Voices Magazine: Spring 2011

VOLUME 12, ISSUE 3 ~ $6.00

THE MAGAZINE OF ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY’S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ~ SPRING 2011

LIVING, LEARNING, LEADING

From

$2,999 per person

CONTENTS 10 COVER STORY:

IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE ON THE ASU CAMPUS SOME MORNING BY 5:30 A.M., YOU'LL BE IN FOR AN INSPIRING SIGHT – OUR ROTC CADETS MARCHING IN FORMATION FROM THEIR RESIDENCE HALL TO THE ARMORY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF CAMPUS. THE CADETS SEEM TO MOVE WITH AN EXTRA MEASURE OF PRIDE AS THEY LEAVE THEIR RESIDENCE, WHICH IS NOT A DORM, NOR IS IT A BARRACKS. THE OFFICIAL NAME IS "ROTC LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITY." IT'S UNIQUE, AND IT'S SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF.

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Voices The Magazine of Arkansas State University’s Alumni Association

EXECUTIVE EDITOR - BETH SMITH EDITOR - NANCY HENDRICKS DESIGN - ASU PUBLICATIONS AND CREATIVE SERVICES PRINTING - MASTER PRINTING COMPANY, INC.

ASU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

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PRESIDENT - PAUL ROWTON II '98 VICE PRESIDENT - MARGO TRAVIS AUFDERHEIDE '76 SECRETARY-TREASURER - CHARLOTTE LUTES RAZER ‘86

FEATURES

PAST PRESIDENT - GARY PUGH '68

10 Living, Learning, Leading ROTC residence is a major success

14 The Medical Art of Scott Bodell Illustrating illness

20 In Pursuit of Excellence Doctor Dockter gives us the news

BOARD MEMBERS ANGELA AUSTIN '00 MPA '03

RICK MILES '78

JOHN BAINE '97

DALE MORRIS '70

RICH CARVELL, JR. '91

JOY BAXTER MURPHY '92

RUSTY CHAMBERS '89

JOHN PHILLIPS '73

CHARISSE QUARLES CHILDERS '88

MELANIE HEATH POSEY '00

JAMIE FRAKES '90

CHARLOTTE LUTES RAZER '86

BRANDI HINKLE '98

STEVEN SIGSBY '72

LYNN SITZ HOWERTON '90

CHARLES SMITH '89

BILLY KEEDY '99

MARK WEBB '89

LEN KEMP '75

NONIE SHEFFIELD WIGGINS '83

BOB MCCUISTON '65

MIKE WILLIAMS '92

JOE MILES '74, MBA '77

PROFILES

4 Campus Profile: Hugh Freeze HOWL freezes over for new coach

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY INTERIM PRESIDENT - DR. ROBERT POTTS ASU-JONESBORO INTERIM CHANCELLOR - DR. DAN HOWARD

OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

6 Student Profile: Christin Baker Sweeping down the plain

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - BETH SMITH ’82, MA’03 DIRECTOR, ALUMNI COMMUNICATIONS - DR. NANCY HENDRICKS ’74 DIRECTOR, ALUMNI RELATIONS - LINDSAY HARMON BURNETT ’05

8 Alumni Profile: Joe Elmore '66

DIRECTOR, ANNUAL FUND - ELAINE POYNTER ’01 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - CAROL ROBERTS (ALND)

Talent at the crossroads

DEPARTMENTS

3 My Voice: Dr. Charles L. Welch, ASU System President

Voices is published three times a year by the Arkansas State University Alumni Association. Subscriptions are available through membership in the ASU Alumni Association. Single issues are available for $6 each.

Editorial offices are located in the Cooper Alumni Center on ASU’s Jonesboro campus. Our telephone number is (870) 972-2586 and our FAX number is (870) 972-2039.

MAIL CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: VOICES ASU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC.

24 The Last Word: Beth Smith '82 MA '03 Executive Director 2

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P.O. BOX 1990 STATE UNIVERSITY, AR 72467

WEBSITE: http://alumni.astate.edu

EMAIL: alumni@astate.edu

PHOTOGRAPH CHARLES L. WELCH

Dear Friends, Mandy and I could not be more excited about joining the ASU family. As the parents of two young daughters, with a third daughter on the way in May, we are committed to strengthening Arkansas’s public higher education system to ensure that all of our young people have access to a quality higher education. We also look forward to working with all of you to grow the reputation of Arkansas State University and enhance our university’s leadership role within the state of Arkansas.

Campuses associated with the Arkansas State University System have had a tremendous impact on my life.

As a young child growing up in Jonesboro with no family history of college attendance, it was time spent on the ASU-Jonesboro campus, and in particular at Indian Fieldhouse watching basketball games, that I first dreamed of a college education. Later it would be ASU-Beebe that provided me a wonderful opportunity to serve on their administrative staff and get my start in higher education administration. Now, I find myself with an extraordinary next step working with the leadership at all of our campuses in the ASU system for the benefit of our students statewide.

MY VOICE: DR. CHARLES L. WELCH I N C O M I N G P R E S I D E N T, A R K A N S A S S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y S Y S T E M I know there has been some discussion regarding the decision to base this position out of the central Arkansas area. Let me share with you some thoughts on why this is an important and progressive move for us.

ASU is very fortunate to have Chancellors on each of the campuses within our system who are skilled at providing leadership for the daily operations associated with their institution. My role is broader and must encompass a vision for long-term sustainable growth and expansion, securing additional state and federal funding and increasing connectivity with our university’s stakeholders. We simply must expand our visibility and presence outside of northeast Arkansas if we are to be recognized for the excellent education and opportunities we provide for our students. Our state government now meets annually and there are a number of committee meetings and governmental agencies based in Little Rock that work closely with us which impact our funding, degree programs and our operations. With 135 members of the General Assembly in addition to our constitutional officers and US Senators and Representatives, there must be a strong and consistent leadership presence to advocate for growth for ASU. Being located in the legislative center of Arkansas will enable me to efficiently work toward these priorities on behalf of all campuses.

