For working nurses in Batesville, there are limited options for the continuing education needed to advance their careers. Registered nurses (RNs) who seek a more advanced degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), must enroll in programs at least 45 minutes away. Of those who relocate to pursue this degree, few return. As a result, our region’s patients suffer from inadequate access to vital care. This flagship Bachelor of Science in Nursing remedies this need.

This business major, along with Lyon’s renowned pre-health preparation, would allow Lyon to produce healthcare leaders who are ready to take on advanced roles in their fields in Arkansas and beyond.

This graduate degree would provide students the opportunity to study in-state and allow graduates to serve the growing need for mental health services across the state and region. This would bolster the already strong reputation of our well-known psychology program.

Combining the strengths of Lyon College’s natural science programs with those of our outstanding psychology faculty, our neuroscience program will prepare our students for careers as scientists, health educators, laboratory specialists, and even therapists or social workers.

Growing quickly into one of our most popular majors since its creation a few years ago, this program prepares Lyon College students to be part of one of the fastest-growing career fields in the U.S. Students who complete this major are prepared to continue their studies in post-graduate programs such as physical therapy or to pursue nationally accredited personal trainer and strength and conditioning certifications.

More than 30 “learning laboratories” and collaborative spaces for students to work, study, learn, conference, and socialize. With the addition of these student-centered spaces, the Learning Commons will become a natural place for gathering outside the classroom, whether to work on a new project with a classmate, or simply to enjoy catching up with friends.

Accommodations for a new professional academic advising program. The third floor will be wholly reimagined as a student success center, supplied with resources and staffed by expert counselors and advisors.

A community coffee spot. Cafes and community spaces foster connection, provide opportunities to re-energize and prepare for class, and empower students to find their home on campus.

Additional faculty office space. New offices and conference rooms will support the College’s academic and research operations as they continue to grow.

The new stadium will make Lyon College more attractive to prospective student-athletes, giving the football and soccer teams a proper home on campus. The stadium improvements—including seating for home and away fans, food services, and restrooms—will improve the game day experience and attract more alumni and fans to games.

Renovations will add another gym to the facility. This much-needed indoor practice space will give more students space for recreational activities. More teams will be able to use the building concurrently, reducing the need for early-morning or late-evening practices. And it will serve as a multipurpose space for a range of recreational activities for all students, including special events and campus gatherings.

The existing softball facilities at Lyon College do not reflect the excellence of the program, which gains a stronger reputation every year. The Howard and Mary House Softball Field was completed in 2009, but the team still lacks access to appropriate changing facilities and equipment storage. Through this campaign, donors will upgrade Lyon College’s home for softball, ensuring modern features and amenities.

Professors at Lyon College impact students’ lives in profound and enduring ways. Indeed, they serve many roles:
They are active and engaged teachers: it is Lyon faculty, rather than graduate or teaching assistants, who instruct all of the College’s available classes.

• They are mentors, charged with our students’ growth—and with nearly half of faculty having been first-generation students themselves, our professors are uniquely suited to guide their development.
• They are highly credentialed scholars, who collaborate to produce innovative works and discoveries.
• They are connectors, who build bridges to our Batesville community and extend Lyon’s reach nationwide.

Just as endowed positions channel expert faculty to campus, endowed programs channel students to extraordinary experiences. Programs like Lyon’s study abroad programs and partnerships, which better prepare students to work and collaborate in today’s increasingly global context, educating “citizens of the world.” Lyon’s Education and Adventure Program (LEAP) offers access to the diverse outdoor recreation activities available in the Ozarks. Our many wellness programs encourage physical health, and the Office of Religious Life cultivates students’ spiritual and religious practice and exploration..

These programs and more, ranging from art to architecture, civic life to Greek life, intensify learning and enrich the student experience. New donor support will increase access to these programs, and establish countless others like them.

Thanks to a generous donor, the recently endowed Wilson Professorship of Business, Management and Social Entrepreneurship allowed Lyon to attract one of the nation’s foremost business policy experts to Batesville. This position, and the resources it supplies, has already catalyzed a first-of-its-kind Institute for Free Enterprise; it will allow the recipient to develop new courses and incubate the next generation of Arkansas’ business leaders.