National Park College (NPC) broke ground on two new science labs Wednesday. The NPC
Board of Trustees approved the project in December.
The addition to the Lab Sciences building will expand both the first and second floor
of the building’s west side. The bottom floor will house a new physics and engineering
lab. The top floor will include a new chemistry lab. The labs will allow NPC to offer
upper-level courses in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics as part of a four-year
degree partnership with Southern Arkansas University (SAU) that was approved one year
ago this week.The NPC Board of Trustees met with representatives from SAU earlier in the day. NPC
President, Dr. John Hogan said the continued focus on bachelor’s degrees is all about
increasing degree attainment in Garland County. Arkansas is 49th in degree attainment
nationally, with only 22 percent of residents having a bachelor’s degree. The national
mean is 30.9 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In Garland
County, only 20.1 percent of residents hold a bachelor’s degree.
The BLS reports bachelor’s degree holders earn 40 percent more annually than those
with associate degrees. Hogan said closing the gap in degree attainment would mean
millions more in income and tax revenue for Garland County citizens. “If we close
the gap to meet the Arkansas mean, we could generate an additional $32,734,832 in
annual income for Garland County residents. That would correspond to additional funds
spent here in the county and taxes paid. If we close the gap to meet the national
mean, that calculates to an additional $186,034,784.”
Social Sciences and Math Science Division Chair Dr. Charles Argo said, “All of this
is for our students. I see them every day in class and out of class, working hard
to balance family, jobs and school. I hear the exasperation in their voices when they
want to do more and go further to expand their options in life, but are place bound
here because of circumstance. These opportunities can be life-changing for our students.
A good degree in an employable field doesn’t alter the trajectory of just one person,
it does so for entire families, over the course of generations.”
Students also provided testimonials regarding their experience in the programs so
far. Computer Science major Ian Raines said, “This is my first year. I have already
experienced amazing things on the National Park campus. I have experienced passionate
teachers, excellent academics, a growing and diverse campus with so many people from
all different walks of life and all different ages.”
Biology major Summer Holt is a zookeeper. She commutes to Little Rock and said when
she heard about the program she applied the same night. “I love the small classroom
settings NPC offers, and I will be most set to succeed with my degree plan because
of the support system we have here on campus.”
Nontraditional veteran student and Biology major Holly Blankenship shared why completing
her degree close to home is important for her. “That is what is so valuable to me,
is that I stay present in my children’s lives, even though my goals and ambitions
are so important. They are the reason for all of this.”
SAU President, Dr. Trey Berry said, “When John Hogan approached us a little over 18
months ago about a possibility of us working together to bring four-year degrees to
Hot Springs, we were immediately intrigued. Fast forward 18 months later and here
we are, through a lot of work from a lot of people. He said the entire effort was
all about the students and providing access to opportunities. “At the end of the day,
students, this is about you. This day is about you.”
Biochemistry major and veteran nontraditional student Cory Morris spoke at the groundbreaking
event. “I will be among the first students that will be awarded a bachelor’s degree
at National Park College in Biochemistry in 2023. I will be able to take this degree
anywhere that I want to go for my postgraduate program.”
Morris shared the symbolic nature of the construction taking place. “The reason we
are gathered here today is actually to break ground on construction of this very essential
component for this partnership to go forward. The foundation that will be laid on
this spot is going to be the foundation of our future, for myself and other students
you have heard from today and others that are already taking advantage of this,” he
said. “I know that the skills and certifications that we will now have access to here
will become the backbone of our progress and the fulfillment of our greatest potential.”
The project was designed by Lewis Architects Engineers and Hill and Cox Corporation
has already started preparing the site for construction. The total cost of the project
is estimated at $2.1 million and is scheduled for completion by fall 2020.