While my time may be split between Little Rock and the various campuses as system president, Jonesboro will always be my home town. I lived in the same home on the same street as I attended K-12 public schools in Jonesboro. My family roots stretch back many decades in Jonesboro and northeast Arkansas. I will be honored to work with multiple constituencies across Arkansas, but Jonesboro will always have a special place. Regardless of where I may sleep at night, Jonesboro is where I got my start and will always be my hometown.

On behalf of Mandy, Wheatley, Emma, baby number three and me, thank you for this amazing opportunity.

We look forward to our journey ahead and the many milestones we will celebrate together. It is good to be home. It is good to be a part of Arkansas State. Go Red Wolves!

On Nov. 9, 2010, the ASU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Charles L. (Chuck) Welch of Arkadelphia to serve as president of the Arkansas State University System. He will begin his duties on behalf of Arkansas State in the Spring of 2011. Prior to his appointment, Welch, who grew up in Jonesboro, served as president of Henderson State University, chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope, and vice chancellor for academic affairs at ASU-Beebe. voices

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GENERALLY, MEETINGS OF THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES ARE SERIOUS AND SEDATE. ON DECEMBER 3, HOWEVER, THINGS GOT OFF TO A ROUSING START. The previous day, Hugh Freeze had been named ASU's 27th head football coach after serving as the Red Wolves' highly successful offensive coordinator.

Being introduced to the Board of Trustees, Freeze said, "I promise you I'll carry the torch every day for this university in a way that'll make you proud. I'll hire good men around us to do the same and we're going to go get some players to make a difference. I feel it's a perfect fit for me and my family here, and I have to welcome you Red Wolves style, so when we say 'ReadyReady,' we're gonna do three claps, OK? Ready-Ready! Ready-Ready! That's how we start every meeting and get our focus on what we're going to do that day."

The Board enthusiastically joined in with the hand claps, though it is unclear whether they plan to start every meeting that way. Attorney Howard Slinkard '69 of Rogers, who was elected board chair at that same meeting, said: "Although the hiring of coaches is not the direct responsibility of the Board of Trustees, personally, I could not be more pleased with the selection by Dr. Lee of Hugh Freeze as head football coach for the Red Wolves. I anticipate a lot of excitement about the program as a result of his appointment. In fact, I understand it has already commenced - GO RED WOLVES." Tyler Zeigler of Jonesboro, Red Wolf Club board member and long-time

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supporter of ASU athletics, echoed those sentiments, saying, "I believe that ASU has scored a touchdown with the hiring of Coach Freeze. I think he will continue to operate the football program on the high level that has become the benchmark for the Sun Belt Conference. I am looking forward to Coach Freeze taking the program to another level. GO RED WOLVES!" Just as Freeze enlivened the Board of Trustees meeting, he wasted no time doing the same for the football program, running on caffeine as well as gasoline.

He spent most of January on the road, logging more than 50 in-home visits to almost all recruits with an offer from the Red Wolves. Even for January, the month was colder than normal this year, with most of Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, and other southeastern states he'd visit hit with a massive, well, freeze. Never slowed him down.

Originally from Mississippi, where he graduated from Senatobia High School and the University of Southern Mississippi, the Hugh Freeze story has become fairly well known. He came to ASU from Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee, via Ole Miss, but before that he served from 1992 to 2004 at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis. His tenure there led to an undefeated season, state championship titles, and being named regional Coach of

the Year and Associated Press Coach of the Year multiple times.

But no mention of Briarcrest can omit a reference to the best-selling book and hit movie, The Blind Side. At Briarcrest, Freeze was the coach of Michael Oher, who is currently playing professional football for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, one of the final teams to fall on the way to this year's Super Bowl. While attending Briarcrest, Oher had stayed at the Freeze home several nights a week in 10th grade, and Freeze's wife Jill tutored him. The good-natured Freeze has confirmed for the record – with a smile – that at no time did Leigh Anne Tuohy (played in the movie by Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock) have to break in on practice to tell him how to coach.

These days, Freeze is concentrating on the Red Wolves football program and its players, hoping to be a mentor and inspiration to them as well. There have already been a multiplicity of plays on his name such as the "Season Ticket Price Freeze." However, our new football coach combines a warm personality with a burning passion for the game. His high-octane offense appears set to light a fire under A-State student-athletes as well as fans.

And he has a special message for alumni. “I feel truly blessed to be at ASU and to be a part of the Jonesboro community," he says. "I look forward to continuing to build the football program upon the foundation that was laid by Coach Roberts and his staff.

We will work tirelessly to produce a team that the entire ASU family will take great pride in supporting.”

Photo by Nancy Hendricks

CAMPUS PROFILE: HUGH FREEZE, HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

"I promise you I'll carry the torch every day for this university in a way that'll make you proud."

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN HOME TO AN IMPRESSIVE NUMBER OF STUDENT-ATHLETES WHO EXCELLED ON THE PLAYING FIELD AS WELL AS IN THE CLASSROOM. BUT FEW OF THEM HAD THEIR OWN COLORFUL CATCH-PHRASE THAT FOLLOWED THEM THROUGH THEIR ATHLETIC AND ACADEMIC CAREER. Christin Baker took the floor as a starter in her first home volleyball game for ASU four years ago. She recalls, "The announcer said 'Christin Baker from Edmond, Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains.' I was so embarrassed the first time I heard it and every time since then, I was announced that same way."

