EMCEE

Dr. Beth Anne Rankin is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Ouachita Baptist University with a double major in History and Music. After receiving her Masters of Public Administration from Southern Arkansas University in 2013, she went on to earn a doctorate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education in 2020.

Named OBU’s Outstanding Senior Woman, Beth Anne was chosen as the OBU Tiger Band’s Feature Twirler, winner of the Virginia Queen Piano Competition, a charter member of the vocal show group Ouachita Sounds, Miss OBU, and Homecoming Queen. Beth Anne served the state as Miss Arkansas 1994 after being named a 3-time Miss Congeniality winner, 2-time Coleman Dairy Outstanding Talent winner, and Outstanding Interview winner. She was recognized at the 1995 Miss America competition as a Bert Parks non-finalist talent winner for her personal piano rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” She went on to be honored by the Arkansas Legislature for presenting 158 leadership programs throughout the state.

As Governor Mike Huckabee’s Public Policy Advisor for State-Federal affairs, Dr. Rankin served as liaison to the National Governors Association, Council of State Governments, Southern Governors Association, Capitol Hill and the White House. Also serving as the governor’s Director of Special Projects, Dr. Rankin coordinated the Governor’s Economic Summit and chairman of the historical design of the Arkansas quarter.

After serving as Executive Director of the Arkansas 529 College Savings Plans in the Arkansas Treasurer’s Office and completing her doctorate, Beth Anne launched “Rankin Consulting” and serves as an organizational consultant, leadership coach, and strategic planner. Most recently serving on the Arkansas State Board of Education, Dr. Rankin is a former member of the Ouachita Baptist University Board of Trustees and is active in her home church Central Baptist Magnolia.

1967 SHARON EVANS BALE

1968 HELEN GENNINGS MUSGRAVE

1969 MARIJO BONO

1970 MARJORIE ROYSTON SCRUGGS

1971 CASEY KERR STARKEY

1972 ANNE P. COPPENGER

1973 SUSAN COPPENGER AKIN

1974 JANICE ROGERS BISHOP

1975 BEVERLY FANNING LOFTON

1976 SHERI MCMULLAN SWINDLER

1977 PAULA WODDALL PHELAN

1978 MONA ROWE ROWLAND

1979 JANE CHU

1980 JULIE HENDRIX DODGE

1981 MARCIA RAMIREZ WALDRON

1982 TERRY GRIFFIN PEEPLES

1983 DEANNA BRILEY CABANISS

1984 LISA STEVENS LOCKE

1985 PATTI THORN LUSK