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Eagle Uprising Athletic Teams Excel in 2025-26
UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
CONTENTS 2
Class of 2026
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University celebrates 145 new graduates
Momentum New program funds high-impact experiences
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Get to Know Dr. Minami Nishioka shares her love of history
ON THE COVER: Standout junior pitcher Bailee Cowell of Lamar, Ark., led the women’s softball team to new heights in 2026 (See Pages 18-19) UNIVERSITY MISSION
True to our Christian heritage, we prepare students from diverse religious, cultural, educational and economic backgrounds to live life fully.
TODAY
UNIVERSITY CORE VALUES
AN ANNUAL MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND
UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION
FRIENDS OF UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
Richard L. Dunsworth, J.D............President Janie Diels, Ph.D...........................Vice President for Academic Affairs Amy Zamaripas.............................Vice President for Marketing & Enrollment Lori McBee....................................Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Engagement Dody Pelts.....................................Vice President for Student Success
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Growth, Honesty, Hospitality, Justice, Sabbath and Service
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15 Honoring Dad
24 Pickleball Ninja
Owens family honors father with new JLC scholarship
Fuyei Xaykaothao ’03 making waves in sport
32 Class Notes Catch up on the latest news of former classmates, friends
Students on an Ozarks Outdoors Spring Break outing take in the beauty of the Ozark Mountains at the iconic Hawksbill Crag. (See Pages 10-11)
PRODUCTION STAFF
Larry Isch, Editor Director of Public and Media Relations Vinnie Tran Graphic Design and Photography Coordinator PHOTO CREDITS
Vinnie Tran, Josh Peppas ’00, Darrell Shaw
UNIVERSITY DIRECTORY
Admin Services........479-979-1208 Admission................479-979-1227 Advancement...........479-979-1234 Alumni Engagement.479-979-1234 Athletics...................479-979-1407 Ozarks Bookstore.....479-979-1323 President’s Office.....479-979-1242 Public Relations........479-979-1420
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Office of Alumni Engagement University of the Ozarks 415 N. College Avenue Clarksville, AR 72830-2880 Phone: 479-979-1234 E-mail: alumnioffice@ozarks.edu WEBSITE
www.ozarks.edu
UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
CLASS OF 2026 Ozarks Honors 145 Spring Graduates
University of the Ozarks celebrated 145 of its newest graduates during the 2026 Spring Commencement, held May 16 on the campus mall. It was the second-largest graduating class in University history behind the Class of 2022 (150). The Commencement keynote speaker was Loscar “Los” Mejia ’01 of Columbus, Ohio. Mejia is the distribution director for lululemon’s East Coast Distribution Center in Columbus. He has been with the company since November 2022. Mejia told the graduates to pursue whatever they do with commitment and passion. “While some of you know your next steps from here, many of you are still trying to figure out your path,” he said. “For many, where you start now will not be where you will be in a few years. When I graduated here, I took the first job I came across because
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I needed money. I was fortunate to be hired by the Walmart Distribution Center here in town and quickly learned that supply chain was a field that I could excel in and thrive. I committed to pursue my career in that area my first year out of college and now I am the distribution director for lululemon.” He also told the graduates to never stop growing. “Whether it’s pursuing continuing education, acquiring new skills within your job field, or simply finding a new hobby that you had not pursued in the past, it is important that you stay curious and open to learning,” Mejia said. “I challenge you to push your limits so you can continue to see what comes next. I’ll give you my quick, personal example: I was born and raised in Managua, Nicaragua, and moved to the U.S. when I was 12. I spoke no English and had to acclimate to a new culture and way of life, away from most of my family and friends. Rather than become a victim of my circumstances, I pushed myself to make the most of the opportunity that so many people around the world wish they could have. I am a testament of the greatness of the American promise and grateful for everything this country has given me.” Joseph Guidry III, a finance major from Lafayette, La., was selected by the faculty and staff to represent the Class of 2026 by providing the senior’s welcome address. “One of the biggest things that I’ve learned while being here at Ozarks is a deeper meaning of the word love,” Guidry said. But love is more than that; it’s the force that can pull us through the toughest times of our lives.” We are going to face some tough times, it’s almost inevitable. But the things and people that you love the most will always be there for you and can be a source of hope in times where it feels there is none.”
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UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
Initiative to Fund High-Impact Experiences —
University Launches Momentum University of the Ozarks is launching Momentum, a new career readiness initiative that will provide students with funding to pursue internships, undergraduate research, international experiences and other high-impact opportunities that prepare them for life and careers after graduation. Momentum, which is expected to be fully implemented for the Fall 2027 Semester, will provide approximately 100 students each year with expanded access to internships, undergraduate research, service learning, professional development, creative projects, international experiences and other high-impact learning opportunities that connect the classroom to careers. Awards are expected to average $3,000 and would help students build applied skills, professional networks, and post-graduation readiness. The initiative will also include a new position within the University’s Student Success division to coordinate placements, manage student opportunities, and build employer, alumni, and institutional partnerships in Clarksville and beyond. University President Richard Dunsworth said Momentum will feature “high-impact practices” that will lead to greater student success. “We know that high-impact experiences such as internships, undergraduate research and service learning strengthen student engagement, learning and persistence while creating important pathways to meaningful careers,” Dunsworth said. “Momentum will ensure that more Ozarks students can take advantage of these transformative opportunities, regardless of their financial circumstances. By removing barriers and connecting students with meaningful experiences beyond the classroom, we are helping them build the skills, confidence and professional networks they need to thrive after graduation.” The initiative is made possible by a recent $8 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. Dunsworth expressed the University’s gratitude to the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation for its investment in 4 /// TODAY, 2 0 2 6
Ozarks’ students and their futures. “This gift will open doors to opportunities that many of our students might not otherwise have and help them realize their full potential.” Dody Pelts, vice president for student success, said Momentum will primarily focus on students entering their junior year, a pivotal time when many begin connecting their academic experiences with their career goals. “We’ve seen how transformative internships, research and other hands-on experiences can be for our students, and Momentum will allow us to make those opportunities available to many more students,” Pelts said. “The junior year is often when students begin thinking more intentionally about their career path and calling. Momentum will give them the opportunity to explore those interests, gain meaningful experience and begin building a bridge from college to career.” University officials cited the 2024 National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey, which found that
employers extended full-time offers to more than 65 percent of their interns. “Experiences like internships give students an opportunity to put what they’re learning into practice, but just as importantly to build professional relationships and demonstrate what they can contribute in the workplace,” Pelts said. “When more than 65 percent of interns are receiving full-time job offers, it’s clear these experiences can be a direct pathway to employment. Momentum will help ensure our students have greater access to those opportunities and are prepared to make the most of them.” Pelts said U of O alumni will play a key role in the Momentum initiative. “We have more than 9,000 alumni in 53 countries around the world doing great things professionally, so the new staff position will work closely with our alumni to set up internship opportunities,” Pelts said. “Our goal is to build strong alumni, employer, nonprofit, and institutional partnership networks both locally, nationally and internationally.”
