October 18, 2006

Lyon College is now its 135th year of serving the people and the economy of Independence County and a new campaign launched Oct. 18 will help ensure that service continues in the future.

The Independence Fund will use all monies raised to support annual scholarships, construction of the Rogers Center for Health, Fitness and Recreation, and renovations to Becknell Gymnasium.

Lyon President Dr. Walter Roettger, speaking at the campaign launch, said about 70 students from Independence County currently attend Lyon College, and they are receiving more than $360,000 in scholarship assistance. Over the five years of the College’s Campaign for Distinction, area students who want a Lyon education will receive from $1.5 to $2 million in financial aid.

Lyon College is the only national liberal arts college in Arkansas, and one of only four in the South, to be included in U.S. News & World Report’s list of "Great Schools, Great Prices." Lyon is 23rd the list.

U.S. News & World Report’s determines its best value ranking by comparing a school’s academic quality to the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid.

Lyon has also been named to Washington Monthly’s list of the most socially beneficial universities and liberal arts colleges in the nation. Out of 202 listed, Lyon came in at No. 76. Washington Monthly came up with three indicators of how much a school is benefiting the country, including: how well it performs as an engine of social mobility; how well it does in fostering scientific and humanistic research; and how well it promotes an ethic of service to country.

"That just doesn’t happen, people make it happen," Dr. Roettger said. "That’s you."

Vice President for Institutional Advancement Tim Bruner detailed the three projects the Independence Fund will go toward.

As for scholarships, about 90 percent of all Lyon students receive some form of financial assistance, and he said supporting Independence Fund scholarships is an investment in Arkansas’ labor pool.

The Rogers Center for Health, Fitness and Recreation will feature an inviting lobby with a Hall of Honor, a cutting edge fitness center, complete with a women’s only exercise space and a Kinesiology laboratory, new competition tennis courts and pro shop, and centralized office space for the coaching staff and athletic director.

Renovations to Becknell Physical Education Center will include an effective climate control system, an indoor user-friendly aquatic center, ADA-compliant access to all facilities within the building and strength and conditioning center for varsity athletes.