saw one of its recent graduates continue her career at The University of Texas–Dallas, an NCAA Division II institution in the Lone Star Conference. Baseball honored two graduates who signed with NCAA Division II programs as well—the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith in the MIAA Conference and Henderson State University in the Great American Conference. These signings reflect both the strength of our programs and the commitment of our coaching staff to preparing student-athletes for the next level.
Academically, our athletes rose to the occasion with numerous recognitions, including the Chancellor’s List, Dean’s List, and Honors College awards. Their dedication to their studies continues to set a high standard for excellence across campus.
As we celebrate these achievements, we are also looking ahead with excitement. A new season is just around the corner, and our teams are already putting in the work to build on last year’s momentum. We cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds for ASUTR Athletics.
Thank you to our coaches, faculty, families, and supporters for believing in our student-athletes and cheering them on every step of the way.
Go Eagles!
Kelsey Rhine
ASUTR Athletic Director
| | Meet the Eagles is our annual athletic fundraiser that was held at SCCTC this year. We were able to raise over $7,700 beating last year’s total by $1,000! Coach Chris Curry, Head Coach for UALR Baseball, spoke to our athletes about the importance of JUCO sports. The 2026 event is scheduled for January 16, at 6PM, at Saline County Career Technical Campus. | | | Softball Head Coach | Kelsey Rhine | | Baseball Head Coach | Tucker Hughes | | Assistant Softball Coach | Katelyn McMahan | | Assistant Baseball Coach | Lane Gordon | | Arkansas Natural State Showcase | | | | |
This fall, Arkansas two-year colleges came together for the inaugural Natural State Baseball Showcase at Dickey-Stephens Park, marking an exciting milestone for two-year college baseball in the state.
Held October 10–11, the two-day event successfully showcased top student-athlete talent from nine Arkansas two-year colleges in front of four-year programs, professional scouts, and baseball fans from across the region.
The showcase highlighted not only the high level of competition on the field, but also the collaboration and shared mission of Arkansas’s two-year colleges to elevate opportunities for student-athletes. With strong participation, positive feedback, and statewide support from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, the event set the tone for future showcases to come.
Plans are already underway for next year’s Natural State Baseball Showcase, and we look forward to building on the success of this inaugural event.
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