Fall 2026 Enrollment at 776
Enrollment for the Fall 2026 Semester was 776 students, including 213 first-time freshmen. The enrollment includes 424 females (55 percent) and 352 males. The student body comes from 27 countries — ranging from Argentina and Australia to Zambia and Zimbabwe — and 26 states, led by Arkansas (384), Texas (133), Oklahoma (31), Louisiana (9) and Tennessee (9). The top declared majors are business administration (78), biology (71), exercise science (60), psychology (60), finance (54), elementary education (49) and marketing (45).
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New MacBook Program Implemented Beginning with the Fall 2026 Semester, U of O will equip every incoming fulltime, first-year student with a new Apple MacBook Neo, ensuring they arrive on campus with the technology needed to learn, create and succeed from the first day of classes. The initiative replaces the University’s previous program of providing new students with iPads and reflects Ozarks’ continued commitment to removing barriers to student success while enhancing the overall academic experience. By providing every new student with the same high-quality laptop, the University is ensuring that all students—regardless of financial circumstances or academic major—have immediate access to the software, computing power and digital resources required for college-level work. University officials said the initiative builds on Ozarks’ long-standing commitment to access, inclusion and student success by eliminating a significant
upfront expense for families while creating a more equitable learning environment. We’ve transitioned from providing incoming students with an iPad to providing each student with a MacBook Neo to better support the full range of academic work required at the University,” said Dr. Janie Diels, vice president for academic affairs. “Today’s students need technology that can seamlessly support everything from data analysis and research to presentations, writing, collaboration and creative projects. In particular, some courses and programs
rely on the full desktop version of Microsoft Excel, including advanced features that are not available or are more limited on an iPad. By providing every student with a laptop capable of handling these demands, we’re ensuring they can fully engage in their coursework from the very beginning without worrying about whether they have the right technology. It’s an investment in student learning and long-term success.” Recently introduced by Apple, the MacBook Neo is a reliable, easy-to-use laptop designed for the demands of higher education. The initiative also supports a more seamless classroom experience by allowing faculty to design assignments and learning activities knowing every incoming student has access to the same technology and software capabilities. Students will be better equipped to participate in collaborative projects, complete assignments efficiently and take advantage of the University’s growing array of digital learning resources.
First-Year Faculty and Staff
The University kicked off the 2026-27 academic year in August by welcoming several new faces to the Ozarks community during the annual Employee Opening Workshop. Faculty and staff who have joined Ozarks since September 2025 include: (Pictured seated, from left) Holly Haynes, Student Success Center program specialist; Joy Bruce, mental health therapist; Raegan Swafford ’25, JLC writing specialist; Truman Hensley ’22, academic support coordinator; Telvin James, director of student engagement; Angelina Monfrey, resident director; Heather Teague, OAS student account coordinator; Shana Chaplin, assistant director of community engagement; Erin Pavlin, head women’s volleyball coach; (standing, from left) Daniel Sanderson ’26, resident director; David Kuhn, head women’s softball coach; Chance Duncan, instructor of science and science education; Chatham Ewing, director of Robson Library; Nathan Green, major gifts officer; Marshall Owens, assistant baseball coach; Chad Harris ’01, head baseball coach; Ryan McFarland, assistant athletic trainer; Colin Lucius, head men’s and women’s tennis coach; Asa Mawoko ’25, staff accountant; and Seth McDowell, head women’s basketball coach. TODAY, 2026 /// 5
UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
Grad Success Rate Tops 90% Again For the 10th consecutive year, the initial employment and graduate school placement success rate of recent University of the Ozarks graduates exceeds 90 percent, according to the University’s 2026 First Destination and Career Profile Report. The latest survey looks at the Class of 2025 U of O graduates and whether or not they had employment or were in graduate or professional school within six months of graduation. The report found that 92 percent of the respondents had either fulltime employment, were in graduate or professional school or were employed part-time. Out of 173 graduates, 14 were still seeking employment at the time of the survey. According to the latest report (2025) from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the national average is 86 percent for employment and graduate school placement. It is the 10th consecutive year that
Ozarks Number 4 in U.S. News Rankings For the 20th consecutive year, Ozarks is ranked among the top 10 regional colleges in the South by U.S. News & World Report in its annual college rankings. In the 2027 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges, Ozarks was ranked fourth overall among South Regional Colleges. The overall rankings examine such criteria as academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving. In addition, Ozarks was ranked third in the Best Value category in the South Regional Colleges category. It is the sixth consecutive year that the University has been ranked in the top three best values among nearly 100 regional colleges and universities in the 12-state South Region. The value rankings evaluate the cost of attending a university relative to the quality of the institution. The South Region consists of primarily undergraduate colleges and universities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia. 6 /// TODAY, 2 0 2 6
Ozarks’ success rate for its graduates has exceeded 90 percent. The average success rate for the University over the past five years is 94 percent. “For more than a decade, we have maintained a greater than 90 percent success rate on the First Destination Survey, meaning that over 90 percent of our graduates secure part-time or full-time employment, pursue advanced degree programs, or enter military service within six months of graduation,” said Matt Bewley, director of career services. “This consistent achievement reflects the strength of our
academic programs, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the intentional career preparation embedded throughout the student experience. It also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to equipping students with the skills, confidence, and connections they need to thrive after graduation.” According to the 2026 First Destination and Career Profile Report, the 2025 graduates were working in 20 states and 12 countries. In addition, 34 members of the Class of 2025 were in graduate or professional schools in nine different states and two other countries. The largest number of employed graduates were in the professional fields of K-12 education (24), healthcare (21), retail and customer service (17), marketing (8) and environmental services (8). The University follows the NACE standards and protocols for the collection and dissemination of initial career outcomes for recent graduates.
