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ALUMNI NEWS
PORTRAIT OF MAURICE R. HORTON, SR., UNVEILED AT CEREMONY
Family members and friends of Maurice R. Horton, Sr., gathered on campus May 6, 2021 for a reception and unveiling of a portrait in his honor. In 1957, Horton became the first African American to receive an undergraduate degree from Henderson.
HORTON GRADUATED from Peake High School in Arkadelphia and originally attended college in Pine Bluff. At the encouragement of his mother and others, he returned home and transferred to Henderson State Teachers College.
Following graduation, he taught math and science at Peake High School and returned to Henderson in the early 1960s to pursue a master’s degree, which he completed in 1963.
The Horton family established the Maurice R. Horton, Sr., Emerging Leader Scholarship in 2012 through the Henderson Foundation. The scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming freshman from Clark or Jefferson County.
Henderson’s Black Alumni Chapter started the Maurice R. Horton Awards Ceremony in 2018 where African American graduates receive a medallion to wear during commencement.
Ed Martin, professor emeritus of art at Henderson, painted Horton’s portrait, which is on display in the Garrison Center.
Family members participated in the unveiling of Maurice R. Horton, Sr.’s, portrait at a ceremony on May 6, 2021.
Ed Martin, professor emeritus of art at Henderson, poses with the portrait he painted of Maurice R. Horton, Sr.
JOHN AND MELISSA DAVIS ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP FOR LIBERAL ARTS STUDENTS
Henderson Foundation is excited to announce the John and Melissa Davis Alumni Scholarship, a $50,000 endowment for junior and senior students majoring in the liberal arts.
THE ENDOWMENT is made possible by a generous gift from Melissa and the late John Davis, two 1972 graduates of Henderson State University. Melissa and John had strong ties to the theatre department—spending many hours both onstage and backstage. John earned a BSE in English/philosophy and was the editor of the first Proscenium literary magazine. Melissa earned a BA in history/ library science. Influential professors were Dr. Bill Gentry, Bob Greene, John Barton and James Durham.
“We are grateful for this amazing new scholarship endowment, which will support students studying liberal arts for decades to come,” Tina Hall, interim executive director of Henderson Foundation, said. “Melissa and John spent their careers teaching young people to think critically, and this gift is a lasting legacy to their life’s work.”
The first John and Melissa Davis Alumni Scholarship will be awarded in Fall 2022. For information about establishing a scholarship endowment, please contact Henderson Foundation at 870.230.5347 or foundation@hsu.edu.
The John and Melissa Davis Alumni Scholarship will be awarded, beginning in Fall 2022, to junior or senior students majoring in the liberal arts.
Chancellor Jim Borsig accepts the scholarship endowment donation from Melissa Davis.
REDDIES RETURN
TO ACTION The Reddies kicked off the home opener with a 55-7 win over Northwestern Oklahoma on September 11. The day began with a recognition of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and presentation of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Scholarship. Henderson Foundation MILITARY hosted 205 Reddies for an Alumni Tailgate APPRECIATION DAY Don Kennedy speaks Party, and Showband alumni participated during the Vietnam in pregame and halftime performances. Veterans Memorial Scholarship presentation.
REDDIE SPIRIT Randy Hicks, Terry Blaylock, Lewis Pryor and Jim Morgan enjoy the Alumni Tailgate Party.
LET’S GO, REDDIES Reddie cheerleaders lead the H-S-U chant.
SHOWBAND ALUMNI Chris Moix, Ciara Swinney, Cinthia Graham and A’Drion Ve’an perform during the Reddie Walk.
HALFTIME SHOW The Showband of Arkansas performs during halftime.
DOWN THE FIELD Running back Kris Morris gains yards for the Reddies. REDDIE WALK Robert Dunham, Conner Justus, Blake Dybala and Will Hankins lead the way to the field. LOW BRASS The sousaphone and trombone sections enter the stadium.
Members of the Greater Hot Springs Alumni Chapter hosted a Day at the Races on April 23, 2021. Approximately 40 alumni enjoyed the afternoon at the Oaklawn Jockey Club in Hot Springs, Ark., and raised over $2,500 to support their chapter scholarship.
John Prince (‘85), Dean Norsworthy (‘93, 99), Dr. Brandie (‘00, ‘06) and Don (‘03, ‘13) Benton, and Dr. Shauna Lucas (‘92, not pictured) hosted the event.
Sheri Rogers (‘86, ‘94) won the Best Hat Contest with her Henderson-themed hat that included holly and pine along with the alma mater.
Diane Johnson (‘89, ‘92), Ricki Rebollar (‘14, ‘17) and Greg Nation (‘87) enjoy a Day at the Races.
REDDIES GATHER FOR COOKOUT, TRAVELERS BASEBALL GAME
More than 150 alumni and friends gathered at DickeyStephens Park in North Little Rock, Ark., on May 16, 2021 for a cookout and to cheer on the Arkansas Travelers. This event was a great opportunity to gather with fellow Reddies for the first time in more than a year. A group spanning from recent graduates to Golden Reddies enjoyed a beautiful day at the ballpark.
Delta Zeta sisters, Susan Cooley (‘82) and Beth Wyatt (‘85, ‘90), are just as close now as they were during their college years.
Some good stories and laughs are shared by this group of Reddies who are enjoying a chance to catch up while enjoying the game.
From Golden Reddies to recent graduates, this group of alumni stayed until the very end catching up with old friends and making new friends with fellow Reddies.
