HENDERSON MAGAZINE
FOR ALUMNI AND F RIE NDS OF HE NDE RSON STATE UNIVE RSIT Y
SUMMER 2019
BREATHE STALWART PINE TREES Remembering Mary Jo Mann
STUDY ABROAD Art, biology students experience the global classroom
Inside HENDERSON MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019
Features 04 BREATHE STALWART PINE TREES
Remembering Mary Jo Mann
06 STUDY ABROAD
Finding art in everyday life
08 A DREAM COME TRUE
Biology offers study abroad in the tropics
Departments 10 CAMPUS NEWS
Tollett, Spann named to Board of Trustees Estate endows counselor education scholarship
13 CAMPUS PROFILE Robert Webb, Greek Life
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14 ALUMNI NEWS New alumni board,
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distinguished alumni, events
17 ALUMNI UPDATES
Connections Facebook.com/hendersonstateu Twitter.com/hendersonstateu Flickr.com/getreddie hsu.today 2 |
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B OA R D O F T R U S T E E S
Eddie Arnold Brown Hardman Johnny Hudson Bruce Moore Creed Spann Megan Tollett Ross Whipple
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PR E S I D E N T
Glendell Jones V I C E PR E S I D E N T F O R U N I V E R S I T Y A DVA N C E M E N T
Jennifer Boyett A S S O C I AT E V I C E PR E S I D E N T F O R D E V E L O PM E N T & A L U M N I
Gary Bouse D I R E C T O R O F A L U M N I E N G AG E M E N T
Leah Sexton M A R K E T I N G & C O M M U N I CAT I O N S
Tina Hall DESIGNER
Pooi Yin Chong
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PH O T O G R A PH E R
Steve Fellers CONTRIBUTORS
Jordan Argo Jamie Engman Steve Fellers Lloyd Jackson Kris Keys Elaine Kneebone Yvonne Saul
Contact HSU Office of Development & Alumni 1100 Henderson Street HSU Box 7540 Arkadelphia, AR 71999-0001 870.230.5401 | 877.733.2586 hsu.edu/alumni alumni@hsu.edu
Please send address corrections to
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Database Administrator Henderson State University HSU Box 7540 Arkadelphia, AR 71999 HSU.EDU
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BREATHE STALWART PINE TREES Remembering Mary Jo Mann
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Each fall for nearly three decades, the freshman class would learn the traditions of Henderson State University from a petite woman who took command of the Arkansas Hall stage by bellowing two unforgettable words: Pine Trees! What would follow was a stroll down the university’s memory lane, masterfully delivered by Distinguished Alumna Mary Jo Mann ’62, and concluding with the interpretation of each line of Henderson’s Alma Mater. This spring, the campus community mourned the loss of this campus icon when she passed on May 3 at the age of 78. The following are just two of many stories that recount the impact of the bearer of the Pine Tree Speech.
E L A IN E K N E E BO N E ’97
Reddies love our school’s unique nickname, but having a spirit instead of a typical mascot requires some explaining. For thirty years Mary Jo Mann explained the Reddie spirit to each new freshman class. At the beginning of every school year Mary Jo would deliver the Pine Tree Speech to a full capacity crowd in Arkansas Hall. If freshmen were not Reddies when they entered Arkansas Hall that night, they would certainly be when they walked out. How fortunate were we to have this grand lady teach us Henderson’s history and traditions for all those years? Mary Jo was born Reddie! Mary Jo knew the school’s story by heart because she had grown up on campus and her own family’s story was so intertwined with Henderson’s history. When Mary Jo spoke of Henderson it always felt like she was talking about a beloved person, not just her Alma Mater. Thanks to her theatre training, Mary Jo told the story of Henderson with dramatic flair. Her distinctive voice was like her: deeply southern, warm, engaging, and slightly mischievous. But her unconditional love for Henderson was no act and that shone through in her delivery of the Pine Tree Speech. It was no secret that Mary Jo’s heart beat Red and Grey. So when Mary Jo told the story of Henderson, you not only learned about the Reddie Spirit, you felt it. Part of Mary Jo’s legacy will be the decades of Henderson freshmen to whom she formally introduced to the Reddie spirit. The Henderson family’s love for this special lady is, in the words of our Alma Mater, “eternal as the holly.”
MARY JO MANN
L L OY D J AC K S O N ’0 2 , ‘06
To know Mary Jo Mann was to know a saint. Her kind heart and sweet spirit were so calming and encouraging all at the same time. When I arrived on campus, Mary Jo had just retired as the Director of Alumni Services but was still active. My first personal encounter with the saint of a woman was as a member of Heart and Key of which she was the sponsor. Seeing this Henderson giant up close and personal allowed me the distinct opportunity to experience greatness and to learn from the best. I had no idea that in not too many years after our meeting, that I would have the privilege of serving the same capacity she had in years prior, Director of Alumni Services. As I learned the role, Mary Jo Mann was always a huge support—answering questions, being a listening ear, and the like. For the past 15 years, she and I have volunteered our time to come back and teach the freshmen about Alma Mater, Henderson. She presented the Pine Tree Speech, and I shared the Alma Mater. It was always a sweet reunion and an honor to be introduced by Ms. Mary Jo Mann herself each year. There will be a huge void in the life of Henderson, but Mary Jo Mann is certainly a bright shining star in its history.
