John C. Futrall
Inherited from his predecessor's administration was a dire financial crisis, severe enough that the school had to borrow money to pay for student labor.His goal of fiscal solidity for the university was joined by Governor Charles H. Brough, who pushed through legislation guaranteeing the school a percentage of the state property tax.[5] In effect, the PFB sought to place an individual educated in modern agricultural practices of the day, as well loyal to its purposes and aims, in charge of the department and its extension services; something that Futrall absolutely refused to consider.[9] The Jackson, Tennessee native would never see the final fruits of his labor, however, as Futrall died on September 12, 1939,[10] in an automobile accident on his way back from Little Rock.The Board of Trustees passed a resolution to posthumously name the new student union building "Futrall Memorial Hall" in the president's honor.