TECH ACTION ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE | FALL 2015
TOP HONORS COHOON, DODD, GROSS INDUCTED INTO HALL OF DISTINCTION
Doctoral Program Next Step for Tech Creating K-12 leaders who are more prepared and more aligned with a P-20 model of learning — the idea that internal and external interdisciplinary partnerships can contribute to educational success from preschool through doctoral work and everything in between — creates an environment where teachers are encouraged to innovate.
There have been a number of noteworthy milestones in the life of Arkansas Tech University, but none are more symbolic of the strides our institution has made over the course of the last 106 years than the addition of our first doctoral degree. It was announced in May that the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, had granted accreditation for the Arkansas Tech Doctor of Education degree in school leadership. You can read a complete account of the accreditation in this issue of Tech Action. It was the final step in a process that required six years to complete. The visionary behind the creation and implementation of the Doctor of Education degree in school leadership is Dr. Mary Gunter, professor of educational leadership.
That culture of innovation in the classroom yields students with the critical thinking skills and grit necessary to persist to graduation not only in high school, but in post-secondary learning environments, baccalaureate programs and beyond.
Since Dr. Gunter joined our faculty in 1998, she has spurred the development of graduate programs in education that have made Arkansas Tech a recognized leader in producing counselors, principals, curriculum leaders, superintendents and other key leaders in K-12 school districts around Arkansas and beyond.
Change is coming to education in Arkansas, and Arkansas Tech is at the forefront of that change. Sincerely,
She has applied that same expertise in designing a doctoral program that will challenge current and future principals and superintendents, all of it with the ultimate goal of enhancing the educational environment in which Arkansas children will learn and grow.
Kelly Davis Director of Alumni Relations & Tech Loyalty Fund
Alumni Association Board of Directors President: Truman Hill ‘70
President Elect: Kendall Tabor ‘88 & ‘92
Leila Bean Dockery ‘77 12/15
Kendall Tabor ‘89 & ‘92 12/15
Ryan Ritchie ‘03 12/16
Megan Morris ‘09 & ‘14 12/17
Susan McIntyre Dunn ‘83 12/15
Adam Anderson ‘11 12/16
Ross White ‘08 & ‘12 12/16
Betty Snellings ‘62 12/17
Cody Hill ‘07 & ‘10 12/15
Larry Brown ‘10 12/16
Lacie Oels Bohannan ‘10 & ‘14 12/17
Tony Thompson ‘95 12/17
Sherry Nordin Polsgrove ‘81 12/15
Alyssa McTeer Carter ‘02 12/16
Sue Chiolino ‘68 & ‘86 12/17
Jimmy Rofkahr, Ozark Campus Rep.
Dustin Parsons ‘10 & ‘14 12/15
Denise Clayton ‘85 12/16
Travis Flower ‘11 12/17
Justin Price ‘01 12/15
Steve Kesner ‘77 12/16
Rick Hampton ‘75 12/17
Melissa Owens Steeves ‘07 12/15
Brad McBride ‘10 12/16
Keith Jesse ‘08 12/17
Tech Action, Volume 51, No. 2. Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association, Alumni House, Russellville, AR 72801 Director of Alumni Relations & Tech Loyalty Fund Kelly Davis
Editorial Committee Kelly Davis, Jayne Jones, Susie Nicholson, Sam Strasner
Coordinator of Young Alumni & Student Philanthropy Alison Parks Taylor
Publications/Creative Services Felisha Weaver
Contributing Photographers Liz Chrisman, Tim Carr, Alex Duvall, Joshua Mashon
Coordinator of Alumni Communications & Events Aaron Jones
Director of New Media Carrie Harris Phillips
E-mail address alumni@atu.edu
Director of Athletic Communications Paul Smith
Website www.techties.atu.edu
Alumni Office Administrative Assistant Terry Holland-Finley
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Cover Photograph Liz Chrisman
Tech Action is published by the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association, 1313 N. Arkansas Ave., Russellville, AR 72801. It is sent to alumni, parents, friends and faculty/staff of Arkansas Tech University. We welcome manuscripts and photographs from our readers. Please include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope if you would like your originals returned. Parents, if your son or daughter attended Tech and is no longer living at this address, please notify our office of his or her new address. Address updates can be submitted to the Arkansas Tech Office of Alumni Services by calling 479.968.0242 or by sending e-mail to alumni@atu.edu.
Arkansas Tech University Receives Accreditation for First Doctoral Degree Arkansas Tech University has received notification that its Doctor of Education degree in school leadership has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The accreditation is the final step in the development of the new degree, which is the first doctoral program in the 106-year history of Arkansas Tech. The first cohort of Doctor of Education degree in school leadership students is beginning its studies this year. “The greatest beneficiaries of this news are the children of our state,” said Dr. Robin E. Bowen, president of Arkansas Tech. “As a result of this doctoral program, leadership capacity in our K-12 schools will be enhanced, teachers will be more empowered to advance in their careers and students will receive a more meaningful education. Arkansas Tech is already known throughout the region as a leader in the development of district and building leaders for our schools. The ability to offer this doctoral degree is a natural and important next step in our institutional efforts to partner with K-12 schools in creating a stronger Arkansas for generations to come.” The formal steps involved in creating the Doctor of Education degree in school leadership began in July 2010, when the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees approved a letter of intent notifying the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) that the university was developing a Doctor of Education program. One month later, the board approved a letter of intent to ADHE concerning the change in role and scope necessary to allow Arkansas Tech to offer doctoral programs. In November 2010, the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees approved the program proposal that outlined the Doctor of Education degree as developed by the faculty in the Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning.
The following years saw a site visit by an out-of-state review team in March 2012 and program reviews by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB), all of which led to a decision by the AHECB on July 25, 2014, to grant Arkansas Tech a change in role and scope and permission to begin offering a Doctor of Education degree in school leadership. “Arkansas Tech is forever thankful to Dr. Mary Gunter, professor of educational leadership, dean of the Graduate College and dean of the College of Education, for her leadership throughout the development of its first doctoral program,” said Bowen. “Her vision and knowledge in this content area are the primary reasons why our institution can celebrate this important milestone. Equally exciting is the fact that Dr. Gunter will now have the opportunity to share her expertise with doctoral students at Arkansas Tech and play a key role in preparing them for career advancement.” The program is designed for K-12 education professionals who currently serve or wish to serve in school district leadership positions. The Arkansas Tech Doctor of Education degree in school leadership will build upon the curriculum of the institution’s existing Educational Specialist degree, which consists of 30 hours of course work beyond the master’s degree level. Dr. John A. Freeman will serve as director of the doctoral program. He joined the Arkansas Tech faculty on Jan. 1, 2015, after previously working as professor and department head of the graduate studies division in the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Freeman holds the faculty rank of professor of educational leadership at Arkansas Tech. For more information about the Arkansas Tech Doctor of Education degree in school leadership, call (479) 498-6022 or send e-mail to cll@atu.edu. | FALL 2015 Today's Tech
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arkansas tech
HOMECOMING october 9-10, 2015 registration form on page 31
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Bookstore Open Purchase your green & gold Tech gear while you are on campus
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Norman Hall Art Gallery Exhibition Dispositions, recent sculptures by Little Rock Artist Michael Warrick
9 a.m.
Homecoming Classic Golf Tournament Chamberlyne Country Club $75 per person $150 for hole sponsor only $300 for team and hole sponsor 9 a.m. Check-in and Brunch 10:15 a.m. Official Welcome 10:30 a.m. Shotgun Start
12 p.m.
Ladies ‘Champagne Bingo’ Luncheon Lake Point Hickory Lodge $15 per person
5:30 p.m.
Hall of Distinction Social Hour Lake Point Conference Center (invitation only)
6:30 p.m.
8 p.m.
10 a.m.
Reunions Tomlinson
1950s and 1960s Reunion Main lobby
10 Year Reunion - Class of 2005 Room 119
25 Year Reunion - Class of 1990 Room 121
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Bookstore Open W.O. Young Building
11 a.m.
Meet/Greet Dr. Dan Belongia, Band Director Baswell Techionery
11 a.m.
Delta Zeta Alumnae Reunion Doc Bryan Student Services Center, Room 242
11 a.m.
Alumni Gold Luncheon West Dining Room, Chambers Cafeteria Join the Class of 1965 for their 50 year class reunion
Noon – 3 p.m.
Party at the Plaza
Noon – 3 p.m.
Groups at Centennial Plaza: • Alumni Gold Reunion (Class of 1965)
Hall of Distinction Reunion Dinner Lake Point Conference Center (invitation only)
• 25 year Reunion (Class of 1990) • 10 year Reunion (Class of 2005) • 1950s & 1960s
Tech Idol Singing Competition Tucker Coliseum
• Young Alumni (2005-2015) • Alumni Chapters
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
• Agriculture
7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Bookstore Open Purchase your green & gold Tech gear while you are on campus
• T-Club
T-Club All Sports Annual Meeting Hindsman Players Breakfast Young Ballroom $5 per person
• Parks, Rec, & Hospitality Admin Noon
Stadium bookstore opens
2:30 p.m.
Norman Hall Art Gallery Exhibition Dispositions, recent sculptures by Little Rock Artist Michael Warrick
Pre-game Activities Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field
3 p.m.
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys Football Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field
9 a.m.
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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FALL 2015 Homecoming
• College of Education • Greek Life • 70th Year College of Business
Be The Match Event Registers Nearly 1,700 During Drive Arkansas Tech University registered 1,696 individuals with Be The Match, the national bone marrow registry, during a 24-hour drive on April 14-15.
bone marrow registry drive,” wrote Warnick
Included in the count are 254 individuals who registered during the first hour of the drive from 9-10 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14. Arkansas Tech established a new world record for most people registered with Be The Match during a one-hour period.
bone marrow registry in one hour. We also
Faculty members Dr. Julie MiklesSchluterman, associate professor of sociology, and Dr. Jason Warnick, associate professor of psychology, coordinated the drive.
approximately one in every 540 people
“I can’t thank everyone enough for the hard work and support shown for the 24-hour
in a Facebook post shortly after the event concluded. “ATU will now hold the world record for most registrants to the national have the distinction of registering 1,696 people in 24 hours. If this doesn’t make you believe that ATU is a special place, nothing will.” Statistics from Be The Match state that who register with Be The Match are called upon to be donors. With that number in mind, approximately three lives could be saved by the efforts of those involved in the Arkansas Tech Be The Match drive. Six-time and four-division world boxing
champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero attended the drive and helped raise awareness alongside his wife, Casey Guerrero. She is a cancer survivor and a recipient of a bone marrow transplant from the Be The Match registry. “I have never in my life been more proud of something,” wrote Arkansas Tech student Kaylynn Newhard on her Facebook page when the event was over. “This has been the best 24 hours of no sleep ever. 1,696 people joined the bone marrow registry in the past 24 hours. Julie MiklesSchluterman and Jason Warnick, you two are superheroes along with all the other amazing staff in my department. I’m so lucky to be learning from such exceptional, inspirational, brilliant people.” |
FALL 2015 In The Community
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Fifty Years After Starting, Johnson Graduates From College 68-YEAR OLD EARNS DEGREE AT ARKANSAS TECH
The flexibility of the program allowed Johnson to maintain his busy schedule while reaching his academic goals.
A dream deferred for almost five decades came true for James Johnson of North Little Rock on May 9. At the age of 68, he received his Bachelor of Professional Studies degree from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. Johnson attended Jarvis Christian College in Texas from 1965-68, but the need to provide for his family caused him to discontinue his education one year short of completing his degree. As the years went by, Johnson worked for the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Justice and in training centers to help others with job placement. He even opened his own business, but something was missing. “I’ve achieved what I consider to be a modicum of success, but there was always that yearning to get my degree,” said Johnson. “I always knew I needed it. I got to thinking about it, and there’s no need for me to let life pass me by. I knew I had the ability to go back and finish school.” After learning about the accelerated degree program at Arkansas Tech in spring 2014, Johnson completed six hours during the summer 2014 terms, 16 hours during the fall 2014 semester and nine hours during the spring 2015 semester. He was also able to gain 10 hours of course credit through the prior learning aspect of the accelerated degree program.