Presenting at International Conference
Junior Sergio Traitel (pictured, left), a computer science major from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Dr. Chol Hyun Park, assistant professor of computer science, presented their academic paper in June at EDULEARN26, a peer-reviewed international conference on education and new learning technologies in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Their work is titled, “Supporting Algorithmic Thinking with AI: A SolverVerifier Framework for Programming Education.” Traitel, who is also a member of the men’s soccer team, is the first author of the paper. The project introduces an AI framework that separates a “solver” and a “verifier” to guide students through the problem-solving process, helping reduce unreliable outputs and encouraging deeper understanding rather than simply providing direct answers, according to Park.
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Petit’s Dream Becomes a Reality A decade after graduating from high school — and after years of sacrifice, uncertainty and perseverance across two countries — Fredony “Freddy” Petit recently realized a dream that once seemed far out of reach. In May, the Haitian native graduated with a degree in accounting with honors, becoming the first person in his family to earn a college diploma. Even before receiving that diploma, Petit had already secured a position as a financial auditor with the Louisiana Legislature in Baton Rouge, where he began work in June. For Petit, the moment represents far more than academic success. It is the culmination of a journey marked by resilience, faith and determination. After graduating from high school in Haiti in 2016, Petit left his home country and spent the next several years in the Dominican Republic, working a variety of jobs while holding tightly to the hope that one day he could attend college. That opportunity came through a connection with a mission team from St. Francisville (La.) Baptist Church, including Tammy DeLaney, whose daughter, Anna Claire Ryan is a 2022 Ozarks graduate. “She encouraged me to take a chance because, as she said, you never know,” Petit said. “I followed her advice, applied, and was accepted. The admissions team at Ozarks, including Joey Hughes, Rebecca Willems, Michael Fitzpatrick, and Nicole England, helped me tremendously throughout the process. Since the University did not offer my first choice, engineering, I decided to pursue accounting instead.” Petit still remembers arriving on campus for the first time on Jan. 13, 2023 — a Friday the 13th that ultimately proved life-changing. “I still remember realizing how different everything felt from what I was used to,” he said. “One of my biggest challenges at first was the weather, it was extremely cold for me coming from the Caribbean. At the time, it felt almost impossible to adapt to, although now it has become normal to me. My first day was exciting but also overwhelming. I was trying to figure everything out at once: a new country, a new school, a new environment, and a completely different lifestyle. I was assigned
to stay in Mabee Suites, and even though I felt nervous and uncertain, I quickly noticed how welcoming and friendly most people were on campus. There was a real sense of community that helped me feel more comfortable.” Even amid his success at Ozarks, Petit carried the emotional weight of ongoing turmoil in his home country. During his sophomore year, escalating violence and instability in Haiti created some of the most difficult moments of his college journey. “One of the hardest periods for me was during my sophomore year, when the situation in Haiti became increasingly dangerous and unstable,” Petit said. “Like many Haitian students, I was deeply affected emotionally by everything happening back home. At one point, my family had to leave their home because of the insecurity and violence in the country. These moments were devastating, it was not about just missing home, it was about the emotional torture of watching your country fall apart and feeling powerless so far away while trying to focus on school.” Petit said a fellow Haitian classmate said something during a class video project that has stayed with him.
“He said, ‘For Haitian students, milestones like graduation are not just moments of celebration; they also remind us of who is missing.’ I think that captures a feeling many of us carry quietly,” Petit said. “During that time, it was hard to fully focus on classes and daily responsibilities, but I kept moving forward by doing the best I could one day at a time. I was fortunate to have professors who were understanding and supportive, as well as friends who regularly checked in to ask about my family and how I was doing. Those moments reminded me how important community and kindness can be during difficult seasons of life. Looking back, that experience taught me resilience, gratitude, and the importance of continuing to show up even when life feels overwhelming. As I often say, there is always more to be grateful for than to constantly stress about.” Petit hopes to one day play a role in helping rebuild Haiti. “Haiti will always be home to me, and most of my family still lives there,” he said. “No matter where life takes me, I will always remain connected to my country, my community, and the people who helped shape who I am today. One of my longterm hopes is to contribute in some way to creating better opportunities for the younger generation in Haiti. I would love to see a future where young people can pursue education, careers, and meaningful lives without feeling like leaving their home country is their only option for a better future. Although Haiti faces many challenges, I still believe in the strength, resilience, and potential of its people. My journey has taught me the importance of giving back, staying hopeful, and using every opportunity as a way to help others along the way.” Petit said he would summarize his time as Ozarks as a “journey of growth, resilience, and transformation.”And the fact that he turned 30 in July made it even more special. “I turned 30 just a little over two months after graduation, which made this milestone even more meaningful to me,” he said. ” I’m excited to begin my career in accounting, continue growing professionally, and use what I have learned to make a positive impact wherever I go.“
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Q&A UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
Get to Know DR. MINAMI NISHIOKA
A native of Tokyo, Japan, Dr. Minami Nishioka joined the Ozarks faculty in 2023 as an assistant professor of history, specializing in U.S. imperialism, U.S.-Japanese relations, and missionary history in Okinawa. She teaches in the history major/minor programs and American Studies minor. The recipient of the 2026 Bagwell Outstanding Faculty award at Ozarks, Nishioka earned her Ph.D. In history from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where her dissertation explored U.S.-Japanese interimperial relations before World War II by examining how the religious landscape transformed in Okinawa, which used to be an independent kingdom but was forcefully annexed to Japan in 1879. She earned her undergraduate degree in religious studies at International Christian University in Tokyo, and attained a master’s degree in area studies North America at the University of Tokyo. She is currently working on a book manuscript titled, “The Gospel of Civilization: Missionaries and Okinawans under U.S. and Japanese Empires, 1846-1939.” This project situates the U.S. encounter with Japan’s peripheral island of Okinawa in the broader context of imperial competition for the Pacific in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Describe growing up in Japan and what your childhood was like: I was raised in the outskirts of Tokyo called Chiba prefecture. My hometown is a mixture of a traditional agricultural town and a newly created suburb where you see plenty of rice fields and hear the songs of frogs at night, but also see 30-story apartment buildings in front of the station. As a kid, I liked playing in nature and climbing trees with friends. I joined the choir club at my elementary school and enjoyed it a lot. When I turned 11, I started to go to after-school tutoring sessions by taking a train by myself. It is very common in Japan for children to take the train or bus and go to after-school activities without parents. That allowed me to go to a middle school that put emphasis on English education. I’ve always felt like going to some unknown place in the future. How and when did you first get interested in history? To be honest, I didn’t like history at all for a long time, so I can understand what people mean when they tell me they don’t like history. I thought history was all about remembering the names of important events and people, which I’m not good at. I preferred other subjects like math and philosophy because as long as you understand the logic or mathematical formulas, you can solve the problems—at least, that’s what I thought about these subjects in high school. I went to International Christian University in Tokyo, which is a small liberal arts college like University of the Ozarks. Even there, I didn’t take any history class, unfortunately, but that’s when I became interested in history. My major was 8 /// TODAY, 2 0 2 6
