The Piper Fall 2018 / Volume 47, Number 1

FALL 2018 / V. 47, NO. 1

LY O N C O L L E G E

Concluding my first year as president, I am proud that the campus community has worked together to identify common priorities and objectives that provide our direction for the next decade. Our commitment to engaged and active education can be seen in our newly adopted 2018-2022 strategic plan that sets goals of supporting collaborative relationships between students, faculty and staff; expanding a robust, interdisciplinary liberal arts academic program, providing opportunities for experiential learning, and creating a culture that fosters innovation. In this issue, we expand upon the first part of the strategic plan: By 2022, Lyon will have enrollment growth to a range between 1,100 and 1,250, recognizing the need for appropriate support of faculty and staff, and continued nurturing relationships between students, faculty, and staff. In Inside Higher Ed’s article “Ending ‘Mom-and-Pop’ Governance,” Rick Seltzer explains: “In practice, the big picture [of running a college] could mean a faculty member taking a more active role in student life, because much of what students learn on campus comes from outside the classroom.”

As many of you know, our faculty go above and beyond for our students and the College.

Thus, they are instrumental in the strategic plan’s success.

D R . W. J O S E P H K I N G is the co-author of How to Run a College and the 18th President of Lyon College.

FALL 2018 / V. 47, NO. 1

ON CAMPUS 2

LYON COLLEGE STRATEGIC PLAN

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NEW FACES WITH NEW IDEAS IN ADVANCEMENT

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HOMECOMING

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LYON COLLEGE SOFTBALL

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LYON COLLEGE BASEBALL

LIBERAL ARTS IN ACTION 16

CHAMPIONS ON AND OFF THE FIELD

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GREEKS GIVE BACK

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KILT LYON COLLEGE RADIO

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JORDAN TRANT

ALUMNI 24

CHRISTY FRANK

26 MILESTONES 30

LAST WORD

100 YEARS AGO In the fall of 1918, four Arkansas College students formed the “Lost Chord Four” quartet. They were known around campus for their tunes and famously sang “That’s Where My Money Goes” in every performance.

T H E M I S S I O N O F LY O N C O L L E G E

A selective, independent, undergraduate, residential teaching, and learning community affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Lyon College offers a challenging curriculum centered on the liberal arts, guided by an honor system and coordinated with co-curricular programs, all fostering the critical, creative thought and ethical, spiritual growth that will prepare students for fulfilling personal and professional lives committed to lifelong learning and service.

F E AT U R E

Lyon College Strategic Plan A FO U R PA RT S ER I E S: S T R AT E G I C P L A N PA R T O N E

Lyon College supports its students’ success by being an innovator in higher education. Since his arrival, President Joey King has been determined to bring Lyon into the 21st century, and the recently adopted 2018-2022 strategic plan will cement this pursuit.

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THE FIR S T GOAL OF THE S TR ATEG IC PL AN S TATE S

“By 2022, Lyon will have enrollment growth to a range between 1,100 and 1,250, recognizing the need for appropriate support of faculty and staff, and continued nurturing of relationships between students, faculty, and staff.”

This part is broken down into several pieces, but the common threads are Lyon’s faculty and staff and their mentorships with students. Since the plan’s conception, collaboration among the President’s office, faculty, and staff has brought the plan together.

Thus, in order for nurturing relationships between students, faculty, and staff to continue, the College will continue to develop these opportunities.

One way the College is supporting this goal is by bringing in more co-curricular programs for students. Along with last year’s additions of archery, shooting, dance and cheer, disc golf, and cycling, the College recently announced four new programs: radio, eSports, rock climbing, and Enactus. All of these help recruit, engage, and retain students, and the College has already seen their success in action.

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ENACTUS IN ACTION

In the business department, Professor in Business and Economics Dr. Angela Buchanan serves as the chapter advisor for Lyon’s Enactus group, an organization that connects students with business leaders through entrepreneurial-based

projects.

Lyon’s

Enactus

group recently achieved a partnership with nonprofit organization Main Street Batesville to develop a makers’ space for local and regional artisans in downtown Batesville. “The plan is for faculty and students to work with local entrepreneurs and to host a pitch competition,” said Buchanan.

And as more students come in, so will more faculty. To maintain the College’s small class sizes and student-tofaculty ratio of 12 to 1, the College anticipates adding more faculty and has already added nine new members this fall.

AND WITH MORE PROGRAMS AND FA C U LT Y C O M E S M O R E R E N O W N Another part of the plan’s first goal is to significantly increase Lyon’s public profile, and one great way to achieve this is through the accomplishments of Lyon’s faculty, staff, and students. Just in the past few months, Lyon has received several accolades, including College of Distinction in Business and Education, being named one of Forbes’ top colleges in America, and “Best Regional College” by The Princeton Review. These honors are thanks to the ambitions of our students, faculty, and staff. We look forward to what the next few years bring.

