Future teachers from Russellville and Pottsville will soon receive assistance in pursuing their degrees at Arkansas Tech University through The Mullens Promise, a new scholarship program funded by the Bert and Annette Mullens Foundation.
The Mullens Promise will provide scholarships for full-time students majoring in education at Arkansas Tech who graduated from either Russellville High School or Pottsville High School. The minimum grade point average to qualify for a Mullens Promise scholarship is 2.5, and financial need must be demonstrated. This scholarship toward tuition and fees is renewable for up to eight semesters.
“The Mullens Promise represents the continuation of Mr. and Mrs. Mullens’ lifetime of support for Arkansas Tech University and for education in our region,” said Dr. Russell Jones, ATU president. “This investment by the Bert and Annette Mullens Foundation will help encourage students to pursue a career in education and make it financially possible for them to complete their degrees. The Mullens Promise is a significant addition to the Mullens family’s already considerable legacy at Arkansas Tech.”
Son of 1925 Arkansas Tech graduate Bert Charles Mullens, Bert Marshall Mullens earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Arkansas Tech in May 1951. The younger Mullens graduated just two months after Tech’s four-year college program was first accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
A member of the Wonder Boys baseball and football teams during his college days, Mullens went on to a 43-year career in banking that included service as president for First Security Bank in Searcy, First National Bank of Russellville, First Commercial Bank in Memphis, Tenn., and First City Bank of Memphis.
After retiring as an active officer in 1994, Mullens served as a board member as well as an executive committee member for Regions Bank in Russellville.
Mullens served on the ATU Foundation Board of Directors and as president of the ATU Alumni Association. He helped organize Tech’s endowment fund drive in 1969, and he was the drive’s first national chairman.
Mrs. Mullens earned an associate degree in business from Arkansas Tech in 1948.
Mr. and Mrs. Mullens, who were married for more than 70 years, pledged a $1 million unrestricted gift to the ATU Foundation in August 2018.
Mrs. Mullens died on Aug. 23, 2021. She was 92.
Mr. Mullens died on Oct. 4, 2023. He was 94.
To apply for The Mullens Promise, eligible students are invited to complete the ATU Foundation scholarships application at https://arkansastech.awardspring.com.
Deadline to apply The Mullens Promise for the fall 2025 semester is March 1, 2025.
Call (479) 968-0400 for more information.
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