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FALL 2015 Alumni News
“I had a resolute determination that I wanted to get out in May,” said Johnson. “For some reason, May of 2015 was my target. I didn’t want to wait until the summer. I wanted to be an example to so many other people. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what obstacles you run into. You can do it if you want to do it. I juggled all my schedules and did what I needed to do to ensure that I could achieve my goal.” That goal was realized in front of a capacity crowd at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville. His was one of approximately 1,460 degrees conferred by Arkansas Tech during four commencement ceremonies May 8-9. “One of the things that attracted me about ATU was the online ability to complete my education,” said Johnson. “I’ve been juggling three jobs: I’m a pastor, a licensed funeral director and a full-time student. I knew that I had a lot going on and I would need something that would accommodate my schedule. When I looked into it, realized I could do this online and found out about the accelerated degree program, I knew that was what I was going to do.”
“What really benefited me was the ability to do independent study,” said Johnson. “I didn’t have to worry about the classroom environment. I could stay up until 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning if that was what I needed to do. There were intervals during the day in my office when I could do some course work. Many of the assignments provided me the opportunity to work ahead when I had time. My computer became my classroom, and I was in class whenever I wanted to be in class.” Now that it is done, Johnson can smile and reflect upon what it means to achieve a goal that was set to the side for 47 years. “Man, it’s almost incomprehensible,” said Johnson. “It’s a feeling that is not explainable. There is nothing in the 68 years I have been alive that I believe compares to what it is like to earn my degree. To think that I am finally in fulfillment of a dream I’ve had for the last 47 years…people have always thought I had a bachelor’s, maybe a master’s degree or a Ph.D. because I’ve been able to walk in that type of demeanor…but to know that finally I’m able to validate what people have assumed, I’ll never have to be leery or apprehensive again about people asking me what college I graduated from. I can walk in any place, submit my resume and say that I have a bachelor’s degree. That feeling, I don’t think there’s a word. Euphoria…it exceeds that.” |
Mother, Daughter Share Graduation Weekend No mom in Arkansas was more proud than Mary Beth Cox during Mother’s Day weekend 2015. The North Little Rock High School English teacher celebrated her own graduation from the Arkansas Tech University Master of Education in school leadership program on May 8. She also had a chance to share commencement weekend with daughter Chloe Cox, who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business education from Arkansas Tech on May 9. “To finish my master’s and then watch our baby get her degree so that she can also become a teacher…it’s a pretty amazing weekend, and then Mother’s Day on Sunday,” said Mary Beth Cox. “Chloe has a heart for people and for children. I think that she will be a dynamic teacher and I know she’ll have a bright future. We need teachers. We need good teachers.” Chloe Cox’s record of leadership at Arkansas Tech has included serving as president of Delta Zeta, chairman of the Presidential Leadership Cabinet and secretary of internal affairs for Student Government Association. She was voted Arkansas Tech Homecoming queen in 2014 and Greek woman of the year in 2013-14. The Arkansas Tech College of Business selected her for its 2015 ambassador award, and Chloe completed the requirements necessary to earn the Arkansas Tech Tradition Keeper distinction. Delta Zeta presented Chloe with one of its highest honors when she became one of six women selected by the Delta Zeta Sorority National Council to receive a 2015 Grace Mason Lundy Award.
“It’s our goal to change over people’s lives and to have a positive impact on their lives.” — Chloe Cox
“I’ve gained knowledge and relationships here at Arkansas Tech,” said Chloe Cox. “I have collected so many memories here that have changed me for the better, and I can’t wait to take my degree and put it to good use. I think some of my favorite memories will be from my sorority, Delta Zeta, and from Student Government Association. The opportunity to serve on SGA Executive Board and bring Jerry (the Bulldog) back (as campus ambassador) will be one of the best memories I have of Arkansas Tech.” She added another Arkansas Tech memory when she watched her mother walk across the floor of Tucker Coliseum, collect her degree and receive congratulations from Arkansas Tech President Dr. Robin E. Bowen. “I was so proud of my mother for finishing her master’s degree,”
said Chloe Cox. “She has taught for about 28 years now, so for her to finish her master’s degree is such an accomplishment. She’s had me and my sister to take care of and look after, and now she’s been able to achieve this. I could not be happier for her.” Chloe is also proud to be following in her mother’s footsteps. She has already accepted her first teaching assignment, which will begin in the fall as ninth and 10th grade business teacher in the Beebe School District.
“We just all have a knack for people,” said Chloe Cox. “It’s our goal to change over people’s lives and to have a positive impact on their lives.” Mary Beth expressed hope that her latest academic achievement would allow her to extend her impact beyond the classroom and into a school leadership role. “I’ve gained confidence in leading a school,” said Mary Beth Cox. “I look forward to doing that in my near future. I think I’m equipped. The professors are knowledgeable, and it’s a high-class, highquality program here at Arkansas Tech.” That “near future” that Mary Beth mentioned turned out to be very near. She was hired as principal at Atkins High School less than a month following her graduation from Arkansas Tech. | FALL 2015 Alumni News
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Bowen Defines Vision for Future of Arkansas Tech TECH COMMUNITY CELEBRATES ITS 12th PRESIDENT Dr. Robin E. Bowen outlined four areas of emphasis for her presidency during her inauguration as the 12th president of Arkansas Tech University at Tucker Coliseum on Friday, April 17. Bowen cited distributive leadership, grit, collaboration with the community and social justice as four aspects of the Arkansas Tech culture that she hopes are strengthened during her tenure as chief executive officer for the institution. Below, in part, are Bowen’s thoughts on those four areas of emphasis: On distributive leadership: “Each of you, faculty and staff, are experts in your own areas. You are the ones who see the day-to-day implications of what we do and how we do things on this campus. You are also the most knowledgeable regarding how we can better do things. Good ideas come from across the university. The vision for and the future of our university needs your expertise, your knowledge. The distributive leadership model results in enhanced leadership capacity across the university and a shared commitment to improving the university so that it can be everything it can be.” On grit: “Students, you are our partners in this educational process. Ultimately, the passion, the perseverance and the grit must be your own. Most of our students do have grit, but we haven’t always challenged our students to apply that grit to their studies. Students, you have grit. Many of you have lived lives that required you to develop grit. We must make you understand that this excellent trait you possess, many of you through hardship, will serve you well at the university. We need to make sure you understand that your ability to learn is not fixed. It can and it does change with effort.” On collaboration with the community: “The community first gave this university life in 1909, and it is the community that will help Tech grow. I am impressed by the abundant goodwill toward Tech. I am encouraged by the collaborative efforts of the mayor and other city and state elected officials, as well as the (Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce), in making the city, the state and the university stronger. I know that I am very fortunate to have landed in such a wonderful community. Life is good in the Arkansas River Valley, but there is still much to do. Together, we must find ways to enhance and then sustain economic development. We must embrace (Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s) technology initiative and create programs at the university level that are the next logical step for
high school students who are interested in these programs. We must also build communities that are safe and socially attractive for our citizens. I am encouraged by the development of North El Paso Avenue. I would like for the university and the city to combine efforts to help El Paso become Russellville’s version of Dickson Street to provide a geographic, social and economic link between the university and the city. This will help us transform, as one community member aptly stated, from a town with a university to a university town.” On social justice: “I ask each of you, all of you, to join me in working toward a stronger culture of social justice, where, as Martin Luther King Jr. stated, we are judged by the content of our character and our abilities rather than the color of our skin. And I add, or by our gender, whom we choose to love or what we call the personal God we serve…to move beyond tolerance to respect… respect for different opinions, different cultures and beliefs that are different from our own. I challenge us to truly celebrate diversity in all of its forms, which in turn makes us a stronger institution and a stronger community.” The inauguration was attended by more than 1,000 individuals. It was an assembly that included two members of the U.S. Congress — Senator John Boozman and Congressman Steve Womack — a number of state and local dignitaries, approximately 250 members of the Arkansas Tech faculty as well as students, staff, alumni, community members and representatives of Bowen’s family. Womack was among several speakers who brought greetings for Bowen. Others to offer well wishes from the podium included Jim Ed Gibson, Pope County judge; Randy Horton, Russellville mayor; Bruce Sikes, chancellor at Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus; and the presidents of the faculty senate (Dr. David Ward), staff senate (Brandi Collins), student senate (Katie Frazier) and alumni association (Truman Hill) at Arkansas Tech. Additional speakers included Dr. Larry Large, president of the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities; and Dr. Robert Antonucci, president of Fitchburg State University (Mass.). The Arkansas Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble performed “A Commemorative Fanfare,” an original composition by Philip Parker, professor of music at Arkansas Tech. The piece was commissioned in celebration of the inauguration. Eric Burnett, chairman of the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees, served as master of ceremonies. He presented Bowen with the Arkansas Tech chain of office immediately before her inaugural address. | FALL 2015 Today's Tech
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Welcome to the Hall of Distinction COHOON, DODD, GROSS INDUCTED DURING SPRING COMMENCEMENT 2015 Dr. Richard Cohoon of Russellville, Shirley Drewry Dodd of Russellville and John Gross of El Dorado were inducted into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction during spring commencement ceremonies at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday, May 9. Cohoon entered under the Distinguished Service category for non-alumni, Dodd was inducted under the Distinguished Alumni Service category and Gross was enshrined under the Distinction in Intercollegiate Athletics category. Dr. Richard Cohoon Distinguished professor and professor emeritus of geology at Arkansas Tech, Cohoon retired from the faculty on spring commencement day 2012 with 52 years of service, making him the longest-serving faculty member in Arkansas Tech history. “Someone once said find work doing what you love and you won’t ever have a job,” said Cohoon at a luncheon following the induction ceremony. “That certainly proved true for me. My service with Tech as a faculty person and an administrator was never a job. It was a privilege to be able to continue the pursuit of knowledge in a science, geology, that I began to appreciate in 1948 at Classen High School in Oklahoma City. “That first geology course hooked me,” continued Cohoon. “The forces and processes operating within the Earth and on its surface…the vastness of the concepts of geologic time and Earth history…the physical and chemical processes operating on the surface and within the Earth…these are such fascinating and challenging concepts to me.” Cohoon joined the Arkansas Tech faculty as an instructor in 1960 and was subsequently
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FALL 2015 Cover Story
promoted to assistant professor (1963), associate professor (1966), professor (1976) and distinguished professor (2011). He was named chair of the science division in 1970, head of the Department of Physical Sciences in 1971 and he served as dean of what is now known as the College of Natural and Health Sciences from 19872011. Arkansas Tech presented Cohoon with the Faculty Award of Excellence in the service category on the day of his retirement. “One of the greatest rewards in a teaching career is in assisting others to identify and attain their goals,” said Cohoon. “I’ve had a role in educating over 300 geology majors, and hundreds of general education students. Arkansas Tech, without a doubt, is a strong institution. That strength is rooted in an excellent faculty, beautiful campuses in Russellville and Ozark and, over the years, an efficient administration with long-range vision. However, the enduring strength and reputation of the university lies in the student body and its thousands of alumni.” Shirley Drewry Dodd Dodd graduated from Arkansas Tech in 1959 with a degree in elementary education. After 14 years as a classroom teacher in Little Rock and Russellville and 17 years as a guidance counselor at Russellville High School, Dodd has remained involved in education by serving her alma mater. She was a member of the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2008-10 before becoming president-elect of the organization in 2011 and president in 2012. Dodd recalled that early in her tenure on the alumni board she knew it was a good fit. “I think, honestly, it was about my second meeting that I decided this is what I need to do,” said Dodd. “It was one way that I could pay back. I started then looking to find out how I could stay involved. I visited with Howard Ritchie, and he told me that
past presidents are invited to all meetings. So, I followed his lead. I will continue. I’ve told Terry (Holland-Finley) in the alumni office that unless I call and let her know otherwise, she can go ahead and put me down for attending all of the meetings.” During the luncheon following the induction ceremony on May 9, Dodd thanked Julie Nebben Morgan for encouraging her to get involved with the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association and Jim Murphy for nominating her for the Hall of Distinction. “Thank you for helping me remember that Tech was my foundation and for allowing me to get back involved with it,” said Dodd. “We’ve still got work to do.” Dodd was a member of the committee that planned the Arkansas Tech centennial celebration. She helps organize reunions and philanthropic efforts by the “Caraway Hall Girls,” alumnae who lived together on the Caraway Hall third floor in the late 1950s. If a Wonder Boys or Golden Suns ballgame, band concert, choir concert, theatrical performance, art gallery exhibit, career fair or other special occasion such as Time Out for Tech, Homecoming or Family Day is taking place on campus, chances are Dodd is there. If final exams are taking place, she can be found in the lobby of Witherspoon Hall serving free breakfast to students, faculty and staff. A poll worker for the Pope County Election Commission and a tutor at Sequoyah Elementary School, Dodd holds membership in the Green and Gold and the Century Forward Circle at Arkansas Tech. John Gross A 1970 graduate of Arkansas Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education, Gross was a two-time AllArkansas Intercollegiate Conference selection as a member of the Wonder Boys basketball program.