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N E W FA C U LT Y

Angela M. Buchanan, Ph.D.

Visiting Associate Professor of Business

Cori L. Gabbard, Ph.D.

Visiting Assistant Professor of English

Robert Walker Miller, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Anthony Dewayne Davis, M.T.S.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Margaret J. Gayle, M.F.A.

Allyn Kirby Dodd, Ph.D., ’07 Assistant Professor of Biology

Burt Hollandsworth, Ph.D.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Art and Theatre

Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Mary Eileen Saczawa, Ph.D.

Christopher Michael Schwanke, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology

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Cindy Barber, ’85 DIRECTOR AND CHIEF ENGAGEMENT OFFICER FOR A LU M N I A N D PA R EN T S

NE W FACE S WITH NE W ID E A S IN A DVA N C EM EN T

If you’re an alumnus or parent of a student, you probably have already heard from either Cindy Barber, ‘85, or Jill Mobley. This fall, the College hired Barber as the Chief Engagement Officer for Alumni and Parents, and Mobley as the Chief Engagement Officer for Gift Programs. Both are reinvigorating advancement with

On top of their experiences, Barber and Mobley also

fresh ideas to engage alumni and parents.

carry with them the support and plans to cement the

“They are passionate development professionals, eager to connect with our alumni, families, and

college’s newly adopted strategic plan, which calls for “strong alumni connectivity.”

friends, and I am excited about the positive impact

“I truly enjoy connecting with people from all walks

this team will have on the current and future

of life and have held previous positions that required

strength of Lyon College,” said Executive Director of

engagement,” shared Barber. For Mobley, talking with

Advancement Gina Garrett. “They make work fun,

President Joey King about the strategic plan is what set

and it’s my honor to work alongside them.”

her move to Lyon in stone. “Listening to him talk about

Along with new ideas, both bring their perspectives

his plans for Lyon, specifically his desire to change the

to the table. Barber, an alumna and parent herself, uses her experience to understand the needs of Lyon alumni, students, and families. She is a resident of

philosophy of annual giving and alumni relations to one deeply rooted in engagement was energizing,” she said.

“He recognizes that Lyon has the opportunity to embrace

Batesville, and she knows what it’s like to be a parent

new philosophies and appreciates that change takes time.”

of college students, two of her children already having

Change does take time, but Barber and Mobley already

graduated from college.

have accomplished so much in their short time here. One

Meanwhile, Mobley has worked with alumni relations

of Barber’s first projects was reaching out to alumni and

and annual funds for about six years. As the director

parents on social media. She created a Lyon parent and

of annual giving at Texas A&M University-Commerce,

family Facebook group a few weeks before students

she established a three-year strategic plan for increasing

moved back to campus, and in two months, the group

its private support, proved instrumental in soliciting and

gained more than 250 members. From creating Facebook

closing gifts, and successfully coordinated the annual

events to making phone calls, she uses whatever form of

solicitations of the university’s constituent groups.

communication is most convenient for alumni.

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Jill Mobley CHIEF ENGAGEMENT OFFICER FOR GIFT PROGRAMS

Lyon College through the people who hold it most dear,” she explained. She shared that in her interactions with alumni so far, she has found that many want to hear more from the College. “Our alumni want to hear from us and remain connected to Lyon,” she said. “It is encouraging to learn that the alumni desires are aligned with Joey’s philosophy of advancement – one centered around engagement.”

Barber planned, coordinated, and collaborated with Student Life for Homecoming and Family Weekend. For weeks prior to the event Barber reached out to alumni and friends of the College to encourage attendees. She answered emails and took phone calls, and she promoted Homecoming and Family Weekend in the community. Just a few weeks before the event, registration already was double the amount from previous years. All in all, Homecoming saw the largest ever crowd this year—as approximately 700 attended. As for future plans, Barber hopes alumni and parents will plan

Mobley is working with Barber on the engagement receptions, having recently held an event at Loflin Yard in Memphis. She has also partnered with President King to send a “State of the College” letter to alumni. “The State of the College letter from the President will reach approximately 2,500 households this year, and we expect that number to grow substantially in the coming years,” said Mobley. “It kicks off a year of increased communication and stewardship with our alumni, parents, donors, and friends!”

If you have any questions for Barber or Mobley, both encourage you to contact them at their email addresses or phone numbers—Barber at cindy.barber@lyon.edu or 870-307-7527 and Mobley at jill.mobley@lyon.edu or 870-307-7226.

to attend one of the engagement receptions that are being hosted throughout the country by President King. Farther down the line, she has ideas to start a podcast for alumni. “We have an amazing, diverse alumni population who have interesting stories to share and unique ways their lives were impacted by their education at Lyon College,” she said.