philosophy and religion, and I was especially interested in American religions. I was fascinated by how belief could push people to take actions that are self-sacrificing or, in certain tragic cases, violent (my honors thesis is about the Branch Davidians at Waco in the 1990s). That’s when I came to realize that I can’t just discuss their beliefs; I need to explore historical contexts more. You can’t ignore people’s social background, the relationship between the federal government and religion, and the rise of conservatism, and just discuss the apocalypticism of Christianity alone. That realization pushed me to study more history. But it was when I came to the U.S. to join the Ph.D. program in history at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, that I finally learned, probably, what it means to be a historian. The transition from a non-history major to history was not easy. I wish I had taken more history classes in college. Why do you think history is an essential subject to study, even for non-majors? The young me thought history was all about memorization. But that’s not true. Learning history is about asking “why” it happened and “how” it happened. In many cases, the answers are complex, and studying history always asks us what is worth remembering. History is essential for understanding where you stand today. Unfortunately, you can never become a fortune teller and predict the future precisely by learning history, but you can have a better sense of what constitutes you and society—because no one can escape from history, and all human beings, ideas, and objects are historical beings—and try to be on the right side. For instance, in my case, learning history made me realize that some of the “traditions,” such as the mandatory same-surname policy after marriage in Japan, only started about 130 years ago, which is a relatively new phenomenon in the 1,700-year-old history of the nation-state. I learned that this policy was created in the process of strengthening the patriarchal household in Meiji, Japan. This realization made me wonder who benefits by preserving the socalled traditions and what I tacitly support by preserving other
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“traditions.” Learning history also challenges you to put yourself in someone’s shoes and face moral questions. Why did so many ordinary people support the Nazis? If you were one of them, could you have resisted? Why or why not? Such historical imagination helps you to take the right action that may not immediately benefit you but contributes to the betterment of society today. Briefly describe your dissertation and why you chose that subject: My dissertation explores the relationship between the Japanese empire and the U.S. empire before World War II by focusing on the role played by American and Japanese Protestant missionaries in Japan’s southern-most island of Okinawa. I chose to explore the activities of these Protestant missionaries because they were ambiguous figures at that time; they often tried to contribute to the well-being of the local society through not only religious teachings but also by promoting education (especially women’s education) and middle-class values. But they often directly and indirectly supported the expansion of the U.S. and Japanese empires. They were also motivated by something other than economic interests, which made them interesting agents in the history of empire. I argue that American missionaries supported Japanese missionaries’ efforts in colonizing Okinawa in the early 20th century, showing that there was an imperial collaboration before the relationship between the two countries deteriorated. How would you describe your teaching style? For upper-level classes, I try to make them more studentcentered. I divide the class into small groups and let students lead the discussion. In addition to this, recently, I started to use a role-playing game called Reacting to the Past. In these games, students receive a role sheet and assume the roles of historical figures. They have to make a speech and answer questions from other roles. This requires them to closely study their roles and put themselves in their shoes. For instance, in the game we played about the Gilded Age, some students became suffragists while others became part of a labor union faction, and their mission was to persuade the remaining students to support their cause. Some assignments even involved designing posters or writing songs, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in the historical context. From what I heard from students, playing the game helped them learn more deeply about how diverse people’s opinions on certain issues were, rather than just listening to my lecture or reading articles. The virtue of this game is that students can learn how to respectfully disagree with other players. It seems that they feel more comfortable doing it because they are playing a role. I plan to continue incorporating the game more into my classes, hoping that it will make them feel more comfortable discussing controversial issues in a respectful manner. What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching? The most rewarding aspect of teaching is that you can see the growth of students firsthand. That’s a beautiful moment. Either writing skills, presentations, or discussion skills, it’s amazing to see how students grow so fast. But what I most enjoy is when I can see learning different perspectives opened students’ eyes and helped them see the world differently. That’s a very important character development. I always feel grateful when I encounter such an “aha” moment from students.
Coming from a large public institution, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, what has surprised you the most about teaching at Ozarks? What surprised me the most was how tight-knit a community the Ozarks is. I’ve been teaching for three years at the University and it was great that I recognized so many faces at the last graduation. I like that I can actually get to know the students, learn about their interests, and see their personal growth closely. You help lead the History in the Movies series at Ozarks. Why is it important to you and what do you hope students get out of it? In the Historians at the Movies, Dr. Karen Frank and I choose a few historical movies each semester and discuss them with students. For instance, last semester, I picked “Sinners” and “Across the Universe,” while Dr. Frank chose “Nosferatu” and “Jane Eyre.” As I said in the previous question, just like religious ideas do not stand alone, every historical event is closely intertwined with ideas, politics, environment, social context, and culture at that time, and watching a movie is the easiest way to see it. For instance, the movie “Sinners” took place in Jim Crow Mississippi in the 1930s. In U.S. History II, we learned about the convict lease system and sharecropping in the lecture, but watching them in motion gives a better sense of those systems to students. I believe that watching a movie makes such an immersive experience possible. What advice would you give an underclassman who might want to pursue a career in studying/teaching history? I’d tell them to read as widely as possible, not just history books, but literature, philosophy, and current events too. History is about understanding the human experience, and the broader your perspective, the better historian you’ll be.
