Magnolia building is donated to SAU

Southern Arkansas University will soon have a presence in downtown Magnolia.

The university’s board unanimously approved the donation of a building at 113 N. Jefferson St. in the Magnolia square by Bobbie Ruth Webb. The university’s Physical Plant will renovate most of the 3,800-square-foot building using outside donations of materials and equipment, SAU President Trey Berry said in a statement.

Once the renovations are complete, the university will have a store run by Master of Business Administration and entrepreneurial students, he said.

The university also plans to offer community education courses, learning programs for children, events and school-related merchandise, he said.

“We are truly blessed by the gift of Mrs. Webb on so many levels,” Berry said. “Many of her family members are SAU graduates and the store has been in her family for more than 100 years. This partnership is a marriage of two important entities in her life.”

He added, “We plan on this facility to be yet another example of how SAU and Magnolia are coming together and benefiting one another.”