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ALUMNI NEWS
2022 “H” AWARD
Leah Forrest Sexton
Leah Forrest Sexton is a two-time graduate of Henderson State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in speech communication in 2006 and a Master of Liberal Arts degree in 2014. Sexton is the Chief Administrative Officer for Horizon Capital Partners. Prior to that, she served Henderson in several roles including director of alumni engagement, academic advisor, and as guest services coordinator for admissions tours and events.
Sexton has served as president of the Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Rotary Club and participated in Leadership Clark County and Junior Auxilary of Arkadelphia. She is also the executive director of the Miss HSU and Miss HSU Outstanding Teen Pageants. Leah is married to fellow alumnus, Clay Sexton, and they have a daughter, Brooklyn Blair.
What is your hometown? Warren, Arkansas
Where do you currently live? Arkadelphia (Joan)
Why did you choose Henderson? I decided to go on a tour since a friend attended here and auditioned for choir. I was immediately hooked from my tour, seeing the beautiful campus, meeting Ms. Vikita Bell Hardwrick and auditioning for Dr. Charles Rye.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? I am most proud of my daughter, Brooklyn. I love to watch her explore life and learn. My husband and I are so proud of the person she is becoming and aspires to be. She teaches me something new every day. Who is a person, past or present, that you admire most (and why)? Outside of Jesus, my granddad who inspires me to this day with everything he has accomplished while remaining extremely humble. I have never heard him say anything negative about anyone, and he thinks of the best interests of his loved ones above anyone else following God. What’s something others would be surprised to know about you? I memorized the song “Ring of Fire” in just one night when I was 10 and performed it at a Johnny Cash-themed talent show in front of the Man in Black himself along with June Carter Cash. I’ll never forget looking straight out in the crowd at them.
YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD
Beau Baker
Beau Baker has been an Edward Jones financial advisor since July 2016 and has grown his business exponentially since graduating from Henderson. He has his own office in Texarkana and is well known across east Texas and southwest Arkansas when it comes to wealth management.
Baker was a very successful high school football player in Texas before becoming a football player at Henderson State in 2012 and being part of two conference championship teams. Baker graduated with a finance degree and plays an active role on the HSU Business Advisory Council. He and his wife, who is a fellow alumna, established the Beau and Haylee Baker Financial Planning Scholarship through the Henderson Foundation. The couple have a son, Brooks Allen.
What is your hometown? Texarkana, Arkansas
Why did you choose Henderson? Honestly, Henderson chose me. I had no idea what I was getting into when I applied to college. A friend let me ride with them to Heart Start. Ms. Vikita upgraded my scholarship, and I had the best time of my life and a life changing experience. I am blessed!
Your favorite memory of Henderson? My favorite memory is and will forever be the tradition of the Pine Tree Speech and the opportunity for 15 years or so to come back and teach the Alma Mater.
Lloyd Jackson
Lloyd Jackson serves as the Assistant Superintendent for School Leadership with Kansas City Public Schools. Jackson is married to Veronica Jackson. In his role within the Kansas City Public Schools, he gets the opportunity to do what he loves: making an impact on the lives of young people. He received his doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Jackson spent 14 years with the Hot Springs School District.
Jackson carries his passion for service into the community by serving as the Founding President of the HSU Black Alumni Chapter, board member of the Coterie Children’s Theatre and Lead to Read in Kansas City. Jackson also serves as the director of the American Legion Arkansas Boys State program. Jackson has held numerous leadership roles, but the one role he is most concerned with is the one which offers help and support to the community. The question to be answered in all he does is “What have we done to help those around us?”
What was the greatest lesson you learned at Henderson? I learned that family can extend beyond blood and friends. Having the common bond of the Reddie Spirit and experience truly is akin to being a big family. The love is genuine.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? I am most proud of being the charter president of the Black Alumni Chapter of Henderson State University and working with a dedicated and committed group of folks that LOVE HSU.
How did Henderson prepare you for your career? The educational experience at Henderson was superb. I was challenged and supported in a way that helped me excel and be my best self.
