Taylor Lawrence was often seen riding around the Arkansas Tech University campus in a golf cart, talking on fake phones as she drove to and from her father's office in the Doc Bryan Student Services Center. , about 10 years ago.
A lot has changed since then, but Taylor's love for Arkansas Tech remains the same.
Currently, Lawrence is a graduate of Dardanelle High School and ATU. Although she earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 2023, she wasn't ready to leave Arkansas Tech University. From what she hears, it seems like ATU's campus is the closest place she is to her father, Steve Lawrence.
“He was funny and…honestly, he was just a really great guy,” Taylor said. “He always wanted to help. He loved technology. He really put his heart and soul into it. I grew up on campus with him and felt like it was home. I really feel attached to this campus. I can't imagine not being here. It makes me feel like he's still with me.”
Steve Lawrence joined the student affairs staff at Arkansas Tech University in 1976. Throughout his 37-year career at ATU, he has performed nearly every job offered in the department. He managed his WO His Young Student Center. He supervised the behavior of the students. He was the head of public safety. He was the Vice Dean of Students. He even sponsored a cheerleading team at one point.
Steve retired from ATU in December 2013 and passed away on March 20, 2023.
Taylor will follow in his father's footsteps and join ATU Student Affairs in fall 2023 as a graduate assistant for intramural and recreational sports. She is pursuing her ATU Master of Science degree in her Student Management field.
In her role as a graduate assistant, Lawrence develops schedules for scorekeepers, officials, and coaches for intramural sports and communicates them to undergraduate student personnel. She assists with site maintenance and equipment setup and takedown. She oversees the administration of the intramural league.
“I try to check in on my employees,” Lawrence said. “Especially if I know they haven't worked in a while, I'll text them and make sure they're okay. I like to know them on a first-name basis. They are more than just employees to me. I want to know how they are and how they are doing.
“My favorite part of the day is working nights when there are events, especially basketball time,” Lawrence continued. “There's a lot of employees working there at once. We all get together and laugh…have fun…and even joke around with each other. I love being with them.”
For Lawrence, all of this has an added benefit. The next generation of her family, Taylor's daughter Eva Kay, grew up at ATU and is following in her mother's footsteps.
“She runs the hall…she greets everyone,” Lawrence said. “Everyone knows who she is. If she's going to the student council for a smoothie, she'll go with anyone. She'll say, 'I'm going, I'm going.'
“It starts with a great support system,” Lawrence continued. “My mom (Lisa Lawrence) is an amazing person. She's the biggest support I've ever had. It takes a village to raise a child, and a village is my village. I don't want anyone or anything for her. If you need them, they will be there right away.”
Lawrence isn't sure what direction her life will take after earning her master's degree. No matter where she goes, her family's name will continue to have a strong presence on her ATU campus, thanks to the philanthropy and thoughtfulness of her godmothers, Cindy and Jimmy Ferguson. She knows that she is deaf.
The Ferguson family provided a major gift to help build a new student union and recreation center at Arkansas Tech University.
Steve Lawrence and Jimmy Ferguson worked together in student affairs at ATU for almost 20 years. The new building will be named the Ferguson Student Union and will be located on the same property where they spent much of their time together at the Young Student Center.
Asked about the Ferguson family, who began their careers as McDonald's franchisees after Ferguson left ATU in 1994, Taylor said: “They're great people.” Not many people know this, but on Thanksgiving, we offer food to anyone who wants in…just out of the kindness of our hearts. I think they really wanted to help Tech because Jimmy worked here for many years and Tech had a big influence on him.
“Jimmy was my dad's best friend,” Taylor continued. “They talked on the phone constantly. They grew up together. They were each other's bosses at different points. The Ferguson family has hearts of gold.”
A participation center will be located within the Ferguson Student Union. A video previewing the new facility reveals that the engagement center will be named after Steve Lawrence.
“It gives me chills to think his name would be used for anything here,” Taylor said. “When I was shown the video of the layout, it meant so much to me that I teared up a little. I miss you so much.”