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STUDY ABROAD Finding art in everyday life In March, a dozen Henderson art students traveled to Paris, France with two professors for an 11-day study abroad experience that earned them course credit. For many, it was their first time out of the United States, but for all it was an unforgettable experience. The students toured famous attractions including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame just days before it caught fire, but they also made unforgettable connections. 6 |
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GRADUATE STUDENT KRIS KEYS RECOUNTS ONE EVENING IN PARIS: After eating dinner at a small cafe, three classmates and I set out to capture Paris at night. We came across a park nestled between two large buildings with a beautiful cathedral at the far end. We walked through the park to take some photos at the Cathedral Saint-Ambroise, and while there, a man approached us from a small round garden at the foot of the cathedral. The man’s name was Demba, and he invited us into his garden. He is the caretaker for Jardin Partage Truillot, a community garden. Demba gave us a tour of his garden. He picked mint leaves to share with us. The aroma of the mint was better than any I had smelled before. He spoke little English but continued to show us his garden blooms. We told Demba that we were art students on a trip from the United States. While many Parisians shied away when we took photos, Demba welcomed it. We learned that he is an artist, too. His craft is wood. Demba repurposes old pallets and makes them into beautiful planters for the garden. He shares his art by providing illustrations and photographs that teach others to recreate his planters. I will always remember Demba and his garden in Paris. It is easy to forget how beautiful our daily surroundings are, but Demba reminded me that there is beauty in everyday life.
Each year, Henderson students enjoy study abroad experiences through a variety of disciplines. If you would like to provide financial support to help more students take advantage of study abroad opportunities, please contact the Development Office at 870.230.5518. HSU.EDU
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A DREAM COME TRUE Biology offers study abroad in the tropics “I always tell people that I have the best job of anyone I know, and it’s true,” said Biology Professor Jamie Engman. “Teaching biology at a small, liberal arts university would be great by itself, but for me, the best part is that every summer I get to travel with students to the tropics to study biology, culture, and history.” Since 1999, Engman has led 31 groups of Henderson students to the tropics to study biology, culture and history. Starting in Jamaica, the program expanded to include Panama, Belize, Peru and Ecuador, and one trip to Egypt. Currently, two summer study abroad courses are offered. Tropical Marine Biology takes
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students to Belize, where they live at a marine biology laboratory and study the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest reef in the world. They also study human ecology on a small island, and travel inland to experience Mayan archaeological sites and tropical forests. Neotropical Ecology takes students to Peru and Ecuador, where they live on a ship and visit the Galapagos Islands, and also visit a variety of mainland locations, including Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lima, Cusco, Ollantaytambo, and Quito. “For biologists interested in fieldwork, I don’t think there is a better place than the tropics where we can experience coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass
beds, rainforest, cloud forests, and so much amazing wildlife,” he said. “We have been ‘up close and personal’ with manatees, penguins, sea lions, turtles, monkeys, sloths, whale sharks, whales, and so much more. “Many of the students who travel with me have never been outside of the U.S., some not out of Arkansas, and many have never flown or seen the ocean,” Engman continued. “Most of the places that we visit, I have been to many times before, but for them, it’s the first time. Seeing their excitement and enthusiasm becomes the best part of travel (and teaching) for me.” Engman said students can gain a lot through study abroad. “There is that widening of horizons that comes from new locations and interacting with new people in cultures very different from their own,” he said. Engman requires his students to keep a travel journal and write in it every day. “It’s not unusual to see comments along the line of ‘today was the most amazing day I have
ever had,’ or ‘I never dreamed that I would...,” he continued. “These studyabroad classes have also opened some pretty exciting doors for students. Two students, who had traveled with me to Belize, Panama, Peru, and Ecuador, all experiences with a significant marine focus, were subsequently selected by King Abdullah University in Saudi Arabia for an all-expense paid summer internship studying the marine biology of the Red Sea. Another was one of just four undergraduates from around the world to be selected by Duke University to be a Global Fellow in Marine Conservation. Three had internships conducting research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in the Republic of Panama. Quite a few have gone on to enter, or are
preparing for, careers in marine biology.” While the trips provide amazing experiences, they are intended to be true academic experiences. Before travel, students must prepare through lectures, reviewing scientific articles and books, research, presentations and taking exams. For each trip, there is also a list of approximately 150 organisms the student travelers have a high probability of seeing in the field. They learn the common names, scientific names, classification, and some aspects of their ecology. “It’s fun to jump in the water and marvel over that beautiful orange thing, but a different experience altogether to know that it’s Tubastrea, the orange cup coral, and to be able to explain how it lives,” Engman said.
While students must pay some of their travel costs, support is available through the generosity of donors via the Henderson State University Foundation. If you would like to give more biology students an opportunity to participate in these unique study-abroad experiences, please make a gift to the Tropical Studies Fund. You can donate online at hsu.edu/give or with a check made payable to the HSU Foundation (denote Tropical Studies Fund in the memo line) at HSU Box 7550, Arkadelphia, AR 71999.
