MAY 2020 | VOLUME 11, ISSUE 2
33RD ANNUAL ALUMNI & STUDENT RECOGNITION Celebrating the achievements of the FCS Department Alumni and Students!
Written by Dr. Alicia Landry, 2020 Emcee
As I write this message, I reflect on how thankful I am to have had the honor to be emcee of the Family and Consumer Sciences Alumni and Student Recognition Luncheon. I am astonished thinking about how much we have accomplished in just one year, especially a year that was everything but normal. The Planning Committee for the Alumni and Student Recognition Luncheon was hard at work in January, and throughout the spring semester, planning for the event. We were very excited to work closely with Aramark to have a unique and inspired meal (we did lots of taste testing), Conference Services at UCA to use a new location (McCastlain Ballroom), and Ms. Pam Teague for beautiful decor. As the event approached and concerns about physical distancing grew to be more and more of a reality, we had to make the very difficult decision to cancel the luncheon.
Fortunately, we were still able to honor awardees, bestow scholarships, and celebrate the Department we all love and hold dear to our hearts! We value our alumni and friends. The partnerships we have with sponsors and businesses in preparing family & consumer scientists, family & consumer sciences educators, dietitians, and interior designers for practice are invaluable. We would like to express our deep gratitude to all of our alumni, students, supporters, and sponsors! We hope you will find our Alumni Newsletter as uplifting and inspiring as ever. In a time when positivity needs to shine through, our scholarship recipients, distinguished alumni, and departmental sponsors are more important than ever. Thank you for reading and we hope to see you in person next year!
Inside this Issue: Sponsor Appreciation.................... 2 Outstanding Student....... 3 Distinguished Service Award.............................. 3 Young Achievers.......... 4-5 Distinguished Alumna..... 5 Scholarship Recipients.................... 6-11 Previous Awards............ 12
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Even though the event itself was canceled, WER Architects/Planners still offered their generous support as a sponsor to provide the alumni awards this year. We are grateful for the partnership with this wonderful company who supports our programs and students. WER Architects/Planners is a full service architecture and interior design firm with offices in Little Rock and Fayetteville. Many things go into their firm’s makeup – the team is youthful, experienced, creative and confident. They are dynamic, passionate, responsible and dedicated. It’s this diversity of talents and traits that helps to strengthen their ability to create powerful architecture for clients.
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2020 OUTSTANDING STUDENT Alyssa Frisby completed the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition degree in May of 2020, and has been accepted into the UCA Master of Science Dietetic Internship for 2020-2021. As an undergraduate, Alyssa was active in the Student Dietetic Association for several years where she served in positions of Volunteer Chair and President. Alyssa also served as President to the Student Wellness Ambassadors during the 19-20 school year. In addition to these positions and organizations, she has excelled academically by earning positions as a Presidential Scholar and receiving scholarships from the Family and Consumer Sciences Department. Alyssa also has extensive volunteer experiences with
community service groups such as the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Arkansas Food Bank, Young Harvesters, Family Resource Services of Lonoke Board of Directors and the Century League of Lonoke along with several other outreach endeavors. We congratulate Alyssa on her accomplishments thus far and look forward to the next chapter in her career in the UCA Dietetic Internship and beyond.
2020 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD The Distinguished Service Award is bestowed each year on a person or group who has demonstrated support for the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences. This person or group specifically supports high impact practices in regard to student success. This year, we are proud to honor Dr. Lesley Graybeal with the Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Graybeal is the Director of Service-Learning and Volunteerism in the Division of Outreach & Community Engagement and has served in this position since 2015. She has worked with our faculty to incorporate a course-based teaching and learning strategy to integrate meaningful community service with instruction and reflection. Service-learning enriches the learning experience for our students and teaches civic responsibility while strengthening our local communities. Dr. Graybeal and her family reside in Conway and they enjoy hiking and building LEGOs together.When asked what she enjoys or appreciates most in this position, she responded, “I really enjoy the opportunity to work with faculty from disciplines all across the university to create assignments that bring their students into the community and make a meaningful impact towards a community goal. Family and Consumer Sciences faculty and students in particular are such a pleasure to work with because they are so dedicated, creative, and compassionate. The field includes so many different skills and areas of knowledge that can be applied in the community, and FCS faculty and students truly make their communities better places for everyone.”
