A new event sponsored by the North Arkansas College Foundation was the impetus for a recent trip I made to Harrison, Arkansas, to attend a special luncheon for the donors and recipients of scholarships to North Arkansas College. The location of the gathering was the Durand Center---part of the new "center campus" for North Arkansas College in downtown Harrison. The Durand Center is the completely remodeled result of the conversion of an architecturally-distinctive building, originally constructed to house the Security Bank. The renovations have turned the new facility into a state of the art conference and educational center. The AHEC (Arkansas Health Education Center) office is also located there, on the first floor. I was fortunate enough to get a personal tour of the entire facility given by North Arkansas College Foundation Board Member (and former HHS Goblin classmate of mine!) Cathy Brandt. I was delighted to see that the conversion of the building provided for a very well-equipped institutional kitchen, suitable for servicing banquets or other food service-related activities. Although the recipient of the Dr. Frederick C. Turner Scholarship was not able to attend, I was able to enjoy a delightful dining experience with the recipient of the Joe F. Keeling Scholarship---Laura Smothers. Laura is the lovely lady on the left in above photo, which was taken of the two of us at the luncheon. The North Arkansas College Durand Center is an asset that Harrison and the surrounding area can be thankful for. Miles of smiles! Tricia Turner
