Lyon College President Dr. Melissa Taverner cuts the ribbon at the official opening of the Garner Recreation Center in the Becknell Gymnasium on the Lyon College campus in Batesville.
Lyon College marked the grand opening of the Jean and Carl Garner Student Recreation Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. The event honored the generosity of Jean Garner and other major donors and drew local dignitaries, special guests, and ambassadors from the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce.
According to a release from Lyon, the center is named in recognition of the significant contributions of Jean Garner — widow of Independence County native Carl Garner, a 1938 graduate of Lyon College (then Arkansas College) and engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Carl Garner, who passed away in 2014, was a loyal supporter of his alma mater throughout his life. He received multiple honors from the college, including induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986, the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1989, and an honorary doctorate in 1994.
In 2023, Jean Garner, who also enjoyed a long career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, made a substantial gift of real estate to the college in tribute to her late husband’s enduring legacy.
Proceeds from the sale of that property funded the renovation of Becknell Gymnasium’s natatorium, transforming it into a modern, multipurpose recreation center.
“We are immensely grateful for the generosity of Jean Garner,” said Lyon College President Dr. Melissa Taverner at the ceremony. “This facility reflects Carl Garner’s lifelong dedication to Lyon College and Jean’s commitment to honoring his legacy by supporting future generations of students.”
Additional donors to the project included Bad Boy Mowers, Centennial Bank, White River Health, and the Lyon College Student Government Association, whose combined efforts made the renovation possible.
Zoe Papazoglou, president of the Student Government Association (SGA) and junior soccer captain, shared her excitement about the new facility.
“SGA chose to support this initiative because we recognized that the Garner Recreation Center is a space that students truly needed,” said Papazoglou. “We believe that fostering an environment for physical activity is essential for student well-being, community building and personal development. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made this possible, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this amazing addition on our campus.”
Aziza Takhi, president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a senior track-and-field athlete, highlighted the center’s impact on student-athletes.
“The new recreation center is a huge benefit for student-athletes and the entire campus community,” said Takhi. “It offers us a dedicated space to train and build camaraderie. This center shows the college’s commitment to supporting our well-being, and we’re excited to see how it enhances the student experience.”
“This center represents the remarkable generosity of Jean Garner and the enduring support from our community, said Associate Vice President for Advancement Gina Garrett, who also emceed the event. “Mrs. Garner gave in tribute to her husband Carl, who always praised the education he received here. The Garner Recreation Center is a space that will benefit generations of Lyon College students, promoting wellness and engagement on campus.”
“The Jean and Carl Garner Student Recreation Center exemplifies the impact of philanthropy and partnership. We are deeply grateful to Jean Garner and all of our donors for their vision and dedication to enhancing the student experience at Lyon College,” said Dr. David Hutchison, vice president for advancement.
“The Garner Recreation Center is a wonderful addition to our campus, providing students with more opportunities to focus on their health, wellness and community connections. It’s a space that will enhance student life in so many ways, and we’re thrilled to see it come to life,” said Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Danell Hetrick.
Kevin Jenkins, director of athletics, reflected on the history of the facility.
“This building holds countless memories from its days as the college’s natatorium, where generations of students came together for recreation and competition,” Jenkins said. “Now, with its transformation into the Garner Recreation Center, it will continue to be a place where new memories are made, fostering student engagement and wellness for years to come.”
Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh and Crystal Johnson, president and CEO of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, also attended the event with Lyon College students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
The Jean and Carl Garner Student Recreation Center features a multipurpose court and group exercise space, providing Lyon College students with a variety of recreational opportunities, such as basketball, pickleball, volleyball, events and activities.
In the release, the college said it also will provide much-needed practice space for the 80-plus student-athletes in volleyball, women’s and men’s basketball, and cheer and dance teams.
Image provided by Lyon College
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