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Ozarks Outdoors
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During Spring Break 2026 in March, Ozarks Outdoors took a group of students on a week-long outing to the Buffalo River and Horseshoe Canyon Ranch deep in the Ozark Mountains. The students camped out and participated in backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, zip lining and swimming. (Photos by Ozarks Outdoors)
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KAO LENKOPANE ’25 was chosen by the faculty and staff to provide the student’s welcome address at the 2025 Fall Commencement in Munger-Wilson Chapel. From Kanye, Botswana, Lenkopane graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in business administration and minors in health science and American studies. He was also a standout on the men’s tennis team for the Eagles and was the recipient of the University’s Iron Eagle Award for 2024-25. The University’s annual outstanding faculty and staff awards for 2025 were presented to (from left) DR. DAVID DAILY,
DR. MINAMI NISHIOKA, DALLAS BROSE, TERRY HATCHER, AND NICHOLE SHERMAN. Brose, the head athletic trainer, received the Dr. Rick and Sheree President’s Above and Beyond Award. The awards were presented during the Board of Trustees Banquet in April.
CALEB GUTIERREZ, a junior finance major from Chihuahua, Mexico, was a co-author on a research article published in April in Environment, Innovation and Management (EIM)—a top-tier, peer-reviewed international journal focused on environmental challenges and technological innovation. The article was titled “Nexus between Economy, Energy, Agriculture, and Environment: Empirical Evidence from Bangladesh.”
DR. DANIEL FUDGE, assistant professor of political science, and students KALEB JACOBS, VANESSA MARTINEZ, ISABEL SHELTON AND TAYLOR YATES, took part in the first annual Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy in 2025-26. Sponsored by the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, the academy is designed for college students “to empower them with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to become effective leaders.”
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AARON GENTRY, who has served as the head baseball coach at Ozarks since 2015, resigned his position at the end of the 2026 season in May to transition to assistant professor of psychology. Gentry, who was also assistant athletic director since 2024, won 139 games in his 10-year tenure and led the Eagles to the postseason in 2018 and 2021. He has a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma and his pursuing his Ph.D.
Several psychology students, staff and faculty, including (from left) GABRIEL MENDOZA MONZON, JACQUELINNE
RETANA TESHE, DR. KAETHE HOEHLING, DR. DANIEL WARWICK AND CRISTHEL MEJIA ROSALES, participated in the 80th annual Arkansas Counseling Association’s state meeting, held in November 2025 in Little Rock, Ark.
NATALY VINDAS CALDERON ’26, received the 2026 Hurie Award from University President Richard Dunsworth and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Steve Oatis. The award is presented to the outstanding member of the graduating class as voted on by the faculty. Vindas was a finance and marketing major from Ctot Brus, Costa Rica, and a Walton International Scholar. She was also named the University’s 2026 Outstanding Student in Finance.
STEVE EDMISTEN, long-time vice president for advancement and special assistant to the president at Ozarks, retired in December 2025 after more than 30 years with the University. He served as vice president and then executive vice president for advancement from 1997-2012 when he was named special assistant to the president. Over the course of three decades in advancement leadership, Edmisten helped raise more than $130 million for Ozarks.
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Nicolas Dunsworth honors Dr. Smith A lasting legacy of inspiration, mentorship, and a love of learning is taking shape at Ozarks, thanks to a recent gift from alumnus Nicolas Dunsworth ’22 honoring one of the professors who shaped his journey. Dunsworth (pictured, right) has established the Dr. Buddy Smith Outstanding Student in Mathematics Award, a new annual honor that will recognize exceptional mathematics students during the University’s Honors Day ceremony each spring. The award pays tribute to Dr. Buddy Smith, who retired from full-time teaching in May 2021 after an extraordinary 41-year teaching career at Ozarks. Joining the faculty in 1980, Smith became known not only for his mastery of mathematics, but for his enthusiasm in the classroom and his deep commitment to students. “Buddy’s passion and exuberance fundamentals U N I V Ein R Steaching ITY OF T HE OZARKS is a large part of the reason I originally became a math major,” Dunsworth said. “Even now, I find myself referencing ‘animal arithmetic’ when trying to convey complex topics. Buddy’s kindness, his openness, his mentorship, and his lifetime of service have shaped not just how I approach math, but how I approach life—always with a smile on my face. I hope this award will allow his legacy to grow even further, beyond the generations of Ozarks alumni he has taught, and that future graduates will benefit from those lessons.” A standout student himself, Dunsworth graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ozarks in 2022 with both a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and a Bachelor of Arts in English. That same year, he was named the University’s Outstanding Student in Mathematics. He went on to earn a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and now works as a data scientist in Hampton, Virginia. Throughout his decades on campus, Smith’s influence extended well beyond the classroom. He served as chair of the University’s science and mathematics division from 1991 to 1997 and was the faculty athletics representative for more than 20 years.
During his tenure, he even stepped in as acting commissioner of the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference following the sudden passing of its commissioner. In addition to mathematics, Smith has also taught classes at Ozarks that focused on some of his favorite hobbies, including beekeeping and crappie fishing. Smith also became a beloved figure in both the campus and Clarksville communities for his generosity and spirit. He was known for sharing fruits and vegetables from his garden, along with honey from his beehives, and for bringing joy to others by dressing as Santa Claus at University Christmas celebrations, community events, and parades. The newly established award ensures that Smith’s impact will continue to be felt by future generations of Ozarks students— recognizing not only academic excellence, but the kind of passion and character he exemplified throughout his career. For those interested in creating a lasting tribute through a named Honors Day award, please contact the Office of Advancement at 479-979-1234 or advancement@ozarks.edu.
Lilly Endowment Provides $500K to TSC U of O received a grant of $500,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc., earlier this year to support the continuation of the Arkansas Presbytery Thriving in Ministry program, which is a part of the University’s Town Square Collaborative (TSC). Lilly Endowment made the grant through its Thriving in Ministry initiative, which supports a variety of religious organizations across the nation as they create or strengthen programs that help pastors build relationships with experienced clergy who can serve as mentors and guide them through key leadership challenges in congregational ministry. Going forward, the Thriving in Ministry program within the Town Square Collaborative will support pastors and church leaders throughout the Presbytery of Arkansas. “We are delighted to receive additional support from Lilly Endowment to continue the work of this program,” said Rev. Phillip Blackburn, director of the Town Square Collaborative. “Our work with congregational leaders in the Presbytery of Arkansas will continue for another five years, and we will be able to apply the many lessons learned. Clergy and church leaders need support, and I am honored to be at an institution which recognizes their important contributions and seeks to support them going forward.”
