Ceremony marks the appointment of Lt. Col. Frederick C. Turner, Jr. Military Science Building

11/11/2021

JONESBORO – Family and friends joined with military and academic representatives to celebrate the appointment of Lt. Col. Frederick C. Turner, Jr. Military Science Building, with the retired army officer in attendance to participate in the historic ceremony.

Ret. LTC Turner (center) is joined by his daughters, Suzette Turner Caldwell (left) and Debbye Turner Bell (right), as well as Chancellor Damphousse (far left) and retired Major General George Barker (far right).

“We are very proud to have his name on this building,” Chancellor Kelly Damphousse said in her opening remarks. “Three times in his life, Frederick C. Turner Jr. was a pioneer for the state of Arkansas. Graduates of Booker T. Washington High School in Jonesboro, Turner, Walter Strong and Larry Williams were the first students. blacks to enroll in the A-State in 1955.

Turner and Strong became the first two black graduates from the state of Arkansas in 1960 and later became namesakes of the Strong-Turner Alumni chapter, continued Damphousse.

“After three tours of Vietnam, Turner returned to his alma mater to become the first black teacher and the first black military science teacher in 1969. For three years he mentored future army officers in our ROTC program. ”

As Veterans Day approaches less than a week after the dedication ceremony, Damphousse asked those gathered under the huge American flag to reflect on the sacrifices of those who participated in the ROTC program in its first 85 years, another milestone of the Department of Military Sciences. celebrated during Homecoming weekend.

Former Student Government Association President Rashad Kirksey said he wanted to personally thank Turner, “for being a pioneer who paved the way for black women and men like me to receive a better education.” I would also like to thank the many people who worked with me in a push to rename this building, ”especially Comrade Nathan Wheaton, who brought the idea to SGA.

Naming several people who have helped pave the way for students like him, Kirksey added, “We now live in a more perfect union. Anyone can receive a quality education, and we can recognize the hard work of African Americans and name the very first college building on this campus after one of the first students to set foot there. This institution has taken a big step forward in honoring those who have helped make Arkansas State University what it is today.

Keynote speaker George Barker, a retired Major-General who, like Turner, received his commission as an officer under the A-State’s Army ROTC program, delivered a congratulatory message to the recipient.

“Lieutenant Colonel… Fred… Welcome home,” he said. “Your many accomplishments are recognized by our Chancellor’s invitation to return to your alma mater, where it all began, to assist to the designation of this building in perpetuity in your honor. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to review the military records of many soldiers to determine promotions, postings, etc., and I say here today ‘ loud and clear that Lieutenant-Colonel Turner’s military career is exceptional.

Commending his military commitment, Barker pointed out that Turner had made “three remarkable separate tours of the battlefields of Vietnam as an infantry soldier. . . very, very few would go the third time, ”as he listed the laureate’s army praise medals.

“We thank you for your service and we extend our thanks to the Turner family. Your success was, no doubt, in part, a measure of their continued support, especially during those years that you were deployed to Vietnam. “

Barker said records show at least 2,000 ROTC students earned commissions under A-State’s military science program and served in the Army, Army Reserve or National Guard. .

“Today will be remembered by all,” Barker continued, saying Turner’s references as a warrior were well deserved. “We have a building named after a true American hero. It was our mission; together we have accomplished it. I want to thank you, on behalf of all of us, for your service to Arkansas State University, the United States military, and the United States of America. We are and will always be grateful. “

Daughters Suzette Turner Caldwell and Debbye Turner Bell were among many family members from across the country, and Bell made remarks on behalf of the family.

“I remember the way he behaved, always with dignity. My dad is one of the nicest, compassionate, funny and loving people I have ever met, ”she said in her introduction. “I want to thank you all for making this recognition while my dad could sit here and be on this earth to watch it happen. Thank you very much for that. We are deeply grateful. . . we are grateful to arkansas state university for keeping us as family.

Turner walked over to the lectern as the crowd greeted him with a standing ovation.

“I stand before you with a heart full of honor and gratitude,” Turner said, then briefly recounted how he came to be as a student in the State of Arkansas during a troubled time in the summer 1955 with the support of then President Carl R. Reng. . Later, after Turner graduated and was well advanced in his military career, Reng asked the military to assign Turner to the Faculty of Military Sciences.

“During this time as a professor, I served not only as a professor of military science, but also as an advisor, not only to the students, but to our grand dean of students, Robert Moore, who called me frequently to help in solving problems that involved black students, ”he said.

“Thank you very much for this honor,” he concluded. “I really appreciate this. God bless you all.”

Lt. Col. J. Morgan Weatherly, the current professor of military science, closed the program by thanking Turner and leading everyone by singing “The Army Goes Rolling Along”.

“On behalf of Arkansas State University, the men and women of the Red Wolf Battalion and the US Army Cadet Command, thank you for your steadfast example, thank you for your leadership, and thank you for your incarnation and steadfast commitment to leading a life. of service, a life guided by Army values, compassion and understanding.

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Scholarship established in honor of retired Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick C. Turner, Jr.

Frederick C. Turner

On a memorable day in the history of Arkansas State University on Friday, November 5, when the Military Science Building was officially dedicated to Lt. Col. Frederick C. Turner, Jr. Military Science Building, a scholarship in the name of Turner was initiated.

The first gift for the Lt. Col. Frederick C. Turner Jr. Military Science Scholarship came from Chancellor Kelly Damphousse.

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