SAU announces first recipient of the Dr. Bob Burns Military Service Graduate Scholarship

MAGNOLIA, AR — Southern Arkansas University has named William Cattell the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Bob L. Burns Military Service Scholarship. A veteran, retired law enforcement officer, and now a school administrator, Cattell is using the award to pursue his Education Specialist in Rural Educational Leadership degree at SAU, with his sights set on becoming a school principal.

"Throughout every stage of my career, I have been guided by a commitment to service, integrity, leadership, and the belief that investing in people — whether soldiers, officers, educators, or students — creates stronger organizations and stronger communities," Cattell said.

Cattell’s path to the classroom was paved through decades of service to his country and community. For eight years, he served as an active-duty United States Army Military Police Officer, completing three deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, and the former Yugoslavia. That experience led to a 12-year civilian career in law enforcement. Motivated by a strong commitment to military service, Cattell reenlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and medically retired after a deployment in Afghanistan.

Cattell went on to serve 20 years with the Colorado Department of Corrections, rising to Shift Commander. He was also a member of the department’s Emergency Response Team and was later appointed Statewide Coordinator for the Colorado Department of Corrections’ Critical Incident Response Team, leadership roles that highlight the consistent, service-first mindset that defined his career.

Five years ago, the Cattell family moved to Arkansas from Buena Vista, Colorado. In 2025, he earned his Master of Arts in Teaching with a Building Leadership Certificate from SAU. Today, he is Dean of Students at Arkansas Middle School, where he oversees the sixth-grade campus and channels the same discipline, service, and integrity into shaping the experiences of students and staff.

"My gratitude for the SAU Foundation is more than words can express," Cattell shared. "This scholarship has given me the ability to pursue my career in an area I found after floundering after my military and law enforcement service."

Cattell lives in Texarkana, Arkansas, with his wife, with whom he has two sons.

The Dr. Bob L. Burns Military Service Scholarship honors the legacy of a man whose own life was defined by service to country, career, and community. The scholarship supports graduate students with military affiliation who are pursuing advanced degrees after military benefits have been exhausted or are no longer available, with priority given to applicants pursuing degrees in educational leadership or business-related fields.

Dr. Bob Burns was a retired U.S. Army Colonel whose distinguished service with the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam earned him the Bronze Star, Presidential Citation, Distinguished Service Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and Vietnam Medal for Civic Action. After serving as a superintendent of schools in Mineral Springs, Arkansas, he joined Farmers Bank and Trust in Magnolia. He went on to lead the bank as CEO and President for 40 years, all while devoting himself to strengthening education, law enforcement, and ethical business practices in his community.

About SAU

Southern Arkansas University provides students with the complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees across four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to meet the needs of today’s career and professional trends. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.