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NURSING PROGRAM Introduces New Realistic Simulators
Henderson State University’s Department of Nursing introduced its new Nursing Anne and Sim Baby simulators May 9 during a special ceremony and reception. Nursing Anne is a skills proficiency, full-body manikin with articulating arms and legs and includes simulator accessories and a SimPad handheld operating device. It’s built specifically for nursing education, from basic assessment to advanced practice. Sim Baby is a tetherless fullbody pediatric simulator. “Students will have realistic simulated experiences with Nursing Anne and Sim Baby that are simple to learn and maintain,” said Judy Carlyle, assistant professor of nursing. Students will have standardized training opportunities with the consistency of pre-programmed content. Faculty will have less technology barriers to overcome while maintaining a high level of “fidelity,” she said. “Faculty will also have a turn-key delivery capability with scenarios from multiple sources that drive the simulator.” The new simulation center
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was funded by a $140,447 grant from Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas. Henderson hopes to increase enrollment for its nursing programs by replacing 2550 percent of clinical hours with simulation, which will help relieve the limitations from available clinical space. “The increased enrollment will help alleviate the nursing shortage in our region and help us reach the goal of 80 percent BSN nurses available by 2020 as recommended by the Institute of Medicine,” said Dr. Shelley Austin, nursing department chair and assistant professor. In spring 2018, Henderson received 57 nursing applicants for the traditional BSN program. But only 24 could be admitted. “We had to turn away 33 qualified applicants due to lack of clinical space and lack of qualified faculty,” Austin said. “The center will enable us to increase our qualified, pre-licensure nursing students to 32 each year.” The simulation center will be available to all health professional students at Henderson, including
those seeking health-related degrees other than nursing. It will provide “real-life” experiences with guided learning scenarios in a safe, innovative environment. “Nursing will be designated as the primary user of the HESC, but we will encourage students in our other health professional degrees to utilize it,” Austin said. Henderson’s other health professional degrees include: • Associate of Health Science • Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance • Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology • Bachelor of Science in Radiography • Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine • Associate of Radiography Henderson just opened two new online MSN degrees: Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Administrator with a Nurse Educator Certificate. Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program can utilize the center for demonstration of check-offs on physical assessment at the advanced practice level.
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TOLLETT, SPANN appointed to Henderson Board of Trustees
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has appointed Megan Tollett and Creed Spann to the Henderson State University Board of Trustees. Tollett will serve until January 2026. She replaces Deborah Nolan whose term expired this year. Spann will fill the position recently vacated by James Barnes. He will serve until 2025. Tollett is the chief financial officer for Impact Management Group (IMG), a public affairs, government relations, and public relations firm with offices in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “I am honored to receive the appointment by Gov. Asa Hutchinson to the Henderson State University Board of Trustees,” Tollett said. “Receiving my education from Henderson prepared me to be a steward of public trust, and it is now a privilege to be able
NURSING BY THE NUMBERS
to serve my alma mater in this way. “I have tremendous respect for President Jones and the board members, and I look forward to working with them to advance the university’s mission.” A native of Dierks, Tollett earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Henderson State University with an emphasis in marketing and a minor in political science in 2007. She also holds a Masters of Business Administration from Henderson. Before coming to IMG, Tollett served as the executive director of the Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) where she was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the state party and its campaigns. Tollett resides in Bryant with her husband, Matt, and daughter Camilla.
Spann has practiced public accounting in Arkansas for 47 years. He graduated from Henderson State in 1968 and received his CPA certificate in 1972. “I am truly honored to accept this appointment to the Board of Trustees and look forward to serving the governor and Henderson State University with integrity and in a manner befitting its proud traditions,” Spann said. Spann is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, serving on numerous committees. He has served on the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy and the Arkansas State Banking Board. Spann also served for 15 years on the Board of Directors for First National Bank of Hot Springs. He lives in Little Rock with his wife, the former Leigh Tullous of Pine Bluff.
Nursing Degree Program
Fall 2018 Cohort
Fall 2019 Cohort
Total Students
BSN
24
32
56
RN to BSN
12
30
42
Dual Enrolled
10
25
35
MSN
24
22*
46
*Applications still being accepted at time of production.
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CREWS
inducted into School of Business Hall of Fame Henderson State University’s School of Business held its annual awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction on April 25. Keith Crews, an owner and general manager of Pioneer Scale Co., Inc., was inducted into the School of Business Hall of Fame. Crews earned his marketing degree from Henderson in 1984. He is currently an MBA student at Henderson and will graduate this fall. Crews was a Reddie cheerleader, a member of the Student Government Association, and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. As an alumnus, Crews has been a member of the Reddie Club, a member of the Business Advisory Council, a board member of the Alumni Association, and has served as a judge for the Business Plan Competition.
Headquartered in Benton, Pioneer Scale Co. is a large capacity scale company with additional locations in Texas and Colorado. The company’s initial focus was on large capacity truck and railroad scales. As the company has grown it has diversified into smaller capacity scales, custom truck stop weighing systems, and systems work.
