While some students will be receiving a diploma and journeying on to other places in the world, many of Arkansas Tech’s students will be returning back for the fall 2011 semester. When they do, they will see some major changes.

At a recent board of trustees meeting, Tech announced plans to construct 426 new parking spaces on campus. A 119-space parking lot will be located north of the Tech baseball field, as well as a 307-space parking lot west of Turner Residence Hall on Glenwood Avenue.

The addition of these lots comes at the loss of the existing Wilson residence hall parking lot, which holds 121 cars. The Wilson Hall parking lot will be the site of a new five-story residence hall opening in fall 2013. While the hall won’t be available for another two years, students can expect to see construction occurring when they return for the fall 2011 semester.

Meanwhile, work is nearing completion, on Baswell Techionery. Renovatiopn work also continues on Tucker Hall, which is being converted back into its original purpose as a residence hall.

Also at the April board meeting, leadership positions in four academic departments were addressed.

Ed Leachman, interim head of the Arkansas Tech department of emergency management, announced his retirement.

Dr. Cathi McMahan was installed as the head of the department of parks, recreation and hospitality administration, effective July 1.

Dr. Hanna Norton has been promoted from department head of speech, theatre and journalism to assistant vice president in the Office of Academic Affairs. Due to Norton’s promotion, Anthony Caton, assistant professor of journalism and director of broadcasting, has been appointed to serve as interim head of the department of speech, theatre and journalism beginning July 1.

Returning students in the music department will find things a bit different as Hal Cooper, associate professor of music and director of bands at Tech since 1979, announced his resignation that will become effective at the start of the fall semester.