He was part of the 1970 Arkansas Tech basketball team that won the NAIA District 17 championship and reached the second round of the NAIA National Tournament under head coach Deward Dopson. It was the Wonder Boys’ only national tournament appearance in basketball between 1963 and 1995. “I grew up on a farm in Fort Smith,” said Gross. “Coach Dopson had just become the head coach at Arkansas Tech, and he invited me to be a part of the Tech family and play on the basketball team,” said Gross. “That conversation totally changed my life. Arkansas Tech has meant so much to me and my family. It has given me an opportunity to do what I love to do for a life’s career. I’ve gained so many good things from Arkansas Tech. It’s been a good life, and I owe all of it to Arkansas Tech.” More than four decades after his final game at Arkansas Tech, Gross still holds the school records for career rebounds (1,330) and single-season rebounds (415 in 1969-70). “I don’t know what to say about Coach Dopson,” said Gross. “We practiced hard and we played hard. He was so mean that he made me come over and study by his office. He was so mean that he would come over and sit in the hallways at night to ensure that we got our grades. He made sure all of his players graduated. He was the most fantastic man I think I’ve ever met.”
ALUMNI HOUSE 1313 N. Arkansas Ave. Russellville, AR 72801 techties.atu.edu
Gross went on to serve the Parkers Chapel School District as a coach, teacher and superintendent over a span of 41 years. He recently came out of retirement to aid the Smackover-Norphlet School District as assistant superintendent. Gross has given of his time to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado, Hope Landing therapy ranch for children with disabilities and the #TeamCorrie Cancer Foundation. |
Top Photo (From Left): Jim Murphy, Class of 1971, past president of Alumni Association and 2013 Hall of Distinction inductee; Dr. Richard Cohoon, 2015 Hall of Distinction inductee; and Dr. Robin E. Bowen, president. Middle Photo (From Left): Julie Nebben Morgan, Class of 1972 and retired assistant to the president; Shirley Drewry Dodd, 2015 Hall of Distinction inductee; Jim Murphy; and Dr. Robin E. Bowen. Bottom Photo (From Left): Julie Nebben Morgan; John Gross, 2015 Hall of Distinction inductee; and Dr. Robin E. Bowen. FALL 2015 Cover Story
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Reeder Named Professor of the Year Billy Reeder, assistant professor of journalism, is the 2014-15 Arkansas Tech University professor of the year.
introductory level to the master level in the Arkansas Tech Department of Communication and Journalism.
Reeder was chosen for the honor through voting by students April 13-15.
Other nominees for 2014-15 Arkansas Tech professor of the year were Dr. Linda Bean, associate professor of business; Dr. Scott Kirkconnell, professor of biology; Dr. Debra Murphy, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction; and Susan West, assistant professor of hospitality administration. |
A full-time member of the faculty since 2010, Reeder holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Arkansas Tech. He teaches classes ranging from the
Dr. Jason Warnick
Dr. Julie Mikles-Schluterman
Dr. Jason Ulsperger
Three Earn Arkansas Tech Faculty Award of Excellence Three members of the Arkansas Tech University faculty have been recognized for their contributions to the campus community with a 2015 Faculty Award of Excellence. Dr. Julie Mikles-Schluterman, associate professor of sociology, is the 2015 Arkansas Tech Faculty Award of Excellence winner in the service category. Dr. Jason Ulsperger, associate professor of sociology, won the 2015 Arkansas Tech Faculty Award of Excellence in the teaching category. Dr. Jason Warnick, associate professor of psychology, received the 2015 Arkansas Tech Faculty Award of Excellence in the scholarship and creative activity category. The Arkansas Tech Faculty Awards of Excellence were founded in 1996. To be eligible, a faculty member must be tenured and hold the current rank of associate professor or professor.
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The 2015 recipients were announced during spring 2015 commencement ceremonies at Arkansas Tech on Saturday, May 9. Mikles-Schluterman has served on the Arkansas Tech faculty since 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arkansas Tech as well as Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Tennessee. Ulsperger has been a member of the Arkansas Tech faculty since 2006. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Arkansas, a Master of Arts degree from Arkansas State University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Oklahoma State University. Warnick joined the Arkansas Tech faculty in 2006. He earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arkansas State University. He went on to the University of Mississippi, where he received his Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. |
Krueger Honored With Professor Emeritus Status David Krueger, who gave a half-century of service on the Arkansas Tech University faculty, received the honorary title of professor emeritus of history from the Tech Board of Trustees during its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, March 19. “David served the university and the history department for 50 years, and in that time he became one of the most respected and beloved figures in the history of the institution,” wrote Dr. Thomas A. DeBlack, professor of history at Arkansas Tech, in one of the letters supporting Krueger’s nomination for emeritus status. “He is remembered fondly by several generations of students. In my 20 years at Tech, I have never heard anyone say an unkind word about David Krueger, and I have never heard him say an unkind word about anyone else. If anyone ever deserved emeritus status, that person is David Krueger.” Krueger graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Arts degree in history. He arrived at Arkansas Tech in 1960 and was greeted by a community of 1,360 students on a campus that was merely a decade removed from being a junior college. During his half-century at Arkansas Tech, Krueger served under four presidents (Dr. Joseph W. Hull, Dr. George L. B. Pratt, Dr. Kenneth Kersh and Dr. Robert C. Brown) and he saw the name of the school change from Arkansas Polytechnic College to Arkansas Tech University. By the time Krueger retired in 2010, he had seen enrollment at Arkansas Tech increase by 548 percent. Krueger was voted professor of the year by the Arkansas Tech student body four times, including the 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years. He was the recipient of the first Arkansas Tech Faculty Award of Excellence in teaching in 1996.
Along with Dr. Richard Cohoon, who also came to Tech in 1960, and Dr. Michael Link, who joined the Tech faculty in 1965, Krueger is one of only three Arkansas Tech faculty members to serve 50 or more years at the institution. Cohoon retired in 2012, while Link marked a half-century at Tech in 2015. The previous record of 47 years on the Tech faculty was held by John Tucker (1925-72). Arkansas Tech recognized Krueger’s contributions to the university in 2011 when the annual David W. Krueger Lecture was established in his honor. Krueger’s link to Arkansas Tech history was spelled out in a 2004 interview with Tech Action magazine, at which time he recalled his first faculty meeting in 1960. “It was the first of September, and classes were scheduled to begin in the middle of that month,” said Krueger. “This was one of many meetings we had to prepare for the school year, and the entire Tech faculty was there. “Dr. Hull liked for us to sing at those meetings,” continued Krueger, “and at this particular meeting Dr. (John) Wainright led the faculty in a singing of ‘The Little Brown Church in the Wildwood.’ When we got to the chorus, the entire administration would pick it up. I can remember John Tucker standing up and belting it out.” |
Retirees Offered Tech Combined 300 Years of Service Thirteen Arkansas Tech University faculty and staff members
• Julie Morgan, assistant to the president, 17 years
retired during the 2014-15 academic year. Those retirees gave more
• Bill Parton, library director, 24 years
than 300 combined years of service as full-time employees of the institution. Arkansas Tech retirees from the 2014-15 academic year, listed with their most recent title and years of service, are: • Dr. Charles Busch, professor of psychology, 29 years
• Dr. Michael Ritchie, professor of English, 26 years • Dr. Mary Ann Rollans, dean of the College of Professional Studies and Community Outreach and professor of secondary education, 35 years • Beverly Shively, administrative assistant to the president, 19 years • Gail Vaughan, director of bookstore, 26 years
• Linda Clarke, director of academic advising, 30 years
• Diane Walters, assistant professor of health and physical education, 6 years
• Dr. Kevin Costley, associate professor of early childhood education, 12 years
• Marti Wilkerson, associate professor of rehabilitation science, 39 years
• Marilyn Johnson, director of student accounts, 17 years
• Dr. Sid Womack, professor of secondary education, 29 years |
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Blackard, Lehman, Sims Receive Top Honors Emily Blackard How does one attain a college degree in a span of three years while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average and serving as an active participant in the campus community? For Emily Blackard, winner of the 2015 Margaret Young Award as the most outstanding senior female at Arkansas Tech University, the key to success was enjoying the process. “I think my personality is very goal-driven,” said Blackard. “When I was in high school, I put a lot of pressure on myself academically. I wanted to be at the top of my class. Coming into university, it was good because I was able to have more perspective and relax a little bit. I enjoy challenging myself. If an A is my best, then that’s what I want. But if a B is my best, that’s okay too.” Blackard gave back to the Arkansas Tech community as vice president for the Campus Environmental Coalition, a member of the Anthropology Club, a leadership team member for First Baptist Church College, a Spanish tutor and a freshman orientation leader. “I think my biggest surprise was how many different kinds of people are here at Tech,” said Blackard. “They are from all over Arkansas, but specifically the international office…it’s just so diverse. To meet them and have that opportunity to develop those multicultural relationships…that has been so formative in my undergraduate education. I love to have variety, and it’s mainly because the people I love are diverse and they draw me in those directions.” Visit www.arkansastechnews.com and search for “Emily Blackard” to read more about her story. Jacob Lehman Jacob Lehman was a junior in high school when a chance interaction with an Arkansas Tech University alumnus pointed him toward a career in music education. Now, a few short years and many long hours later, Lehman is the recipient of the 2015 Alfred J. Crabaugh Award as the most outstanding senior male student at Arkansas Tech. “I went to a fantastic all-region clinic that was done by Dr. Albert Nguyen, who is at the University of Memphis,” said Lehman. “He is an Arkansas Tech graduate, and he is also a graduate of my alma mater, Van Buren High School. So that was a really cool connection to make and a significant moment for me. That was when I decided I wanted to become a band director.” Once he began his freshman year, Lehman found his teachers and the chances to get involved as his favorite aspects of Arkansas Tech. “The best part of being a Tech student in general is how much
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Blackard (left), Lehman (center), and Sims (right) receive top senior awards. the faculty care about all the students,” said Lehman. “All of my professors have cared about me personally, and that really speaks volumes. As for being a music student, there are so many opportunities to be involved. You can be in so many ensembles. I have friends who are in choir, wind ensemble, jazz band and music theatre workshop, and it seems like they are constantly running around. But those experiences are so enriching in preparing you for your future.” Visit www.arkansastechnews.com and search for “Jacob Lehman” to read more about his story. Andrea Sims Andrea Sims’ heart and soul were connected to community service during an Alternative Spring Break trip to Chicago, Ill., with some of her fellow Arkansas Tech University students in March 2013. “It was like nothing I’d ever done or seen before,” said Sims. “Seeing that on a larger scale in Chicago, and then coming back to Russellville, you see it is about getting started. Whether it is helping out at Main Street Mission, the animal shelter, clothing drives or whatever different organizations do, it’s really nice seeing the gratitude from people. Being able to say ‘I made someone’s day today,’ is a really gratifying thing to be able to do.” Sims is the 2015 recipient of the Jill Lestage Brown Service Leadership Award, which is presented to an Arkansas Tech senior who seeks to improve society through unselfish voluntary service to others. “Whenever you are doing service, it is a thankless job,” said Sims. “You do it to make other people feel better. I was excited and touched that my actions were noticed. I hope it’s something that will make others want to get more involved. I want to motivate others to do that. Winning this award is more than I ever could have asked for. I’ve had some great opportunities, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” Visit www.arkansastechnews.com and search for “Andrea Sims” to read more about her story. |
Jerry’s Journal I’m a pretty awesome campus ambassador, but I could not do it without the assistance I receive from some loyal Arkansas Tech University alumni who help me look good and feel good. My people started developing my wardrobe once I reached full size, but due to my, um, “unusual” dimensions there weren’t a lot of off the rack clothing options available to me. That meant some customization was going to be necessary. Some research was performed, and it turned out that Blue — the bulldog at Butler University — acquired his clothing through the Tom James Company location in his hometown of Indianapolis. Some more research took place, and wouldn’t you know it, the proprietor for Tom James Company in the State of Arkansas was none other than Richard E. Thompson of Little Rock, alumnus of Arkansas Tech. Richard works with humans, but as a proud Wonder Boy and dog lover, he made an exception for me. Now I have the jerseys I need for game day and beyond. I like to think I’m pretty fashion forward. Dr. David Oates and Dr. Heath Stump work with animals all day every day. They are veterinarians at Russellville Animal Clinic. They are also graduates of Arkansas Tech, and they have helped me grow from the little guy that you met in fall 2013 into a lean, mean (okay, neither of those are exactly true) 64-pound campus ambassador machine who can absorb love and attention from Tech students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Mr. Thompson, Dr. Oates and Dr. Stump are three of the many people who are helping restore the tradition of Jerry and make the campus ambassador program something that the Arkansas Tech community can be proud of for generations to come. I look forward to seeing you before and during all of our home football games this fall. Learn more about the campus ambassador program at www.atu.edu/jerry. Sincerely, Jerry the Bulldog Campus Ambassador
P.S. When you see me, be sure to stop and take a photo with me, post it to social media and use the hashtag #atujerry.
