A-State's History & Heritage
Arkansas State University grew from an agricultural school founded on April 1, 1909, under Act 100 of the Arkansas General Assembly. From an institution initially focused on agriculture, horticulture, and textiles, A-State has grown into a modern research university with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
A journey of over a century of growth
A-State's history is not just the story of a university's growth, but also the history of higher education in northeast Arkansas, of expanding educational opportunity, and of the transformation from an agricultural school into an institution with broader influence at the state, regional, and international level.
History lives not only in books, but on campus and across the region
Today, A-State operates the Heritage Sites Office, developing historically significant sites across the Arkansas Delta region. The university is also home to the A-State Museum, the Delta Symposium, and numerous heritage sites such as the Historic V.C. Kays House, Lakeport Plantation, the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum, and the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess.
History & Heritage
This is the hub that helps A-State connect academic work with the preservation of history, culture, and memory across the Arkansas Delta region.
Historic campus core
In 2024, A-State's historic campus core was added to the National Register of Historic Places, highlighting the value of landmark buildings such as Wilson Hall, Memorial Arch, and structures dating from the 1930s–1960s.
Heritage Studies
A-State is also home to the Department of Heritage Studies and a Ph.D. in Heritage Studies program, reflecting the idea that history and heritage are not simply part of the "past" but also a modern field of study, research, and career path.
A-State's modern identity
A-State is the second-largest university in Arkansas, reflecting a combination of large university scale, community spirit, and research and development impact.
From "Aggie School" to a modern research university
One of the most notable aspects of A-State's history is its continuous evolution through each era: from an agricultural high school, to a college, to a four-year university, and finally to Arkansas State University. It is this very process that gives the university its depth of identity today.
Memorable Milestones
1910s
Victor C. Kays was invited to serve as the first president and immediately began recruiting faculty and building a new campus on donated land. While construction was still underway, the first classes began on October 3, 1910, in downtown Jonesboro, with 189 students and 8 faculty members. From the very beginning, the curriculum was fairly comprehensive, extending beyond agriculture to include general education, fine arts, and extracurricular activities.
1920s
During this decade, the school developed into a small college and gained a new level of recognition in 1925 when it was renamed First District Agricultural and Mechanical College. Alongside the two-year college program, the Training School continued to operate as a practicum site for students preparing to become teachers.
1930s
After a major fire in 1931 destroyed the old main building, the school quickly organized temporary classes and began construction of Wilson Hall, completed in 1932. During this period, the curriculum was elevated to a four-year program, the first bachelor's degrees were awarded in 1932, and the school was renamed Arkansas State College the following year. Despite the impact of the Great Depression, the campus continued to expand thanks to federal support and a close relationship with Senator Hattie Caraway.
1940s
World War II caused enrollment to drop sharply, but the school adapted by becoming a training site for military units and launching programs related to the military and engineering. After the war, the campus once again became unusually crowded as veterans and their families returned, significantly changing the makeup of the student body. This period also marked a leadership transition after Victor C. Kays' 34-year tenure.
1950s
Under Carl R. Reng, A-State continued to grow strongly. A master's degree program was introduced in 1955, the campus expanded in both size and facilities, and the enrollment of the first Black students marked another important turning point in the school's history. At the end of this decade, the campaign for university status did not immediately succeed, but it laid the groundwork for the historic transition that followed.
1960s
After nearly a decade of advocacy, on January 17, 1967, the school officially became Arkansas State University. This was a major milestone in the institution's identity and standing. Also during the latter part of this decade, A-State faced social changes similar to those at many other American universities, from anti-war movements to calls for equity and shifts in campus culture.
1970s
The 1970s saw notable athletic achievements and new progress in diversifying the faculty and student body. Programs that previously had lower enrollment also began to grow stronger. This was a leadership transition period following Reng's retirement, with the tenures of Ross Pritchard and Carl Whillock.
1980s
A-State expanded its focus on honors education, research, internationalization, and technology. This period saw important steps such as the reestablishment of an interdisciplinary honors program, the growth of graduate research, the construction of the Convocation Center, and adaptation to new technologies. The 75th anniversary celebration also became an opportunity to strengthen alumni identity and campus traditions.
1990s
A-State continued to emphasize quality assurance and leadership, expanding its library and elevating its research profile. By the end of the decade, under Les Wyatt, the university entered a new phase of construction and expansion focused on research, enrollment, learning technologies, and the development of sites beyond Jonesboro.
2000s
The new millennium brought A-State deeper into research, with the founding of the Arkansas Biosciences Institute and the introduction of several new doctoral programs. The campus became more student-focused, expanding housing, building a new student union, and constructing other major facilities. The year 2008 also marked a significant change in athletics when the mascot became the Red Wolves.
2010s
During this decade, A-State stepped up campus development projects, expanded its American-style campus model overseas, and accelerated globalization. Improvements in housing, living-learning communities, incoming student quality, and athletics further reinforced the image of a rapidly growing university with increasing appeal.
2020s
In recent years, A-State has continued to add new milestones such as the Red Wolf Convention Center & Embassy Suites, the Windgate Center for Three-Dimensional Arts, a $25 million gift from the Windgate Foundation for Arts and Innovation, and Dr. Todd Shields beginning his tenure as Chancellor in August 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions About A-State's History & Heritage
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Contact Arkansas State University's Vietnam Office for further support on the university's history, learning environment, academic programs, and the values that shape A-State's identity today.
This page was translated from Vietnamese and is being reviewed by our admissions team.
Updated August 22, 2026