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2020 YOUNG ACHIEVER | CHRIS HENSON Chris Henson received the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship in 2015. He is currently the Regional Dietitian for Wright County Health in Missouri and has previously served as the Registered Dietitian at Ozarks Medical Center, Howell County Health Department as well as a Dietary and Behavioral Instructor at Methodist Family Health. Chris is also an Executive Chef with experience in restaurant management. In his spare time, Chris coaches various youth sports and enjoys raising his two boys. Please help us congratulate Chris on this achievement and hear what he has to say about his current position, the impact of UCA on his career, and what he appreciated most about his time in the FCS Department at UCA. To view
Chris Henson's video, click here
2020 YOUNG ACHIEVER | REBEKAH LUONG Rebekah Luong completed the Bachelor of Science in Education in Family & Consumer Sciences in 2012 and the Master of Science in Family & Consumer Sciences in 2013. Rebekah has served the UCA Department of Family & Consumer Sciences since 2012 first as a Graduate Assistant during her Master’s degree, then as an Adjunct Instructor and Departmental Advisor, and now as a Clinical Instructor. Rebekah was chosen for the UCA ServiceLearning Faculty Fellows Program for 2020 and serves as the advisor to the UCA student unit of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) where she also serves as the state treasurer. Her dedication
to student success is evident in her teaching, academic advising, and service activities. Rebekah and husband Charles, reside in Little Rock and are the proud parents of furchildren, Paisley and Maggie. They enjoy cooking, kayak fishing and traveling to new places. Take a look here at how Rebekah responded to our questions about her time at UCA, her current position teaching ,and what she appreciates about her time at UCA.
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2020 YOUNG ACHIEVER | REBECCA SIMON We’re excited to honor Rebecca Simon who completed the Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences at UCA in 2006 and the Master of Science degree in Family & Consumer Sciences in 2009. Her career with Cooperative Extension started in Franklin County Extension Service from 2006 to 2007 and then worked at the Cooperative Extension Federal Credit Union in 2008. Since 2009, Rebecca has been the Program Associate for Early Childhood/Family Life and develops curriculum and works with FCS county agents to provide statewide professional development training for early childhood educators and Rebecca works with Extension faculty to implement Family Life programming. Rebecca and her husband Kenny and their three children: Nicholas (17), Kendra (12), and Addyson (10) live on the family farm in the Saltillo area and work hard to provide locally grown beef to individuals and the Root Café in Little Rock. Rebecca and her family enjoy hosting field days to inform people about pasture to plate and love being able to raise their children on the family farm.Please see what Rebecca had to say about her current position and the impact of UCA on her exciting career at this link.
2020 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA | HEATHER McCARTY Heather McCarty was selected as our 2020 Distinguished Alumna. Heather completed the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the University of Arkansas in 1994 and the Master of Science in Family & Consumer Sciences from UCA in 2011. Throughout her career as an Interior Designer, Heather has worked for leading firms in the state including Cromwell Architects & Engineers, MISSCO, Innerplan Office Interiors, and is now a Sales Specialist with Glen Jones & Associates, Inc. Heather also served as an Adjunct Faculty in Interior Design at UCA from 2002 until 2010. Heather is married to Chris and they have three sons. Her and her family reside in Cabot, AR. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Heather in so many
capacities in our Department. Take a look here at what Heather has to say about her time at UCA and discuss her current position. Congratulations Heather, we’re so proud of you and appreciate your work in the field of Interior Design. PAGE 5
2020-2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Since we were unable to celebrate in person with our student scholarship recipients, we decided to celebrate them virtually! Each student was alerted by email that they were a recipient for a 2020-2021 scholarship and given a digital certificate and award letter. We asked students to share their photo with us so we can all celebrate with each amazing individual! Thank you to our kind donors of these funds that make this possible. We look forward to celebrating with you again soon!