Mobley, too, has made it her mission to foster better communication and outreach with alumni. She already has reached out to regional alumni, from Dallas to Batesville. “I have been contacting alumni in different areas in the hopes of learning more about

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Homecoming A N D F A M I LY W E E K E N D A record number of over 700 students, alumni, families, and friends of Lyon College gathered to celebrate Homecoming and Family Weekend and to share memories, enjoy family fun, tailgate on campus, and cheer on the Scots.

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The College started off the weekend’s festivities on Friday with the Career Center’s Career EXPLO and a pep rally by the Becknell Gymnasium. The EXPLO served 110 students, and boasted 50 employers, graduate schools, and professional schools. Friday evening, the Office of Advancement hosted an event celebrating the renovation of the Brown Chapel-Fine Arts Building and honored those who helped make it happen. Attendees enjoyed interactive stations with the Lyon College Marching Band, Concert Chorale, Pipe Band, and Gospel Choir followed by a performance. The night concluded with an alumni gathering at 109 on Main Street.

On Saturday, the Alumni Awards Banquet was held to honor outstanding alumni and friends of the College.

Daniel Haney, ’08, and Emily Fleming, ’08, received the Patterson Decade Award. Claudia Marsh was named Honorary Alumna. David Branscum, ’08, and Adam Penman, ’08, received the Decade of Service Award. Jason Earley, ’99, was named Distinguished Alumnus, and Dr. Virginia Wray received the Lifetime of Service Award.

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After a large tailgate on campus at Tailgate Alley, fans saw the Lyon Scots football team win the Homecoming game against Oklahoma Panhandle State University, with a final score of 29-16. During halftime, Ridge Hester, ’19, and Natalie Milligan, ’19, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen, and Kappa Sigma Fraternity was announced as the winner of both the Legacy Cup and Greek Challenge.

As the weekend closed on Sunday, the traditional Kirkin’ O’ the Tartans worship service was held in conjunction with a rededication of Brown Chapel-Fine Arts Building. That afternoon, the annual Club 50 luncheon honored the alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago.

“It was a wonderful time to be on campus as we honored family, friendships and tradition, and excitement is building for the future of Lyon College,” said Cindy Barber. She is looking forward to next year’s homecoming and family weekend, and she will share the dates for 2019 as soon as they are announced.

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Lyon College softball set a program record with 37

Lyon College Softball

wins this past season as the Scots got off to a hot start winning their first 13 games of the year. The strong start to the season put the Scots in the NAIA Softball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll for the first time in program history at No. 25. Two players–Cheyenne Black, ’20, and Rachel Norman, ’19–became the

SCOTS SET RECORD FOR WINS

first two All-Americans in program history as both players were named as NAIA Second-Team AllAmericans following the season.

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Lyon College Baseball

1-0, but the Scots did not leave any doubt in the nightcap and defeated the Eagles, 17-2, to earn the program’s first-ever regular-season conference title.

W I N S I T S F I R S T- E V E R A M E R I C A N

After winning the regular-season championship, the

MIDWEST CONFERENCE REGUL AR SEASON

Scots earned an automatic bid into the NAIA National

CHAMPIONSHIP

The Lyon College baseball team needed just one win entering its final two games of the regular season to

Tournament Opening Round for the second straight time. The Scots were selected as the No. 2-seed in the Lawrenceville Bracket.

clinch the American Midwest Conference Regular

At the end of the season, Tyson Campbell, ’20, was

Season Championship. Williams Baptist played spoilers

named as an NAIA Second-Team All-American for

during the first game of the twin bill and defeated Lyon,

the Lyon College baseball team.

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L IB E R A L A RT S

Champions on and off the Field As a whole, Lyon College student athletes finished the 2018 spring semester with success in the classroom as 19 Scots earned a 4.0 gradepoint average, while 140 student-athletes were named to the Spring 2018 Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. To be named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, a student-athlete must finish the semester with a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

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One of the biggest changes that came to the College

artificial turf surface is 390’x225’, which includes field

occurred this past summer with the addition of a multi-

markings for football, soccer and men’s and women’s

purpose practice facility just beyond the Lyon College

lacrosse. Lights surrounding the playing surface were

Football Building on campus. The nearly 88,000 square

installed during the fall, which will allow teams to

foot artificial turf surface was installed by the company

practice later in the day to avoid missing classes, and

FieldTurf–the worldwide leader in artificial turf. The

it will help the intramural program extend the playing

artificial turf is the same surface that the New England

time of some of their competitions.

Patriots of the National Football League use. The

LY O N N I K E B R A N D E D M E R C H A N D I S E

Lyon College also made several changes off the field within its athletic department. In an effort to boost its brand, the Lyon College Athletic Department announced that it entered into a multi-year partnership with NIKE through BSN SPORTS. The agreement started on July 1, 2018, and it is part of the BSN SPORTS Collegiate Select program. The agreement includes numerous incentives in the form of discounts and rewards along with incentives for on-field achievements and additional marketing and promotional opportunities.