The biology major is in ASU's pre-med program and looks forward to graduation. "My short-term goal is to graduate in May and get into medical school," she says. "My long-term goals are to finish med school and start my own practice. I have always known that I wanted to be a doctor but I think it was a number of events that led me to this decision. Listening to stories from my aunt and grandmother who were RNs sparked my interest in medicine. As I got older, I researched diseases on my own, began working in medicinal chemistry and shadowed local doctors which solidified my interest in becoming a physician. I love learning about medicine and the opportunity to have a job where I can truly make a difference helping someone."

She recalls a gift that keeps on giving: "I remember the day my Aunt Rose gave me a stethoscope and told me that one day I would get my own. I actually brought it to college and it is

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hanging over my desk to remind me of why I am here."

It turns out that Christin came to A-State from those windy plains of Oklahoma due to a convergence of geography and the clock. She says, "I was recruited by the women's volleyball team at ASU-Jonesboro, and my mother had told me that I could go no farther than eight hours away from home. After doing some research on the school, I was impressed with the biology department and student-to-faculty ratio so I chose to further my education here at ASU." She feels she made the right choice, time and space notwithstanding. "The students and faculty at ASU make a very supportive community. I love that when there is a scheduled event there is always a wonderful turnout and people are always willing to help. In high school I started a program called 'Color for Kids' and since then every year I run a school supply and coloring book drive to raise donations for a local organization in need. Last year, when I teamed up with the Women In Science club on campus to do 'Color for Kids,' we collected over 500 donations that went to City Youth in Jonesboro and Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center in Memphis."

So in addition to a rigorous academic program and college athletic career,

Christin also made time to help others.

"Yes, it was a challenge being a Division I student-athlete," she says. "But I learned how to balance my time between school, athletics, and social life. I learned to stay ahead during the season and just to be more time-efficient in general."

She is quick to acknowledge that she had a first-class role model. "My mother, Josita Baker, has been the greatest influence on my life. She is a wonderful role model and a great supporter. She is the executive director of enrollment management at Langston University, and she taught me the importance of earning an education and giving back to the community. When I was younger, I remember my mother and I standing in the checkout line in Wal-Mart and a little boy was in front of us trying to buy a water gun. He didn't have enough money and my mother offered to pay for the toy.

After we left, I asked why she bought something for a complete stranger and she said because when God blesses you, you should give back to those in need."

Christin also credits faculty mentors at ASU. "Dr. Ellis Benjamin, assistant professor of chemistry and physics, is the most influential ASU professor; he has always been willing to help me whether it was writing letters of recommendation or allowing me to do research in his lab."

Outside of the lab, classroom or volleyball court, she also enjoys photography and playing sand volleyball in warm weather. Whether or not the wind comes sweeping down the plains, ASU's Christin Baker is a whirlwind of activity who has dedicated her life to helping others.

Photo by Nancy Hendricks

STUDENT PROFILE: CHRISTIN BAKER

"THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY AT ASU MAKE A VERY SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY. I LOVE THAT WHEN THERE IS A SCHEDULED EVENT THERE IS ALWAYS A WONDERFUL TURNOUT AND PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP."

FOR VIEWERS OF THE ENORMOUSLY POPULAR PBS-TV SHOW TENNESSEE CROSSROADS OR SPIKE TV'S HORSEPOWER, THE HANDSOME FACE AND RICH VOICE OF ASU ALUMNUS JOE ELMORE '66 ARE WELCOMED WARMLY INTO THEIR HOMES. IT SEEMS LIKE A NATURAL PROGRESSION FOR SOMEONE WHO HAD TELEVISION ON HIS MIND EVEN AS A CHILD...

"I was always fascinated by movies and television," he says. "Maybe as a harbinger of things to come, I used to sit in a swing at elementary school and pretend I was hosting my own live TV show."

Even his childhood sounds like something from the world of TV. "Growing up in Paragould in the 1950s was like growing up in Mayberry," he recalls. "You could leave your bicycle in the front yard with no worries of theft. You could leave your front door unlocked, and yes, neighbors would enter unannounced."

But going straight into show biz was not an option. "My dad had a strong work ethic honed by the Great Depression, and his greatest ambition was to ensure my younger sister and I received college educations."

Joe says he chose A-State since many family members had gone there, but also to be close to his girlfriend back home in Paragould. "Well, the girlfriend and I broke up, and my sophomore year was the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I pledged a fraternity (TKE), started a band with fellow classmates and became entrenched in the lifestyle at ASU. I had way too much fun, but stayed the course academically too. I first settled on broadcasting as a major, and Charles Rasberry ’56 was more of an influence than he realized. He taught me that in

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communications, as in any discipline, you must first learn the rules before you can break them. At the time, I was more attracted to writing than anything else. So, I moved over to the print journalism department, where the late 'Tex' Plunkett ’34 was in charge. He was a charming teacher, and again, a person who instilled the basics – the building blocks of my craft."

Through a series of jobs, Elmore drifted into TV in Memphis and life was good – until it wasn't. In 1984, the station decided to cancel his show, and about the same time, he learned that his mother had terminal cancer. "I felt totally lost," he says.

"I was facing both unemployment and the loss of the most beloved person in my life.

Instead of taking another TV job in a market far away, I decided to remain close enough for regular visits to my mother by moving to Nashville." A friend was able to get him work producing marketing videos, and Elmore eventually landed a part-time job at The Nashville Network, writing and field-producing country music shows.

In 1987, he learned about a new weekly magazine show about to be launched at the Nashville public television station. "I got the job as host and contributing story producer for a show we decided to call Tennessee Crossroads," he says. "Amazingly, 23 years later,

Crossroads is often the most-watched PBSbased show in its time slot in the nation.

I’ve explored countless hidden jewels along the backroads and shared stories that reveal personal triumphs, warm memories and a sense of substance that is unique to the show."