Estate endows counselor ed scholarship Henderson State University has received nearly $190,000 from an estate gift to establish a scholarship endowment for students pursuing a master’s degree in the counselor education program. The Luther and Hazel Brown Memorial Scholarship Endowment was established from a bequest left by Dr. Linda English, who earned her bachelor’s degree from Henderson in 1976 and then completed her master’s in counselor education in 1987. English, who passed away in June of 2016, worked in Teacher’s College, Henderson and had achieved the rank of professor of counselor education in 2012. English established the scholarship to honor the memory of her parents, Luther and Hazel Brown. The couple owned and operated Brown’s Grocery and Gas Station in
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Prescott while raising their daughter. “I watched my mother practice the art of counseling under the guise of store keeper and clerk; daddy was the storyteller and entertainer,” English wrote in a tribute when she first sought to establish the scholarship. “I tell my students today, I do my mother’s work in my daddy’s way … I have searched for many years for a way to honor them now and in the future; I trust this memorial scholarship will do just that.” “We are eternally grateful to Dr. English for recognizing the power of a higher education and for remembering her parents through this legacy gift,” said Jennifer Boyett, vice president for university advancement. “Dr. English loved teaching and was beloved by her students. Her investment in the program where she first learned and later taught counselor education will provide critical support
to generations of Reddies who seek to follow in her footsteps.” The Luther and Hazel Brown Memorial Scholarship will provide $8,000 per year in scholarship support to an Arkansas native with a 3.0 GPA and financial need while pursuing a master’s degree in counselor education. The first scholarship will be awarded this fall. “If you ever met Dr. English, you never forgot her,” said Dr. Celya Taylor, dean of Teachers College. “She was truly passionate about Henderson, her students, her writing, and the counseling profession; she showed it every day. With this tribute to her parents, she continued their legacy and created a ‘living fountain’ that reflects her own legacy of love and liveliness she exhibited for her alma mater, Henderson.”
CAM PUS PRO F ILE
Robert Webb
Assistant Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life
I would describe myself as: A servant leader; a person who leads by example. I cannot ask my students to do something that I am not willing to demonstrate myself. This cultivates trust within our community and assures them that I will advocate for their best interests. To me, Greek Life is: Essential to a quality college student experience. It provides students with an opportunity to serve, connect, and develop. It is a pillar in student engagement and activity, that gives students opportunities to be more than just students. It is a home away from home, and an instant family for all who choose to uphold its mission, vision, and values.
My favorite Greek Life memory is: The night I became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. My father, who is also a member of the fraternity, was the first person to greet me the moment I “came into the light” of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. Before I began the process, I had only one request of him, and that was to be there when I crossed, and to be the first to embrace me as a brother. I would like to grow Henderson State’s Greek Life by: 1. Refining the quality of our current members through leadership training and development. 2. Creating a culture of gratitude and service.
3. Writing our own narrative by highlighting the positive attributes of Greek Life. 4. Colonizing and chartering new organizations on campus to ensure diversity in the organizational choices. When I’m not at work, you’ll probably find me: Spending time with my two Princesses, Grace Elizabeth and Hannah Jack Webb, reading, riding my motorcycle, working out, traveling, or eating. My favorite thing about Henderson State is: The opportunity it provides me to shape, inspire, and uplift my students to be greater than they ever imagined.
CREATE A PLAN. CHANGE A LIFE. It’s easy to change the life of a Henderson State University student with a simple commitment made in your will. » It costs you nothing today. » It can be changed down the road. » It’s free of federal and estate tax. To request information on how to include Henderson State in your will, please contact us today. GARY BOUSE , AS SOCIATE VICE PRE SIDE NT | 870. 230.551 8 | BOUSEG@H SU.E DU
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HENDERSON ANNOUNCES NEW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS
HENDERSON HONORS OUTSTANDING ALUMNI Henderson State University honored six outstanding Henderson graduates at the Alumni Awards Banquet Feb. 2. Pam Vaughan, Barry Bryant, and Garry Glasco became Distinguished Alumni, joining an esteemed group of outstanding men and women who have received the award. First awarded in 1972 to honor outstanding graduates, the Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor Henderson bestows on its graduates. Honorees have made outstanding achievements and contributions in their career, community, education, politics, social services and humanities. “H” Awards were presented to Ross Godwin and Charlie Payne. This honor is given to alumni, friends, faculty, or staff who have given meritorious service to the university. Krystal Beachum received the Young Alumni Achievement Award, which is presented to a Reddie who is under 40 and has a notable career of personal accomplishments.
TOTAL GIVING AND ALUMNI DONORS UP IN ‘19
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Henderson State University has announced the newest members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors following elections and appointments earlier this spring. Alumni from five geographic regions, as well as from out-of-state, voted to elect nominees from their respective regions. Representing the Arkansas geographical regions are Nikki Chandler ‘13 of Arkadelphia for the Southwest region, Dallas Hardison ‘15 of Lowell for Northwest region, Lisa Mundy ‘96 of Bryant for the Central region, Jan Paschal ‘67 of Tuckerman for the Northeast region, and Annetta Trice ‘89 of West Helena for Southeast region. The two out-of-state elected representatives are Traci Martin ‘99 from Cedar Hill, Texas, and Annette Scogin ‘89 from Dallas. Appointed representatives from the alumni chapters are Brad Clark ‘90 of Gurdon for the Gurdon Alumni Chapter, Lloyd Jackson ‘02, ‘06 of Hot Springs for the Black Alumni Chapter, and Dennis Tuggle ‘84 of Arkadelphia for the H Club in Athletics. The college appointees are Charles Green, II ‘07 of North Little Rock for Matt Locke Ellis College of Arts and Sciences, Keith Crews ‘84 of Arkadelphia for the School of Business, and John Laubacher ‘17 of Denton, Texas, for Teachers College, Henderson. The at-large appointed representatives are Don Benton ‘94, ‘03, ‘13 of Hot Springs, Greg Clark ’77 of Helena-West Helena, Steve Eddington ‘84 of Little Rock, and John Prince ‘85 of Hot Springs.
