Ferguson Student Union Names Spaces Background Information
Ferguson Student Union
Travis Adams Leadership Room
T.J. Ferguson Meeting Room
Steve Lawrence Involvement Center
Mullens Plaza
Mullens Plaza is named in memory of Annette and Bert Mullens of Russellville.
Bert Mullens earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Arkansas Tech in May 1951.
A member of the Wonder Boys baseball and football teams during his college days, Mullens went on to a 43-year career in banking that included service as president for First Security Bank in Searcy, First National Bank of Russellville, First Commercial Bank in Memphis, Tenn., and First City Bank of Memphis.
After retiring as an active officer in 1994, Mr. Mullens served as a board member as well as an executive committee member for Regions Bank in Russellville.
Mr. Mullens served on the ATU Foundation Board of Directors and as president of the ATU Alumni Association. He helped organize Tech’s endowment fund drive in 1969, and he was the drive’s first national chairman.
Mr. Mullens was inducted into the ATU Hall of Distinction in 1982.
Mrs. Mullens earned an associate degree in business from Arkansas Tech in 1948.
Mrs. Mullens passed away on Aug. 23, 2021. She was 92.
Mr. Mullens passed away on Oct. 4, 2023. He was 94.
Bibler Event Center
Bibler Event Center is named for the late James Bibler and his wife of more than 36 years, Laurie Bibler Terry.
Mr. Bibler studied business administration at Arkansas Tech for two years before going to work for his family's lumber business in 1955.
After starting in that business as a lumber stacker, Mr. Bibler rose through the ranks of the company to become president at the age of 33 in 1967. After growing and modernizing the business for more than 30 years, Mr. Bibler sold 90 percent of the company in 1998.
Mr. Bibler served as chairman of the Arkansas Forestry Commission and was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2015.
Arkansas Tech has benefited from Mr. Bibler's expertise through his service on the ATU College of Business Advisory Board. His work in that capacity helped the institution’s accounting program gain its accreditation.
In 2011, ATU bestowed its highest honor upon Mr. Bibler when he was inducted into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction.
Mrs. Bibler Terry worked in the family lumber business in the roles of vice president/secretary and chief financial officer.
She took classes at Arkansas Tech as part of her preparation to become a real estate broker. Mrs. Bibler Terry has remained involved with the university as a long-time officer for the ATU Foundation Board of Directors.
Mr. Bibler passed away on Jan. 15, 2021.
Laurie is now married to Jeff Terry of Russellville.
Sunderland Lounge
Located in Overland Park, Kansas, the Sunderland Foundation’s mission is to “improve the quality of life in the communities we serve, with attention to those populations with the greatest need.”
Lester T. Sunderland established the Sunderland Foundation in 1945. He was president
of the Ash Grove Cement Company for 33 years.
Dopson Fitness Center
Dopson Fitness Center is named in memory of Anne and Deward Dopson.
Mr. Dopson played center on the teams that established head coach Sam Hindsman’s basketball dynasty at Arkansas Tech in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
The Wonder Boys compiled an overall record of 78-21 and an Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference mark of 56-12 during Mr. Dopson’s playing career from 1947-51. Arkansas Tech was AIC champion in each of his final three seasons in the green and gold, the beginning of a string of seven straight AIC titles for the Wonder Boys.
Mr. Dopson was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association in 1951.
Mr. Dopson became head men's basketball coach at his alma mater in 1966. Dopson’s Wonder Boys won 103 games from 1966-73, and his 1969-70 squad reached the NAIA National Tournament. It was Tech’s only national tournament berth in men’s basketball from 1963-1995.
Mr. Dopson was inducted into the ATU Hall of Distinction and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1982. He was inducted into the ATU Athletic Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class in 2022.
Mr. Dopson entered private business after his coaching career. He passed away June
23, 2015, at his home in Lilburn, Ga., at the age of 85. Mrs. Dopson, 82, passed away
that same day. They were married for 64 years.
Harris Terrace
Harris Terrace is named for LaVel and Benny Harris.
Mr. Harris earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in economics from Arkansas Tech in 1969.
A member of the Arkansas Army National Guard from 1969-75, Mr. Harris began his career as an Arkansas Department of Human Services manager located in Mountain View with oversight of a 10-county region.
He embarked upon a 40-year banking career in 1974 when he became branch manager for Batesville Saving and Loan in Mountain View. He took positions of increased responsibility and moved first to Batesville and then to Pine Bluff before settling in Russellville in 1992.
