By Kris McBride/EAC
THATCHER – Eastern Arizona College (EAC) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 23, 2024, to celebrate the 60-year rededication of Mark Allen Hall and the grand reopening of the Gherald L. Hoopes Jr. Activities Center. This event showcased the EAC’s dedication to modernizing its facilities while ensuring fiscal responsibility and fostering environments that support student success.
EAC President Todd Haynie opened the ceremony, reflecting on the College’s heritage. “Sixty years ago, on this very day, Mark Allen Hall was first dedicated. Today, we stand on the shoulders of visionaries who laid the foundation for a College that has grown stronger each year,” he said.
The highlight of the event was a ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by President Haynie, along with students, alumni, members of the Governing Board, and the executive team. The event also featured remarks from alumni Mr. Virgil Alexander, who attended the first dedication ceremony for Mark Allen Hall 60 years ago, and Mr. George Lord, both of whom resided in the facility when it first opened.
Reflecting on his educational experience at EAC, Mr. Alexander shared, “I really enjoyed my time at EAC. All the teachers were excellent, but there were some who changed my life and prepared me for the future. I think my favorite teacher was Lorenzo Flake. He was my calculus teacher and I was doing really well for the first four or five weeks. But during the sixth week, I went to class and realized that I didn’t understand anything he was saying. After a day or two of this, I realized that I was going to flunk out if I didn’t get help. Mr. Flake spent many hours coaching me one-on-one until I was able to pass the class. His patience, kindness, and love of knowledge were instrumental in my success.”
Alexander also acknowledged other influential figures at EAC, such as Mr. Russell Lundell and Mr. Clarence McBride. “Many times in my long career, the lessons I learned at Eastern Arizona College have helped me. It is a joy to come back to EAC and share how much this college did for me professionally,” he stated.
Mr. Lord, who also lived in Mark Allen Hall upon its inauguration and was a member of the college’s basketball team, shared memorable anecdotes that underscored his deep ties to the institution.
“I met Mark Allen on our first basketball road trip,” Lord recounted. During the trip, Coach Wayne McGrath asked the young Lord to choose a song to play on a jukebox at a roadside diner. “The only song that I knew from all those songs was ‘Ring of Fire’ by Johnny Cash. So, I played that, and boy, did I get razzed by my teammates. When we got back on the bus, Mark Allen was sitting in the back row and he said, ‘I liked your song,’ and that was it. That was a paragraph for him.”
Reflecting on his time at EAC, Lord stated, “I went to school for two years, graduated with my degree, and fulfilled my dream of playing basketball in college. Most importantly, I met the love of my life and my future wife, Phyllis Martin, here.”
During his speech, Lord highlighted the importance of Mark Allen Hall to the College’s legacy and nodded to EAC’s commitment to fiscal responsibility by updating existing buildings for future generations. “Today we celebrate the introduction of another chapter to this esteemed building, named for Mr. Mark Allen, a cornerstone and giant of an individual who helped build and sustain our faithful and noble institution. It is my special privilege to share this historic day with you.”
The renovation projects have transformed Mark Allen Hall into a state-of-the-art residence facility, featuring expanded common areas, updated living spaces, and new amenities designed to enhance student life. Similarly, the Activities Center has been revitalized to include modern recreational and social spaces, such as a food court, eSports team facilities, and a new bookstore.
The ceremony included breathtaking performances by EAC’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Patti Raines, which moved the audience with renditions of the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “Light in the Hallway.”
During his remarks, President Haynie recognized Jeremy Hughes, the great-grandson of Mark Allen and EAC’s director of maintenance, who played a crucial role in the renovations. Additional family members, including Sally Hughes, Marsha McBride, and Jason Hughes, were acknowledged for their familial and historical ties to the College.
Highlighting the historical significance of the facilities, President Haynie remarked, “For sixty years, Mark Allen Hall has been a starting point for lifelong friendships and a place where thousands of students have begun their journeys to achieve their dreams.” He further emphasized the institution’s role as a pioneer in education since 1888, noting that many community colleges are younger than Mark Allen Hall itself.
In a poignant moment of the ceremony, President Haynie was joined at the podium by three current students living in Mark Allen Hall. Ricky Quinlan from Eager, Ariz., the youngest of eight siblings who all attended EAC, stood alongside Chevy In-the-Woods from Holbrook and Dalee Wallace from St. Johns. Both In-the-Woods and Wallace are attending EAC as first-generation college students.
“For these students and thousands more, Eastern Arizona College is an engine of opportunity,” said Haynie. “It is a safe place for Monsters from all walks of life to come and stay and a foundation from which to launch their dreams and aspirations.”
After his speech, President Haynie invited the students currently residing in Mark Allen Hall to join him for the ribbon-cutting, along with the guest speakers who lived in Mark Allen Hall when it first opened in 1960. He also asked Governing Board members, Lois Ann Moody and Tina McMaster, together with executive team members Dr. Susan Wood, Heston Welker, and Keith Alexander, and Director of Resident Life, Candee Skousen, to participate. The ribbon-cutting was facilitated by Corina Pino-Reyes, president of the Graham County Chamber of Commerce, and Torey Cranford, a chamber board member.
Guests were served refreshments in the Activities Center and invited to view before-and-after photographs of the construction.
About Eastern Arizona College
Since 1888, Eastern Arizona College has been the undisputed Smart Higher Education Destination, shaping student dreams into reality. With a faculty of qualified and caring instructors, EAC is committed to preparing students for high-demand careers and advanced studies at top universities.
Offering a diverse range of over 90 degrees and certificates and two bachelor’s degrees, EAC is home to the state’s premier nursing school, a fine arts program featuring Arizona’s only community college marching band, and an engineering program that equips students for success at top-tiered firms and universities.
Beyond academics, EAC is a vibrant community where students thrive, forging connections that last a lifetime. At EAC, students can live in on-campus housing, engage in over 30 clubs and organizations, participate in dynamic intramurals, and cheer for nationally ranked athletic and e-sports teams.
What sets EAC apart is its commitment to financial accessibility, allowing most students to graduate with $0 debt.
Choose EAC as your Smart Higher Education Destination. For more information, visit www.eac.edu or call (928) 428-8272.