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K A PPA S I G M A

Greeks Give Back O R G A N I Z AT I O N S H E R E TO SERVE

Kappa Sigma Fraternity’s current project has been helping the director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Independence County with renovating their new site, a historic house on Boswell Street in downtown Batesville. The director asked the chapter to remove old wallpaper, awnings, and linoleum. The chapter also moved furniture, removed light fixtures, and removed light socket covers throughout the entire

Many organizations on campus strive to serve, and

house. All of this work needed to be done in order

as many Lyon alumni and members of the campus

for the contractor to begin work on the house. The

community know, the College’s Greek organizations put

Children’s Advocacy Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

much of their focuses on service. Each organization has

that serves child abuse and child crime victims.

a group or philanthropy it helps each semester. Here is what the Greeks have been up to: A L P H A X I D E LTA For their philanthropy, Autism Speaks, Alpha Xi Delta Sorority worked on the Little Rock Autism Speaks Walk in October by creating the sensory activities/sensory play for the walk. They also have a sister serving on the board for the Little Rock Autism Speaks Walk. Every year, Alpha Xi Delta holds their Blue Out game in conjunction with the women’s basketball team as a fall fundraiser. In the spring, they will hold the Step It Up 5K. CHI OMICRON Chi Omicron Sorority recently has created a service project that exists as a substitute for paying campus parking tickets and aids their philanthropy, the Family Violence Prevention Center. Rather than paying a parking ticket, students can elect to provide cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and other such necessities to the Family Violence Prevention Center.

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PHI MU

TA U K A P PA E P S I L O N

For the fall, Phi Mu Sorority focused on raising money

Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity’s philanthropy is St.

for its philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network,

Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and for Christmas this year,

which supports Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little

the brothers are planning to send the children at St.

Rock, Arkansas. The sisters hosted a goat cheese

Jude’s Christmas cards along with other chapters across

making class with Brood Farm in Cave City, a pottery

the country. Other projects for their philanthropy have

workshop with Main Street Pottery Studio, and a hand

included taking up donations in Edwards Commons,

lettering and watercolor workshop with Batesville

as well as more creative endeavors, such as a “polar

Area Arts Council. Proceeds from these classes went

plunge,” in which brothers will “plunge” into a winter-

to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. They also hosted

chilled Bryan Lake for their philanthropy.

Dance Marathon–their annual event that supports their philanthropy.

Z E TA B E TA TA U This semester, Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity helped new and returning students move into their residence halls.

The brothers also repainted the outside basketball court on campus. Later in the semester, they will hold their annual joint fundraising and philanthropy event, “The Inferno,” where brothers eat ghost peppers based on the amount of money raised. Their philanthropy is Children’s Miracle Network.

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KILT Lyon College Radio K I LT R A D I O C O M E S T O LY O N C O L L E G E

On Monday, October 8, the Lyon College Radio KILT held its official launch party and broadcast it live.

Earlier that semester, the College announced radio as one of the new programs coming to Lyon. But this isn’t radio’s first rodeo on campus. Back in the 1970s, recalls Dr. Gary Byrd, former Lyon professor of educational media, a radio station was started by Arkansas College students. It transmitted on 88.1 FM, authorized as an educational radio station through the federal government. “The programming was developed by some students in the media arts program who were interested in the radio format,” reminisced

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Byrd. What’s different about radio at the College this time is that it broadcasts on the internet, rather than a radio frequency. This means that anyone in the U.S. can access the station.

So what brought radio back to campus? After hearing about the past radio program, Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Radek Szulga started thinking about radio’s return to campus. “I learned that we used to have a radio station way back in the day, in the 1970s and 80s, and I thought, ‘well, why not bring it back?’” said Szugla. “Then I started putting it together and there was a lot of interest in it.”

The first informational meeting Szulga held had about 20 students. Since then, he has had several meetings at MorningSide Coffee House this semester to gather ideas for shows. “We still have a good bit of interest and everybody is really excited about it,” said Szulga.

There are already an array of student-and-faculty-run shows airing. The radio station plays 24/7, so there is enough play time for anyone interested. “Anybody

who wants to get live on the radio and make some noise—we’ll put you on,” said Szulga. “We could have students write plays and perform them on the radio, adding some sound effects, stuff like that. It’s really just think of something to do, and we will help you do it.”

For live shows, hosts can broadcast from a soundproofed room on campus. Shows so far have included live broadcasting from local coffee shop, Pinto Coffee and Comida, a classical music hour with Associate Professor of Music Dr. Michael Oriatti, a live performance of banjo playing from Associate Professor of History Dr. Mark Wallace, sports talk shows with students, news announcements, and many more. When the station isn’t airing live, it plays all kinds of music. The selection ranges from R&B to heavy metal to even Cambodian rock n’ roll.

If you haven’t tuned in yet, visit lyonradio.weebly. com to check it out! Listeners can also access the station from lyon.edu on the homepage.

