South Arkansas College in El Dorado will soon offer student housing and a new baseball stadium, thanks to a $10 million gift from Murphy Oil Corporation.
“We are extremely pleased to provide the financial means for South Arkansas College to enhance and expand its facilities for the betterment of its students and the community,” said Roger W. Jenkins, CEO of Murphy Oil Corporation. “We believe that funding these key capital projects is a worthy investment that will generate significant returns for SouthArk and El Dorado for many years to come.”
The announcement follows the SouthArk Stars baseball team’s second consecutive advance to the NJCAA Division II World Series, marking a period of excitement for the college.
“In order to fulfill our mission and provide educational opportunities to our community, the college needs to grow,” said President Dr. Stephanie Tully-Dartez. “Having intercollegiate athletics on our campus has brought new energy and new students. It makes sense to add to our existing athletic facilities as we add to our academic offerings.”
The residence hall and baseball stadium will be located on the West Campus, near downtown El Dorado. The student housing facility will likely accommodate about 100 students initially, with space for future expansion. The baseball stadium will be at the southwest corner of Hillsboro Street and West Avenue.
The projects are scheduled to open in fall 2026, with land for the facilities already purchased.
Tully-Dartez noted that additional funding, both private and public, will be pursued to complete the project. A capital campaign, including opportunities for naming rights, will launch soon.
“These improvements to our campus will help beautify the area and ultimately bring more college students to El Dorado, who may eventually decide to stay here, accept local jobs, have families and contribute to the overall health of the economy in the city,” said Tully-Dartez.
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