With six weeks still remaining in fiscal year 2019, President Glen Jones reported during the May 2019 meeting of the Henderson State University Board of Trustees that Henderson State had raised more than $2 million in contributions for FY19, the largest annual amount in nearly two decades and a 16 percent increase compared to FY18. President Jones also reported that the university had received gifts from 877 alumni in FY19, resulting in the highest single year of alumni supporting the institution in the past five years—an almost 14 percent increase from the previous year and a 28 percent increase from five years earlier.
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BLACK ALUMNI CHAPTER HOSTS HORTON CEREMONY The Black Alumni Chapter of Henderson’s Alumni Association hosted the second annual Maurice Horton Recognition Ceremony, a pre-commencement celebration on May 9 recognizing AfricanAmerican students who have successfully completed a degree from Henderson State University. Each of the 64 honorees was presented a Horton medal to wear at commencement. Among the May 2019 graduates was Gregory Vaughn of Pine Bluff who was the inaugural recipient of the Maurice R. Horton, Sr. Emerging Leader Memorial Scholarship in 2014. Maurice R. Horton, Sr. was the first African-American graduate of Henderson State in 1957. Members of the Horton family who attended the ceremony included Donald Horton, Jerry Horton, Juan and Tosha Horton along with their children.
MCAFEE NAMED PRESIDENT’S CONCERT HONOREE Kay McAfee (’68) was recognized as the 2019 President’s Concert Honoree at the annual concert in February. She established the Mae Whipple, Robert Ellis, Wayne McAfee, and Kay McAfee Alumni Funds in the Henderson Foundation. The Whipple Fund supports the President’s Concert. McAfee has performed professionally throughout the South, was organist and pianist for numerous large choral offerings and solo recitals, and was a featured artist at American Guild of Organists (AGO) Regional Conventions. In 2007, she was inducted into the Henderson Academy by her peers and colleagues in the music department, and, in 2010, was named a Distinguished Alumna of Henderson. In 2016, she and four of her former students performed an organ recital as part of the Sesquicentennial observance of Henderson.
“As we grow our enrollment and serve more students, private support from our alumni and friends becomes more important,” said President Jones. “With your investment in our people and programs, we are able to provide scholarships for deserving students, support for our faculty and funding for new initiatives.” Last November, Hanover Research reported that while the total amount of alumni contributions nationally has been on the rise, the number of contributing alumni continued to decline among the country’s
universities with only 5 percent of alumni from public universities donating to their alma maters. “I made my first gift to Henderson in 1994, two years after graduating, and I continue to give annually today,” said Foundation Board Chairman Chris Wewers. “I challenge all of my fellow alumni to make a gift this year to any area of the university in any amount that is meaningful to you. It’s a worthwhile investment in the mission of our alma mater and it is life-changing for the students of today and tomorrow.”
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ST PATRICK’S DAY AND TRAVELERS GAME The Reddies went green on March 17 for the 16th Annual Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hot Springs. Alumni and friends visited at the HSU-Hot Springs Landmark Building for refreshments before watching the parade, and guests even caught a glimpse of the Reddie helmet cart riding around! There was perfect weather for a day at the ballpark on Sunday, April 28 when HSU Reddies and their families attended the Arkansas Travelers Baseball game in North Little Rock. Eighty alumni and friends enjoyed a lunch buffet and first-baseline seats while cheering on the Travs for a win!
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ALUMNI U PDATES
BIRTHS Jackson (‘14) and Ilona (‘15) Barton, twin daughters, Elliott Johanna and Madilyn Elyse, November 3, 2018 Dennis (‘17) and Brittney (‘15) Blackerby, daughter, Penelope Neal, February 12, 2019 Holly Brenneman (‘16) and Ryan Norman, son, Callen Gray, April 23, 2019 Jerome and Monica Creggett (‘01, ‘03) Brown, daughter, JerMonica Osea, August 6, 2018 Missy (‘05, ‘06) and Forrest Fikes, son, Drake Carter, April 18, 2018
Cody (‘14) and Ashley (‘14) McLeod, son, Maddex Wade, May 13, 2019 Zach (‘13) and Ali Mitchell (‘14), son, Reeder Allen, March 7, 2019 Wan (‘12) and Willica Morgan (‘04, ‘07), daughter, Charity Ellise, September 23, 2018 Adam (’14) and Alicia (’16) Ussery, daughter, Aura Jay, March 20, 2019 Dusty and Jordan (‘14, 15) Welch, son, Davis Michael, January 24, 2019
ADOPTIONS
Andy and Lindsey (‘07 ‘08) Forga, daughter, Hayden Blair, April 19, 2019
Chris (‘97) and Gynger Campbell, daughters, Cali Marie and Chloe Grace, August 17, 2017
Steven (’10) and Chelsea (‘11, ‘12) Goza, son, Kye Montgomery, March 6, 2018
David (’06, ‘11) and Deborah (‘08) Sesser, son, Ethan Matthew, March 13, 2019
Kelton (‘14) and Aubree Hays, son, Henry “Hank” Kelton, December 30, 2018 J.J. (‘05) and Lisa Hendrix, daughter, Evelyn Ruth, February 21, 2019 Josh (‘09) and Kirsten (‘15, ‘17) James, son, Tucker Fox, July 23, 2018 Jakob (‘18) and Erin (‘18) Johnston, daughter, Rosalie Mae, May 13, 2019 Kallie Payne (‘15) and Mathew Lewis, son, Mathias Stephen, August 16, 2018 Daniel (’15) and Laura Luz (‘16) Lyles, daughter, Isabelle Rose, December 12, 2018 Amanda Matthews (‘09, ‘14) and Nick Ward (‘10), son, Alexander Eli Matthews-Ward, December 20, 2018
WEDDINGS Dallas (‘15) and McKenzie Hardison were married on January 19, 2019. Jessica Hooper (‘11, ‘18) married Josh Friday on March 25, 2019. Genevive “Gigi” Jabara (‘00) married Renato Ponce on September 15, 2018. Susan K. Kissire (‘11) married Ronnie Kissire (‘97, ‘04, ‘07) on January 1, 2018. Colbie McCloud (‘14) married Tom Jones on June 13, 2018. T.J. Nichols (‘14, ‘17) married Mary Katherine Dawson (‘19) on May 10, 2019. Kayla Sparks (‘17) married Hunter Temple on May 18, 2019.