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PH ILA N TH R OPY /// N EW S
Family Memoralizes Educator —
Owens Establish JLC Scholarship University of the Ozarks alumnus Blake Owen ’06 and his mother, Glenda Owen, have established an endowed scholarship at the University in memory of Blake’s father, a lifelong educator who devoted his career to helping students succeed. The Barry S. Owen Endowed Scholarship, created in February, will support students in the University’s Jones Learning Center (JLC), a nationally recognized program that serves students with documented learning disabilities, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who have average or above-average intellectual abilities. Barry S. Owen was a U.S. Navy veteran and long-time educator and school administrator in Memphis. He began his career as a football and track coach as well as a geography and history teacher at his alma mater, Humes High School. He later served as an assistant principal at Kingsbury and Wooddale before becoming principal of Bellevue Middle School. Owen went on to lead Central High School for 15 years before continuing his educational leadership in DeSoto County, Mississippi, where he served as both assistant principal and principal, culminating his career as principal of Olive Branch High School. Later in life, he also served as a behavior consultant for atrisk youth. Blake Owen said his father’s philosophy of education centered on relationships and ensuring that every student felt safe, supported and valued. “My dad dedicated his life to education and believed deeply that every student deserved someone in their corner who believed in them,” Blake Owen said. “Creating this scholarship is a way for our family to honor his legacy and the values he lived by every day — supporting students, building relationships, and making sure no one falls through the cracks. We hope it helps students in the Jones Learning Center pursue their goals with the same encouragement and support that meant so much to both my father and to me.” Blake Owen utilized the services of the JLC while earning his degree in history from Ozarks in 2006. He currently serves as a middle school special education teacher for the Memphis-Shelby County School District in Memphis. Barry and Glenda Owen were married on Feb. 14, 1981, and were together for 44 years before Barry died on Feb. 13, 2025, at the age of 84 following a brief battle with esophageal cancer. Glenda said Barry was a man of boundless warmth and humor who never met a stranger. “Blake often joked that if you had ears, Barry would talk to you,” Glenda said. “From cheering on his children and grandchildren at games, cracking a dad joke, or asking where you went to high school, Barry had a way of making everyone feel special. His legacy is one of kindness, dedication, and an unwavering belief in the power of relationships. Though he may no longer walk among us, his impact on the lives he touched will endure for generations to come.” Blake Owen, who was named the University’s Outstanding Student in history in 2004, said he flourished at Ozarks thanks in
My dad dedicated his life to education and believed deeply that every student deserved someone in their corner who believed in them. Creating this scholarship is a way for our family to honor his legacy and values he lived by every day —supporting students, building relationships, and making sure no one falls through the cracks. — Blake Owen ’06 large part to the support he received through the JLC and from his academic support coordinator, Debbie Williams ’81, who died in 2017. “The Jones Learning Center changed the trajectory of my life, and Debbie Williams was a huge part of that,” Owen said. “She believed in me at a time when I needed it most and helped me see what was possible. Establishing this scholarship is a way to honor both Debbie and my dad — two educators who devoted their lives to helping students succeed. If this scholarship can help even one student find the confidence and support that I did at Ozarks, then it will mean the world to our family.”
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UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
For Johnson County Students —
Couple Creates Endowment University of the Ozarks alumna and trustee Ann Patterson ’75 and her husband, Max Snowden, have established an endowed scholarship for students from Johnson County, Arkansas. The Ann Patterson & Max Snowden Scholarship Endowment was created earlier this year and will support Ozarks students from Johnson County who have a financial need. Ann Patterson, a 1975 graduate of Ozarks and a member of the U of O Board of Trustees since 2017, was a senior administrator and public policy advocate in Arkansas for almost 50 years before retiring in 2023. Patterson’s father is the late J.T. Patterson, long-time business manager for what was then The College of the Ozarks. J.T. and his wife, Lucile, were active in many college activities which allowed Ann and her brother Jack to spend time on campus “enjoying the privileges of being a part of the Ozarks family.” Patterson said she has fond memories of her time growing up in Clarksville and that she and Snowden always enjoy visiting the campus. “Max and I believe our scholarship will help students from Johnson County attain a higher education at Ozarks and potentially make this world a better place,” she said. Most of Patterson’s career was in public service in mental health, early childhood, and disabilities. She served in a variety of leadership positions with Partners for Inclusive Communities, a program of the University of Arkansas System and was director of the Arkansas Head Start State Collaboration Office. She worked with the Arkansas Department of Human Services as assistant director of Children’s Mental Health and also served as interim director of the Division of Mental Health Services. Having earned a master of health services administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, she also held administrative positions with a hospital and a hospice program. Patterson served many years on the U of O Alumni Association Board of Directors and in 2012 received the University’s Alumni Achievement Award. In 2011, she was awarded the Sister Joan Pytlik Award at the Arkansas Kids Count post-legislative conference, which is given in honor of Sister Pytlik and her inspirational advocacy efforts for Arkansas children and families. Snowden served as executive director of the Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence from 1997 until retiring in 2019, and returned to the position as interim executive director for several months in 2020. Prior to joining the commission, he served as the state coordinator for the University of Oklahoma’s Southwest Regional Center for Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities and the education policy director with Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families. Snowden is a licensed social worker, certified trainer, and a Crisis Response Team member serving at the September 11 World Trade Center site. He was on the Arkansas Crisis Response Team Board of Directors, serving as president for a number of years and active in the National Organization for Victim Assistance. Throughout his career, Snowden worked with various agencies,
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”Max and I believe our scholarship will help students from Johnson County attain a higher education at Ozarks and potentially make this world a better place.”
— ANN PATTERSON ’75
community groups and others in the U.S. and internationally to address the problems of alcohol and other drugs, violence, and related high-risk behaviors. Patterson and Snowden reside in Little Rock and are parents of three adult sons, Scout, Matt and Jake. For information on establishing a scholarship to support Ozarks students, please contact the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement at 479-979-1234.
