Most towns across south Arkansas have bled population in recent decades. In the pine woods of the Gulf Coastal Plain, you won't find cities growing rapidly like one can find in northwest and central Arkansas.

For the south part of our state, simply holding steady from a population standpoint constitutes a victory. Two of the rare towns that have been holding steady are Magnolia and Arkadelphia.

One thing those towns have in common is that they're the homes of four-year universities. College towns have an automatic leg up in the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century. It's easier to attract talented young people to live and invest in college towns.

Another thing Arkadelphia and Magnolia have in common is the magic worked by Trey Berry, who was the subject of last Saturday's column. Berry became Southern Arkansas University's president in 2015. During his tenure, enrollment increased 24 percent to the highest level in school history (5,128 in the fall of 2023). The university added 21 graduate degrees and certificates, including a doctoral program.

Those in higher education circles tabbed it the Magnolia Miracle. Things are set to get even better in Magnolia with the coming lithium boom. That's why higher education observers were so shocked when Berry gave up his job late last year to take on the tough task of resurrecting Henderson State University at Arkadelphia.

I wasn't surprised.........

© El Dorado News Times