Matt Vines (‘96) married Gina Leeper on May 18, 2019. Chadwick Walther (‘06) married Kathryn Beasley on February 2, 2019. Lauren Watters (‘13) married Steve McCann on May 6, 2019. Chelsea Welch (‘15) married Zach Oliver on October 13, 2018. Katie Smith (‘16) married Nick White on April 18, 2019.
CLASS NOTES Blake Batson (‘89) took the bench as the Circuit Judge for the 9th East Judicial Circuit on January 1, 2019. Brooke Gregory Beck (‘99, ‘00) became the Community Relationship Leader at Southern Bancorp in January 2019. Willie Hansburg (‘13) was promoted to Senior Replenishment Manager for Walmart Inc. in February 2019. J.J. Hendrix (‘05) is the Family Involvement Minister at Northwest Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas. Casey Jackson (‘03) started as the Domestic Violence Coordinator for the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office in March 2019. Kyle Jones (‘05) was called as Pastor at Munn’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Prescott in April. Bobbie Lee (‘01) began as the Title IX Coordinator for Henderson State University in November 2018. Crystal Gray Smith (‘97) graduated with her Master of Science in Nursing degree on May 9, 2019, from the University of Texas at Arlington.
James Leigh (‘06) was named Sports Editor for the Hot Springs SentinelRecord in March 2019. Greg Nation (‘87) accepted the Head Football Coach position at Haskell High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in May 2019. Doris L. Pierce (‘97, ‘04) is Director for the Disability Resource Center at the University of Central Arkansas. Brandon Scott (‘04) launched B. Scott Creative in February 2019. The business focuses on advertising, design, events, public relations, social media, videography, and web management. Melissa Stonesifer Starkey (‘08) is Public School Program Advisor for Social Studies at the Arkansas Department of Education. Kathy Y. Stovall (‘78) earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Louisville in March 2019. She also received the Blake Haselton Community Change Agent Award in April 2019 for her dissertation research. Tina Towers (‘88) became Principal of Barkley Bridge Elementary School in Hartselle, Alabama. Ashley Hull (’14, ‘16) became Head Senior High Girls Track/Assistant Senior High Volleyball Coach at North Little Rock High School. Bobby “Bones” Estell (‘02) served as a guest mentor on “American Idol.” David Sesser (‘06, ‘11), earned a doctoral degree in higher education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in May 2019.
Susan Sharp (‘06) works for the Cherokee Nation in the Commerce Department where she is a Trainer, SelfSufficiency Counselor, and Credit Counselor. Leslie Shults (‘05, ‘09) received a promotion to Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Arkansas State University-Beebe in June 2018. Stan W. Stevens Ph.D., NRRPT (‘75) is the PermaFix Environmental Services, Inc. Radiation Protection Manager for a project at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. Janice Walker (‘89) serves in the position of Senior Vice President/System Chief Nursing Executive (CNE) of Baylor Scott and White Health. Lois Ware (‘94) received her Ph.D. certification in November 2018 from Farouk Systems. Leslie Whitefield (‘04) became a Hospitalist for Arkansas Children’s Hospital in May 2019. Dr. Dwayne Whitten (‘97) was recently promoted to Clinical Professor in the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. Amber Taggard (‘02) started a small business, The Organizer Chick, which has been featured on TED Talks. Robert Eoff, Ph.D. (‘95) has received several grants, including funding from the National Cancer Institute, UAMS Foundation/Medical Research Endowment, UAMS Seeds of Science, UAMS Arkansas Breast Cancer Research Program, and UAMS COM Barton Bridging Grant. Nancy Vessells-Morehead (‘85) retired in 2019 after 31 years as a Business Teacher.
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ALUMNI U PDATES
Anthony Whittington (‘07) was recently elected President of the Arkansas Urban Forestry Council.
1950s
Chanda Hooten (‘18) received the 2019 HSU President’s Staff of Award of Excellence.