Since 1996, Joe has also been cohosting and producing a show for Spike TV called Horsepower. He says. "The target audience is quite simply a bunch of car guys with a passion for modifying and beautifying their hot rods. I joke about not knowing a camshaft from a mineshaft when show began. However, I had a very mechanically proficient co-host who had never done TV. So we taught each other our respective skills. Also, I learned in writing classes at ASU that a journalist’s job is often to gather complex information and present it in a concise, clear manner. Thank you, Tex and Charles."

He says his life as an ASU student provided a sold background and a springboard for his career. "However, equally important is the fact that it helped me hone the social skills necessary for dealing with all kinds of people from various backgrounds. I gained lasting friendships there and stored a treasure trove full of wonderful memories." Among those is a brief, notorious spell involving an alternative campus newspaper – but that's a story for another day.

Nowadays, he says, "I believe that continuing education – professional and personal – is the key to continued growth and happiness. To me, that entails listening to new ideas, embracing new technologies and keeping one’s mind open to the vast scope of possibilities. Basically, I want to continue doing what I love to do – telling stories using the tools of my trade."

Photo by Nancy Hendricks

ALUMNI PROFILE: JOE ELMORE '66

"I LEARNED IN WRITING CLASSES AT ASU THAT A JOURNALIST’S JOB IS OFTEN TO GATHER COMPLEX INFORMATION AND PRESENT IT IN A CONCISE, CLEAR MANNER. THANK YOU, TEX AND CHARLES."

LIVING, LEARNING, LEADING "While the ROTC LLC somewhat re-creates an environment that Cadets will see in the Army, it is NOT an Army barracks."

If you happen to be on the Arkansas State University campus some morning by 5:30 a.m., you'll be in for an inspiring sight – our ROTC Cadets marching in formation from their residence hall to the Armory on the other side of campus.

Yes, it's in the pre-dawn hours but it's definitely worth the trip.

The Cadets seem to move with an extra measure of pride as they leave their residence, which is not a dorm, nor is it a barracks.

The official name is "ROTC Living-Learning Community."

It's unique, and it's something to be proud of.

Only one in the country Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Helms, a West Point graduate who has served as Professor of Military Science at ASU since 2007, says, "ASU is the only ROTC program in the country, apart from the senior military colleges like Texas A&M, Citadel, etc., that has its own stand-alone structure for housing Cadets."

In August, Arkansas State University opened the doors to the Army ROTC LLC, one of its two newly-constructed Living-Learning Community buildings, currently making three in all. Last year, the Honors College dedicated its LLC, and this year, ROTC joined the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program in creating an environment that supports the unique characteristics of the occupants and the program to which they belong.

While the other LLCs on campus refer to "LivingLearning Communities," LTC Helms likes to call the ROTC building a “Learning-Leading Center,” saying, "It is unique in that it provides a sense of community as well as active mentorship in a leadership laboratory. It provides the Cadets with a focused, close-quarters environment enabling unit identity and ultimately increasing individual student performance and development. This community enables ROTC Cadets to develop Army values and norms within a visible, cohesive living arrangement.”

The ROTC LLC is a collaborative effort between the ASU Office of Student Affairs, Residence Life, and the Department of Military Science to provide an opportunity for ROTC students to live in an environment incorporating a diverse range of academic, social, military and cultural opportunities centered on the ROTC experience. The ROTC/Red Wolf Battalion LLC at Arkansas State University houses 50 Cadets who major in a variety of academic disciplines.

When classes began last August, there was not a gala grand opening. LTC Helms says, "Contractors were hanging doors and putting knobs on right up to the day before we moved in." In the excitement, nobody seemed to mind.

LTC Helms gives us a brief overview: "It is the only ROTC LLC in Arkansas, one of only three in the nation, and the only one to be in its own building. It is an example of the supportive relationship between Arkansas State University and the ROTC Program. We seek to create an environment that supports the objectives of Residence Life, Student Affairs, and the ROTC program in the growth and development of the students living there. It is not an attempt to duplicate the environment at a military academy. While

it has no official name that I can think of, we call it the ROTC LLC, or the home of the Red Wolf Battalion."

The facility houses 50 beds, with each Cadet having a private room, living in either two-person or four-person suites. It has a great room with a smart board connected to a computer, a kitchen, and washer/dryers on the first floor.

There are four common rooms on the upper two floors, one of which has been converted to a computer room with program computers and a printer.

The building is co-ed and LTC Helms says there are a number of females living there, adding, "It has been popular with Cadets, and has been a successful initiative for the Battalion so far. The motto for the new facility is, 'Live and Learn Together Now, Fight and Win Together Later.'"

Presenting the case LTC Helms recalls how it came about: "I jumped at the chance when I found out that departments could present their case for students in their college, department, etc., to live in one of the two new LLCs. The benefits to the program and the school just slap you in the face." To name a few, he says, they are: • • • • • •

Provide sense of belonging and community Greater unit cohesion More visible community on campus Facilitate integration and acculturation Sense of belonging to something special Create opportunity for increased responsibility (building maintenance, residence life policies, Cadet behavior) • Facilitate chain of command duties, responsibilities and accountability • Active mentorship, increased performance and retention • Recruiting edge with other ROTC programs in Arkansas and the region

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Will Winn

He adds, "While the ROTC LLC somewhat re-creates an environment Cadets will see in the Army, it is NOT an Army barracks. We'd like to think that the LLC enables Cadet development of Army values, norms and mores, while remaining a comfortable, functional, private sanctuary for Cadets to live, learn and grow."

In looking to the future of the facility, LTC Helms envisions the plaques of all future inductees in the ROTC Hall of Heroes being displayed in the LLC. He also says, "We'd like to open up the opportunity for alumni endowing the common areas, possibly creating 'themed' rooms.

