Month
The February 2016
February is a most unusual month. The bleakness of winter still presents itself, but occasionally is replaced with a glimpse of Spring as flowers begin to bloom, the days become longer and folks seem to “dust” themselves off from cold weather doldrums and anticipate the reemergence of a warmer friendlier season. Occasionally, we get a dusting or two of seasonable weather, but by the end of the month begin to realize we have hopefully survived yet another Arkansas winter.February was a busy and fun month for Arkansas State University.-Newport.
Review
Arkansas State University - Newport It began with an occasion of great accord as we remembered our veterans. We honored a significant portion of our historical heritage and continued the celebrations of Black History Month, as well as participations in lively concerts and the county’s most significant artistic endeavor, The Delta Visual Arts Show. For a period of seasonal transition, this has certainly been an event filled time for ASU-Newport. Students, faculty and staff had an active month, both on campus and in the community. February also presented an
Volume 3, No. 2
extra day, allowing us to “leap” into the month of March. But before we do, join us as we take a glimpse back on the many happenings and events that
took place during the month of February on ASU-Newport’s three campuses. We hope you enjoy! Van & Ike
The dedication also included the presentation of artwork to ASU-Newport in memory of former Newport resident Ralph McDonald, Jr. The artwork is a painting
of the American flag, created by Little Rock artist Matt Coburn and was presented to ASU-Newport by the McDonald family. McDonald was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving as the Chief Financial Officer of Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas during the Korean Conflict. During that time, he was the youngest CFO in the history of the US Air Force. The 400-square foot Student Veterans lounge will provide an environment for student veterans to interact with other veterans from the college and community, to provide support both academically and outside classroom.
Dedication of Student Veterans Lounge ASU System President Dr. Charles Welch, ASUN Chancellor Dr. Sandra Massey, Newport Mayor David Stewart, Jackson County Judge Jeff Phillips and Veterans representative and
former Newport Mayor Dean Young were all featured speakers when ASU-Newport dedicated it’s new Student Veterans Lounge Tuesday, Feb. 2 on the Newport Campus.
ASU System President Dr. Charles Welch and ASUN Chancellor Dr. Sandra Massey accept the oil painting donated by Patsy McDonald in memory of her husband, Ralph McDonald. Representing the McDonald family were Patsy McDonald, Mark Manning, Lauren McDonald, Toby McDonald and Phil McDonald.
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Seventh Annual Weldathon Held on Jonesboro Campus JONESBORO, Ark. (2-292016) — More than 60 students from a record 22 area high schools and vocational colleges converged on the Jonesboro campus of Arkansas State University-Newport Thursday for the seventh annual Northeast Arkansas Weldathon, hosted by ASUN and Ozarc Gas. Over $34,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded to the schools and team members who participated. The purpose of the contest was to provide the competitors with the opportunity to demonstrate, both through practical and theoretical application, their skills and knowledge in the industry relevant to safety-oriented welding and metal fabrication. Competitors were tested on safety and skills in MIG welding, oxy fuel cutting and fabrication, including layout and fitup of materials. Taking first place in the Vo-
cational division was the Perryville Area Career and Technology Center. In the High School division, Valley View High School finished in first place. Earning second place in the Vocational division was Sikeston Career and Technical Center. Second place in the High School division went to Cross County High School. Earning a third-place finish in the Vocational division was Arkansas Northeastern College/Buffalo Island Central. Finishing third in the High School division was Paragould High School. Diamond sponsors for the Weldathon were Arkansas State University-Newport, Ozarc Gas and Equipment, American Railcar Industries, The Workforce Training Consortium and Fronius USA. Platinum sponsors were Ace Industrial Products, Colson
Caster, ESAB/Victor, Lincoln Electric, Pferd Abrasives and Trinity Industries. Gold sponsors were Anchor Packaging, Engines, Inc., and Industrial Sales & Marketing. Nucor Hickman was a Silver Sponsor, while Bernard, Flame Tech, Great Dane, Hypertherm, Koike, MK Morse, Tillman and Weldsafe, Inc. were Bronze sponsors.
