OCTOBER 2026
EDITION 1
REDDIE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER A WORD FROM DR. BERRY Henderson State University has always been more than a place to earn a degree. It is a community built on lifelong connections, shared experiences, and a deep sense of Reddie pride. Through this inaugural edition of our Reddie Alumni Newsletter, we hope to strengthen those connections and keep you informed about the exciting progress at your Alma Mater.
The 2026 Heart Photo (above) was one of our biggest in recent memory and carried on a yearly tradition at Henderson State that takes place before the Pine Tree Speech in Arkansas Hall.
ATHLETICS SETH DUTTON
It was a good summer, and we’ve had a strong start to the year in Reddie Athletics. Thanks to alumni and donors who keep showing up, work inside the Duke Wells Center has continued since mid-May. The gym looks different: A new videoboard, fresh paint, updated branding, and a state-of-the-art lighting system that changes color and flashes with the crowd. Outdoors, the new eight-lane track was completed this summer. That facility is already changing how we recruit, train, and host events. The year on the field has started the same way. Football is 6–0 and ranked No. 15 in the country. Volleyball went 3–1 in St. Petersburg, Florida with wins over three quality programs. Men’s golf won Magicians on the Green in Memphis; freshman Brandon Yabandith took individual honors, and senior Colin Purifoy was named GAC Golfer of the Week. Women’s cross country set a school record at the Chili Pepper Classic in Fayetteville. The biggest addition may be the people. Track and field is back from a 30-plus-year hiatus and has put 91 new Reddies on campus. Women’s flag football will become our 16th varsity sport and the first in the Great American Conference. The James Reginald Wage Player Development Center is moving from fundraising to construction, giving baseball year-round covered training. More athletes. Better places to work. We look forward to seeing you on campus. There are a lot of chances left to watch these teams compete. Our Reddie faithful are the heart of everything we do.
Every day, we move Henderson forward, fueled by the love, loyalty, and generous support of alumni and friends like you. This fall, we welcomed 2,465 students to campus, a 9.7% increase over last year, including a freshman class that grew by 33%. These encouraging numbers reflect growing confidence in Henderson’s future, and that excitement is evident across campus. Throughout this edition, you will discover innovation and advancements across our academic programs, celebrate the achievements of our outstanding students, and see how the Reddie spirit continues to thrive. As we celebrate these accomplishments, I invite you to help shape what comes next. Henderson is exploring the feasibility of a comprehensive fundraising campaign to advance University priorities and create new opportunities for our students. Your voice matters as we consider the possibilities ahead. Please scan the QR code above to participate in our survey and share your perspective on Henderson’s future. The survey will remain open until October 23. I encourage you to stay connected, visit campus, and continue being part of our story. Thank you for believing in Henderson State University and supporting our students and their futures. I look forward to all we will accomplish together! Go Reddies!
COLLEGE OF PERFORMING ARTS & SOCIAL SCIENCES DEAN DR. LACY DUNN
Henderson State University’s Social Work Program has reached an important milestone: candidacy status from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national accrediting body for social work education. Candidacy marks a major step toward full accreditation of our Bachelor of Social Work and affirms the strength of the program, which prepares our students for meaningful careers in service. This recognition builds on Henderson’s long tradition of developing skilled, compassionate social workers who make a lasting difference for the people and communities they serve.
Henderson State University’s Department of Music is also proud to celebrate the return of the Bachelor of Music in Performance, with tracks in choral performance, keyboard/piano performance, and instrumental performance. For generations, Henderson has been home to talented musicians whose experiences on our stages and in our ensembles have shaped both their careers and their lives, and we are thrilled to once again offer students the opportunity to pursue focused, intensive performance study. The return of these degrees honors our rich musical legacy while opening new doors for the next generation of Reddie musicians.