For example, if a Vietnam-era ROTC alum wants to endow a room, we could hang pictures and photos of Vietnam, put in a bookcase filled with military books on Vietnam, etc. I think that would be a great way to solidify our presence and identification with the structure."

Even the exterior of the building holds special significance. In a peaceful patio area, a memorial to fallen heroes includes recognition of the late Ken Sisler ’64, ASU's only known recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

One of those Cadets is ASU freshman William Winn of Jonesboro, who goes by the nickname "Will."

Will Winn: perfect Army name.

As an outstanding Cadet in the ROTC program, Will was our tour guide through the ROTC LLC. Will graduated from Jonesboro High School where he was captain of the baseball team and excelled academically.

Today he is a Ranger Challenge Cadet. He says, "I love the ROTC program as well as ASU as a whole. I feel at home basically. Being a second semester freshman, there is not much I could tell alumni that they don’t already know. They graduated from an excellent institution that is growing everyday and producing great leaders in and out of the military."

He is enthusiastic as he shows us around the facility, which requires a card scan to enter. "The LLC is an excellent installment for Cadets. My favorite thing is having my friends/Cadets all in the same building. We learn from each other constantly. The third floor in general is

Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross recipients, as well as those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat, are also honored. The Cadet Creed is emblazoned in bronze. The benches surrounding the monument are dedicated to important concepts for the Cadets: Duty, Honor, Country and Leadership.

my favorite part of the facility. The close-knit freshman class resides on the third floor. We do everything together, creating a bond which is very important for a group who may be in battle together some day. The LLC also offers a chance for the underclassmen to interact with seniors, the Soldiers who are commissioning soon - very cool!"

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He recalls one of his favorite moments so far while living in the LLC: "That was when the second and third floor had an all-out air soft war. Us being Cadets, this was very fun. We fought for a good three hours. It was a blast.

We spent nights playing Xbox with 16 guys. Spending time with your buddies is never dull."

Will is an exercise science major who hopes to further his education with additional physical therapy training. He says, "I want to branch Infantry, Armor, or another combat branch. I want this so I can know for myself that I did something with my life that not a whole lot of people have."

He is involved in Ranger Challenge and the Rifle Team, and also enjoys playing basketball in what free time he might find. He speaks highly of his family, his mother Rhonda Velero, and his father and stepmother, Perry Winn who attended ASU in the 1980s, and Lori A. Winn '88 who is currently ASU's director of human resources.

Will says, "Sometimes life throws curveballs; you just have to hope that you prepared good enough."

Living in Arkansas State University's ROTC LLC, Cadet Will Winn probably is doing just that.

In the accompanying photos, his buddy, freshman Cadet Howard Watts of Poplar Bluff helped show off ASU's newest and proudest "Learning-Leading" Center.

Happy 75th anniversary!

Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Established at Arkansas State University on January 20, 1936 Army ROTC was initially established at Arkansas State University as an Artillery unit in 1936 with the Basic Course mandatory for all male students. In 1952, A-State moved from the Artillery branch when selected as one of thirty institutions to test the General Military Science curriculum, which continues today. This curriculum allows ASU commissionees the opportunity to serve in any branch of the U.S. Army, depending on their personal desire and qualifications, and the needs of the Army.

The mandatory feature of the program at ASU was discontinued in 1971, the year that ROTC at A-State was first opened to females, with two entering the program that first year. The program has evolved from a comprehensive one, involving almost the entire male student body, to a voluntary program based on recruiting those who want to become commissioned officers.

Many ASU ROTC graduates have risen to prominence in and out of the Army. Along with those achieving the rank of Major General, graduates have gone on to become Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross recipients.

Many paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Some have been successful in government and in business; one was even the past president of ASU.

Photos by Nancy Hendricks

Today the ASU Red Wolf Battalion is as strong as ever. It is composed of outstanding men and women with various backgrounds and interests. Cadets are active in a variety of social and academic organizations.

Classes include leadership, rappelling, marksmanship, and military history as tomorrow's leaders are developed today.

Last October, Arkansas State University was notified that it has been ranked in the Top Ten in the nation by the editors of the Military Times EDGE magazine as being military-friendly for veterans.

More than 4,000 colleges and universities were invited to report their programs, policies and resources for veterans to Military Times EDGE and were ranked by the editors based upon financial assistance, academic flexibility, campus culture and support services for veterans.

ASU is the only institution in Arkansas to be ranked in the top 100 institutions in Military Times EDGE.

Army ROTC at Arkansas State University offers classes and hands-on training focused primarily on leadership in small organizations. These classes are open to all ASU students and, through inter-school agreements, to students at ASU-Beebe and ASU-Mountain Home.

Its mission is to commission the future officer leadership of the United States Army and motivate young people to be better citizens.

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Medical Arts: The Creative World of Alumnus

SCoTT Bodell On his company website, artist Scott Bodell '81 lists the following as subject specialties: Allergy/Immunology, Anatomy, Biology, Biotechnology, Cardiac Surgery/Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrinology ‌ the list runs through the alphabet right down to Vascular Surgery and Virology. Not exactly what one might expect from a world-class artist.

But Scott Bodell takes artistic expression to a whole other level, where disease is seen, illness is cured and lives are saved.

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"I learned early on that drawing was the key to growing as an artist. John Keech, Roger Carlisle and Tom Chaffee at ASU all contributed to how I see what I see and translate it to media."

Scott and his wife Sylvia Byrne Bodell '84 currently live in Dallas where Bodell Communications, Inc., is doing spectacularly. Each of his medical illustrations, apart from being useful, is a work of art in itself. Prior to establishing Bodell Communications, Scott served as a medical illustrator and graduate level professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas where he taught surgical illustration and general illustration techniques. For almost two decades, Scott has been the 'go-to' guy in the field, creating award-winning medical illustration for pharmaceutical giants such as Merck, Lilly, BristolMyers, Alcon, Johnson & Johnson, GE Medical and Novartis. Scott also works with book publishers and professional organizations such as the American Medical Association as a creative consultant.