Keylon Jackson (‘50), 94, of Arkadelphia - October 1, 2018
Lisa Galbraith-Mundy (‘96) serves as the Coordinated School Health Director for the Arkansas Department of Education. Beverly Quillin (‘82, ‘89) received the 2019 HSU Staff Award for Diversity and Inclusion. Amanda Ritter-Maggio (‘05, ‘12) was named University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year in 2018 and was honored at the Arkansas Community Colleges Conference last October. Peter Maggio (‘05, ‘08) earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University in 2016 and was hired as principal at Spring Hill High School. He is a graduate of Phase 1 of the Arkansas Leadership Academy Master Principal Institute and was selected to Phase 2.
IN MEMORIAM 1940s Mary Evans Vestal (‘44), 94, of Grapevine, Texas April 24, 2017 Thomas Parker Wright (‘48), 94, of Yuca Valley, Calif. - July 28, 2018 William Harrelson (‘49,‘82), 93, of Spring Hill, Tenn. - July 3, 2018 Jimmie Tweedle Sawyer (‘49), 91, of Arkadelphia December 11, 2018
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Lee Byrd (‘50), 88, of Fallbrook, Calif. - February 22, 2019
John Langley (‘50), 89, of White Hall - September 27, 2018 Martha Russell Horne (‘51), 88, of Cordova, Tenn. - June 2, 2018 Loretta Inman (‘52), 87, of Carlisle - October 2, 2018 Frances Sample Withem (‘52), 94, of Ashdown November 28, 2017 Geroline Coleman Lunsford (‘53), 86, of Jonesboro November 4, 2018 Don Crowson (‘55), 88, of Benton - November 20, 2018 Theda Ross Aud (‘57), 82, of Arkadelphia - December 4, 2018 Wilburn Davis (‘57, ‘59), 87, of The Woodlands, Texas - June 25, 2018 Sammy Jackson (‘57), 83, of Mineral Springs October 10, 2018 James Parton (‘57), 86, of Glenwood - March 18, 2018 Emma Tomlinson Spencer (‘57), 84, of Sherman, Texas - November 15, 2017
William White (‘59), 88, of Hot Springs - December 19, 2018
1960s Audrey Wilson Campbell (‘60), 81, of Stuttgart April 30, 2019 Larry Fite (‘60), 79, of Perryville - January 24, 2019 Darlene Youngblood Kesterson (‘60), 78, of De Queen - March 29, 2018 Patsy Curtis Lee (‘60), 79, of Dallas, Texas - June 15, 2018 Carolyn Lawrence Batts (‘61,‘63), 80, of Malvern March 13, 2019 Patsy Spakes Weed (‘61), 79, of Rison - December 13, 2018 Donald Blackwood (‘62), 83, of Magnolia - April 28, 2018 Alice Garrett Stanford (‘62), 78, of Tulsa, Okla. April 28, 2019 Elbert Stanley (‘62), 77, of Baton Rouge, La. September 19, 2017 Jerome Wesson (‘62,‘72), 81, of Nashville - October 15, 2018 Jackie Dillion (‘63), 82, of Conway - March 3, 2019 Clydean Smith Jackson (‘63), 98, of De Queen February 25, 2019
Joseph Caldwell (‘58,‘65), 86, of Vivian, La. - August 10, 2018
Denton Wayne Thompson (‘63), 78, of Alma - March 29, 2019
Icie Corbell Justice (‘58), 82, of West Helena January 23, 2019
Dale Wylie (‘63), 77, of Hope - December 4, 2018
Frances Swaty Clarkson (‘59), 79, of Memphis, Tenn. - November 23, 2018 Mary Atkinson Vander Kooi (‘59), 80, of Mesa, Ariz. - October 20, 2018
HENDERSON MAGAZINE
Matthew Capell (‘64), 75, of Amarillo, Texas November 26, 2017 Dorothy Mann McKenzie (‘64), 75, of Cape Carteret, N.C. - February 25, 2018 Robert Shurley (‘64), 80, of Little Rock - October 11, 2018
John Weeks (‘64), 75, of Harrison - January 6, 2018 Julia Brewer Williamson (‘64), 83, of Beebe - March 13, 2019 Thomas Dowdle (‘65), 74, of Hot Springs - September 26, 2018 Carlton Hames Ware (‘65), 75, of Little Rock September 5, 2018 Robert Adams (‘66), 79, of Hot Springs - November 8, 2018
Howard Smoke (‘69), 70, of Benton - October 19, 2018 Ruth Whitley Stroud (‘69), 71, of Cabot - April 7, 2019
1970s Shirley Smith Olson (‘70, ‘83), 70, of Arkadelphia December 16, 2018 Martha Hankins Pilgram (‘70), 71, of Russellville November 2, 2018
Dennis Carter (‘66), 73, of Bossier City, La. - July 23, 2017
Jane Mitchell Bonner (‘71), 94, of Lake Jackson, Texas - September 2, 2018
Gary Coffey (‘66), 74, of England - January 16, 2019
Terry Ewing (‘71), 79, of Nebo, N.C. - March 6, 2018
Betty McCartney Berry (‘67), 83, of Richmond, Texas - January 11, 2019
Robert Schieffer (‘71), 69, of Athens, Texas - August 19, 2017
John Coleman (‘67), 74, of Blytheville - November 14, 2018
Jimmy West (‘71, ‘75), 69, of Griffithville - November 27, 2018
Margaret Cobb Daniel (‘67), 98, of Stuttgart December 9, 2018