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Arkansas Tech University AACSB Accreditation Extended Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) has announced that the Arkansas Tech University College of Business has extended its AACSB International accreditation for an additional five-year period. AACSB first accredited the baccalaureate degree programs in business at Arkansas Tech in 2000. Officials from AACSB returned to campus in fall 2014, and their review has yielded extension of that accreditation for the Arkansas Tech College of Business until the next scheduled review during the 2019-20 academic year. According to its website, AACSB accreditation is “known, worldwide, as the longest standing, most recognized form of specialized/professional accreditation an institution and its business programs can earn.” The Arkansas Tech College of Business offers Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees in accounting, business data analytics, economics and finance and management and marketing. The Tech College of Business also offers a Bachelor of Science degree in business education and a Master of Science in Business Administration degree. “The pursuit and maintenance of accreditations is an indicator of excellence for a university,” said Arkansas Tech President Dr. Robin E. Bowen. “I extend my congratulations to the faculty, staff and students in the College of Business for this achievement. AACSB
accreditation is a point of pride for Arkansas Tech.” Under standards adopted by the AACSB Accreditation Council in April 2013, schools seeking to achieve or extend accreditation through AACSB are critiqued based upon the engagement, innovation and impact of their business programs. “We are among the first institutions to either gain or extend accreditation from AACSB through the 2013 standards,” said Dr. Ed. Bashaw, dean of the Arkansas Tech College of Business. “Accreditation is a faculty-driven process that seeks to demonstrate the achievement of exacting standards in areas such as teaching, curriculum development, scholarship and service to others. The extension of AACSB accreditation is validation of the efforts by our faculty. I express my appreciation and congratulations to my faculty colleagues for their continued excellent work to benefit students in the Arkansas Tech College of Business.” AACSB was founded in 1916. The mission statement of AACSB International states that the organization “advances quality management education worldwide through accreditation, thought leadership and value-added services.” There are 727 business schools in 48 countries and territories that have earned AACSB accreditation. Less than one-third of American schools of business have met the standards and requirements for accreditation by AACSB. |
AHECB Approves Cultural and Geospatial Studies Degree The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board has authorized Arkansas Tech University to offer a new Bachelor of Arts degree in cultural and geospatial studies beginning with the fall 2015 semester.
distribution, real estate, education, heritage preservation and a
The degree proposal was approved by the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees during its December 2014 meeting.
with newer technological skills in computer-based geographic
A program proposal summary brought forth by the Arkansas Tech College of Arts and Humanities explains that the cultural and geospatial studies degree will provide graduates with marketable skills in geographic information systems (GIS) while also providing methods of identifying, analyzing and solving problems utilized by geographers and anthropologists.
manages spatial data using detailed, multi-layered and interactive
The summary also states that the degree will help students develop the skills needed for careers in economic development, city and regional planning, cultural resource management, natural resource management, transportation networking, food
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range of other fields. “The degree combines the research, analysis and communication skills of traditional anthropology and geography programs information systems (GIS),” reads the program proposal. “GIS maps. As demonstrated by such applications as Google Earth, GIS is a widely used communication platform for everything from human migration patterns to predator population changes to road and waterway evolution. Private industry and public institutions use GIS to assess community needs for all kinds of new products and infrastructure.” For more information about the Arkansas Tech Bachelor of Arts degree in cultural and geospatial studies, contact the Arkansas Tech Department of History and Political Science at (479) 968-0265. |
Arkansas Tech Receives $1 Million Grant for Renovation Project at Wilson Hall Arkansas Tech University has received a $1 million grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council (ANCRC) to help fund a renovation of Wilson Residence Hall.
institution’s Board of Trustees from 1913-27.
The ANCRC awarded the grant during its May 2015 meeting. It is the third ANCRC grant that Arkansas Tech has received in relation to the Wilson Hall renovation project. The council previously made $500,000 grants to assist with the renovation in May 2013 and May 2014.
structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Wilson Hall has the capacity to house 164 Arkansas Tech students. It will be closed during the 2015-16 academic year so that it may receive a series of enhancements, including replacement of the heating and cooling systems and the installation of a sprinkler system. Wireless Internet access will also be installed during the renovation.
According to its Web site, the Arkansas Natural and Cultural
A colonial revival structure built from 1910-13, Wilson Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
properties acquired or used for ANCRC approved purposes.
It is named for Judge R.B. Wilson, who helped lead the effort to locate the Second District Agricultural School (known today as Arkansas Tech University) in Russellville and served on the
The ANCRC consists of eleven voting members. Grants from this
Funds from ANCRC grants have previously helped Arkansas Tech renovate Browning Hall, Caraway Hall and Hughes Hall. All three
Since May 2003, the ANCRC has awarded Arkansas Tech nine grants totaling $4.55 million for preservation and renovation projects.
Resources Council was established by the Arkansas Legislature in 1987 by Arkansas Act 729 (now codified as Arkansas Code Annotated 15-12-101 through 15-12-103). The act created the ANCRC to manage and supervise a grants and trust fund for the acquisition, management and stewardship of state-owned
The grants are funded through the state’s real estate transfer tax. fund are for projects that protect and maintain state-owned natural areas, historic sites and outdoor recreation. | FALL 2015 Today's Tech
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Gunter Begins Redesign of Education Programs as Dean Dr. Mary Gunter views education as a circle that never ends, and she’s employing that vision to redesign the way Arkansas Tech University prepares teachers for the classroom and beyond. Gunter took office as dean of the Arkansas Tech College of Education on Wednesday, July 1. She adds those responsibilities to her previous duties as dean of the Arkansas Tech Graduate College and professor of educational leadership. “As we produce quality teachers and leaders, the learning environment they create in schools will provide the best possible education for the children of Arkansas,” said Gunter. “That allows institutions of higher learning, such as Arkansas Tech, to tap into qualified, college-ready students. This is about raising the bar for the entire state. It has to be a seamless system of education from preschool through doctoral programs and everything in between.
“President (Dr. Robin E.) Bowen has taken a bold step by allowing us to think beyond the traditional setting of preparatory programs for teachers and school leaders,” continued Gunter. “Our philosophy will be built on grit…the idea of instilling perseverance in our teacher candidates with the intent of them sharing that quality with their future students. We will utilize distributive leadership to better organize ourselves. We will employ social justice as a means of respecting and celebrating all our differences so that we can meet the needs of all Arkansans. I see us as having the potential to reach every corner of this state and contribute to a solid base of economic development moving forward.” |
Norton Appointed Dean for College of eTech Dr. Hanna Norton, assistant vice president for academic affairs and professor of journalism at Arkansas Tech, has been appointed dean of the university’s newly-formed College of eTech. Norton has served on the Arkansas Tech faculty since 2001. She was honored by the National Academic Advising Association in 2008 for her work in assisting students. In 2009, she earned the Arkansas Tech Faculty Award of Excellence in the teaching category. She was voted Arkansas Tech outstanding student organization advisor of the year in 2013 for her work with the institution’s Public Relations Student Society of America chapter, which is named in her honor.
Norton has also been recognized by the Arkansas Blackboard Users Group for her acumen in developing web-based academic courses. An alumna of the University of Georgia, Norton has served the Arkansas Tech community as faculty senate chair and as head of the Department of Communication and Journalism. In her new role, Norton will help Arkansas Tech chart a course for the future of its distance learning programs. The Bachelor of Professional Studies degree program is housed in the College of eTech, which was previously known as the College of Professional Studies and Community Outreach. |
Belongia Hired to Lead ‘Band of Distinction’ Dr. Daniel A. Belongia has been selected as the fifth director of bands in Arkansas Tech University history. Belongia earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music education and a Master of Music degree in instrumental conducting from the University of Miami. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in instrumental conducting. A member of the Illinois State music faculty from
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2005-15, Belongia led the athletic bands there for the past decade. He also oversaw the wind symphony and symphonic winds during his time at ISU. In his new role, Belongia inherits a more than centuryold tradition of instrumental music at Arkansas Tech that was created, preserved and enhanced by four previous directors of band — Marvin Williamson (1913-50), Gene Witherspoon (1950-79), Hal Cooper (1979-2011) and Dr. Christopher Anderson (2011-14). |
Wright to Serve as Career Services Director Brandon Wright says the chance to serve as director of Norman Career Services at Arkansas Tech University is an opportunity to return to a place he considers home. Wright earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in management and marketing from Arkansas Tech in 2010. He attained the Arkansas Tech Master of Science degree in college student personnel in 2012. After working in student support services counseling and career counseling at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss., from August 2012-April 2015, Wright assumed his new duties at Arkansas Tech on May 1. “It’s the people that I encountered while I was here,” said Wright when asked why Arkansas Tech is home for him. “They are near and dear to me. There are a lot of people on this campus who offered me opportunities and bought into me even when I didn’t see who I was. When I completed my degrees, I knew this place was unlike
anything else. I’ve been looking forward to coming back. I didn’t know how or when, but I am glad to be back. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity, and I look forward to building relationships with our faculty and staff,” continued Wright. “I believe in this community and this area. I look forward to being an advocate for Arkansas Tech. I’m a Wonder Boy. That’s what I am.” A product of Stuttgart, Wright was an all-conference performer for the Arkansas Tech football program and an active participant in both Greek life and the African-American Student Association during his time as an undergraduate. Norman Career Services provides Arkansas Tech students and graduates with mentorship related to selecting a major field of study or career path, internship and career opportunities, professional development and networking. A series of Norman Career Services workshops and career fairs throughout the academic year allow Arkansas Tech students to sharpen their skills and prepare for the next step after graduation. The office is named for Arkansas Tech alumni Robert and Sandra Norman of Tulsa, Okla. Visit www.atu.edu/career to learn more about Norman Career Services at Arkansas Tech. |
Alumni Association Introduces Two New Chapters Two new chapters of the Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association have been formed in recent months.
Rock, Class of 2014, social chair; Hailey Robinson of Okmulgee, Okla., Class of 2016, undergraduate liaison.
The African-American Chapter of the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association has selected Jimmy Warren of Conway to serve as the chapter’s first president. He graduated from Tech in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and added a Master of Science degree in college student personnel from Tech in 2014.
For more information about the African-American Chapter of the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association, send e-mail to Jimmy Warren at jdwarren2@gmail.com or to Dr. MarTeze Hammonds, associate dean for diversity and inclusion at Arkansas Tech, at mhammonds2@atu.edu.
The African-American Chapter of the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association (AAAC) is planning events for Homecoming 2015:
The Central Arkansas Chapter of the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association convened on March 3 to found its organization. Denise Schluterman Clayton of Mayflower, a member of the Arkansas Tech Class of 1985, was elected the first president of the chapter.