But that's just in the last century. These days, Scott says, "I'm part of a new medical media group offering video, animation, interactive, illustration and graphic design. Our plans are to be part of larger medical communications solutions. Medical illustration is no longer a market for storytelling still images. Our market focus will shift toward visuals for training and consumer education." He's come a long way from rainy afternoons as a kid in Jonesboro. voices

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Quiet times, rainy days "Growing up, art was a hobby for quiet times and rainy days. I was a fairly normal boy who enjoyed the competitive sport of the season. I settled on football as a focus and played throughout high school in Jonesboro." He considers Steve Ewart '69, his junior high and high school football coach in Jonesboro from 1973-77, to be one of the major influences on his life. "The Bible he gave me sits under my grandmother's. He provided a clear example of the life lessons we can learn and teach through competitive sports."

Speaking of his grandmother, Lilly Bodell, he also honors her as a major influence in his life. "She was not a dynamic personality or a leader among women.

I'm not sure she even finished high school because of her life circumstances. She was simply the best example in my life of a humble servant. From her I learned family values based on Biblical truths. She didn't teach or preach, she just lived the Christian life. If my house is on fire, I'm going back in to get her Bible."

Having grown up in Jonesboro, Scott says the decision to attend ASU was an easy one. "There was never much consideration to leave the state for college. My older brother Kim Bodell '77 received a communications degree from ASU." Scott had a dual interest in both art and the medical sciences, which he says made his career path a clear choice. "After I received my art degree at ASU, I continued to audit drawing courses, while I took the upper level pre-med classes. For a brief period, I was planning to go to med school instead of a career in art. When I found out about the medical illustration graduate studies program at UT Southwestern in Dallas, I decided I was planning to go to med school for the wrong reasons." So he went to Dallas, received his master's degree in biomedical communications from UT Southwestern in 1987, and quickly rose to the top of his field.

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Science and art On that journey, he credits the education he received at ASU in coalescing his interest in both the world of art and the medical field. "Since I was almost a dual major, I spent considerable time in both the college of arts and lab sciences," he says.

"On the pre-med side of my studies, my favorite teachers were George Harp for Zoology and Donald Newton for Embryology. Dr. Harp was a great professor to orient any young student to college

George Harp

Donald Newton

academics because of his organization and clarity in presentation. His class set standards in my work habits."

Today, Professor Emeritus Harp recalls Bodell as a student. "Yes, I remember Scott. He knew even as a student that he wanted to be a medical illustrator. He was a good student, a strong student. I suggested for him to advance from Zoology I to Zoology II which was more of human biology, which would be helpful in human anatomy and physiology. Of course he was a Fine Arts major. He was really avid about preparing. We both realized at the time that it was hard to get into the field of medical illustration, but I tried to help as much as I could."

Scott combined his talents in art and science to do something nice for Dr. Harp in return. "My field is aquatic insects, particularly dragonflies," says Dr. Harp. "Scott made a T-shirt for me with a young dragonfly on one side and a mayfly on the other.

There were 25 shirts that were made, which literally went from coast to coast, and I have only one left."

A student with a goal The other side of Scott's brain was nurtured in Fine Arts. "In the college of arts, I learned early on that drawing was the key to growing as an artist," he says.

"John Keech, Roger Carlisle, and Tom Chaffee at ASU all contributed to how I see what I see and translate it to media. Tom Chaffee ingrained an understanding of color missing from most undergrad programs."

Today, ASU professor of art Roger Carlisle recalls those days: "Scott Bodell, as I remember him, was a student with a goal. He worked hard in drawing and became very skilled. Scott always gave his best."

t jelled at ASU John Keech

Roger Carlisle

Tom Chaffee voices

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David Blow

But Scott was in the program for commercial art. "David Blow was the program chair or director, Scott recalls. "He was brutally frank in critiques, but his work told everyone he knew what he was talking about. He told me in front of my classmates as a freshman that I 'couldn't draw (expletive deleted)' but I could paint well enough to cover it up.' As embarrassing as that was, it was true, and a real turning point in my studies. It was then I decided to take as much drawing as the program would allow until I left."

Curtis Steele

Scott says his advisor was the "new kid on the block - Curtis Steele. Curtis was a friend to all the students, but never at the expense of the learning experience. His art, photography and teaching style was methodical and very meticulous. I was still a very young redneck back then. Curtis tolerated that and opened my eyes to the big world outside of Arkansas."

Today, that "new kid on the block" is the chair of the Art Department. Steele recalls, "Scott spent one semester working on medical illustration with me. During that semester, Scott contacted St. Bernard's and was allowed to observe and draw during surgical proceedings. That is typical of this talented and motivated student; he took the initiative to pursue his professional interest beyond the walls of the institution. After receiving his undergraduate degree at ASU, he was admitted to the highly competitive medical illustration program at then-East Texas State University. As I recall, Scott was one of eleven students out of some 200 applicants to be admitted. I am very proud of Scott, and visit him and Sylvia whenever I am in the Dallas area."

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Bodell is still taking the initiative, while finding some 'regained time.' "I have two boys, ages 19 and 15," he says."For most of their lives, I have coached, or helped coach, whatever sport they were playing, mostly baseball. Now that they are out of the youth sports phase, I am spending the time regained developing new business directions. I can relax as well as anyone. But I don't sit still for long before I feel like I'm wasting time better spent being productive on something."

When it comes to being productive at creating world-class medical illustration, ASU's Scott Bodell is at the top of the game.

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Research Oriented Leadership Driven Problem-Solving Self-Sustaining

A runaway bestseller in the 1980s was

In Search of Excellence by Tom Peters, which seemed to be on everyone's bookshelf or desk.