ADAMS-LINDSAY-WEBB ENDOWED FUND
Alyssa Frisby
Jordan Sester
Kelly Hays
Carly Melder
Shandon Wootton
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2020-2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS GEORG ANDERSEN INTERIOR DESIGN ENDOWED FUND
Tamara Milby
Mikayla West
CECILY COFFELT-BULLARD ENDOWED FUND
Makenna Clark
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2020-2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS GRACE PHELPS DUPREE ENDOWED FUND
Mackenzie Williams
MARTHA STONE HARDING ENDOWED FUND
Holly Cummings
Andie Montgomery
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2020-2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS MARY ANN AND ANDREW HIEGEL ENDOWED FUND
Alyssa Frisby
Anna Sykes
DR. ROY C AND DOLLIE RANDLEMAN HOLL ENDOWED FUND
Catherine Siebenmorgen
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2020-2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS EMILY OATES HOME ECONOMICS FUND
Selena Garcia
DR. NINA ROOFE NUTRITION ENDOWED FUND
Megan Haley
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2020-2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS NINA RUSS ENDOWED FUND
Jordan Sester
FERGUSON-BROWN NUTRITION SCHOOL FUND
Holly Cummings
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI Connie Westbrook (1988) Emily Oates (1988) Cecily Coffelt Bullard (1988) Dorothy Rodgers (1989) Frances Rudd (1989) Grace Phelps DuPree (1990) Nannie Lou Wulff (1990) Betty Ruth Joyce (1991) Sharon Knighten (1991) Margaret Stanley Love (1992) Ida Lou Moory (1992) Suellen Ward (1992) Stella Cash (1993) Dorothy Hall (1993) Rose (Polly) Nettles (1994) Linda Adams (1995) Bonnie Caldwell (2000) Dr. Mary Harlan (2000)
Patsy Reedy-Evans (2001) Patsy Smith (2002) Martha Harding (2003) Audrey Henry (2004) Sharon Reynolds (2004) Nina Russ (2005) Judy Daves (2006) Dr. Lynn Dix Galloway(2007) Dr. Beverly McNew (2008) Elizabeth Coffman Ivener(2009) Brenda Jones Brixey (2010) Schaun Brown (2010) Pamela Pruett (2010) Dr. Argie Nichols (2011) Dr. Judi Robison (2011) Diane Brown (2011) Marilyn Thomas (2011) Marcia Atkinson (2012)
Judy Fisher (2012) Priscilla Riedel-Cohan (2012) Rebekah Rasnick (2013) Lisa Coker (2013) Tina Crook (2014) Dr. Amy Beard (2014) Dr. Melissa Shock (2015) Bobbie Bell Garner Floyd (2015) Kathy Hall (2016) Karen Baker (2016) Angela Griffin (2016) Lisa Terry (2017) Shannon Hendrix (2018) Suzanne Jones (2018) Mary Smith (2019) Mary Wells (2019) Heather McCarty (2020)
Suzanne Jones (2002) Dana Gonzales (2003) Sharon Daves (2004) Monica Lieblong (2005) Tamra Duncan (2006) Dr. Pam Bennett (2006) Jennifer Whitehead (2007) Lisa McCoy (2008) Melissa Potter (2009) Carmen C. Brown (2010) Shannon Owens Hendrix (2010) Rachel Albritton (2011) Terrah Alexander (2011) Jennifer Wray (2011) Christine Bradd (2011)
Kellie Clements (2012) Rachel Schichtl (2013) Jamie White Nyborg (2014)Mack Hopper (2014) Payne Harding (2015) Leslee Tell (2015) Tina Lampe (2016) Allison Kreimeier (2017) Tia Currtis (2017) Maria Posada (2018) Phillip Sample (2018) Dr. Alicia Landry (2019) Chris Henson(2020) Rebekah Luong (2020) Rebecca Simon (2020)
YOUNG ACHIEVERS Herbert Jones Krisle (1989) Beth Ann Morse (1990) Kathleen Royal (1991) Mary Sue Pruitt (1992) Debbie Miller (1993) Betty Varner Freeman (1994) Dr. Tina Maddox Crook (1995) Dr. Aliza Dicker Brown (1996) Eve Longing (1997) Shawn Rackley (1998) Andrea Ridgway (1999) Sheila Brown (2000) Rhonda Monfee (2001) Ann Ballard Bryan (2002) Kathy Hall (2002)
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS Georg Andersen Dr. Bill Berry Cecily Bullard Marilyn & Farris Burroughs Dr. Brandon Combs President Tom Courtway Dr. Sharon Davis Kelley Erstine Dr. Lesley Graybeal Rush & Linda Harding
Dr. H.B. Hardy, Jr. Dr. Neil Hattlestad Mr. Andrew Hiegel Mrs. Dollie Randleman Holl Dr. Jimmy Ishee Sonja Keith Tonya McKinney Scot Morrissey Dr. John Mosbo Ruth Pasley
K.C. Poole Dr. Jacquie Rainey Dr. Steven Runge Sen. Stanley Russ Jim Schneider Anthony Sitz Rik Sowell Carmen Thompson Mack Thompson Dr. Winfred Thompson UCA Division Inst. Adv.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 34TH ANNUAL RECOGNITION LUNCHEON ON APRIL 23, 2021 PAGE 12