Ly o n C o l l e g e R a d i o

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Jordan Trant, ’19 what I want to do after college.” During one such

MAKING HER MARK AS A MENTOR

talk, Trant found herself wishing she could speak to her freshman self.

Every college senior knows all too well the

“Obviously, time machines don’t exist,” Trant

feeling of wishing you could impart some

laughed. “But I thought that maybe the next best

wisdom on your freshman self. Jordan Trant,

thing would be to tell a freshman, who is in my

’19, has worked tirelessly throughout her four

shoes, everything that I’ve learned. That way, they

years at Lyon College and hopes to use her own

can use that information and use it to kind of make

experiences to help younger students move

their life a little bit easier.”

forward as they follow their own passions.

This fall, Trant started a mentoring program for

Trant, a triple major in biology, chemistry, and

freshmen that matches freshmen students with

mathematics, is a highly involved member of

upperclassmen mentors in their same academic

Lyon’s community. She serves as president of

field. Ten mentors from “all sorts of academic

both the Alpha Chi Honor Society and Phi Mu

fields” are currently working with Trant, whose goal

Sorority and is a member of Mortar Board and

in this project is to “make sure [she can] match any

Chi Beta Pi.

freshman with an upperclassman.” She hopes that

Like many Lyon students, Trant has formed strong bonds with the professors that she

the freshmen will receive guidance and motivation from their mentors.

works closely with each day. Trant shared that

In the few weeks the program has been up and

she often goes to Professor of Chemistry Dr.

running, 13 spots have already been filled; Trant

Anthony Grafton “for advice on stuff like

expects the program to evolve and gain momentum.

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Currently, the program is being funded through the

“I just absolutely fell in love with it,” Trant says about

Provost’s Office, but beginning next fall, Trant plans

research. “So I kept with it, and now I want to go do an

to shift the program into Alpha Chi’s domain. This

M.D. / Ph.D. so I can do research in the medical field.”

organization is an ideal choice, as it is ripe with potential

She has recently applied to ten different programs that

mentors. Trant hopes that Alpha Chi will “regulate

will allow her to follow her passions.

taking applications for future mentors, selecting freshmen for it, and generally organizing it.” That way, Trant says, “I know that it can continue after I’m gone, and so it can get some SGA funding.”

Trant originally came to Lyon fully intending on

Even though her own past is set in stone, Trant is excited to make a difference in another young student’s future.

She is proud to be starting a program whose mission she is passionate about and that she hopes will thrive on campus for many years to come.

following a strictly pre-med track, until Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Irosha Nawaranthne invited her to join a research team.

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A LU M NI

Christy Frank, ’05 BIOLOGY MA JOR BLOOMS TO ARTIST AND PHILANTHROPIST

Like many college graduates, when

as subject matter and to see them with an additional dimension and

Christy Schuchardt graduated in 2005

appreciation that I wouldn’t have had without that background.”

with her B.S. in biology, she didn’t know where she would be in ten plus years. Like many, she probably assumed she would be doing something in her field, biology. And for a while, that is what she did, but her interests soon expanded elsewhere.

Now, Christy Schuchardt Frank has transitioned from biologist to artist and philanthropist. But how did Frank go from dolphin research to art depicting the natural world? Surprise, her liberal arts education had something to do with it. For Frank, her science

Upon graduation, Frank started an internship at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, where she conducted research with dolphins. Though immersed in her field, Frank’s mind wandered to art.

“When I was on the boat analyzing dorsal fins, I was mesmerized by the gorgeous colors of my surroundings and imagined painting how the sun hit the ocean’s surface.”

After her internship, Frank made her way to Little Rock, where her pursuits in not only art but also philanthropy came to fruition. Shortly after her move, she attended a showing at The Art Loft, where she watched local artists in their shared studios make varieties of art, from paintings to jewelry. She ended up speaking with the owners, who invited her to share her work with them. Soon after she produced some pieces for them, she moved into a studio and joined the “artsy crew.”

background and her artistic abilities go

“Once I had a space to create, I was set on the path to art as a career

hand-in-hand.

and my fellow artists there fostered me through their varied levels of

“As part of the liberal arts curriculum, I was able to take a drawing class senior year which ignited a passion for art,” shared Frank. “I’m self taught otherwise but the deep understanding

experience and techniques,” she recalled. During her time at The Art Loft, Frank produced pieces that were featured at the University of Memphis. She also won an art competition held by IO Metro, which led to the mass production of one of her paintings—it was sold in stores nationwide.

of biological sciences even down to a

Meanwhile, Frank continued in several science-based positions,

molecular level makes me pay more

including the position of executive director for the Arkansas Foundation

attention to things around me that

for Skin Cancer. “I’ve always loved philanthropic work so this position

may have otherwise been overlooked

was perfect,” said Frank. “This involved organizing several charity

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events and fundraisers. It allowed me

and

impressionist

techniques

Exhibition during Homecoming

to meld two of my passions – art and

emphasizing that art is a living

and Family Weekend. She shared

philanthropy work.” Frank produced

thing.” She paints in her home

that the collection was mostly

several pieces for charity fundraisers,

studio, and she currently has

inspired by the Scottish Highlands,

which further connected her to not

an

but it also provided a sampling of

only the philanthropic community

Nashville. She was also this year’s

but also the art community.

artist for the College’s Alumni Art

installation

at

Industrious

several of her styles.