Friday, Oct. 9 • Meet and Greet, 6-8 p.m., Doc Bryan Student Services Center Saturday, Oct. 10 • Youth Empowerment Workshop, 9:30-11 a.m., Doc Bryan Center • Tour of Campus, departing at 11 a.m., Doc Bryan Center • AAAC Tent at Party at the Plaza, Noon-3 p.m., Centennial Plaza • AAAC Presents “An Evening of Honor,” 7 p.m., Williamson Dining Hall Other officers for the chapter include: Brandon Wright of Russellville, Class of 2010 and 2012, vice president; Brittany Foster of Conway, Class of 2010, secretary; Desha Lewis of Russellville, Class of 2010, assistant secretary; Bettye Mitchell Williamson of Russellville, Class of 1976, treasurer; Karissa Hubbard of Little
Also serving as officers for the Central Arkansas Chapter of the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association are: Dan Lovelady of Little Rock, Class of 1979, vice president; Leila Dockery of Little Rock, Class of 1977, treasurer; and Dustin Parsons of Benton, Class of 2010, 2013 and 2015, secretary. More information about the chapter may be found by searching for “Arkansas Tech – Central Arkansas Alumni Chapter” on Facebook. For more information about joining or creating an alumni chapter, contact the Arkansas Tech Office of Alumni Relations at (479) 968-0242 or alumni@atu.edu. | FALL 2015 Today's Tech
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Century Forward Circle Members Honored Arkansas Tech University expresses its continuing appreciation to the members of the Century Forward Circle. Their gifts and pledges of $10,000 each created an endowment, the earnings from which will be used to meet priority needs of the university determined through the strategic planning process and to continue a program to beautify the Arkansas Tech campus. Circle members met recently for a luncheon and campus update from Dr. Robin E. Bowen, president. Verlon Abram
Bill Browning
Lou* & Travis Adams
Michael & Sarah Carter
AMR Architects
Chartwells
The Leon Anderson Family - Nationwide Insurance
Laura Norman Colgan
AR Blue Cross & Blue Shield Russell & Nebe Allison Ed & Sara Bashaw Carl Baswell BJ & Kristy Bayer James & Laurie Bibler Charles & Cynthia Blanchard Larry Branch
Jeffrey Cook Phillip & Lois Cox Cheryl Denton David & Shirley Dodd Irene Edgar Entergy Elton & Deanna Epley J.J. “Jack” Faulkner Family
Bridgestone Americas
In Memory Of Eunice Brownlee Ferguson
Robert & Jean Brooks
Charles Fore
Robert & Jill Brown
Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Jacqueline Gardner Diane Gleason Frank Griffin Oil Co., Inc. Mary Gunter Suzanne & Bill Harmon Benny & Lavel Harris John & Carol Harris Tommy & Shelby Hillman Humphrey Funeral Service - Jim Bob & Betty Humphrey Toland Grandchildren Of Vikki Johnson Tom & Jayne Jones Charles & Wilma* Labahn Powell & Kaye McClellan
Lloyd McDaniel
Robert & Lisa Shoptaw
Raymond Moll
Lemoyne & Jawanda Smith
Johnny & Julie Morgan
Jamie & Beth Sorrells
David & Dana Moseley
Kenneth & Janice Sutton
Jim Murphy
Todd Sweeden
Susie & Dan Nicholson
Micheal Tarver
Julie Norman
Norris Taylor Estate
Jenifer Norman
Rick & Harriet Thone
In Memory Of Robert Kelly Norman
Tom & Mary Alice Tomlinson
Robert & Sandra Norman
Kirk & Nancy Turner
The John Nutt Family
In Memory Of Jerry Turner & Kyle Turner
Richard Perkins
Doris & Barger Tygart
John & Karen Przybysz
John & Trudy Watson
Ben & Terry Rothwell
Leigh & John Whiteside
Chris & Beverly Shively
John & Becky Womack
Green and Gold Gears Up for 2015-16 Green and Gold, the support structure for Arkansas Tech Athletics, is seeking members for 2015-16. Membership is open to any fan of the Wonder Boys and the Golden Suns. Financial support from Green and Gold has helped Tech win 15 Great American Conference championships since 2011 and capture the 2014-15 GAC All-Sports Trophy.
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“For the more than 300 student-athletes, coaches and staff, we want to thank our Green and Gold members,” said Bryan Fisher, director of athletic relations. “Your help has allowed Tech to continue as the top-ranked program in its conference.” To sign up, call (479) 968-0674 or send e-mail to pfisher1@atu.edu. |
HONOR MEMORIAL During the period of March 7 - July 9, 2015, the following individuals made gifts in honor or in memory of someone special to them. In Memory of Susan Adams Ross and Rita Adams In Memory of Lou Adams Berniece Boyett In Memory of Leanne Denton Frieda Lemons In Memory of Tommy Anderson Frank and Linda Russenberger In Honor of Carl Baswell Verlon Abram Raymond and Linda Arment Fred Distlehorst David and Dana Moseley Brian Taylor Roselle Taylor In Memory of Richard “Dick” Belcher Frank and Linda Russenberger In Memory of Susie Boley John and Dean Strickland In Honor of Dr. Robin and Mr. Doug Bowen Bill and Suzanne Harmon David and Dana Moseley In Memory of Troy Burris Travis Adams Harold and Carol Barr Michael and Deborah Bell Dale and Rebecca Burris Loretta Earl James and Jo Ford Bill and Suzanne Harmon Thara and Kelley Honghiran Winford Hoover Tom and Jayne Jones Alisa Latting James and Jennie Little Johnny and Julie Morgan
David and Dana Moseley Russellville Newspapers Inc John and Carol Shoptaw William and Kathy Smith In Memory of Bill Callan Robert and Linda Griffin William and Donna Hottinger Carolyn Lefler Mary Pugh In Memory of Gene Cole Theta Chi Fraternity In Honor of Kandis Croom Joseph Croom In Memory of Karel Davidson Bill and Martha Tucker In Memory of James Davis Beverly Cooper Bob and Debra Fithen Charlie and Cassie Goodman Rick and Jane Harrell D & R Jacimore Inc Tom and Jayne Jones Donald and Lucretia Keaster James Lanier Johnny and Julie Morgan Mark Olesen Jim and Paula Parker Jeremy and Myra Rollans Richard and Barbara Ruble Philip and Susan Sargent Jeannette Smith Jeff and Courtney Worstell In Honor of Shirley Dodd Mary Koziar In Memory of Deward and Anne Dopson Travis Adams John Addison Chess and Patricia Britt Henry and Sally Brune
Dean and Laura Gallagher Rick and Kay Hightower Gary and Pam Huggins Tom and Jayne Jones Betty Lienhart Barbara McIntosh Johnny and Julie Morgan Bert and Annette Mullens Gary and Linda Pitts Gregory Pitts Tommy and Linda Richardson Larry and Donna Smith James and Patricia Stokes Stanley and Maysel Teeter Danny and Twana Troutt In Honor of Kim Evans David and Dana Moseley In Memory of Howard Faulkner Robert and Linda Griffin In Memory of Jesse Fisher David and Dana Moseley In Memory of W.R. “Bud” Harper Chuck and Donna Horne In Memory of Gary Hodges John and Claudia Courtway In Memory of John Harper Bill Hooten In Honor of Marilyn Johnson Dana Moseley In Memory of Wilma Labahn Grace Calva Vernon and Paulette Collins Tony and Jacque Diez James and Virginia Fields David Garrett Charles and Denase Harris Alvin and Margo Hill Tom and Jayne Jones Charles Labahn
Hank and Linda Livingston Joyce McCain Mr. and Mrs. Robert McKenzie Ronnie and Lori Melton David and Dana Moseley Bill and Ellen Parton Kenneth and Donna Rogers John and Carol Shoptaw Roberta Simpson Janell Tackett Bill and Mary Vaughn Wealth Advisory Group, Inc In Memory of Mildred Laird Frieda Lemons In Memory of Glen Majors Lynda Majors James and Bettie Benesch In Memory of Agnes Villines McNutt Hilda Turner In Honor of Johnny and Julie Morgan Bill and Suzanne Harmon In Honor of Julie Morgan Joyce McCain In Honor of Hanna Norton Sarah Phillips In Memory of Helen Pollard Arlee Pollard In Memory of Shirley Price Bob Cartwright In Memory of Aneta Rankin Joyce McCain In Memory of Peggy Raymer Toni Bachman Eldon and Juanita Clary Bill and Suzanne Harmon Tom and Jayne Jones Mike and Joyce Larkin Patricia Roach
Galen and Vickie Rounsaville Kathy Wilburn In Honor of Mary Ann Rollans Hilda Turner In Memory of Georgia Russenberger Frank and Linda Russenberger In Honor of Larry Smith Sam and Heather Strasner In Honor of Sandy Smith Bill and Suzanne Harmon In Memory of Christina Stinnett Russellville Symphony Guild In Honor of Phyllis Stone David and Dana Moseley In Memory of Thomas Tate Barbara Tate In Memory of Buford Tatum Robert Limbird In Memory of Silas Neil Teeter Mary Gosnell John Lai Bob and Jane Martin Itsu McGloflin Don and Susan Price Merodith Simpson Karen Smith Edwin Teeter Stanley and Maysel Teeter In Honor of David Ward Kappa State - Delta Kappa Gamma In Memory of Dean Wilburn James and Jo Ford Bill and Suzanne Harmon
Class of 2015 Pacesetters Give Almost $3,000 to Tech The Arkansas Tech University Pacesetters Class of 2015 committee presented a check in the amount of $2,961.05 as the senior class gift to the Arkansas Tech Foundation on Thursday, April 30. Jayne Jones, vice president for development at Arkansas Tech (photographed, middle right), accepted the check on behalf of the Arkansas Tech Foundation during a gathering at the Alumni House. The Pacesetter committee members on hand for the check presentation were Sarah Casey of Deer (middle left) and Keenan Jumper of Wynne (far right). Casey was the top fund-raiser for the Arkansas Tech Class of 2015 gift. She was presented with a degree frame in recognition of her efforts. Alison Parks Taylor (far left) is coordinator of young alumni and student philanthropy at Tech. | FALL 2015 Development
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MARRIAGES
Jacob Ward (JOUR ’07) and Emily Fulmer Ward (SPH ’08), a daughter, Leighton Elizabeth, March 7, 2015.
Cody Hill (HIST ’07 & M.S. CSP ’10) and Amber Lilley were married on May 9, 2015. Cody is director of membership and events for the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Emmanuel Oliva (IS ’08) and his wife, Edna, a son, Leon Eliseo,
Kristen Pierce (HIST EDU ’07 & M.Ed. ITED ’10) and Mark Griffin were married on March 19, 2015. Kristen is high school librarian for the Nemo Vista School District.
Brad, a son, Tate Daniel, Jan. 3, 2015. Tate has a brother, Tanner.
April 14, 2015. Haleigh McDaniel Glass (MGMT/MKTG ’09) and her husband,
Cody Bird (NR ’10) and Lyndsey Bird (MGMT/MKTG ’12), a son, Brayden Alan, April 22, 2015.
Joey Potts (HPE ’10) and Miranda Bradford were married on June 20, 2015. Joey is a coach and teacher in the Alma School District.
Carley Houston Sikes (ECED ’10) and Seth Sikes (EC ’11) a son,
Chris Kirby (HIM ’11) and Courtney Copeland (ALUM) were married on April 18, 2015.
Amber Morgan White (ECED ’10) and her husband, Jeff, a
Tyler Kell (HPE ’14) and Jae Tucker (HPE ’14) were married on June 27, 2015. Tyler is a coach and teacher in the Greene County Tech School District. Jae is a coach and teacher in the Nettleton School District.
BIRTHS Dr. Bobby Reeder (AGBU ’91) and Kristin Goebel Reeder (ALUM), a son, Benjamin Karl, Feb. 11, 2015. Benjamin has four brothers, Grant, Caleb, Josh and David; and four sisters, Libby, Susie, Rachel and Abby.
Grady Hudson, April 20, 2015.
daughter, Emmarie Ann, April 20, 2015. Emmarie has two brothers, Matthew and Travis; and a sister, Christina. Amy Maloch (MAT-TEC ’12) and her husband, Ryan, a daughter, Natalie Grace, April 17, 2015. Natalie has two sisters, Marley Kate and Lydia Joy. Joshua Merritt (MECH ENGR ’12) and Samantha Van Veckhoven Merritt (BIOL ’12), a son, Preston Clark, April 2, 2015. Joshua Reeves (ACCT ’12) and Sarah Hixson Reeves (ECED ’14), a son, Gabriel Adam Omey, March 10, 2015. Kristen Royal Simmons (NURS ’12) and her husband, James, a daughter, Erin Tyne, April 7, 2015.
Dr. Albert Nguyen (MUED ’99) and his wife, Amy, a daughter, Lydia Grace, Feb. 3, 2015.
