ALUMNI NOTES as the director of access to quality care, where I have been for a year and a half now. ACHI works in three areas–health care finance, access to quality care, and health promotion/ disease prevention. I get to do a little legal and a lot of policy, all the while attempting to avoid the political. It’s fun and worthwhile work on a professional and personal level.” THREE LYON COLLEGE ALUMNI were chosen for Arkansas Business’ “40 Under 40” list of honorees for 2012. “40 Under 40” recognizes business and political leaders under age 40 who are making a mark in their careers. Lyon’s selected alumni are CHERYL BRYANT, ’00, of Little Rock, district pharmacy manager for Walgreens; GRETCHEN HALL, ’01, president and CEO of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau; and DR. LETICIA JONES, ’01, a physician at Grace Clinic for Women in Little Rock. They were selected by editors of Arkansas Business magazine from more than 500 new nominations—plus dozens of still-eligible nominations from earlier years. Profiles of the honorees may be found on Arkansas Business’ website. A luncheon recognizing this year’s honorees was held at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Little Rock on June 27. YAVANNA BROWNLEE, ’01, writes, “I have been accepted into the rhetoric and composition Ph.D. program at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. I visited Athens in mid-March. It is a beautiful school and community. I met with Sherrie Gradin, one of the professors in the English Department at OU, and another professor there. We had wonderful conversations. Sherrie informed me that I was in their top three picks for the program.” ELIZABETH (ROWE) CUMMINGS, ’02, is now the employee relations attorney at Windstream Communications, Inc., in Little Rock. KEVIN FLINN, ’03, writes, “Well, I guess it’s official since I signed my contract—as of July 1st I’ll be joining the hospitalist group at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock.” DANIELLE ELDERS ROBERTSON, ’03, graduated from UALR’s Bowen School of Law in May and planned to take the Arkansas Bar Exam in July. DR. JESSICA (SNODGRASS) ROSE, ’03, an East Carolina University emergency medicine resident, was selected for an internship with ABC News in New York City. She began March 12 and continued with her work at ABC News until March 30. During that time, Dr. Rose worked in the ABC News medical unit supporting ABCNews.com, Good Morning America, and World News Tonight. She also supported chief health and medical editor Dr. Rich Besser. Dr. Rose researched medical stories, called doctors about studies, and 28
ALUMNI NEWS
wrote for ABCNews.com. Dr. Rose has a bachelor’s degree in English from Lyon College. She considered pursing a master’s degree in English literature, but instead chose to go to medical school at the University of Arkansas. Her three weeks with ABC counted as an elective rotation in her emergency medicine residency program. Dr. Rose said she doesn’t plan to become a reporter, but she hopes the experience will help her better communicate about medicine. She said she might like to write a newspaper column when she returns to Arkansas following residency. ELAYNA WELLS, ’03, has completed a master’s degree in speech-language pathology at the University of Central Arkansas. WAYLON HOWARD, ’04, has completed his Ph.D. in quantitative psychology at the University of Kansas and has taken a position with the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. RUSS SWEARINGEN, ’04, is now Program and Service Director for City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock. CHRIS TREAT, ’04, was recently awarded the certified trust and financial adviser designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers, a subsidiary of the American Bankers Association. Treat is vice president/trust officer and manager of trust operations for First Community Bank of Batesville. Chris has more than eight years of experience in banking and trust services. The CTFA designation is awarded to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of wealth management and trust. DR. BRAD SCHULZ, ’05, has joined the medical staff at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home as an emergency medicine physician. Schulz practices in the Cline Emergency Center at BRMC. After graduating from Lyon, Schulz earned his medical degree from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He completed an emergency medicine internship and residency at UAMS and affiliated hospitals. He is certified in pediatric advanced life support, advanced cardiac life support (instructor), advanced trauma life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians and National Association of Emergency Medical Services Providers. SAM COOKE, ’06, graduated from medical school in May and began his residency in general practice at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences-Fayetteville this summer. MICHAEL DAY, ’06, writes, “I am the newest member of United Federal Credit Union. I am the Business Service Adviser The Lyon College Piper
KEEP IN TOUCH! »» Join the Lyon College Alumni Facebook group! www.facebook.com/groups/lyonalumni Dear Fellow Alumni:
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IT IS AN EXCITING TIME HERE AT LYON as we welcome our students to campus for the beginning of another school year. Yesterday, I ate lunch for the first time in the beautiful new dining hall and got my first look at the inside of Edwards Commons. I have never been more proud of Lyon College or more excited about the future!
The College still has challenges to overcome and opportunities to explore, however, and alumni support plays an important role in both processes. Lyon needs regular support from us, its alumni, for scholarships, facilities, and programs so that it can continue to be a place where young people discover themselves and determine their futures. Even the smallest financial gift to the College makes a difference, as it provides evidence of the strong support that Lyon enjoys from its contributing alumni. Fall 2012
As alumni, we have the opportunity to invest in Lyon’s future. Please join me in doing so by visiting the website at www.lyon.edu/support-lyon-donate for more information and to make a donation. I also encourage you to stop by for a visit when you are in the area so that you can see the improved Edwards Commons. I believe that you will be as proud and excited as I am. Sincerely,
Kimberly Crosby, ’92 Alumni Council President 25