Ira Byers (‘72), 73, of Allen, Texas - January 28, 2019
Leslie Farris (‘67), 76, of Miami, Okla. - January 23, 2018
Edna Simpson (‘72), 84, of Little Rock - October 10, 2018
Clyda Blevins Franks (‘67), 77, of Malvern - November 12, 2017
Sibyl Ann Harmon (‘73), 77, of Malvern - March 2, 2018
Donald Smith (‘67), 75, of Collierville, Tenn. - July 25, 2018
Harold Cash (‘74), 74, of Hot Springs - August 11, 2018
Patricia Carter Stewart (‘67), 74, of Bella Vista February 25, 2019
John Lowry (‘74), 72, of Hot Springs - January 22, 2019
David Kuyper (‘68), 71, of Malvern - January 15, 2018
Kathleen Plummer Paul (‘74), 91, of Malvern January 11, 2018
Larry Spakes (‘68), 71, of Helena - December 1, 2018
Joy McKinney Rose (‘74), 83, of Hot Springs February 11, 2018
Frank Etter Grimes, Jr. (‘69), 81, of McGehee February 12, 2019
Jacquelyn Meriweather Bass (‘75), 67, of Sherwood - September 30, 2018
Edward Smith (‘69), 77, of Oden - April 26, 2018
Billy Williams (‘76), 66, of Monticello - September 18, 2018
ALUMNI U PDATES
Daniel Stacy (‘77,‘78), 83, of Hot Springs - November 8, 2017
William Ashcroft (‘86), 94, of Hot Springs - January 1, 2018
Robert Geiger (‘92), 56, of Hot Springs - December 14, 2018
Lavon Payne Yepez (‘79), 104, of Cabot - September 28, 2018
Gloria Jean Wilson Fitzhugh (‘88), 65, of Benton - August 15, 2018
Robin Walters (‘95), 47, of Sparks, Nev. - March 18, 2018
1980s
Thomas Eddie Stovall (‘89), 61, of Prescott January 14, 2019
Gary Holden (‘97), 71, of Hot Springs - October 29, 2018
Sue Salisbury Smith (‘80), 76, of Port St. Lucie, Fla. October 1, 2017 Jerry Stuart (‘80), 60, of North Little Rock - October 12, 2018 Mary Cornish Woods (‘80), 92, of Murfreesboro March 11, 2018
Ronald Twyford (‘89), 75, of Hot Springs - November 10, 2018
Carol Deline MacNamara (‘98), 74, of De Queen July 3, 2018
W.T. Johnston (‘88), 54, of Newton, Texas - May 11, 2019
Mike Volz (’92), 52, of Arkadelphia – May 18, 2019
1990s
2000s
Betty Crook (‘83), 73, of Conway - October 20, 2018
Mary Smith Golden (‘91), 71, of Nashville - October 31, 2018
Latito Williams (‘00), 39, of Nashville - November 1, 2017
Willie Hearn McCoy (‘83,‘00), 70, of Hot Springs - January 12, 2019
Mark Propps (‘91), 55, of Nashville - November 21, 2018
John Woods (‘03), 43, of Lavaca - October 9, 2018
We want to hear from you!
2010s Jonathan Doolittle (‘11), 31, of Galveston, Texas July 12, 2018
Former Students George Link Ackerman (‘48-‘50), 89, of Little Rock - April 2, 2019
John Watkins (‘62-‘64), 75, of Groton, N.Y. February 2, 2018 John Briggs (‘67-‘68), 70, of DeWitt - December 27, 2018
Faculty and Staff
Flora Dickinson (‘51-‘56), 96, of Horatio - January 21, 2018
Ramona Bolding Akin (‘68,‘72 - Retired Faculty), 80, of Fayetteville February 25, 2019
Charles Fite (‘51-‘57), 85, of Arkadelphia - January 25, 2019
Mary Jo Stone Mann (‘62 - Retired Staff), 78, of Arkadelphia - May 3, 2019
Emily Holt Garlington (‘57-‘58), 79, of Fordyce December 4, 2018
Virginia Mae Smith (Retired Staff), 89, of Little Rock - March 8, 2019
Alexander Streett (‘57‘58), 80, of Russellville - April 25, 2019
Joe C. Wright (Retired Faculty), 86, of Benton – May 20, 2019
Contact ALUMNI@HSU.EDU to update your information or visit HSU.EDU/ALUMNI to set up a profile.
HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY ALMA MATER “You need to know the meaning of the words for the song to be real for you.” – Mary Jo Mann Breathe Stalwart Pine Trees, Mem’ries of Living Shadows: Stands for the love and loyalty of the students who vowed in 1914 to stay on in spite of trouble. Whisper Acorn Bearers: The first of the great oaks on the front lawn, which were planted by college beauties. From Thy Living Fountains: The fountain that flows at the entrance of the school and the fountains of love that flow through the hearts of Reddies. Beauty and Friendship, Eternal as the Holly: From the holly trees planted for those who lost their lives in war. Into All Thy Children, Alma Mater, Henderson: Some things change, some things never change. From the beauty of an oak tree to the love of friends, may the Reddie Spirit be with you forever.
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HENDERSON STATE HOMECOMING 2019 Saturday, Oct. 19 HSU vs. East Central University 2 p.m., Carpenter-Haygood Stadium hsu.edu/homecoming