Nicholas R. Casazza (AS ’13) and his wife, Brooke, a son, Bentley
Kami Taylor Coleman (JOUR ’00) and her husband, David, a son, John Aubrey Albert, March 13, 2015.
Jessica Weatherford McBride (PSY ’13) and her husband, Seth, a
Dr. Michael Hancock (MUED ’00) and his wife, Kelly, a daughter, Madeleine Elna, May 5, 2015.
Jesse Curry (PSY ’14) and Lucas Jordan, a daughter, Luca Danielle,
Matthew Rudder (MGMT/MKTG ’02) and Hayley Culp Rudder (ECED ’03), a daughter, Ansley Elizabeth, May 30, 2015. Ansley has a sister, Aubrey.
Nicholas, April 14, 2015.
son, Jaxon Lane, April 12, 2015.
April 25, 2015. Makala A. Level (AHL ’14) and Matthew W. McConkey, a son, Bentley Nathaniel, March 6, 2015. Bentley has a sister, Paige Madelyn.
Julie Hinckley Scheckel (PSY ’02) and her husband, Chad, a daughter, Hailey, Jan. 24, 2015. Hailey has a brother, Corbin.
Heather Gordon Neumeier (MATH ’14) and her husband, Kyle, a
Michael Cox (HIST ’05 & M.A. HIST ’07) and Christina Little Cox (BPS-ECED ’09), a daughter, Charlotte Louise, Jan. 22, 2014.
Dustin Kling (HPE ’15) and his wife, Megan, a daughter, Kinley,
son, Kody, May 24, 2015. Kody has a sister, Emma.
April 8, 2015. Bradley Stewart (AGBU ’05) and Sarah Melton Stewart (MGMT/ MKTG ’06 & PTA ’11), a daughter, Charleigh Elyssa, April 9, 2015. Jeffrey Gibbs (MGMT/MKTG ’07) and Megan Johnson Gibbs (PS ’09 & ECED ’13), a son, Jaxon Glenn, May 16, 2015. Lacey Hughes Loyd (COS ’07) and her husband, Jeremy, a son, Henry Hays, May 1, 2015. Sara Heflin Price (SOC ’07 & M.Ed. LM ‘11) and her husband, Nick, a son, Hudson Michael, Feb. 28, 2015. Hudson has a sister, Harper.
22
FALL 2015 Class Notes
1940s Ross Adams (JOUR ’48) received the Heart and Soul Award from the Northwest Glendale, Calif., Lions Club for 50 years of service. Ross is retired from a 38-year career in public relations and management with the Portland Cement Association.
1960s
90. Carla is currently head girls’ basketball coach at Cabot High School. She has 772 career coaching victories.
Bert Page (BUAD ’66) and his wife, Patti, celebrated their 50th
David Tipton (ACCT ’82) was named controller at the Bill and
wedding anniversary on May 29, 2015. They have three children, six
Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock.
grandchildren and three foster grandchildren.
Sherry Raney White (HPE ’82) was hired as head girls’ basketball
Dr. David Bell (EDU ’69) was named head of Educator Licensure
coach at Russellville High School. Sherry has earned four Arkansas
and Support Services for the Arkansas Tech College of Education.
Activities Association coach of the year awards. She was head girls’
Bell has served on the Tech faculty since 1988.
basketball coach at Harrison High School from 1999-2004 and Fort
1970s
Smith Southside High School from 2004-15. She has also coached at Hot Springs. Curtis Greve (ACCT ’83) was named vice president of remarketing
Alice Cooper (BUED ’72) watched the third generation of students
and transportation for Inmar, a company that operates intelligent
she has taught at Jasper High School graduate in May 2015. Alice
commerce networks.
has taught business at Jasper High for 43 years.
Euvon Dunbar (ELED ’86) was named teacher of the year at Upper
Charlie Goodman (ELEM/HPE ’72) retired from the Russellville
Elementary Fifth Grade in Russellville for the 2014-15 academic
School District after 41 years as a coach and teacher.
year. Euvon has taught for 25 years.
Bob Limbird (FW ’72) retired from the Arkansas Game and Fish
Randy Campbell (PSY ’87), member of the Campbell-Ricono team
Commission on July 18, 2014, following 42 years of service. He was
for Coldwell Banker of Russellville, received the 2014 Coldwell
a district fisheries supervisor from 1980-2014. Bob was Arkansas
Banker International President’s Circle Team Award on May 20,
Game and Fish Commission professional employee of the year
2015. Randy shared the award with teammate Gregg Ricono (FMR
in 2003 and the 2013 recipient of the Mike Freeze Excellence in
STAFF).
Fisheries Conservation Award.
Dr. Mark Gotcher (MUED ’88, M.Ed. EDLD ’01 & Ed.S. ’12)
Dr. Linda Bean (BUED ’73) was named interim associate dean of
was named deputy commissioner for the Arkansas Department of
the College of Education at Arkansas Tech. She has served on the
Education.
Tech faculty since 2000.
Col. W. Mark Stubbs (BUAD ’88) was installed as commander of
Dr. Annette Holeyfield (HPE ’76 & M.Ed. ’77) was named director
the U.S. Army 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 30th Medical
of the Arkansas Tech College of Education Partnership Office. She
Brigade during a ceremony at Sembach Kaserne in Germany on
has served on the Tech faculty since 1985.
May 18.
Richard Pierce (RPA ’76) was promoted to agency manager for
Dr. Tim Carter (BIOL ’89 & M.Ed. ’94) was named interim head
Pope County Farm Bureau Insurance. His wife, Angie Murdoch
of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the Arkansas
Pierce (MUED ’76 & M.Ed. ELED ’94), has been retired from her
Tech College of Education. He has served on the Tech faculty since
position as music teacher at Center Valley Elementary School for two years. They have four sons and six grandchildren. Phil Newberry (SPH ’78) marked 30 years on the staff at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., on March 22, 2015. Phil was student pastor for 25 years. He has served as pastor at Bellevue Arlington for the past five years. Ken Freeman (BUAD ’79) received the 2014 Coldwell Banker
1998.
1990s Pamela Stokes (ELED ’90) was named teacher of the year at Dwight Elementary School in Russellville for the 2014-15 academic year. Pamela is a National Board Certified Teacher.
International President’s Elite Award on May 20, 2015.
Joel Alexander (ENGR ’92) was promoted to manufacturing
1980s
Sandy Clair Hocker (BUAD ’92) was named teacher of the year
Carla Crowder (HPE ’81 & M.Ed. PE ’95) was among the first inductees into the Bryant Athletic Hall of Honor on May 30, 2015.
engineering supervisor at Molex HPC in Maumelle.
at Russellville Junior High School for the 2014-15 academic year. Sandy has grown membership in the RJHS Future Business Leaders of America chapter from 13 students to 130.
Carla coached girls’ basketball at Bryant High School for 16 years,
Dr. Ricky L. Massengale Sr. (CS ’93) was hired as associate vice
leading the Lady Hornets to three state championships and a
president for university initiatives and professor of computer and
408-108 overall record. They won 62 consecutive games from 1988-
information science at Arkansas Tech. FALL 2015 Class Notes
23
Jim Reynolds (M.Ed. PE ’94) was hired as project manager for
Ryan Taylor (JOUR ’03) received five awards in the 2014
First the Seed Foundation, the educational arm of the American
educational advertising awards sponsored by Higher Education
Seed Trade Association. Jim and his wife, Melissa Jones Reynolds
Marketing Report. Ryan is coordinator of information services in
(ALUM), own an advertising agency in Greenwood.
the Arkansas Tech Office of University Relations.
Joe Fowler (BIOL ’96) completed a graduate certificate in
Brandie Griffin (MGMT/MKTG ’04 & M.S. CSP ’09) won the
regulatory science at the University of Arkansas for Medical
2014-15 Leadership Russellville outstanding leader award
Sciences. He is quality program specialist at the U.S. Food and
during a graduation luncheon at Williamson Hall Dining Room
Drug Administration National Center for Toxicological Research in
in Russellville on June 12. Brandie is coordinator of student
Jefferson.
engagement in the Arkansas Tech College of Business.
Matt Cooper (AGBU ’98) held a ribbon cutting ceremony to
Pete Carter (HPE ’05) was named defensive coordinator for the
celebrate the opening of his new Shelter Insurance location at 104
Coweta High School (Okla.) football program.
Skyline Drive in Russellville.
Jeremy Ragland (HIST ’05) began working at the Northwest
2000s
Arkansas Economic Development District as the assistant
Ben Goodman (BIO EDU ’00) was named head track and field
Ryan Cutler (MGMT/MKTG ’07) graduated from Leadership
coach at Russellville High School.
Russellville as a member of the 2014-15 class on June 12.
Shawn Gordon (MGMT/MKTG ’00) won the 2015 The Bass
Jeff Gibbs (MGMT/MKTG ’07) graduated from Leadership
Federation national fishing championship on April 25 at Grand
Russellville as a member of the 2014-15 class on June 12.
Lake in Oklahoma.
Bryan Hardaway (BIOL ’07) was named head coach for the West
Josh Masters (ACCT ’00) graduated from Leadership Russellville
team in the 2015 Arkansas High School Coaches Association
as a member of the 2014-15 class on June 12.
all-star boys’ soccer game. He is head boys’ soccer coach at
executive director on Nov. 1, 2014.
Dardanelle High School. Justin Price (MGMT/MKTG ’01) was hired as senior vice president at Bank of the Ozarks in Russellville.
Brandon Cooper (HIST EDU ’08) was named teacher of the year at Russellville High School and for the Russellville School District
Jonathan Livermore (ECED ’02) was named teacher of the year at
during the 2014-15 academic year. Brandon is president of the
Oakland Heights Elementary School in Russellville for the 2014-15
Arkansas Governor’s Quiz Bowl Association.
academic year. Courtney Mullen (COMM/JOUR ’08 & M.S. CSP ’11) was hired as Codey Mann (HIST EDU ’02) was hired as head girls’ basketball
director of admissions and enrollment services at the University of
coach at Alma High School.
Central Arkansas.
Amber Underwood (ELED ’02) was named teacher of the year
Cyrus Smith (M.S. CSP ’08) was hired as director of public safety
at Sequoyah Elementary School in Russellville for the 2014-15
at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville.
academic year. Angela Crow (ACCT ’09 & M.Ed. ’12) was promoted to director of Rebecca Ward (ELED ’02) was named teacher of the year at
student accounts at Arkansas Tech. She has worked in the Office of
Center Valley Elementary School in Russellville for the 2014-15
Student Accounts since 2004.
academic year. Rebecca is a National Board Certified Teacher. Marika Lederman (SOC ’09 & M.S. CSP ’13) was promoted to Tracy Guiltner (LSED ’03) was named teacher of the year at the
director of the Roy and Christine Sturgis Academic Advising Center
Russellville Secondary Learning Center for the 2014-15 academic
at Arkansas Tech.
year. Tracy is a member of the Arkansas Association of Alternative Educators.
Duo Wang (EAM ’09 & M.S. EMHS ’12) was hired as emergency management specialist for the Beijing Global Safety Technology
Dr. Matthew Millsap (ECON ’03) was appointed assistant director
Company in China.
of library services and assistant professor of Christian studies at
Josh Price (HPE ’03) was selected as an assistant coach for the
2010s
2015 Arkansas High School Coaches Association all-star football
Lindsey Chism (ECED ’10) was named teacher of the year at
game. Josh is head football coach at Dardanelle High School.
London Elementary School for the 2014-15 academic year.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo.
