Insurance money and donations rolled in for construction of a new building, but the college lacked funds for furnishings. Lyon still needed thousands of dollars for new tables, chairs, desks, file cabinets, televisions, computers, and, finally, equipment for the game room. That’s where the Kappa Sigma brothers stepped up. Tebbetts, Kappa Sigma Lambda-Iota chapter adviser and Kappa Sigma member himself, created a campaign that would furnish the building’s game room. The campaign would be a celebration for the chapter’s 40th anniversary in 2013. Tebbetts hoped to get alumni and active members to raise $30,000 for the game room. The campaign, dubbed the “Campaign to Claim the Game Room for Kappa Sigma” kicked off in May 2012. Tebbetts sent a letter to every Kappa Sigma alumnus laying out the need, the goal, and the College’s pledge to put a plaque in the game room acknowledging the gift made by Kappa Sigma. Teb24
betts also agreed to match gifts. By July, gifts had reached the $30,000 goal with more than 90 alumni giving. At that point, Tebbetts set a new goal: Kappa Sigma could declare a “Double-Hundred Victory” if at least 100 alumni brothers contributed before classes began and 100 percent of undergraduate brothers contributed after they returned to Lyon. The fraternity was able to declare a “Double-Hundred Victory,” with 103 alumni and all undergraduate brothers contributing for a $32,000 total. “I’m super proud of Lyon’s Kappa Sigmas,” Tebbetts said. “What a generous way to celebrate the chapter’s 40th anniversary. The brothers who return for the anniversary celebration next April should take great satisfaction as they see their anniversary plaque dedicated.” Tebbetts said he would like to see other Greek fraternities and sororities create fundraising campaigns. “Other campus brotherhoods are strong as well,” he said. “I would love to see them come forward with the same generosity and lay claim to spaces they adopt at Lyon.” For more information about how your organization can conduct a similar drive, please contact the Advancement office at (870) 307-7211. The Lyon College Piper
Above: Tebbetts and Kappa Sig Landon Downing, ’13, in the game room
RAISE FUNDS FOR GAME ROOM FURNITURE After the College lost its dining hall and student union in a 2010 fire, Tebbetts knew the brothers of Kappa Sigma could help.
and II teacher at YES Prep—Southwest Campus.
NADINE (SULLINGER) GRADY, ’07, was sworn in as an Arkansas Certified Public Accountant on May 19, 2012. She also has earned an M.B.A. from UALR.
JEFF CASTEEN, ’11, writes, “I am working in a clinic in Arlington, Texas, at United Allergy Services as a clinical allergen specialist. I test people for allergies then teach them how to inject themselves with the allergen.”
LEILA (AWWAD) SEIGRIST, ’07, writes, “I made a job change in February, and I’m very happy. I’m currently the deputy reporter of decisions for the Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. I proofread, edit, and recommend changes to the opinions of the court and work on getting the opinions posted to the web and ready for publication in bound volumes.”
KAPPA SIGS
LONGTIME LYON COLLEGE PROFESSOR Dr. Terrell Tebbetts isn’t afraid of a challenge. He’s also not afraid to issue a challenge to others.
for three branches in Fort Smith and Van Buren.”
MICHAEL BROWN, ’08, writes, “I just graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and am in the process of moving back to Batesville to start practicing at White River Veterinary Clinic. I have a special interest in veterinary oncology. I miss Manhattan tremendously, but am looking forward to being back close to home and close to Lyon.” DREW DUNHAM, ’08, AND ROB FRANK, ’08, completed their M.D. programs at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences last spring, and are committed to their residency programs. Dunham is doing his residency in obstetrics/gynecology at St. Louis University, and Frank is doing his in the otolaryngology program at UAMS. JUSTIN CUNNINGHAM, ’09, has been named the head baseball coach at Central Christian College in McPherson, Kansas, according to the McPherson Sentinel. COURTNEY KOVACS, ’09, won first place in the University of Tennessee student art exhibition. Kovacs earned a master’s degree in the advertising program at the University of Tennessee. VINCENT M. MOORE, ’09, writes, “I passed the CPA Exam in 2011, after having completed my Master in Accounting degree from Saint Louis University. In September 2011, I started as a staff auditor at Deloitte and Touche, LLP, in their St. Louis office.” KASEY PARARA, ’09, has completed the M.A. in European history at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. JUDD DEERE, ’10, writes, “I have accepted the new media director position in Senator Mike Crapo’s (R-Idaho) office. Will start on May 16, 2012. Sad to be leaving Senator Boozman, but excited for the new challenge!” KATE REZABEK, ’10, completed her master’s degree at the Bush School of Government and Public Service of Texas A&M University and is in Houston working as a French I Fall 2012
JOSHUA JACKSON, ’11, has been accepted into the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) that employs foreign, degree-holding individuals as assistant language teachers for Japanese school children. Jackson studied Japanese at Lyon College and Akita International University. He attended Southeast Missouri State University Graduate School majoring in international business and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Jackson traveled to Japan in July. KELSEY LACK, ’11, made it through the first round of consideration at the Humana Festival of New American Plays with her 10-minute play “The Billiard Room.” The play was written in Dr. Michael Counts’ playwriting workshop at Lyon. Humana Festival accepted it along with 500 other works by professional and amateur playwrights worldwide. TWO RECENT GRADUATES will be teaching abroad next year. CETHLINN CUNNINGHAM, ’12, has been hired by the French government to teach elementary school in the Marseille area, and TAYLOR GREGORY, ’12, will be teaching English in Cambodia.
WEDDINGS
DR. RICHARD AMBLER, ’02, married Dr. Jessica Ange on July 14, 2012. They live in Neah Bay, Washington, at the far northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula, on the Makah Indian Reservation. They both work for Indian Health Service in the medical clinic there, Ambler said. JACOB DIDION, ’12, AND MONICA (DAY) DIDION, ’11, were married on June 30, 2012, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith. TYLER HUDGENS, ’12, AND ELIZABETH NIEMEYER, ’12, were married at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Jonesboro on July 21. Former Lyon professor Mike Cumnock officiated the ceremony. 29