Arkansas State University Three Rivers recently named the Parker Family House in recognition of the Floyd and Joyce Parker family. A ribbon cutting and open house were held on February 25, 2022 at the Parker Family House.
In 2018, the ASU Three Rivers Foundation purchased the property located at 1103 North Park Drive, next to the College. The house received its nickname, the Yellow House, for the color of the exterior of the house. The house serves as the location for the Office of College Advancement.
Floyd Parker was instrumental in the founding of Ouachita Vocational Technical School in the late 1960s. In November 1969, Floyd Parker, then Vice President of Malvern National Bank, and President of Malvern Chamber of Commerce, stated in a Malvern Daily Record article, “The school will be an asset to industry in providing more trained people for employment but will also give our young people coming out of high schools in our area an opportunity to get valuable training. There is no way to comprehend the total benefits of such an institution. I am happy to have a small part in trying to achieve this goal”.
He also served as the chairman of the Area Advisory Committee for the Ouachita Vocational Technical School. Floyd served as the Chair of the OTC/COTO Foundation Board of Directors from 2003-12, and Floyd and wife, Joyce, were loyal donors to the Foundation and its efforts.
Joyce was the first secretary for OVTS, serving from 1971 to 1985.
Daughter, Kristi Norris Parker was appointed to a seven-year term as a member of the Ouachita Technical College Board of Trustees by the Governor Mike Huckabee on July 1, 1998, was reappointed to the Board of Trustees for a second term on July 1, 2005, by Governor Huckabee, and served as an active and devoted Board member for the rest of her life and until her untimely death on October 23, 2007.
Kristi was a dedicated and contributing leader among the members of the Board of Trustees having been elected chair of the Academic Committee of the Board for four and a half years, Vice Chair of the Board for 2003-04, and Board Chair in 2004-05.
Kristi served as a co-chair of the Changing Lives…Building Futures campaign of the Ouachita Technical College Foundation from 2005 until her passing in 2007.
The family of Floyd and Joyce Parker has been a part of the OVTS/OTC/COTO/ASUTR family since its inception and have exhibited an appreciation for the College’s contributions to Malvern and Hot Spring County by constantly promoting the institution and have been some of its greatest ambassadors throughout the years.
The ASU Three Rivers Foundation Board of Directors voted at its June 2021 meeting to recommend to the Board of Visitors that the house located at 1103 North Park Drive, Malvern (currently known as the Yellow House) officially be named the Parker Family House.
The Parker Family Endowment has been established by Byron and Kara Parker Hyatt (Floyd and Joyce’s daughter). The endowment will provide upkeep and maintenance of the Parker Family House.
This gift reflects a commitment to the future of ASU Three Rivers while memorializing the past of College’s past. By establishing this endowment, the Parker Family ensures that their values and legacy become a permanent part of the College’s success.
If you would like more information on establishing an endowment or other ways to support Arkansas State University Three Rivers, contact Ms. Childers at 501-332-0234, or amber [at] asutr.edu.
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