“We are extremely thankful to our sponsors, Ozarc Gas, the students and staff at the ASUN-Jonesboro campus, and the schools and teams that competed,” said Ken Beach, Instructor of Welding at ASUN. “It takes a great deal of effort and time to make this event run smoothly, and without all of them, none of this would be possible.”
Using the Weldathon as a working example, students in Lana Holt’s Cost Control class conducted a cost analysis on feeding the 150 in attendance. Jessica Wrenfrow’s Bakery and Dessert class prepared the meal and served the Weldathon participants.
Dedication of Student Veterans Lounge
Jackson County Judge Jeff Phillips, Newport Mayor David Stewart, Veterans representative Dean Young, ASUN Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jacqueline Faulkner, Air Force Recruiter Sgt. Quanita Knight-Tanner, ASUN Chancellor Dr. Sandra Massey, ASUN Dean for Advancement Ike Wheeler and ASU System President Dr. Charles Welch with the collection of WWII-era photos in the Student Veterans Lounge.
Seventh Annual Weldathon Winners
Taking first place in the High School division was Valley View High School. Pictured from left are Dr. Holly Ayers, ASUN Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Valley View students Brandon Perkins, Jonathan Flemon, and David Rogers and Robert Summers, ASUN Dean for Applied Science.
Winning the Vocational division was Perryville Career and Technical Center. Pictured from left are PCTC advisor Bill Johns, Jared Kaempfe, Jordan Rellergert and Tyler Holt, and ASUN Dean for Applied Science Robert Summers.
The second place team from the High School division was Cross County. Pictured from left are CCHS advisor Henry Laxton, students Harrison Young, Drew Ballard and Aubrey Forrester and ASUN Dean for Applied Science Robert Summers.
The second place team from the Vocational division was Sikeston Career and Technical Center. Pictured from left are advisor Brent Trankler, students Corbin Brown, Spencer Slavings and Jason Andrew and ASUN Dean for Applied Science Robert Summers.
Paragould High School finished third in the High School division. Pictured from left are PHS advisor James Potter, students Zachary Williamson, Bryce Ratliff and Eli Williams and ASUN Dean for Applied Science Robert Summers.
Finishing third in the Vocational division was Arkansas Northeastern College/Buffalo Island Central. Pictured from left are ANC Advisor William Pelts, students Johnny Hemminger, Dallis Smith and Jacob Carter, and ASUN Dean for Applied Science Robert Summers.
ASU-Newport Celebrates Black History Month
ASUN Dean of Students Kimberly Long (far left) Assistant Professor of English and Foreign Language Rachel Zaideman (back row, second), Assistant Dean Amanda White (back row, fourth), Student Affairs Specialist Bobbie Buchanan (back row, fifth) and Retention Specialist Cheryl Cross (far right) accompanied this group of students to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis Feb. 26 as part of ASUN’s Black History Month observations.
Dr. Maurice Gipson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Diversity at Arkansas State University, was the Lunch-N-Learn speaker on all three campus locations during Black History Month. Dr. Gipson’s topic for the Lunch-N-Learn sessions was “Diversity and Inclusion.”
Open mic “Coffeehouses” were held on all three campus locations and featured expressions of diversity from students through poems, readings and songs.
The Memphis-based group G3 played to a large crowd at the ASUN Center for Arts, performing, “Through the Decades,” a salute to African-American artists.
Images of Success and Service at ASU-Newport
Betsy Walker’s Anatomy and Physiology I class displays the cell models that they constructed as a course project. Students in the course had the option to build a model, do a presentation or write a paper on cell structure.
Science Faculty members Dr. Sarah Webb, Cody Davis, Lee Conrad (Chemistry teacher at Central High School), and Amanda White traveled to Little Rock Feb. 5 to serve as judges for the science fair at Little Rock Central High School.
The Hospitality Services held yet another successful Culinary Experience continuing education class in February with “My Foodie Valentine.” The class was a family affair for the Jackson family of Jonesboro, with six from the household attending.
Retention Specialist Seth Thompson and Student Recruiter & Community Engagement Coordinator Kevin Pearce (left photo) and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Holly Ayers, Dean of Retention and Student Success Dr. Ashley Buchman and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jacqueline Faulkner (right photo) were among the many ASUN employees who volunteered their services at the Delta Visual Arts Show Feb. 27 in downtown Newport.
