Those in attendance at the ASU-Beebe monarch butterfly garden dedication ceremony, were (from left) Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) co-chairs Eddie Supratman, assistant professor of history/comparative religion, and Meredith Gordon, assistant professor of biology; Jerry Sites, assistant professor of agriculture; Teddy Davis, dean of arts and humanities; Meredith Allen, student; Geren Rosenlund, student; Coleman Bailey, PTK president; Sierra Miller, PTK vice president; Mark Hastings, physical plant director; Dr. Jennifer Methvin, ASU-Beebe chancellor; Robin and John Hayes, donors; Clayton Scott, grounds assistant; Carol McKinney, landscape supervisor; Bryan Henry, maintenance supervisor; Cathy Eoff, donor; and Andrea Cole, development officer/major gifts.
Several gathered at the butterfly garden on the Arkansas State University-Beebe campus on Monday, Oct. 17 for a dedication ceremony honoring donors John and Robin Hayes and Cathy Eoff, as they released butterflies into the garden. Each of the donors then received a hand-painted rock in appreciation of their support.
Cathy Eoff said the garden grew from an idea submitted for mini-grant funding last year.
“This lovely butterfly garden stems from private donations, staff and students ‘sweat equity’ work and their donations too! In addition to the beauty of the garden it is helping to save monarch butterflies and other species within this mini ecosystem and provides enjoyment for those visiting the garden,” said Eoff.
The monarch butterfly garden, which is sponsored by the ASU-Beebe Phi Theta Kappa honor society, was among many initiatives funded through a mini-grant program made possible by Cathy Eoff. The goals of the butterfly garden are to protect, conserve and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators, as well as provide a space for relaxation and enjoyment of the outdoors. Plans are being made to add a butterfly garden on the Heber Springs and Searcy campuses.
"The butterfly garden on the Beebe campus is a tranquil refuge for students, staff, faculty, and all visitors to the campus,” Robin Hayes said. “The pollination needed for native plants to exist are made available by the butterflies. What an excellent example of providing for the environment and the beauty it will bring to the seasons. A heartfelt thank you to students, faculty, and staff for the research and hard work to develop yet another educational resource on campus.”
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