Frank was able to contribute to a cause very near and dear to her. In college, Frank was a member of the Phi Mu Sorority, whose philanthropy is

Children’s

Miracle

Network

(CMN). CMN’s focus in Arkansas is Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH), and Frank had been helping ACH since her time in Phi Mu. After her shift toward art and philanthropy, Frank became heavily involved in the ACH Auxiliary and the artistic community surrounding it.

“This allowed me to contribute several pieces to the hospital over the years to help fundraise,” shared Frank.

“Through

all

of

these

experiences, I developed a stronger and stronger attachment to my artistic tendencies until I realized that my true passions laid with creating original art.”

Today, Frank puts all her focus on art and philanthropy. She now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, Rob, ’08, and their dog, Biscuit. Frank describes her artwork as “an amalgam of abstract

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MILESTONES NOTES The Small Chapel of the Brown Chapel-Fine Arts Building has been named for the late Eleanor Viola (Kirks) Ellebracht, who graduated from then-Arkansas College in 1958, the same year the Brown Chapel-Fine Arts Building was constructed. She taught English and history and served as librarian at Sulphur Rock for a year following her commencement, but spent most of her career as a reference librarian at colleges and universities. Her husband Pat Ellebracht and children Rex Ellebracht and Elena Asher chose to honor her memory through the effort to renovate Brown, which was rededicated during Homecoming 2018. Additionally, the auditorium of the Brown Chapel-Fine Arts Building has been named for Eugene Sloan, class of 1912 Sandy Barnett, former manager of the bookstore and an adjunct instructor in creative writing, has published her first book, a mystery titled Dead in the Shadow of Doubt, under the pen name of Sandy Slaughter. It is available on Amazon.com in both book and Kindle form. She is currently working on a sequel. Her website is sandyslaughter. wordpress.com.

Professor Emeritus George Lankford, former history instructor Nancy Britton, and Randy Tipton won the Best Family History award for their Independence County Historical Society Chronicle article “Early Independence County Settlers: the Ramsey, Dunn, Hayden, and Simpson Family Complex,” at the Arkansas Historical Association’s annual meeting in April.

Andrea Hollander, former Artist in Residence at Lyon, has published her fifth full-length poetry collection, Blue Mistaken for Sky, with Autumn House Press.

1973 Johnny Henderson, along with three other mathematicians, has a new book out: Implicit Fractional Differential and Integral Equations.

1982 Stuart Smith won the Republican nomination for state representative for House District 63, which is mostly made up of Independence County. He has retired from a long career as a coach and teacher at Batesville High School.

1985 Cindy (Britton) Barber is the new Director/Chief Engagement Office for Alumni and Parents at Lyon College.

1987 Roger Ried, Principal at Southside

1992 Dan Lindsey has been promoted to director of the Paul Weaver Library at Ozarka College in Melbourne, Arkansas.

He began working there in 1994 as multimedia specialist and served as interim director after the previous director retired. “I’ve always had a love for research and learning new things, and it’s a thrill to help students and others find the information they’re looking for, whether it’s an article for a paper or just a good book to read,” he said.

David Stipp-Bethune was installed as the moderator of the Presbytery of the Pines in Ruston, Louisiana.

1994 Robert Griffin won the Republican nomination for County Judge in Independence County.

High School in Southside, Arkansas, has been named a member of the

Kevin Hamilton has completed

board of the Arkansas Association of

a Doctor of Education in Higher

Educational Administrators.

Education Leadership at Azusa Pacific

1989 Andrea (Jeffrey) Steward has retired from teaching in the public schools and opened Studio Steward, a private music instruction studio in Newport for piano, violin, beginning guitar, and voice.

1992 Brooks Blevins received the Violet B. Gingles Award for “Reconstruction in the Ozarks: Simpson Mason, William Monks, and the War that Refused to

University in Azusa, California.

1997 Jason Massey is a lieutenant and supervisor of the Logan County sheriff’s office’s Criminal Investigation Division. He recently won the Republican primary nomination to replace the retiring Sheriff. With no Democratic opponent, Jason will assume the position on January 1, 2019.

1999

End,” published in the Izard County

Heather Combs Hufstedler, who

Historian. Brooks is Professor of

has a Master of Arts in English from

History at Missouri State University in

Southeast Missouri State University,

Springfield and was previously director

has won the 2018 Missouri Association

of the Regional Studies Center and later

of School Librarians Outstanding

Assistant Professor of History at Lyon.