Mr. Harris served as president for First Arkansas Valley Bank and was part of two more mergers before retiring from Liberty Bank of Arkansas in 2014.
Mr. Harris passed away on March 14, 2025. Mrs. Harris lives in Russellville.
William H. Bowen Family Foundation Lounge
The William H. Bowen Family Foundation is a private, Arkansas-based philanthropic organization established by the late prominent Arkansas attorney, judge and benefactor William H. Bowen to support various charitable causes, including education, health and community needs.
One of Mr. Bowen’s children, Cynthia Bowen Blanchard, served on the Arkansas Tech University faculty from 1981-2007.
Her husband, Mr. Charles Blanchard, served on the ATU Board of Trustees from 2009-19. He was inducted into the ATU Hall of Distinction in 2023.
Mr. Blanchard stepped down as chief executive officer and board chair for First State
Bank in 2023 to conclude a banking career that spanned more than four decades. Mr.
and Mrs. Blanchard reside in Russellville.
McNeill Court
McNeill Court is named for Julie and Andy McNeill.
The McNeills are entrepreneurs, investors and ֱ benefactors.
Mr. McNeill co-founded Denali Water Solutions, the largest handler and recycler of food waste in the United States, in 2013. He serves as its chairman. He is also a podcaster.
Mrs. McNeill worked in consumer goods and in the waste and environmental services
industry as an organization development and human capital management professional.
She has also dedicated time and energy to non-profit organizations with a focus on
dance and education.
Duffield Court
Duffield Court is named for Stephanie and Luke Duffield.
Mr. Duffield is owner of Blackstone Construction and Mobley Concrete.
Mrs. Duffield is employed by Blackstone Construction and is serving her second term on the ATU Board of Trustees. She is board chair for the 2026 calendar year.
Mr. and Mrs. Duffield were honorary co-chairs for the “Together, We Can” capital campaign
that raised $55 million in support of ֱ through the ATU Foundation.
Garrett Office
Jeni and Brent Garrett reside in Plano, Texas.
They are the founders and owners of Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning in Carrollton, Texas.
Mr. Garrett is a 1988 graduate of Arkansas Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree.
During his days as a student at ATU, Mr. Garrett was a member of the Wonder Boys football and golf teams, Student Government Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Wesley Foundation.
Mr. Garrett has given back to his alma mater as a member of the ATU Foundation Board
of Directors, as a featured speaker at the 2019 ATU scholarship dinner and as an ATU
College of Business and Economic Development Distinguished Lecture Series speaker.
He has also mentored students at ATU-Ozark Campus.
Mobley Office
Bryce J. Mobley graduated from Arkansas Tech in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in business. His career was spent providing leadership for his family’s business, Mobley Construction.
Mr. Mobley was the 1987 Morrilton Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas Community Development Citizen of the Year. He served on the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission Board and the Morrilton City Council.
Mr. Mobley passed away on Sept. 16, 2023.
Whiteside Office
Leigh and John Whiteside are residents of Russellville.
Mrs. Whiteside was a member of the ATU Board of Trustees from 2008-18 and served as chairman of the board in 2012 and 2017.
She is a 1974 Arkansas Tech graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She taught in the Russellville School District for 21 years.
Mr. Whiteside graduated from Arkansas Tech in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in sociology
and psychology. He was a member of the famed 1971 Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys football
team that reached the NAIA national championship game. He retired from his career
with Russellville Glass in 2000 and later returned to campus to pursue a Master of
Science degree in college support personnel.
Charles A. Frueauff Foundation First Generation Resource Center
The Charles A. Frueauff (pronounced FREW-OFF) Foundation was founded in 1950 by the last will and testament of Charles A. Frueauff, a successful New York attorney who gave his time and resources to many charitable organizations.
Since 1950, the Frueauff Foundation has awarded grants in excess of $164 million to
more than 1,185 agencies and institutions.
Dave Pinson Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Councils Office
Dave Pinson graduated from Arkansas Tech with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science in 2002 and a Master of Science degree in college student personnel in 2004. He has gone on to a more than two-decade career managing multifamily and student housing. He is senior advisor for SVN OAK Realty Advisors.
Dave has served on the ATU Alumni Association Board of Directors, including a term as president, and on the ATU Foundation Board of Directors, including a term as chair. He received the highest individual honor Kappa Alpha Order may bestow upon an alumnus, the Knight Commander’s Accolade, in 2020.

