26 Mar 2015 Hagans Family gives donation to UACCM

The James E. “Rock” and Bonnie Hagans Irrevocable Trust and the Hagans Family recently made a $25,000 contribution to the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton Foundation “Give Meaning” campaign. Hagans Dodge Chrysler Jeep Motors made an additional pledge of $25,000 to bring the total gift to $50,000 from the Hagans Family.  

The gift brings the total raised in the campaign to more than $2 million.

The gift will contribute to construction costs of the Workforce Training Center at UACCM and establish a maintenance fund for the new building. A classroom to be used for the automotive service technology program will be named for the family and the late Rock Hagans in recognition of this gift.

When asked about the contribution, Jeff Hagans said, “We are committed to this community, and we want to help increase the educational opportunities available. We also know that the students trained in the new facility will be an asset to our industry as they will be quality employees for the future. We have been in this business for more than 40 years and we just wanted to participate in this project that we know will benefit not only our community, but our region and the entire state."

Bonnie Hagans added, “We want to continue the legacy that Rock and I started 40 years ago when we opened our first dealership in Russellville. It’s a family business that Jeff has now been running for 25 years in this community.”   

The $13 million facility will house many of the college’s existing technical programs including automotive service technology; automotive collision repair technology; and heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technology. Also to be included in the Workforce Training Center is a proposed diesel mechanics program and a new industrial mechanics and maintenance technology program which includes many classes in the petroleum technology plan of study.

In addition to technical programs, an open space for workforce training will be included in the facility for use in recruiting new industry to the area as well as in assisting current industry with workforce development needs.

“This gift is important to our campaign for several reasons,” said UACCM Chancellor Dr. Larry Davis. “Not only does it show support from an industry that will hire the graduates trained in the new facility, it also pushes our total raised over the $2 million mark. This is a significant milestone for us as an institution and puts us one step closer to making the Workforce Training Center a reality."

For more information about the “Give Meaning” campaign, including ways to support the fundraising efforts, visit uaccm.edu/GiveToUACCM or contact Zimmerman at 501.977.2085 or [email protected].