Librarian Award.

1999

20 07

2010

Holly Payne, who teaches costume

Garrard Conley has reported that he

Leslie Malland has received the

construction and design at Hendrix

was “beyond excited to be heading back

Excellence in Teaching Award from

and has been the costume director at

to Europe in style this summer” for a book tour through Switzerland, Austria,

the Department of Writing, Rhetoric,

the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, was featured in the Arkansas DemocratGazette’s “Personal Space” column in June. This column focuses on favorite home spaces, and Holly named the kitchen of her Capitol View home,

Germany, and the United Kingdom.

The film based on his memoir, Boy Erased, and starring Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Joel Edgerton was released November 2.

built in 1938. “Our kitchen is perfect

Richard A. Williams has started a

for one person, with all the America’s

new job as an Emergency Medical

Test Kitchen curated kitchen utensils

Technician with Vital Link EMS.

that you could ever want and our wellseasoned favorite cast iron skillet.” She credits husband Aaron Baldwin with being “a great cook” and just tries to

Eric Wilson is part of the Clinton Foundation’s 2018 class of Presidential Leadership Scholars.

and Digital Communication at the University of Kentucky, where she is pursuing her Ph.D. She has also been awarded the English Department’s “Oustanding Literature or Film Teaching Assistant” Award.

2011 Cethlinn Cunningham has completed a Master of Arts in Writing at St. Regis University in Denver.

Camella (Scott) Wade says she has

“stay out of the way and entertain him

co-written a children’s book with her

and the dogs while he sweats it out over

sons, who are five and two. Five books

our dinner.” When asked what change she might want to make to improve the kitchen, she says she would “teach the dogs to do the dishes.”

2001 Warren McCullough, owner of the

2008 Daniel Haney has accepted a position with the Watson & Watson law firm in Newport and also serves as the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the 16th Judicial District of Arkansas.

Warren McCullough Studio in Little

Glenn Ritter has been made a partner

Rock, lead an Acting on Camera two-

at the Wright Lindsey Jennings law

day workshop for Batesville’s T Tauri

firm in Little Rock.

Movie Camp in July. This was the

actors to the unique challenges of acting in front of a camera and included such topics as audition techniques, cold readings, scene analysis, rehearsed scenes, and improvisation. McCullough offered his expertise, gained through acting in more than 20 films and dozens of plays.

2006

the older boy come up with the topic, and the two-year-old “will chime in occasionally as well.” She develops an outline from their answers to “What’s next?” and then turns everything into a cohesive story, illustrated by photos she creates as composites of stock photos and her own photographs. Wade now lives in her hometown of DeWitt.

2012

camp’s 15th year. The workshop was designed to introduce young theater

are in the works for the series. She and

2010 Melissa Kuehl has joined Mercy Hospital Fort Smith as a hospitalist.

Kuehl received a Bachelor of Science

Matt Boyd was recently hired as an education specialist at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan.

in biology from Lyon College and a

Cassandra Lang, who won the Mrs.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from

Arkansas 2018 competition, advanced

the Kirksville College of Osteopathic

to Mrs. North Continent 2018 in June

Medicine at A.T. Still University in

and will compete in China for the

Missouri. She completed an internal medicine residency at Freeman Health

title of Mrs. Globe against 80 other countries. Cassandra also works

System in Joplin, Missouri.

with her national platform, the WIN

partner in his law firm, Waddell, Cole,

Josh Looney has completed his law

is a non-profit organization that helps

& Jones in Jonesboro.

degree at Harvard.

women and children recover from

Curt Hawkins has been made a

Foundation. WIN (Women In Need)

2012

2015

domestic violence. Recently, she raised

Madeline Roberts Pyle graduated

$9,000 for WIN, allowing 900 women

from the University of Arkansas at

across the globe to be able to attend

Little Rock in May with an M.A. in

recovery classes at no charge.

Applied Communication. She has also

2013 Landon Downing, who is now Retail Sales Manager at Citizens Bank in Batesville, has been appointed to the Batesville Planning Commission.

Sarah Tripp has graduated with her master’s in Human Resources and served as a presidential member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She has been accepted into a doctoral program for Human Services that will specialize in organizational leadership and change management.

2014 Caleb Brackett has completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Harding University.

Kimberly Shafer Huskey has completed her M.Ed. in Counselor Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

She has accepted a position as sophomore counselor at eStem High School in Little Rock.

recently been named Associate Director of Communications at Lyon College.

2016 David Farris has received his M.A. in English from Southeast Missouri State University.

Jason Lochmann, currently a student at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, will attend a Science Communication Masterclass at the University of the West of England, Bristol this fall semester.

2017 MaryLynn Heffington has accepted a position with the research institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science as a health science specialist.

Emily Riley has relocated to Japan for a year where she is an assistant language teacher and cultural ambassador. She then plans to pursue an MFA in creative writing and environment at Iowa State University.

