Release Date: June 21, 2002
ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY TO OFFER
THREE DEGREE PROGRAMS AT NORTHARK
Dr.
Robert C. Brown, President of Arkansas Tech University, and Dr. Jeff Olson,
President of North Arkansas College, today announce plans for Tech to offer
courses in three bachelor’s degree programs at Northark starting this fall.
"We are very excited about this opportunity to bring our programs to the campus of North Arkansas College," said Brown. "Northern Arkansas has a long tradition of sending its sons and daughters to Tech, and our relationship with Northark is outstanding."
Tech will offer courses for bachelor’s degree programs in computer and information science, agriculture business, and early childhood education. The agriculture business degree program will also have an option in animal science.
"This announcement is an exciting step forward for North Arkansas College," said Olson. "We are committed to providing programs that meet area needs through partnerships and other outreach activities. This agreement with Arkansas Tech University will open doors to opportunity for the people we serve."
Dr. Barry Good, Northark’s Vice President of Instruction, and Dr. Jack Hamm, Tech’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, worked out the details of the partnership. Good credited a team effort in making this agreement happen.
"All of the departments at Northark have been involved, and that’s important," Good commented. "We have made several trips to Russellville and the people from Tech have been on our campus many times. It has been a real pleasure working with Jack Hamm and his staff."
Courses in the Tech programs will be taught on site at North Arkansas College and, possibly, through distance learning.
Initially, students enrolled in agriculture business or computer and information science may be required to take some classes in Russellville. Early childhood education students will finish their third year of college in Harrison and take two semesters in Russellville before returning to the Harrison area for practice teaching.
Eventually, Arkansas Tech hopes to structure all three degree programs where students will be able to complete all of their coursework on Northark’s campus.