Institutional growth

From vo-tech to campus expansion, Hope for college never wavered

HOPE — Donna and Mack McLarty hosted the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT) Golden Gala on Oct. 20 on the grounds of the McLarty family home.

The 50th anniversary celebration focused on four points, said UAHT Chancellor Chris Thomason. They were the founding of the school in 1965 as Red River Vo-Tech, the transition to the University of Arkansas system, the success of the school’s foundation board and the creation of the Texarkana campus in 2012.

The honorees, he said, were fundamental to each of these. Recognized were Venita McCellon-Allen; UA system President Donald Bobbitt; Larry Dowd; John Goodson; Jerry Pruden; Ned Ray Purtle; Bonnie Routon; Freddie Smith; former UA System President B. Alan Sugg; and J.W. Rowe, who was unable to attend.

A reception for the honorees and their families was held in the McLarty home and on the patio, and a dinner and program were held in the spacious backyard under strings of cafe lights. Guest tables were decorated with fall arrangements of pumpkins, leaves, roses, chrysanthemums and other flowers in fall colors.

Four tents held buffets of food, each from a different Arkansas chef. Among the gourmet delights were Alligator and Pork Sausage with Port Wine Barbecue Sauce and Hope Farmers Market Autumn Vegetables from Rob Nelson of Tusk & Trotter Brasserie in Bentonville; Rabbit Boudin with Crackers and Pot Likker Shooters from Matt Bell of South on Main in Little Rock; South of the Border Bean Salad and Caribbean Mango Salsa with Lime Marinated Shrimp on Avocado from Juan Rivera of Amigos Juan’s Restaurant in Hope; and for dessert, Bourbon Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Cheesecake from Laura Langley of South on Main. A quartet from the Texarkana Symphony played before dinner.

Mack and Donna McLarty, Ned and Carolyn Purtle and Mayor Dennis Ramsey, all of Hope

Susan and UA System President Donald Bobbitt of Little Rock, Linda and Freddie Smith of Fulton and Twyla and Jerry Pruden of Hope

Alan Sugg of Austin, Texas; Venita McCellon-Allen of Shreveport; and Larry Dowd and John Goodson, both of Texarkana

University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Chancellor Chris Thomason with University of a Community College at Morrilton Chancellor Larry Davis and Carlene Woodard, also of Morrilton

Bud McLarty of Las Vegas with Kathy and Phil McLarty of Hope

Jane Arnold of Little Rock and her mother, Bonnie Routon, of Hope

Joe Purvis of Little Rock, George Wright of Hot Springs and Mitch Bobo of Hope

Makayla Purtle and her mother, Tiffany Purtle, both of Hope