24
FALL 2015 Class Notes
Jessica Collins (IFT ’10) accepted the position of assistant biologist and volunteer coordinator at the Wolf Education and Research Center in Winchester, Idaho. Robert Pruitt (HPE ’10) was named teacher of the year at Crawford Elementary School in Russellville for the 2014-15 academic year. Jeffrey Busch (ECON/FIN ’11) was promoted to branch manager
on to lead the aviation management program at Auburn University. He later served as director of the Arkansas Air Museum. Allie lived in Opelika, Ala. He was 93. John D. Hubbard (AGBU ’41) died Nov. 19, 2014. John served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked for the University of Missouri Extension Service from 1947-87, with a brief interlude of full-time farming. John lived in Stockton, Mo. He was 93.
for the Arvest Bank location on South Pleasant Street in Springdale. He and his wife, Kaylyn Hendricks Busch (SS EDU ’12), live in Farmington with their daughter, Adalyn. Lyndsey Hill (HPE ’11) was named an assistant coach for the 2015 Arkansas High School Coaches Association all-star softball game. Lyndsey is head softball coach at Dardanelle High School. Chantel Moseby (COMM ’12 & M.A. MMJR ’14) was named junior account executive at the Sells Agency for its Fayetteville location. Alex Pipkin (MGMT/MKTG ’12 & M.S. CSP ’14) joined New York Life as an agent. Kao Vang (PSY ’12 & M.S. CSP ’14) received the 2015 Jim Ed McGee Award as the most outstanding graduate student at Arkansas Tech. Koko works in the Arkansas Tech Upward Bound program as a target school liaison. Destiny Freeman (GRPH DSGN ’13 & M.L.A. COMM ’15) was hired as graphic designer at The Nicholson Group in Russellville. Eli Fuentez (M.S. CSP ’13) was selected to work in the role of academic advisor in the Roy and Christine Sturgis Academic Advising Center at Arkansas Tech. Chelsea Lairamore (JOUR ’13 & M.S. CSP ’15) was hired as director of student life at National Park College in Hot Springs. Chase White (HPE ’13) was hired as head girls’ basketball coach at Russellville Junior High School. Margaret Robinson (Ed.S. ’14) was hired as assistant principal at Springdale Har-Ber High School. Anthony Baer (SOC ’15) was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Arkansas Army National Guard on Saturday, May 9, during a ceremony at the Doc Bryan Student Services Center. Hayden Davis (HIST ’15) was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army on Saturday, May 9, during a ceremony at the Doc Bryan Student Services Center. Rachel Pipkin (COMM ’15) was hired as social media coordinator at CJRW in Little Rock.
FRIENDS WE’LL MISS Allie Willis Callan Jr. (ENGR ’40) died March 30, 2015. Allie was a pilot for the U.S. Navy during World War II and participated in the 2,000-plane flyover during the signing of the peace treaty aboard the U.S.S. Missouri. He retired from the service in 1968 and went
Howard Wyatt Boxley (ENGR ’43) died Aug. 19, 2014. Howard was a veteran of World War II. He managed steel and chemical plants until retiring in 1990. Howard lived in Sarasota, Fla. He was 90. William Reece Hogins Sr. (’47) died Jan. 30, 2015. William was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a cattle farmer and a rural mail carrier. William lived in Cottonwood. He was 93. Kermit Harold Smith (AGBU ’47) died Feb. 7, 2015. Harold served as a pharmacist in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. His civilian career in pharmacy included stints at Coger Drug in Danville (1952-55), Walker Drug in Russellville (1955-60 and 196166), Boyd Drug in Morrilton (1960-61), owner of Rogers Drug in Russellville (1966-76) and at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Little Rock (1976-95). Harold lived in Dardanelle. He was 89. Hanserd Zellon House (’48) died Sept. 5, 2014. Hanserd served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked for the Federal Housing Administration. Hanserd lived in Olathe, Kan. He was 92. Klara Gayle Carter Elliott (‘50) died Feb. 14, 2015. Klara lived in Conway. She was 83. Mary Chloe Casteel Johnson (BUAD ’50) died March 30, 2015. She taught in the schools of El Paso, Texas, and was president of the club for officers’ wives at Fort Shafter in Hawaii. Mary lived in Lubbock, Texas. She was 86. Adele Oller Hardgrave (’51) died May 14, 2015. She was a teacher at Joe T. Robinson Elementary School and Trinity Methodist PreSchool. Adele lived in Little Rock. She was 84. Ruth D. Burris (ECED ’52) died March 1, 2015. She held membership in the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association. Ruth lived in Russellville. She was 96. Deward “Swish” Dopson (HPE ’52) died June 23, 2015. Deward was among the first basketball recruits that head coach Sam Hindsman brought to Arkansas Tech in 1947. He was a member of Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference championship teams in 1949, 1950 and 1951, the beginning of seven consecutive conference basketball titles for the Wonder Boys. “Dop” still holds Arkansas Tech men’s basketball records for points in a game (56), field goals made in a game (22) and field goals attempted in a game (39), all of which he set on Feb. 24, 1950, against Henderson State. Deward ranks third in school history in career scoring average (20.9 points per game) and ninth in career points scored (1,863). He was selected in the 1951 National Basketball Association draft by the Minneapolis Lakers and also played professionally with the Peoria Caterpillars before beginning his coaching career at the FALL 2015 Class Notes
25
high schools in Manila and Harrison. In 1966, Deward was chosen to succeed Hindsman as head men’s basketball coach at Arkansas Tech. Coach Dopson guided the Wonder Boys to a record of 103-89 from 1966-73. He coached Arkansas Tech to a berth in the NAIA National Tournament in 1970. Deward founded National Paramed in 1981 and retired in 1995. He was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction in 1991. Coach Dopson lived in Lilburn, Ga. He was 85. Anne Lyttle Dopson (’68) died June 25, 2015. She and her husband of 64 years, Deward, founded National Paramed in Lilburn, Ga., in 1981. She worked in the company for 12 years. Anne lived in Lilburn, Ga. She was 82. Curtis G. “Shag” Rasburry (HPE ’52) died May 19, 2014. Curtis served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was retired from a career as a teacher, coach and principal. Curtis lived in Benton. He was 85. Shirley Wann Price (‘53) died May 7, 2015. Shirley lived in Little Rock. She was 81. William Cecil Ramsey (ENGR ’54) died Feb. 21, 2015. He worked for the U.S. Department of Defense in Pensacola, Fla., for more than 30 years and at Pensacola Christian College for five years. William lived in Melbourne Beach, Fla. He was 81. Austin L. Lovell (MUED ’58) died April 1, 2015. He was an officer in the U.S. Army and was retired from a career as a personnel director. Austin lived in Garner, N.C. He was 78. Charles G. Hudlow (’59) died Nov. 27, 2014. Charles served in the U.S. Air Force. He owned and retired from Charlie’s Auto Supply in Russellville and Dover Auto in Dover. Charles lived in Russellville. He was 84. Cornelia Anne Redwine Taylor (SOC STUDIES ’59) died March 11, 2015. She played for the extramural women’s basketball team at Arkansas Tech and was captain of the cheerleading squad. In 2001, she co-founded the Taylor Music Group. The non-profit arts corporation honors the legacy of her husband, Bob, by supporting activities in classical and folk music. Cornelia lived in Charleston, S.C. She was 77. Tamhra Sawyer Latshaw (’60) died April 19, 2015. Tamhra began her career as placement director at the University of Arkansas. She later owned PJ’s Clothing Boutique in Bentonville and was a justice of the peace. Tamhra lived in Greensboro, N.C. She was 75. Agnes Villines McNutt (BUED ’60) died April 1, 2015. Agnes worked her way through Arkansas Tech as an employee of the cafeteria. She went on to teach business in the Harrison School District for more than 30 years. Agnes lived in Harrison. She was 76. Dorothy Buckman Dickson (ELED ’61) died June 10, 2015. She was a retired teacher, having served in the Western Yell County School District. Dorothy lived in Belleville. She was 89.
26
FALL 2015 Class Notes
Hershel Eugene Phillips Sr. (’61) died Nov. 2, 2014. He was retired from a career as a school counselor, including work at the Aldine Independent School District and the Big Sandy Independent School District in Texas. Hershel lived in Livingston, Texas. He was 81. James Edward Pickering (ACCT ’62) died May 5, 2015. He was the senior partner at Pickering, Burchfield, Griffin, Haynie Certified Public Accountants firm in Little Rock. James lived in Mayflower. He was 75. Dr. Aneta Pauline Morris Rankin (ELED ’62 & FMR FACULTY) died March 12, 2015. Pauline began her career teaching elementary school in Morrilton and was a member of the Arkansas Tech faculty from 1970-77. She went on to give almost 30 years of service to Louisiana State University, where she retired as dean of the Division of Continuing Education in 2006. The University of Arkansas Global Campus hired Pauline as a consultant in 2008. She later served that division as interim dean before retiring in 2013. Pauline lived in Hot Springs Village. She was 71. Wayne C. Andrews (’63) died May 21, 2015. He was a computer programmer and financial broker. Wayne lived in Russellville. He was 73. Susan Dene Boley (’63) died March 8, 2015. Susie lived in Dover. She was 71. Dr. Charles David Chastain (SOC ’65) died June 3, 2015. He held the title professor emeritus at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he helped found the criminal justice program in 1972 and remained a member of the criminal justice faculty until his retirement in 2011. He served on the State of Arkansas Parole Board from 1993-2003 and was a past member of the Board of the Law Enforcement Training Academy and Gov. Bill Clinton’s Task Force on Crime and Justice. For more than a decade, he coordinated the donation of books from UALR faculty, staff and friends to Arkansas Department of Correction libraries. Charles lived in Little Rock. He was 73. Barbara Jane Pugh Faught (BUED ’65) died March 31, 2015. She was a member of the extramural women’s basketball team at Arkansas Tech. Barbara taught business at Fort Smith Northside High School from 1982-2005. She owned and operated businesses, including Baskin Robbins and Snelling Personnel. Barbara lived in Fort Smith. She was 72. Silas Neil Teeter (MUS ’65) died June 25, 2015. He was a band director in Arkansas schools for 25 years, including stints at Berryville, Helena-West Helena, Hot Springs and the Pulaski County Special School District. Neil lived in Little Rock. He was 72. Linda Jo Stroud (’66) died March 23, 2015. She volunteered at the Rialto Community Arts Center. Linda lived in Morrilton. She was 68. Howard M. “Baldy” Faulkner (PSY ’67) died April 3, 2015. Baldy served in the U.S. Air Force. He worked as a psychological examiner with Arkansas Rehabilitation Service for 25 years. After
retiring from that career, he worked for Counseling Associates in Russellville, Russellville Realty as corporate relocation representative and First Arkansas Valley Bank as business development officer. He was a member of the Arkansas Tech Green and Gold Club and a volunteer for the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association. Baldy lived in Russellville. He was 88. Wilma F. Labahn (ENGL EDU ’67 & FMR STAFF) died March 17, 2015. She was assistant librarian at Arkansas Tech for 40 years. She retired in 2009. Wilma lived in Danville, Ala. She was 70. Jimmy Wayne Hyde (’69) died March 8, 2015. His career included stints in the U.S. Army, the U.S. Social Security Administration, NASA and Al-Razaq Computing Services. Jimmy lived in Houston, Texas. He was 68. Jerry Neal Sills (MATH ’69) died April 2, 2015. He was a guidance counselor at Russellville High School for 15 years. Jerry lived in Russellville. He was 67. Jon M. France (BUS ’70) died May 23, 2015. He owned and operated the Standard Auto Parts Store in Jacksonville for more than a quarter-century. Jon lived in Conway. He was 68. Janis Heathcott Roper (MATH ’72) died June 5, 2015. She was retired from a career as a teacher. Janis lived in Charleston. She was 63. Michael Earl Coker (FW ‘74) died July 2, 2015. Mike had a 34-year career with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. He retired as regional wildlife supervisor in Brinkley. He served on the Clarendon School Board for six years. Mike lived in Clarendon. He was 63. Dr. Jack L. Ramsey (SOC ’74) died April 9, 2015. Jack served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He worked at Standard Parts Company in Tulsa, Okla., where he served as purchasing agent, sales manager and treasurer. A graduate of Luther Rice Seminary, he helped found 302 new Southern Baptist churches in Arkansas. Jack lived in Russellville. He was 81. Charlotte Chastain Huddleston (PSY ’76) died Oct. 13, 2004. She was a rehabilitation consultant and owner of Progressive Rehabilitation Organization Inc. Charlotte lived in Shreveport, La. She was 49. Jessie Lawson “Jay” Hughes Jr. (AGBU ’76) died Sept. 20, 2014. He was a farmer. Jay lived in Forrest City. He was 61. Sheree Gayle Hines Clark (MUED ’78) died April 28, 2015. She was choir teacher at Sheridan High School. Sheree lived in Sheridan. She was 59. Carl “Catfish” Glenn Harberson (’78) died May 25, 2015. Carl was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. He worked in home building sales. Carl lived in Baton Rouge, La. He was 58. Pamela Grace Lambert (ELED ’78) died March 27, 2015. She taught elementary school for more than 20 years. Pam lived in Little Rock. She was 60. Merideth Elaine Stubblefield Rye (M.Ed. ELEM ’78) died April 7, 2015. She began her teaching career in Meade County, Ky.,
before returning home to Arkansas and serving in the school districts at Dover, Pottsville and Russellville. She taught second and third grade at Sequoyah Elementary School for three years and kindergarten at Oakland Heights Elementary School for 20 years before retiring from the Russellville School District in 1994. She worked on the committee that drafted legislation limiting kindergarten class sizes to 20 students. Merideth lived in Russellville. She was 74. Dell Roy Counts (MUED ‘81) died Aug. 5, 2014. Dell lived in Hot Springs. He was 55. Kathy Atwood Kearney (BUAD ’81) died March 11, 2015. She worked as a legal secretary, real estate agent, travel agent and business office administrator. Kathy lived in Russellville. She was 56. Anne Guetzlaff Hollis (BUAD ’84) died March 28, 2015. She worked as a photographer for The Courier newspaper in Russellville and as a substitute teacher in the Russellville School District. Anne lived in Russellville. She was 54. Charlotte Chapman Shinn (ART ’86) died June 17, 2015. She was a professional decorator. Charlotte lived in Russellville. She was 72. Allen Wayne O’Dell (M.Ed. ITED ’90) died March 11, 2015. He had a 34-year career in the U.S. Army, earning such distinctions as the Legion of Merit Award, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal before retiring at the rank of colonel. Allen lived in Yukon, Okla. He was 66. Lisa Diane Cothern Ashmore (BUAD ’91) died March 12, 2015. She was co-owner of AthletePlus Physical Therapy in Greenwood. Lisa lived in Little Rock. She was 45. Pat C. White (PSY ’97) died April 7, 2015. Pat lived in Springdale. She was 73. Eddie Bradford “Brad” Wear (’04) died May 28, 2015. Brad was a farmer. He was Yell County judge from 2005-10 and was named Yell County citizen of the year in 2010. Brad lived in Omega. He was 47. Eric Ray Parker (CRT ’05) died April 21, 2015. He was a first responder and firefighter for the Hartman Fire Department. Eric lived in Hartman. He was 29. Barbara Sue McKenney (NURS ’12) died March 20, 2015. She served as a registered nurse in Little Rock and Pine Bluff for more than 25 years and was the author of “The Ancient Necklace.” Barbara lived in Little Rock. She was 62. Tara Miller (NURS ’17) died March 24, 2015. She was a student at Arkansas Tech and was an employee at Wilkins Brothers Outdoors in Russellville. Tara lived in Dardanelle. She was 20. Dr. Charles W. English (FMR FACULTY) died Dec. 15, 2014. Charles became the first African-American faculty member at Arkansas Tech in spring 1973. He went on to a long career in counseling and psychology. Since 1989, he was the owner and clinical director at Multicultural Counseling Centers. Charles lived in Winter Park, Fla. He was 65. | FALL 2015 Class Notes
27
Golden Suns Win GAC Title, Finish Top 10 Nationally Arkansas Tech University won the Great American Conference women’s golf title and finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship during spring 2015.