Images of Success and Service at ASU-Newport
Robert Summers (center, holding paperwork) ASU-Newport Dean for Applied Science, was one of many who attended the AAC Leadership Institute in Little Rock. The event also included a reception hosted by the ASU System.
(Top Photo) Campus Police Officer Ryan Crawford, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives Jeff Bookout and Vice Chancellor for Economic and Workforce Development Charley Appleby coordinate with other staff members such as Computer Support Technician Chris Doyle (right) to ensure that buildings are clear and students are safe during a recent fire drill on the Jonesboro campus. Fire drills were held on all three campus locations during the month of February, and are part of ASUN’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Images of Success and Service at ASU-Newport Sixteen students from four Northeast Arkansas High Schools competed Feb. 23 in the Arkansas State University-Newport Energy Control Technology Wiring Contest held on ASUN’s Marked Tree campus. Students from West Memphis, Valley View, Marked Tree and the Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center competed in the contest, with Tyler Howton of Valley View High School taking first place and winning a full tuition scholarship to ASU-Newport. Hunter Carr of the NEACTC won second place and a $750 ASUN Scholarship, and Jordan Ratton of Marked Tree High School finished third and was awarded a $500 ASUN Scholarship. Pictured from left are: Robert Summers, ASUN Dean for Applied Science, Carr, Howton, Ratton, Mark Constant, ASUN Instructor of Energy Control Technology and David Lynn, ASUN Instructor or Energy Control Technology. Special thanks to the following community partners who donated prizes for the contest: Denver’s Refrigeration, Johnstone Supply, Mid-South Distribution, RGB Mechanical Jonesboro, Sanders Supply, Irby’s Electric, Jonesboro Winair, Craighead Electric, Cardinal Supply, Air Gas Jonesboro, Ed’s Supply and Bakers Supply.
Students on all three campuses made the most of their breaks between classes when they participated in “Game Day” activities, sponsored by the office of the Dean of Students. Games, prizes and refreshments were part of the lineup each day.
Thanks to the generosity and efforts of individuals from Arkansas State University-Newport and Marked Tree, “Becky’s Closet” is a resource now available to ASUN-Marked Tree students and alumni who are soon to be entering the workforce. The closet, named in memory of long-time ASU-Newport Business Instructor Becky Landreth, supplies business attire, shoes and other clothing to students who have job interviews, but may not have the resources to purchase the appropriate clothes needed to help them make the best possible first impression. Paula Morgan, Assistant Professor of Business Education oversaw the opening of the facility on the Marked Tree campus. To donate clothing or funds for Becky’s Closet, contact Morgan at paula_morgan@asun.edu or by phone at 870-358-8639.
Jane Onovwerosuoke, (front) and Sophie Wilson, students in Lana Holt’s Kitchen Design course work on “restaurant feng shui” as part of a project for the course. Both students are Hospitality Management majors.
Workers from Tyco-Simplex installed a new fire sensor update for the fire system on the Marked Tree campus. One of ASU-Newport’s ongoing safety initiatives is the constant evaluation of fire safety systems on all of our campus locations. This update will help to further ensure the safety of our students, faculty, staff and guests.
John Kelly, ASUN’s 2015 Outstanding Alumni and principal at EPC High, was “Freezin’ for a Reason” Feb. 18 night when he participated in the Polar Plunge in Jonesboro to support Special Olympics. Congratulations to Mr. Kelly and thank you for serving our communities!
Nettleton School District Nutrition Specialist Dawn Ragsdale speaks to the ASUN Menu Planning course on the Jonesboro campus. Guest speakers provide a valuable enhancement to our students’ classroom experience.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Holly Ayers and Dean for Distance Learning Dr. Allen Mooneyhan join graduate Ashley Werst from the ADC McPherson unit. ASUN’s Department of Correction education program helps to educate and prepare the participants for their return to society.
Workers from the Bread of Life Food Pantry were at all three ASU-Newport campus locations during the month of February. Many of our students are full time, and the food pantry provided much needed assistance to those who may not be able to work while attending college.