Gov. Mike Beebe did more than just cut the ribbon at the opening of the new STEM Residential College yesterday. He found time to mingle with students, even play a little table tennis with them.

Beebe was the keynote speaker at the opening. He gave a five-minute speech praising the accomplishments of the students and discussing their future job opportunities. You can see the entire speech here.

Before the ceremony began, Beebe was mingling with dozens of students inside the Arkansas Hall building. We didn’t see who challenged whom, but the governor played at least one student in a spirited game of table tennis on a table in the lobby of the building. Nobody seemed to be keeping score.

The ribbon-cutting didn’t go exactly as planned. The ceremonial big scissors failed to cut through the ribbon several times. Beebe set aside the scissors and tore the ribbon with his bare hands.

The ceremony marked the opening of the STEM Residential College, which houses and offers classes for more than 205 students seeking science and math degrees. The students will be working on three big projects this semester, according to Leah Horton, resident master of the STEM program.

The students will work with the biology department to restore Stone Dam Creek, which runs through the campus. They plan to visit area high schools to promote math and science programs. They already are working with the Bears’ Kids Club to provide educational activities during UCA home football games Horton said.

STEM programs are open to all students. For more information, contact Horton at [email protected].