A senior from Stockholm, Sweden, Surtevall had a scoring average
Tech captured the GAC championship in dominating fashion, defeating its nearest competition by 50 strokes. Head coach Amy Anderson’s team had a 54-hole total of 892 at Hot Springs Country Club April 19-21.
Preview and Holiday Inn Express Central Region Invitational
The Golden Suns went on to qualify for the NCAA finals May 13-16 at The Meadows Golf Course in Allendale, Mich., where they completed the 72-hole event with a team total of 1,286 to finish 10th.
player of the year award.
It was the second consecutive top-10 finish in the national finals for the Suns. Arkansas Tech finished ninth at the 2014 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship.
2015. She was a four-time, first-team All-GAC selection.
A pair of seniors — Rebecka Surtevall and Megan Jeffery — led the way for the Golden Suns in the final round at The Meadows. They both shot 74.
2014 is the highest individual finish by an Arkansas Tech student-
Surtevall (T-37th, 81-82-78-74-315) was Tech’s top individual finisher in the NCAA finals.
Central Region team.
Jeffery (T-44th, 81-80-83-74-318), Caroline Fredensborg (57th, 7983-87-78-327), Taylor Kline (84-81-82-81-328) and Jessica Sachs (71st, 87-87-85-92-351) also represented the Golden Suns in Michigan.
a scoring average of 77.23. She earned two first-place individual
Surtevall led a series of postseason awards for the Golden Suns. She was named to the 2015 Women’s Golf Coaches Association NCAA Division II All-America first team, the 2015 Capital One NCAA Division II Academic All-America team and the 2015 WGCA NCAA Division II All-Central Region first team.
28
FALL 2015 Athletics
of 75.19 during the 2014-15 season. She captured individual titles at the Golfweek Fall Invitational, Great American Conference to complete her four-year career with 13 collegiate tournament victories. Surtevall is the only person to ever win the GAC women’s golf
She earned the first such honor in 2012 and followed it up with subsequent GAC player of the year accolades in 2013, 2014 and
Surtevall qualified for the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Her third-place finish in athlete in NCAA national competition. Jeffery earned a place on the 2015 WGCA NCAA Division II All-
A senior from Waldron, Jeffery completed the 2014-15 season with finishes and a total of eight top-10 finishes during her final season with the Golden Suns. Jeffery was a three-time All-GAC selection. Jeffery, Kline, Fredensborg and Sachs all joined Surtevall on the 2015 All-GAC teams. Arkansas Tech won team titles in 11 women’s golf tournaments over the past four years, including four first-place team finishes during the 2014-15 season. |
Tech Wins GAC All-Sports Trophy Arkansas Tech University was presented with the 2014-15 Great American Conference All-Sports Trophy during an end-of-year awards ceremony in Oklahoma City on Monday, June 22. Tech accumulated 70 points through its 2014-15 conference finishes in 10 sports — baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s cross country, football, men’s golf, women’s golf, softball, women’s tennis and volleyball. Conference titles in women’s basketball, volleyball, women’s tennis and women’s golf helped propel Arkansas Tech to the trophy. Schools earned points toward the GAC All-Sports Trophy based upon their finish in all sports that are sponsored by six or more member institutions. The regular season standings determined the points in sports with a round-robin schedule. The conference championship event
determined the points in sports without a regular season format (women’s cross country, men’s golf and women’s golf). Harding University (2nd, 67 points), East Central University (3rd, 59 points), Southeastern Oklahoma State University (4th, 57.5 points), Henderson State University (5th, 54.5 points), Southern Arkansas University (6th, 47.5 points), Ouachita Baptist University (7th, 44.5 points), Southwestern Oklahoma State University (8th, 41.5 points), Southern Nazarene University (9th, 40.5 points) and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (10th, 31 points) rounded out the 2014-15 GAC All-Sports Trophy final standings. |
Golden Suns Reach NCAA Tennis Regional Final For a second consecutive year, Arkansas Tech University advanced to the regional finals of the NCAA Division II Tennis Tournament. The Golden Suns defeated East Central University 5-1 in the 2015 NCAA Division II Tournament first round at Bolivar, Mo., on May 3. Arkansas Tech’s season ended one day later with a 5-1 loss to Southwest Baptist University. The first-round victory over ECU allowed the Golden Suns to establish a new school record for most women’s tennis wins in a season. The previous record of 17 wins was established when the 2008-09 Golden Suns won 17 matches and tied when the 2011-12 Golden Suns reached that same plateau. Head coach Abby Davis and the Golden Suns finished the 2014-15 season with an overall record of 18-5. Davis, an alumna of Arkansas Tech, was named GAC coach of the year for the third time in the past four years. Senior Bohdana Sardak of Alushta, Ukraine, and sophomore Tamara Bell of La Paz,
Mexico, represented Arkansas Tech on the 2015 All-GAC first team. Senior Olga Leyshyna of Odessa City, Ukraine, made the 2015 AllGAC second team. |
Tech Softball Makes First NCAA Tournament Appearance The 2015 season was full of firsts for Arkansas Tech softball. The Golden Suns received their first national ranking, rising to No. 12 in the NCAA Division II poll. Tech went on to achieve its first berth in the NCAA Division II Softball Tournament. The Suns earned their first win in that event by defeating Missouri Western 4-1. Head coach Kristina McSweeney’s team finished the season with a 41-22 overall record, matching the second-most wins in a single season in Arkansas Tech softball history.
Two Golden Suns — junior outfielder Kambri Hill of Springdale and senior utility player Whitney Robinson of Choctaw, Okla. — were voted to the 2015 All-GAC first team. Sophomore pitcher Sydnee Clark of Redfield, freshman pitcher Morgan Vaughan of Bella Vista and senior outfielder Shanna Davidson of Coalgate, Okla., made the 2015 All-GAC second team. Sophomore catcher Courtney Colunga of Waco, Texas, and sophomore shortstop Jalissa Gum of Red Rock, Okla., earned a place on the 2015 All-GAC honorable mention list. | FALL 2015 Athletics
29
WONDER BOYS 2015
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
30
FALL 2015 Athletics
DATE
TIME
OPPONENT
LOCATION
Sept. 3
7 p.m.
at Southern Nazarene
Bethany, Okla.
Sept. 12
6 p.m.
OKLAHOMA BAPTIST
THONE STADIUM
Sept. 19
6 p.m.
at Arkansas-Monticello
Monticello, Ark.
Sept. 26
6 p.m.
SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
THONE STADIUM • Family Day
Oct. 3
2 p.m.
at Henderson State
Arkadelphia, Ark.
Oct. 10
3 p.m.
OUACHITA BAPTIST
THONE STADIUM • Homecoming
Oct. 17
6 p.m.
at East Central
Ada, Okla.
Oct. 24
2 p.m.
SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA
THONE STADIUM
Oct. 31
2 p.m.
at Northwestern Oklahoma
Alva, Okla.
Nov. 7
2 p.m.
SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA
THONE STADIUM
Nov. 14
2 p.m.
HARDING
THONE STADIUM
HOMECOMING REGISTRATION FORM
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOUND ON PAGE 4
Name Class Year
Guest
Guest Class Year
Class Year
HOW MANY WILL BE ATTENDING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING REUNIONS Alumni Gold Reunion (Class of 1965)
10 Year Reunion (Class of 2005)
25 Year Reunion (Class of 1990)
1950s & 1960s
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 Homecoming Golf Tournament Three-person scramble
x $75 =
Player 1
Daytime Phone
Player 2
Daytime Phone
Player 3
Daytime Phone
Hole Sponsor (only)
$150 =
Team & Hole Sponsor
$300 =
Ladies ‘Champagne Bingo’ Luncheon
x $15 =
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10 x $5 =
T-Club/Hindsman Players Breakfast
adults x $10 =
Football Game Tickets
children and senior citizens x $5 = Homecoming 2015 T-Shirts Short Sleeve
S
M
L
XL
2XL
3XL
x $5 =
Long Sleeve
S
M
L
XL
2XL
3XL
x $10 =
Optional Shipping
$5 = ADDITIONAL GIFT TO FOUNDATION TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED
Address
Make checks payable to: ARKANSAS TECH FOUNDATION Want to charge it?
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Card #
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REGISTER ONLINE: TECHTIES.ATU.EDU/HOMECOMING2015 Or Mail to: Alumni House, 1313 N. Arkansas Ave., Russellville, AR 72801
Exp. Date
FALL 2015 Homecoming
31
TECH ACTION Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association Alumni House 1313 North Arkansas Ave. Russellville, AR 72801
Own a Piece of Arkansas Tech History Arkansas Tech University worked with Mike Savage, an artist based in Kansas City, Kan., to create a commemorative artwork in celebration of the inauguration of Dr. Robin E. Bowen as the 12th president of the institution. Inspired by a photograph taken by Liz Chrisman of the Arkansas Tech Office of University Relations, Savage created a piece that recreates the scene at the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center South Lawn on April 22, 2014, the day Dr. Bowen was unanimously elected by the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees as university president. Alumni and friends of the university may own a piece of that historic day and support scholarships through the Arkansas Tech Foundation by purchasing a print of Savage’s artwork. A link to purchase the prints online is available at www.atu.edu/givetotech. For more information, contact the Arkansas Tech Office of Development at (479) 968-0400.