2018 2015 Haley Albert-Tate has accepted and started her position as an English

Jordan Cummings has accepted a position with the 16th Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office in Batesville.

teacher with the Cave City School

Logan Hunt is part of the new class at

District. She teaches eleventh grade AP

the Clinton School of Public Service.

English, tenth grade Honors English, and English composition.

Chandler McCoy has been awarded a 2018 Arkansas Eastman Trust

Alexis Pinkston is part of the new

scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. in

class at the Clinton School of Public

chemistry at the University of

Service.

Missouri-Columbia.

IN MEMORIAM Viola Hook Sample passed away in a car accident last May. She served as a housekeeper from 1987 until her retirement in 2001. Viola was beloved by students for her homemade chicken soup when they were sick, cookies and hot chocolate on snow days, “I’m thinking about you” notes left on doors during finals, and a shoulder to cry on when life was just a little too much.

Dr. Veryl Board, Professor Emeritus of Biology, passed away in April at home, surrounded by family and friends. During his 30-year tenure at Arkansas/Lyon College, he was a professor, department chair, and faculty sponsor of Circle K. He initiated science fairs and academic days for local high schools. For 18 summers, he served the Upward Bound program at the College, instructing high school students while developing research projects in biology.

Mary Kinser, who taught religion at Arkansas College in the ’60s and early ’70s, died peacefully at home in Longbeach, Mississippi, in June.

Donald Hedden, ’50 Robert Mitchell “Mickey” Grice, ’62 Wanda Jean Yates, ’74 Sheree Hackworth, ’15

FALL 2018 • VOLUME 48, NO. 1 EDITOR

Madeline Pyle, ’15

LAST WORD

DESIGNER

FROM C I N DY B A R B E R

Alumni and parent engagement is a vital part of the growth and success of Lyon College. The adoption of the word “engagement” represents an evolution in the understanding of the importance of alumni/parent relations: if alumni and parents represent renewable assets to the College, then we should strive to make sure the College is a renewable asset to our graduates and their families.

Engagement is customized to reach alumni and parents of different ages and interest; there is no “one size fits all” engagement strategy. Reaching out to engage alumni and parents can include using social media, traditional events, telephone calls, emails, newsletters, affinity group reunions and personal visits. Engagement asks us to look at alumni and parents not only as potential donors but as ambassadors, volunteers, coeducators, and true partners. In fact, communication and feedback from alumni and parents is a necessary component of true engagement.

Through engagement, we hope to identify more alumni and parents who can speak as experts on current issues, teach classes, mentor students, and sponsor internships. Engaged alumni and parents serve in leadership positions and are more likely to give back to the college with their time, talents, and financial support. We hope that engaged alumni and parents will take ownership of their ability to serve as worldwide ambassadors of Lyon College and promote its brand and reputation to future students and their families.

For graduates of Lyon College and their families, what began as a place of education and research is actually a lifetime resource of ideas, networks, and connections, and our thousands of alumni and parents around the world extend the reach and reputation of Lyon College and promote our mission through their involvement and financial support.

We want to hear from you! Lyon alumni and parents, I invite you to share your ideas with me at cindy.barber@lyon.edu or give me a call just to say hello at 870-307-7527. My cubicle door is (literally) always open.

Wes Obrigewitsch

WRITERS

Cindy Barber, ’85 Nichole Cook, ’19 Matt Jagodzinski Madeline Pyle, ’15

PHOTOGRAPHERS Ariel Carpenter, ’14 Chris Hill Mike Kemp, ’88 Wes Obrigewitsch The Parish Group

SUBMISSIONS

For class notes or birth or death notices, email alumni@lyon.edu. To update your information, visit lyon. edu/update-your-info. For other editorial matters or submissions, email marketing@lyon.edu.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT Gina Garrett, ’93

DIRECTOR AND CHIEF ENGAGEMENT OFFICER FOR ALUMNI AND PARENTS Cindy Barber, ’85

CHIEF ENGAGEMENT OFFICER FOR GIFT PROGRAMS Jill Mobley

LYON COLLEGE

is a selective, independent, undergraduate, residential teaching and learning community affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Lyon College offers a challenging curriculum centered on the liberal arts, guided by an honor system and coordinated with co-curricular programs, all fostering the critical, creative thought and ethical, spiritual growth that will prepare students for fulfilling personal and professional lives committed to lifelong learning and service.

PRESIDENT

Dr. W. Joseph King

PROVOST

Dr. Melissa Taverner

INTERIM DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Bob Qualls

VICE PRESIDENT OF ENROLLMENT SERVICES Matt Crisman

LYON COLLEGE

C I N DY B A R B E R , ’ 8 5 Director and Chief Engagement Officer for Alumni and Parents

2300 Highland Road Batesville, AR 72501 870.307.7000 www.lyon.edu

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