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Jacobs ’26 Earns Prestigious Grad Fellowship Kaleb Jacobs had to read the email twice to believe it was real. Just moments after leaving class during the spring semester, the 2026 Ozarks graduate opened a message informing him that he had been selected for a prestigious graduate fellowship worth more than $60,000 annually to attend graduate school at the University of Alabama. For the political science major from Clarksville, the news was both surreal and deeply meaningful—a milestone that reflected years of perseverance and academic dedication. Jacobs was one of just a handful of graduate students from across the nation selected to receive Alabama’s competitive, meritbased Graduate Council Fellowship, which includes a stipend as well as full coverage of out-of-state tuition, academic fees, and health insurance. “I paused for a moment and reread it to make sure it was real, and I had happy tears,” Jacobs said. “It was an overwhelming sense of joy, relief, and deep gratitude, knowing that this opportunity would allow me to fully devote myself to my graduate studies without the burden of financial stress. In that quiet moment, it felt both humbling and profoundly meaningful.” Despite just graduating in May, Jacobs has already begun supporting his alma mater through the Ozarks Annual Fund. He also created a scholarship at Clarksville High School to support students in his hometown. Jacobs summed up his time at Ozarks as one of “a deep love of learning, mentorship, and personal growth.” “This institution has provided me with opportunities to engage academically and to form meaningful relationships with mentors who have guided me along the way,” he said. “In many ways, my time at Ozarks reminds me of a book sitting on a bookshelf; it may seem quiet on the surface, but it holds layers of experiences, lessons, and moments of growth. There was never a dull moment, only continuous opportunities to learn, reflect, and engage with a community that truly values education and development.” Jacobs plans to pursue a Ph.D. in political science with an emphasis in the fields of American Politics and Public Policy and Administration. He said that when he learned he had been initially accepted into graduate school at Alabama in December, he was working at his family’s downtown business, Brown’s Flowers. He said that moment made him reflect on his academic journey. “I felt happiness and excitement, but more than anything, I felt a profound sense of validation,” he said. “I was diagnosed with Autism as a child and did not speak until I was in kindergarten, and my educational path required resilience from a very young age. Receiving that acceptance, along with a full-ride scholarship, was not just an academic milestone but a deeply humbling reminder of how far I had come despite the challenges of my early childhood.” In May, Jacob became the first in his family to obtain a college degree, making the fellowship even more meaningful. “It is a sense of relief to know that I can pursue my master’s and Ph.D. without financial stress,” he said. “As a first-generation college graduate, I have always been mindful of the financial aspect of higher education, so receiving full funding brings both peace of mind and deep gratitude. It allows me to fully devote myself to my studies, mentorship, and long-term academic goals without distraction, which is a privilege I do not take lightly.”
He added that the distinction of being a first-gen college graduate “carries a deep sense of purpose and responsibility.” “While my grandparents attended college and my parents worked hard in their own paths, none of them had the opportunity to complete a degree. Because of that, reaching this milestone feels larger than just a personal achievement; it feels like a generational step forward. It is a rewarding and emotional experience to know that my journey reflects perseverance, resilience, and the importance of never giving up. I see this accomplishment not only as something that changes my own life, but as a legacy I can pass on to my future children and generations of my family, demonstrating the value of hard work, education, and determination.” Jacobs said the professors and staff at Ozarks helped strengthen his passion for politics. “Dr. Chris Sarver had a particularly profound impact, as he not only guided me through academic decisions but also encouraged me to apply to the University of Alabama, a conversation that ultimately changed the trajectory of my future,” Jacobs said. “Dr. Daniel Fudge, Ms. Lori Wineland, and Ms. Vanessa Hollowell supported me throughout the graduate school application and GRE process, helping me refine my materials, calm my anxieties, and prepare for what lies ahead. Their mentorship was never transactional; it was thoughtful, steady, and rooted in genuine care.” Jacobs called Fudge, assistant professor of political science, his “academic father figure.” “When I came here and faced early obstacles and stress, he was consistently present, taking the time to listen, guide me, and help me think through my academic path and long-term goals,” Jacobs said. “He did not simply focus on my performance in the classroom; he genuinely cared about my growth, my aspirations, and who I am becoming as a scholar and as a person. During a very transitional period in my life, his patience, guidance, and willingness to truly listen gave me a stronger sense of direction and confidence. He has done more for me than I can fully express, and he is one of those rare mentors whose impact I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It is a mentorship I will never forget.” He plans to pursue a career in the corporate and public affairs sector following graduate school.
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EAGLE UPRISING
Led by the men’s wrestling, women’s softball, and clay target programs, 2025-26 was a banner year for Eagles athletics Highlighted by another national championship by the clay target shooting team, a conference championship three-peat from the men’s wrestling team and an improbable postseason run by the women’s softball team, 2025-26 was an outstanding year for University of the Ozarks athletics. In July, the clay target team won the 2026 SCTP International Trap National Championship with a dominating performance in Marengo, Ohio, out-pacing second-place Jacksonville University 307 points to 281. The top three shooters for the Eagles were Ayden Pollock (107), Riley Walerak (103) and Tyler Treadway (97). Pollock was second overall among individual shooters, followed by Walerak in third and Treadway in fourth. The Eagles finished third at last season’s championships. The U of O shooting program has won a combined nine individual and team national titles since 2017. The 2026 title is the fourth international trap national championship for the program. “This championship is a testament to the talent, preparation and competitive mindset of this team,” said Lance Brown, who is the co-coach of the team with Wyatt McCaghren ’24. “Ayden, Riley and Tyler stepped up on the biggest stage and delivered outstanding performances, but this was truly a team accomplishment. To come back after finishing third last year and win the national championship in such convincing fashion says a lot about the determination of this group. I’m extremely proud of our 18 /// TODAY, 2 0 2 6
student-athletes and the championship tradition they continue to build at Ozarks.” The Eagles wrestling team won its third consecutive St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Men’s Wrestling Championship in February in Eureka, Illinois. Under first-year coach and former Eagles All-American wrestler Nathan Rankin ’23, the Eagles easily out-distanced the eight-team field as the Eagles won five individual conference titles: Shelton Chastain (125), Javin Douglas (133), Newab Singh (184), Jadaan Anderson (197) and Ka’Ron Lewis (285). Lewis was named the SLIAC Wrestler of the Year, finishing with a 22-6 overall record, collecting nine wins by pin and taking home two titles this season. He was the 285 pound SLIAC Champion after winning all four of his tournament matches, three by fall. Lewis finished 4th at regionals, the highest finish by any SLIAC wrestler this season. Lewis finished his career with the highest winning percentage of a SLIAC wrestler, winning at a .792 clip. He was regionally and nationally ranked throughout the season. The Eagles also secured the SLIAC Coaching Staff of the Year and Hayden Rofkhar was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team. “It means a lot to be able to win for a third year in a row and establish ourselves at the top,” Rankin said. “I feel like this win means a little more than the past two because of the change of head coaches and addition of new teams making it a more competitive tournament overall. I’m super proud of how
