Finding the Perfect Fit

When Janice Sutton visited Tech in the early 1950's, it was appealing because it was small and personal- just like her hometown, Mountain View. During her visit, she attended a dance and knew that she had found the perfect place to pursue her interest in music and home economics. She was awarded an FHA scholarship and loved her life at Tech: preparing for events like Agri Day; having professors like Lela Jane Bryan, Elizabeth Bryson and Martha Williams; attending classes in the old Art Building; living in Bryan Hall and going to Old South for ice box pie. At that time, girls did not wear shorts- except for PE. And, the curfew was 8:30 for Freshman Girls during the week. However, seniors could stay out until 1:00 a.m. on Sat. night.

She and her husband, Kenneth, attended first grade together and married the day he graduated from college with his degree in business. They lived in Tulsa for four years, then moved to Ft. Smith for a while, but moved back to Mountain View to help in the family business. Their two children, Jenifer, an attorney in Fayetteville; and Rob, an actor in NYC, were raised in Mountain View where the Suttons still live. They enjoy being involved in the community and their church.

Janice has always felt that her education prepared her for all the opportunities she was later given. Today, the Suttons provide an annual Tech scholarship to a Stone County student and recently gave a Grand Piano to the Tech music department. Serving on the Tech Board of Trustees for 12 years, Janice promoted Tech and continues to support Arkansas Tech with her loyalty and giving. She and her husband are a part of the most recent Century Forward. Also, they provided the money to restore the oldest piano on campus for music students. The rebuilding of this piano should be completed by this summer and in use for the fall of 2015.