Digital Media student Charley Golenor participated in the Little Rock 48-hour film project in August 2026. This project allows filmmakers a short 48 hours to make and submit a film. This was Charley’s first time participating in the festival and her first time directing. At the premiere, the films were shown at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. She came away with awards for “Best use of line,” “Best Original Song,” and third place Audience Favorite. Congratulations, Charley on your terrific work!
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS DEAN DR. NATHAN CAMPBELL
The 2025–2026 academic year was an exciting one for the Henderson State University College of Business! Collectively, we continue to focus on our mission of providing our students with opportunities to learn beyond the classroom and to develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. This past year, our students connected with business leaders through networking breakfasts, mock interviews, mentorships, guest speakers, and field trips to organizations such as Walmart and Oaklawn. Through our relaunched Coursera Career Academy, students completed 1,146 courses, earned 57 professional industry credentials, and accumulated more than 3,770 hours of professional learning. We also awarded $84,000 in scholarships to 31 students, thanks to the generosity of our alumni and supporters. These are just a few examples of how we are working to ensure that our students graduate with more than just a degree. We want them to leave us with practical experience, professional confidence, and the skills employers seek, so they are ready to make an impact in the workforce.
One of the most exciting developments this past year was the launch of the Tad & Judy Krug Entrepreneurship Institute. This incredible investment will enable us to create new opportunities for our students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, explore business ideas, and turn them into reality. It also positions the College to play a greater role in supporting entrepreneurship and economic development throughout southwest Arkansas. As we look ahead, I am excited about the opportunities before us. We will continue to strengthen our relationships with business and industry, expand experiential learning, and find new ways to prepare our students for success. I am incredibly thankful for our faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners who make all of this possible.
TEACHERS COLLEGE DEAN DR. CHARLOTTE WHITE-WRIGHT
Exciting things are happening in Henderson State University’s Teachers College as we continue to expand access, strengthen partnerships, and prepare professionals to meet the needs of Arkansas. This fall marks an important transition in educator preparation as we welcomed our first cohort of full-time teacher residents as part of Arkansas’s transition to the year-long residency model, while also preparing to graduate our final cohort of traditional one-semester interns. We are expanding access through our online Special Education Early Childhood Integrated Birth–Kindergarten degree program, designed to provide early childhood lead teachers and paraprofessionals with an opportunity to earn their degrees while continuing to work full time. Our strong portfolio of graduate programs—including the Master of Arts in Teaching, Teacher Leadership, Educational Leadership, Counseling, Sports Administration, Early Intervention, and Special Education—continues to prepare educators and professionals who make a difference in their schools and communities. Innovation, literacy, and community engagement also remain at the heart of our work. As we prepare for our upcoming Science of Reading/Literacy Audit, we are especially proud that two of our faculty members have been selected to serve as state reviewers. Through a grant from the Windgate Foundation, we have been able to upgrade technology in classrooms across the college. Teachers College also received a $58,695 subaward through TPI-US from the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group to support reading instruction.
This funding provided an opportunity for two faculty members to attend a Science of Reading conference at Boston University and supported the purchase of new reading instructional materials and the exploration of innovative digital avatar-based instruction. Beyond the classroom, our HPER program is developing new community engagement opportunities through a partnership with Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs; our Education Renewal Zone is bringing together current and future educators for a professional development event; and our STEM Center continues to serve as a resource for educators by providing materials to support science instruction. Our preschool continues to thrive with a waiting list for enrollment, and we are also excited about the recent improvements to the Educator Center and Wells buildings. Together, these efforts reflect a Teachers College that is growing, innovating, and remaining deeply committed to serving our students, schools, and communities throughout Arkansas.
