About 200 People Celebrated the Grand Opening of the Barbara Horn Civic Center at the Little

April 25, 2009

ASHDOWN - About 200 people celebrated the grand opening of the Barbara Horn Civic Center at the Little River campus of Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas.

The 4,000 square-foot civic center, on the Ashdown campus, has 750 auditorium seats and can be converted to a banquet hall.

Senator Horn has been a strong supporter of the Little River campus since it opened in 1996. At the dedication ceremony on April 25 she was praised by southwest Arkansas elected officials, the university chancellor and leaders of the business community.

Senator Horn received accolades and citations from the County Judge, the CCCUA Board of Visitors, the Little River Chamber of Commerce and the CCCUA Foundation.

Special resolutions from the Arkansas House of Representatives and Arkansas Senate and a letter from Governor Mike Beebe were presented to Senator Horn. She also received plaque of appreciation from the Little River division of the College’s Students4Students organization, and an official proclamation from University of Arkansas System President Dr. B. Alan Sugg that the facility’s official name is the Barbara Horn Civic Center.

Upon Dr. Sugg’s reading of that proclamation, members of the College’s staff removed white paper revealing the words “Barbara Horn Civic Center” in foot-high red letters across the east end of the room.

After the ceremony the guests took tours of the campus's classrooms and labs.

Chancellor Frank Adams said, “If you look at the photographic history of the events we’ve had in conjunction with the College in Little River County since we opened our first campus here in 1996, Barbara Horn has been in every set of those pictures. That constant presence is a testimony to the importance she has placed on having a thriving, full-service campus in Little River County, and for that constant presence we are most grateful. Because of Barbara Horn, and the leadership she has provided, we are able to offer a Culinary Arts program at Ashdown starting this fall, and a Pre-Engineering program sometime in 2010. Her efforts on behalf of the College will continue to bear fruit far, far into the future.”