Peters has never paused in his search for the elusive quality of excellence; his latest, The Little Big Things:

163 Ways to Pursue Excellence, was published last year and carries on the quest.

Fortunately, at Arkansas State University, excellence has not only been pursued but it has been captured and identified.

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Research ballpark According to Dr. Michael E. Dockter, ASU's chief research officer and associate vice chancellor for research since 2008, the University's strategic plan calls for areas in which to focus institutionally as centers of research excellence. Dockter says, "These centers and/or institutes are founded upon the intellectual expertise of a group of faculty members who have the critical mass to significantly impact its field of study, and are augmented by robust graduate programs. Their purpose is to stimulate systemic research productivity, build institutional reputation, and, in some cases, provide a boost to the local economy. The Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) was developed with these goals in mind, and is the model that the University will use as it strives to increase the number of centers/institutes of excellence."

Mike Dockter is uniquely qualified to recognize excellence when he sees it. He holds a Ph. D. in biophysics and biochemistry, and after receiving a prestigious postdoctoral award, spent three years in Switzerland studying the structure of proteins responsible for the energy in cells.

Yes, he does bring "energy" to his position at ASU. He manages an approximately $24 million annual research budget at A-State, but feels that interdisciplinary research and campuswide collaborations are the true sources of strength. He stresses the importance of collaborative efforts between various disciplines, and aims for ASU to be in the $100 million range within five years, placing A-State in the same "research ballpark" as the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

He stresses that alumni and community members should be happy to note that the $100 million figure is not just a number, albeit an impressive one. "If we get to $100 million in extramural funding, that's $100 million that flows into Jonesboro from other sources: government, businesses, and international companies, for example. Those dollars get turned

over about two and a half times into the community, generating a $250 million impact."

Not only is the dollar figure striking, but such research endeavors also produce a growth in opportunities for ASU graduates, both in the community and in the state, along with the potential for creation of new companies. The official name for that process, "Technology Transfer," essentially means taking research and turning it into companies, or as Dockter says, "Benchside to Curbside."

What are Centers of Excellence?

Dockter feels that the $100 million figure is extremely attainable. "We've grown two and a half-fold in the last five years without really having made a concerted effort in that direction. Imagine what we can do when we really go for it."

He feels a major part of that effort is "to build in as much potential productivity as we can, to create the infrastructure to support individual faculty members in their activities. That requires one-on-one interaction to find out, 'How can we help you to get where you're going?' It requires engaging as many faculty involved in research as we can, and then to grow those numbers."

The way to do that is to promote collaborative projects. "It means bringing together faculty/researchers from different disciplines to address a larger problem that can't be addressed individually," he says.

That's where Centers of Excellence come in. To be defined as such, Dockter says they would require: • a critical mass of faculty in that area of research • strong leadership for the group • work on a project or problem that connects the University to the community • clear opportunities for extramural funding to become self-sustaining

"Really vibrant Centers of Excellence will have an active portfolio of funding coming in." voices

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"Really vibrant Centers of Excellence will have an active portfolio of funding coming in," Dockter says. He feels Arkansas State University already has an exemplary Center of Excellence in its Arkansas Biosciences Institute, or ABI, which opened on the A-State campus in 2004 [See the full story on ABI in the Fall 2004 issue of VOICES]. "It's a great model," he says. "Looking at ABI as a prototype, it has a stream of revenue from the Tobacco Settlement; a clear mission; the space and facilities; educational programs including two Ph. D. programs; educational outreach such as Biotech-in-a-Box, and is interdisciplinary in nature, bringing together such programs as Agriculture, Science and Math, Nursing and Health Professions, Education, and Sociology to name a few."

Areas of Strength At this time, Dockter sees several areas of research strength at A-State with tremendous potential:

"When people think of ASU, what do we want them to think of?"

EXCELLENCE

Delta Center for Economic Development – In 2009, this corporate-inspired facility was dedicated after being funded by a $6.6 million grant from the U. S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Commission.

Housing the outreach arm of the College of Business, it serves as the home for an array of programs for community and regional economic development, professional and workforce training, and small business assistance programs.

Health Disparities – The mission of this Center is to address inequity in health care for the state with emphasis on underserved areas and underprivileged people with our College of Nursing and Health Professions as the catalyst. With the opening in 2009 of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences, a $14.5 million grant-funded facility, ASU is perfectly positioned to meet this need.

Delta Heritage Initiatives – Arkansas State University currently owns and operates three heritage sites that enhance tourism in their communities: Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center at Piggott; Southern Tenant Farmers Museum at Tyronza, and Lakeport Plantation in Lake Village. Recently ASU also acquired the Federal Administration Building that was the centerpiece of the historic Dyess Colony, known as the boyhood home of Johnny Cash, and is in the process of restoring it in partnership with the City of Dyess. Students in the university's Heritage Studies Ph.D. program are closely involved, using those field sites as living laboratories.

Sustainable Resources - The Center for Efficient and Sustainable Use of Resources, or CESUR, is a new center that was established at ASU in 2010 with funding from the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority. As the name suggests, CESUR has two areas of emphasis: efficiency and sustainability.

Housed in the College of Engineering, CESUR is dedicated to improved efficiency of engineering systems, which generally involves the reduction of waste.

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From the Arkansas State University Policy and Procedures draft on Centers and Institutes submitted by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research:

The shape of things to come Dockter emphasizes that those are to name only a few, but that at this time they have the capacity to catalyze research on the ASU campus. He says it is his intent to foster research in these and other emerging areas of strength to fully develop the University's research agenda. It is a multi-faceted approach: "We look to U.S. News and World Report as well as other ranking systems," he says, "but it is not just about ranking. When people think of ASU, what do we want them to think of? I believe it is great educational programs and great research programs. We also look to the students who are yet to come: who do we want to recruit and why do we want to recruit them?"