What is your hometown? Keller, Texas
Where do you currently live? Texarkana, Texas
What advice do you have for current students? Enjoy every minute there and pay it forward after you graduate.
Who is a person, past or present, that you admire most (and why)? Greg Clark: I’ve never met someone with a bigger heart. He is the epitome of a servant leader.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? I was the first person in my family to graduate college.
How did Henderson prepare you for your career? Henderson prepared me by teaching me to understand the importance of having and keeping great relationships with those around you.
How would you describe yourself today, compared to yourself when attending Henderson? I am a dedicated Christian, family man, and businessman. I try to steer away from things that take me away from those three pillars.
When are you happiest? Walking into church Sunday mornings with my wife while holding my son.
Congratulations to 2022 Homecoming Royalty winner Keasha Owens. Jaynie Ferguson finished as second runner-up and Janae Hartman as first runner-up.
Korien Burrell, a sophomore from Beaumont, Texas, scores for the Reddies.
Kayla Fite, a junior from Newport, performs with Pom Squad.
Kristi Harris Brown, Cierra Ferguson, Shanalyn Hunter and Tonelli Hatley enjoy the Black Alumni Banquet.
Santa Larry Jefferson tosses the coin before the Homecoming game with Arkansas Tech.
HENDERSON HOMECOMING 2022
Alumni and friends of Henderson celebrated Homecoming October 20-23 with a variety of events leading up to the football game against Arkansas Tech University. The Reddies held the Wonder Boys to only six second half points and amassed 525 yards of total offense to seal the 35-19 victory.
Phi Lambda Chi continues the Heartbeat of Henderson tradition from Thursday night until kickoff of the game.
Tailgaters enjoy food, games, and fellowship outside of the Duke Wells Center.
The Showband of Arkansas glows with Reddie pride at the Homecoming pep rally.
GOLDEN REDDIES
CLASS OF 1972 REUNION
Congratulations to the Golden Reddies Class of 1972, who celebrated their 50th reunion at Homecoming 2022. Kinney Black was the keynote speaker, and Paul Hankins introduced a performance of the Showband of Arkansas before the Golden Reddies received their commemorative pins.
Class of 1972 participants included Kinney Black, Alice Duncan Bridges, Grace Andrews Davidson, Brenda J. Futrell, Paul E. Hankins, Susan Clark Jones, Danny Lindsey, Betty Ramey Macon, Sherrel Mock, Larry Moore, Fred Porter, Janet Bollen Stevens, and Richard A. Womack.
Dr. Ambrose presents a gift to Fred Porter
Paul Hankins shares the Reddie Spirit
Kinney Black addresses the Class of 1972 Brenda and Alvin Futrell
ALUMNI LEGACY PINNING
ALUMNI LEGACY STUDENTS received pins from their parents or grandparents and certificates from the chancellor prior to enjoying the tailgate meal at Homecoming. Participants included:
• Braden Arnold, pinned by Kimberly Pell Arnold • Gannon Arnold, pinned by Kimberly Pell Arnold • Derrion Beard, pinned by Yolanda Beard • Julianne Chastain, pinned by Jamie Draper • Jamie Horne, pinned by Hallie Horne • Kaylin Kauffman, pinned by Reid Kauffman • Madi Lee, pinned by Bobbie Lee • Alexzander Loy, pinned by Samantha F. Loy • Zoe Mayberry, pinned by Andy Mayberry • Trinity McKenzie, pinned by Tekelia McKenzie • Brennan A. Sanders, pinned by Michael and Renata Sanders • Destiny Zachary, pinned by Mike Zachary
Trinity McKenzie and Tekelia McKenzie
Alumni Legacy Pinning participants
Jamie Horne and Hallie Horne Braden Arnold and Kimberly Pell Arnold
ALUMNI LEGACY SCHOLARSHIPS
First-time freshmen who are children and grandchildren of Henderson alumni are eligible for the Alumni Legacy Scholarship through Henderson Foundation.
Visit HSU.ACADEMICWORKS.COM to apply!