THE CAVER COLLEGE OF AVIATION, SCIENCE, AND NURSING DEAN DR. SHANNON CLARDY What an exciting time to be a Reddie in STEM! The Caver College of Aviation, Science, and Nursing continues to innovate and expand opportunities as we prepare students for successful careers. Over the past year, our aviation program purchased three additional Maule aircraft, expanding our fleet to 19 aircraft to better serve our growing aviation student population. Our engineering program received continued accreditation from ABET following an accreditation visit last fall. In addition, we celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Caver Fabrication Lab, a new facility that gives students the opportunity to bring their engineering designs to life through hands-on prototyping and fabrication. This year also marked the first presentation of the new Caver Character and Leadership Awards. These financial awards support students in their pursuit of higher education at Henderson while recognizing their persistence, character, and leadership potential. Caver College also celebrated the establishment of the Caver-Hudson Aspirnaut Award, made possible through a collaboration among accomplished Henderson alumnus Dr. Billy Hudson, his wife and Aspirnaut co-founder Dr. Julie Hudson, and alumnus Dr. Troy Caver.
The Aspirnaut program connects Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s expertise in experiential learning and specialized content with rural K–12 schools and talented high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Our first Caver-Hudson Aspirnaut Award recipient, Heather Buffalo, participated in the program at Vanderbilt this past summer, gaining valuable educational and experiential opportunities. Our nursing program continues to advance its commitment to innovative, hands-on education. Through funding from an ALIGN grant through the Arkansas Office of Skills Development, the program purchased new equipment to modernize its simulation lab, enhancing opportunities for students to practice essential nursing skills. Thanks to the recent award of a Windgate grant, renovations to the nursing building are also underway, further strengthening the facilities that support our students and their preparation for careers in healthcare. From expanding our aviation fleet and enhancing engineering facilities to recognizing student leadership and investing in nursing education, Caver College continues to build momentum. We are proud of the accomplishments of our students, faculty, and programs and look forward to the opportunities ahead! If you are interested in participating in advisory boards, mentoring students, or giving presentation in our programs, we’d love to hear from you.
REDDIE RECAP TRACK AND FIELD REUNION Reddie Track & Field alumni returned to campus on Family Day to reconnect with former teammates and celebrate the return of Track & Field at Henderson State. Alumni also had the opportunity to meet current student-athletes and coaches as they celebrated this exciting new chapter for the program. The 2026-27 school year marks the first time women’s track and field has ever been sponsored at the university, and the first time in over 30 years that the Reddies will have a men’s program.
WAGE CENTER RIBBON CUTTING
REDDIE SPIRIT SOCIETY
Honoring loyalty and celebrating impact was the theme as we recognized our Reddie Spirit Society members at the 2nd Annual Reddie Spirit Society Tailgate! It was a special day where we gave thanks for the dedication and generosity of Reddies whose continued support makes a lasting impact at Henderson State. The Reddie Spirit Society recognizes individuals who have given annually to the university for five or more years.
SEPTEMBER 19TH FAMILY DAY
Reddie Baseball alumni returned to campus for the Alumni Reunion and dedication of the Wage Player Development Center. Alumni reconnected with former teammates and celebrated an exciting new chapter for Reddie Baseball with the opening of this new facility.
The annual Family Day festivities brought plenty of fun to Henderson State with snow cones, bounce houses, rides, free food, a baggo tournament, and Reddie Football! It was a great day for students, families, and the Henderson community to enjoy campus camaraderie and show their Reddie Spirit. The football team treated the large crowd to a terrific performance, and defeated in-state rival Arkansas-Monticello 35-24 to remain unbeaten on the season!
STAY CONNECTED, STAY REDDIE Keep the Reddie Spirit going all season long! Check out our events calendar by scanning the QR code or visiting alumni.hsu.edu/events to see what’s coming up and make plans for your next Reddie event! Follow the HSU Alumni Association on all social media platforms for the latest campus news, alumni highlights, event announcements, and other exciting updates.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! facebook.com/henderson.alumni instagram.com/hsualumni For more information on the Reddie Alumni Association or future alumni events, contact Alumni Director Amber Bailey at 870-230-5985 or baileyan@hsu.edu!