Monthly Archives: November 2024

ASU Trustees Approve $30.6 Million Bond Issue to Finance New A-State Veterinary School Facility

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LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees today in a special meeting approved a $30.6 million bond issue to finance construction for the new College of Veterinary Medicine at the A-State campus in Jonesboro.

Design and construction of the College of Veterinary Medicine facility is estimated at $33.2 million. The university plans to finance the building through the issuance of taxable Student Fee Revenue Bonds and use of institutional reserve funds. Tuition and fees from CVM students will ultimately fund debt service for the construction.

The move follows a recent consultative site visit by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education, which reviewed A-State’s progress on facilities, policies and personnel for the college. The university plans to admit its first cohort of students in 2026 in what would become the state’s only public vet school.

The bond funding plan also allows for the refunding and reissuance of $11.6 million in existing student fee revenue bonds that were used for capital improvements on the A-State campus. The total 30-year bond issue must have an interest cost of no more than 7%, and the refunding must produce a savings of at least 4%.

Stephens Inc. and Crews & Associates Inc. will serve as bond underwriters. PFM Financial Advisors LLC is the financial advisor, and Friday, Eldredge & Clark is the bond counsel. 

In other action, the board authorized Henderson State University to explore the disposition of three university-owned houses as part of its efforts to pursue cost savings and future growth.

The properties in Arkadelphia include the Ramsauer House at 327 North 11th Street, the Smith Garner House at 324 North 12th Street and the Evans Street House/Lot at 1228/1226 Evans Street.

Disposition may include the sale of each property, which would require surveys and appraisals.

Arkansas State Red Wolves Bowl-Eligible after Georgia State Win

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Photos and story courtesy of Cooper Melder and Tristan Harlen/ASU-TV Red Wolf Roundtable

The Arkansas State Red Wolves secured bowl eligibility for the second-consecutive season by defeating the Georgia State Panthers this past Saturday, 27-20, behind a dominate performance by the Red Wolves’ run game. The Red Wolves’ running game would account for 261 total yards of offense and three touchdowns against the Panthers at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

With the win, Arkansas State moves to 6-4 on the season with their final two games of the season at home against Louisiana-Monroe and Old Dominion.

A-State quarterback Jaylon Raynor lead the Red Wolves with 97 passing yards and 114 rushing yards on the night.  Red Wolves’ running back Zak Wallace lead the team with two touchdowns, while running the ball for 62 yards.

The first half did not start well for A-State as the Red Wolves could not capitalize on a 10-play, 40-yard opening drive as they were stopped on a forth and short distance down to come up empty-handed on their first possession of the game. Georgia State would then take the ball on the ensuing possession and score the game’s first touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Zach Gibson to Ted Hurst, giving the Panthers a 7-0 lead. A-State quarterback Jaylen Raynor would lead the Red Wolves with the ground game late in the first quarter, putting up 58 yards on the ground in leading Arkansas State to tie the game at 7-7 when running back Zak Wallace would also use his running abilities on a 13-yard touchdown with 3:34 left in the first quarter.

 A Red Wolves’ interception by Justin Parks would halt an 11-play, 45-yard drive by Georgia State in the second quarter. Parks’ second interception of the season would keep the score at 7-7.

At halftime with the score 7-7, Arkansas State’s offense would only account for 176 yards of total offense and 29 passing yards. Before halftime, Georgia State starting quarterback Gibson would suffer a leg injury and would be replaced by backup quarterback Christian Veilleux.

Arkansas State’s defense made key stops to secure the win.

The second half started with Arkansas State’s defense keeping Georgia State from scoring on the opening drive, highlighted by a key stop by Charles Willekes on a fourth and short to halt the Panthers. The Red Wolves would capitalize on the turnover on downs with a Zak Wallace one-yard touchdown to give A-State a 14-7 left with 9:32 left in the third.

The Red Wolves’ offense would be in sync all throughout the second half, outscoring Georgia State, 20-13 in the third and fourth quarters, to secure the win. Touchdowns by running backs Wallace and Ja’Quez Cross would end up putting the Red Wolves in the win column in Atlanta.

Arkansas State running back Ja’Quez cross on the move.
Ja’Quez Cross celebrates after a key touchdown for the Red Wolves.

While Georgia State outgained the Red Wolves in total offensive yards, 419-336, the Red Wolves would out rush the Panthers, 261-73. The A-State defense would sack Georgia State quarterbacks twice and force two interceptions in the win.

The Red Wolves will be back in action on Saturday, November 23, as they take on the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at 2 PM at Centennial Bank Stadium.