January

15th – Act 100 re-enactment, State Capitol, Little Rock

Governor Mike Beebe will re-enact the signing of Act 100 – the legislation that created four agriculture schools, one in each of the Arkansas congressional districts. The schools are now Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, Southern Arkansas University, and the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

February

The Southern Arkansas University Student Activities Board will host events highlighting successful African American alumni throughout the month.

March

17th – Muleriders on Tour at the Texarkana Country Club

The Southern Arkansas University Student Activities Board will host events highlighting successful female alumni throughout the month.

April

1st – Founder’s Day

April 1, 2009, is Southern Arkansas University’s 100th birthday. The University will celebrate this day in style with a community cook-out on the Overstreet lawn, and games and contests for everyone in attendance. The party will be capped off with a concert by country music recording artist and former SAU student Tracy Lawrence.

2-7 – SAU Heritage Celebration

The SAU Student Activities Board will sponsor various presentations about the history, students, and traditions of the University.

2-7 – The Great SAU Treasure Hunt

The SAU Student Activities Board will sponsor a treasure hunt for students based on clues from SAU’s history and events. The winner will receive a $250 book scholarship.

8 – Spring Fling

Founder’s Day on April 1 will kick-off a week-long list of activities sponsored by the SAU Student Activities Board. These events will culminate with Spring Fling on Wednesday, April 8.

21 – Muleriders on Tour in Hot Springs Village

June

30 – Muleriders on Tour at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion, Little Rock

September

19 – The Great South Arkansas Mule Ride

Join us as we re-create one of Southern Arkansas University’s most well-known historical traditions. Just as the early football teams did, we will ride mules from the SAU farm to McNeil. When we get back, we’ll have a cook-out at Mulerider Stables and celebrate our past, present, and future.

Student Centennial Lecture

The Southern Arkansas University Student Activities Board will host a Student Centennial Lecture. The speaker and exact date will be announced at a later time.

November

7 – Boomtown Football Classic, El Dorado

Southern Arkansas University and the University of Arkansas at Monticello will battle it out on the gridiron in the innagural “Boomtown Football Classic” at El Dorado’s Memorial Field.

Celebrating 100 Years of Creativity

The Southern Arkansas University Student Activities Board will sponsor a 100-piece art exhibit. Art work in the form of paintings, photography, sculpture, and other creative outlets will be accepted from students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

December

• Southern Arkansas University Foundation Christmas Gala (by invitation)
• Celebration of Lights

Other events occurring during 2009

• Mulegating – Each Mulegating will be themed to celebrate a portion of SAU’s century of service to the region.
• Book signing – Magale Library will host a book signing for Dr. James Willis’ new book which details the history of Southern Arkansas University.