Mike Dockter will be the first to emphasize that the effort involves many people. But along with ultimately being responsible for the outcomes, with his office as the place where the buck stops, he puts the human face on the effort to elevate Arkansas State University to a whole new level as a research-intensive institution.

"That's the fun part of this job," he says. "The satisfaction of moving ASU in that direction is enormous – to be able to say I made a difference to students, to the community, and to the world."

PURPOSE When academic centers, support centers, and institutes are appropriately designed, ably led, regularly reviewed, and carefully integrated with the University's core mission, they make essential and powerful contributions to the University's academic life. They are distinct entities within departments, colleges or the University that may have any or all of the following attributes: • Provide clear intellectual foci that define their essential programs and research activities • Advance the scholarly missions of departments, schools/colleges, and the University • Serve as the nucleus for research programs in established and emerging fields of strength • Offer students and community stakeholders educational programs, training, and services that otherwise would not be available, and • Enhance the visibility and reputation of the University

ESTABLISHMENT Research & Sponsored Programs Expenditures FY 2005-2010 30 -

FY06

FY07

FY08

$23.4 million

FY05

$19.2 million

5-

$19.3 million

10 -

$17.4 million

15 -

$24 million

20 -

$11.6 million

$ millions

25 -

FY09

FY10

Designation as a center or institute is a singular honor reserved for those entitles that are a) central to the mission of the University, b) interdisciplinary, c) entrepreneurial in approach, d) research intensive, e) venues for student learning, and f) linked to the community and to other external stakeholders.

Additionally, centers and institutes must build upon faculty strengths; facilitate the creation of a multidisciplinary community of scholars; be linked to at least one academic program in order to provide research, service, and experiential learning opportunities for faculty and students; demonstrate the potential for attracting external support and/or demonstrably enhancing the University's reputation; and demonstrate linkages to the community (desirable for centers, mandatory for institutes).

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As this issue of VOICES reaches you, spring has sprung on the ASU campus! We are seeing the hint of green peeking from the branches of the trees and the sun shines bright on the lake behind the Cooper Alumni Center. Spring is traditionally a time for new beginnings and several people who have been close to the Alumni Association and supportive of our goals are making their own types of transitions and new beginnings.

Dr. Robert Potts, the first person named chancellor for the Jonesboro campus is retiring. He and Irene joined the ASU family in October 2006 and stepped immediately into this new role, working with faculty, staff and students to raise admissions standards, provide increased focus on research, expand distance learning opportunities and strengthen our international programs. Dr. Potts holds a special place in the history of the institution because under his tenure we were able to successfully transition from Indians to Red Wolves due to mandates imposed by the NCAA regarding the use of Native American imagery. It was not a popular choice, but it was the right choice and that has been proven through the success we have seen with the adoption of our new Red Wolves logos by alumni and students. He also has served the ASU system as

THE LAST WORD: FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR

interim president in the last year working with the leadership of all of the campuses of Arkansas State

as a search was conducted for the new system president. Our best wishes go with him and Irene and our continuing support for them as they take these next steps.

Every shovel full of dirt that has been turned on this campus since 1985 has some connection to ASU graduate, Terry Carty.

He will also be retiring this year after serving 26 years as the construction manager of the campus and previous service in the campus bookstore and Carl R. Reng student center. Although generally charged with the responsibility of carrying out the plans of others, Terry was a visionary in his own right. He looked at each project as what would work best for the students we are privileged to serve, what would be logical and fiscally responsible. He provided exceptional leadership to me during the construction of the Cooper Alumni Center and I appreciate his friendship very much.

Another significant transition is the retirement of Carol Roberts, administrative assistant in the Office of Alumni Relations.

Carol has been working with alumni since 2003 and most recently has successfully guided the scheduling of events at the Cooper Alumni Center since its opening in October 2008. During that time we have hosted more than 20,000 people for meetings, receptions and other celebrations. She has strength of character and a love of people that is remarkable and we will miss her leadership on our team.

It is a time of transition and we will miss those who are starting their own new journeys. We are preparing for the new season and the opportunities that will guide ASU for the future.

Sharing your pride in ASU,

Beth Smith Executive Editor

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PHOTOGRAPH BY NANCY HENDRICKS

Dear Friends,

Arkansas State University by the Numbers As of Fall, 2010 64,464......... Living Alumni 41,880......... Alumni living in Arkansas 10,951......... Alumni living in Craighead County 1,003........... Alumni living in foreign countries 806.............. Largest degree program by enrollment (Bachelor's in Nursing) 3,812........... Enrollment in largest college (College of Education) * 61% ............ Female students 41% ............ Students age 25 and over 20% ............ Ethnic minorities 19 to 1 ........ Student to faculty ratio 575.............. Number of international students 68................ Number of foreign countries represented 214.............. Largest number of international students represented (China) ** 22.1............. ASU average freshman ACT composite score (National average: 21) 1,030........... Administrative and support staff 524.............. Instructional and research faculty 398.............. Adjuncts and graduate assistants 10,761......... Current students from Arkansas 13,415......... Fall 2010 enrollment (all-time record enrollment!) and‌ 13,239......... Spring 2011 enrollment (school record for spring!)

* Next largest – College of Nursing & Health Professions, College of Business respectively

** Next largest number of international students represented - India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Nepal, South Africa, Pakistan and Vietnam respectively

P.O. BOX 1990 • STATE UNIVERSITY, AR 72467 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

history

From the 1961 yearbook: A-State TKE fraternity brothers induct a new member at his home, Graceland, in Memphis. The Class of 1961 will celebrate its Golden Anniversary Reunion at our 2011 Homecoming this fall.