Somewhat greater than a decade in the past, Taylor Lawrence might typically be discovered driving across the Arkansas Tech College campus on a golf cart, speaking on a mock cellphone on her solution to and from her father's workplace on the Doc Bryan Scholar Providers Heart .
So much has modified since then, however not Taylor's affection for Arkansas Tech.
As of late, Lawrence is a graduate of Dardanelle Excessive College and ATU. She completed her bachelor's diploma in elementary schooling in 2023, however she wasn't prepared to depart Arkansas Tech. Listening to her, it sounds just like the ATU campus is the place she feels closest to her father, Steve Lawrence.
“He was humorous … actually, he was a terrific particular person to be round,” Taylor mentioned. “He at all times needed to assist. He preferred Tech. He actually poured his coronary heart into it. It makes it really feel like residence as a result of I grew up on campus with it. I actually have a coronary heart for this campus. I can't think about not being right here. It makes me really feel like he's nonetheless with me.”
Steve Lawrence joined the scholar affairs workers at Arkansas Tech in 1976. He has held practically each job the division has needed to supply throughout a 37-year profession at ATU. He headed the WO Younger Scholar Heart. He supervised the scholars' habits. He was the pinnacle of public security. He was affiliate dean of scholars. He even sponsored the cheerleading group for some time.
Steve retired from ATU in December 2013. He handed away on March 20, 2023.
Taylor adopted in her father's footsteps within the fall of 2023, becoming a member of ATU's Division of Scholar Affairs as a graduate assistant in intramural and leisure sports activities. She is pursuing ATU's grasp's diploma in pupil affairs administration.
In her function as a graduate assistant, Lawrence develops packages for scorers, officers and supervisors in intramural sports activities and communicates them to college students within the division. She helps preserve grounds and arrange and take down tools. She oversees the administration of intramural leagues.
“I attempt to test on my staff,” Lawrence mentioned. “Particularly if I do know they've been down for some time, I'll textual content them and ensure they're okay. I wish to know them on a primary title foundation. For me they don’t seem to be simply staff. I wish to understand how they’re and the way they’re doing.
“My favourite half is working the evenings when we’ve an occasion, particularly throughout basketball,” Lawrence continued. “There are such a lot of staff there at anybody time, working. Being round everybody and laughing…we’ve enjoyable…we are able to joke with one another. I really like being with them.”
There’s an additional advantage to all this for Lawrence. The following era of the household, Taylor's daughter Ava Kay is following in her mom's footsteps rising up at ATU.
“She runs the halls … she'll greet all people,” Lawrence mentioned. “All people is aware of who he’s. Will go along with anybody in the event that they go to the scholar union for a smoothie. She is going to say, “I'm going, I'm going.”
“It begins with a terrific help system,” Lawrence continued. “My mother (Lisa Lawrence) is superior. She is the largest help ever. It takes a village to lift a baby, and intramurals is my village. I do know that if I wanted anybody or something for her, she can be there in a heartbeat.”
Lawrence isn't certain the place life will take her after she finishes her grasp's diploma. Regardless of the place she goes, she is aware of her household title will stay a powerful presence on the ATU campus because of the philanthropy and a focus of her Godparents, Cindi and Jimmy Ferguson.
The Ferguson household supplied the lead present in help of the development of a brand new pupil union and recreation middle at Arkansas Tech.
Steve Lawrence and Jimmy Ferguson labored collectively in pupil affairs at ATU for practically twenty years. The brand new constructing, to be referred to as the Ferguson Scholar Union, might be situated on the identical plot of land the place they spent a lot of their time collectively within the Younger Scholar Heart.
“They're fantastic individuals,” Taylor mentioned when requested concerning the Fergusons, who started a profession as franchisees within the McDonald's system after Mr. Ferguson left ATU in 1994. “They wish to assist the world with all the pieces they do. Not many individuals know this, however on Thanksgiving they go and serve a meal to anybody who desires to return in…simply out of the goodness of their hearts. I really feel like they actually needed to assist Tech as a result of Jimmy has labored right here for a few years and Tech has had such a huge impact on him.
“Jimmy was my dad's finest good friend,” Taylor continued. “They have been always on the cellphone. They grew up collectively. They have been one another's bosses at totally different factors. The Fergusons have a coronary heart of gold.”
Contained in the Ferguson Scholar Union might be an engagement middle. Within the preview video of the brand new facility, it’s revealed that the engagement middle might be named for Steve Lawrence.
“It sends chills by means of my physique to know that his title goes to be on one thing right here,” Taylor mentioned. “After they confirmed me the video of his look, a number of tears have been shed as a result of it means a lot to me. I miss him a lot.”