On hand for the June 18 passage of ACT 923 by the Arkansas Legislature (l to r) from Philander Smith College were student, Joshua Goffney, junior criminal justice major; Charles King, vice president for institutional advancement; Katina Ray, instructor of education; and Dr. Charity Smith, interim chair, Division of Education. Also, excited to celebrate were State Rep. Jamie Scott, State Sen. Linda Chesterfield; Philander Smith College President Dr. Roderick L. Smothers Sr.; and State Rep. Fred Allen.
On the eve of the first ever federal Juneteenth holiday, it was announced that Arkansas’s four HBCUs will be receiving a combined $4 million from Governor Asa Hutchinson and the 93rd General Assembly through legislation that will direct $1M to each institution for scholarships and other expenses associated with their missions.
“We applaud Governor Asa Hutchinson and the 93rd General Assembly for the passage and funding of Act 392,” said Philander Smith College President Roderick Smothers. “Authored by Senator Linda Chesterfield, this pivotal legislation will continue to push us FORWARD toward the change our enslaved ancestors dared to dream about – the very dreams that Philander Smith College strives to make reality in the lives of our scholars.”
Smothers added, “The Philander Smith College Community of Scholars extends special gratitude to PSC’s State Senator Linda Chesterfield and State Rep. Denise Ennett, along with State Rep. Jamie Scott. We also offer our appreciation to the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus, Speaker of the House Matthew Sheppard, and Senate President Pro Tempore Jimmy Hickey Jr. for championing the important cause of Arkansas HBCUs.”