E A GLE /// U PR ISIN G
our guys prepared for the meet in the days leading up to the competition and I knew that we were in a good spot heading into the tournament. In warm ups, we looked the most comfortable and composed out of all the teams.” The wrestling team would go on to have five placers, tying a record for most placers in program history, and finish eighth overall at the NCAA III Region VI Regional Championships in Iowa in March. Picked to finish ninth in the preseason in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), the women’s softball team shocked the league by setting a school record for victories (25) on its way to the championship game of the SCAC Postseason Tournament. Under veteran first-year head coach David Kuhn, the Eagles finished 25-21 and not only earned the program’s first postseason bid, but upset several nationally ranked teams to advance to the finals, where they lost to Texas Lutheran. Standout junior pitcher Bailee Cowell (see cover) had one of the most dominant pitching performances in SCAC tournament history, pitching all six games for the Eagles while willing the team to the championship game. She ended the 2026 season breaking nearly every single-season record in program history, including innings pitched (195.1), wins (19), and ERA (2.11). Following the post-season, she ranked second in the SCAC in strikeouts (101) and wins. The right-hander was named to the NFCA All-Region Third Team and the all-conference second team. “I’ve been so proud of this team from day one, when we started in September,” Kuhn said. “They have been an amazing team and a great group of players to work with day in and day out. It was indeed a dream season.” Other athletic program highlights for the season: • The women’s volleyball team finished 5-19 in its inaugural season. The Eagles made history on Sept. 2, 2026, in Mabee Gymnasium when they defeated Williams Baptist University in front of a large home crowd to open their first season. • The women’s swimming and diving team finished the regular season 5-0 in dual meets and placed a program-best third in the 2026 SCAC Championships under coach David DeGeus. • The women’s basketball team advanced to postseason play for the third consecutive year. The Eagles finished 13-13 on the season and won their last seven regular-season games to advance to the tournament. • The men’s cross country team had a historic run at the NCAA III Midwest Regional Championship in November, finishing 15th overall, its highest finish ever at a regional. In the SCAC Championships, the Eagles had their highest finish at a conference championship since 2019 with a fourth-place finish. Interim head coach Cash Kunkel was elevated to the head women’s and men’s cross country and track coach following the season. • The women’s cross country team had its highest finish at a conference championship in over 25 years, placing third at the 2025 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships. They followed that up by placing 21st overall at the NCAA III Midwest Regional Championship, the program’s highest finish ever at a regional. • The men’s tennis team won 11 matches, its most since 2014, and advanced to the SCAC semifinals under first-year coach Brad Jones.
The shooters and coaches who led the clay target shooting team to the 2026 SCTP International Trap National Championship in Ohio in June included (pictured, from left) head co-coach Lance Brown, Daton Pinkston, Joelle Peterson, Kinley Cox, Riley Walerak, Tyler Treadway, Ayden Pollock, Eric Johnson and (in the back) co-coach Wyatt McCaghren ’24.
There were also several other impressive individual honors and accomplishments by Eagle student-athletes: • Swimmer Jessie Wright became the first in program history to be named SCAC Swimmer of the Year after winning the 200 IM in a school-record time (2:15.39) at the SCAC Championships and finishing third in the 400-IM and 200-yard backstroke. • Diver Brianna Devlin was named a scholar All-American by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Asssociation of America after finishing among the top 20 divers in the NCAA III Regional Diving Championships in Atlanta. • Junior Matthew Dunsworth set the program record in the 8K (25:10.4) and also finished fifth individually in the 2025 SCAC Championships to earn all-conference honors. Dunsworth also broke the school indoor track record in the 3,000-meter run in the University of Missouri Invitational in the spring with a time of 8:50.57. • The men’s tennis doubles team of seniors Joseph Guidry and Kento Iwahara went 15-5 in doubles play and were named SCAC Doubles Team of the Week an unprecedented three times during the season. The duo was named first-team allconference in doubles. • Junior clay target shooter Ayden Pollock was named an ACUI/ SCTP second team All-American following his performance at the National Championships in San Antonio, Texas, in March. • Senior Chloe Weathers capped a stellar athletic career at Ozarks by being named all-conference in three sports — cross country, swimming and track and field. “When you look across all of our programs, it’s hard not to be incredibly proud of what Eagle Athletics accomplished this year,” said Athletics Director Dr. Sergio Molina. “We celebrated a national championship, another conference championship, postseason runs, record-setting seasons and some remarkable individual performances. Just as importantly, we saw our student-athletes and coaches represent Ozarks with tremendous pride, determination and character. The success we experienced across so many different sports speaks to the strength and continued growth of our entire athletics program. It was truly a special year to be an Eagle.”
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BUCKET-GETTER
University of the Ozarks senior guard Abby Beene has built a reputation as one of the most dangerous scorers in the conference — a true bucket-getter in every sense of the word. Whether it’s a deep three-pointer, a pull-up jumper, a tough finish at the rim, or a timely play for a teammate, Beene has become the engine that powers the Eagles’ offense. And with her senior season approaching in 2026-27, the Bauxite, Arkansas, native is on the verge of joining some elite company in the Ozarks record book. 20 /// TODAY, 2 0 2 6
The 5-foot-9 guard enters her final season with 990 career points, needing just 10 more to become the 21st player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone. With another typical scoring season, she could climb into the program’s top five all-time scorers. Last season as a junior, Beene ranked among the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) leaders in multiple categories, finishing seventh in scoring at 14.0 points per game while also ranking among the league’s top 20 in field goal percentage, three-point percentage and assists. The all-conference selection led the Eagles with 48 three-pointers and shot 76 percent from the free throw line. “Shooting is just something I always enjoyed working on, since I first began playing in the second grade,” Beene said. “I pretty much taught myself to shoot in the third, fourth, fifth grades by just working on my form against a wall. Plus, I try to shoot between 300 and 500 shots a day during my summer workouts. The funny thing is, I’ve always told myself that I’m a pass-first player—I just love finding my teammates and getting them the ball.” Beene’s versatility on the court makes her a difficult matchup for opponents.
OZAR K S /// ATH LETIC S
“In high school, I played all five positions, so I’m comfortable anywhere on the court,” Beene said. “I feel like I can hit a threepointer, go down low and post you up, or just drive around you. Having those different skills has really helped me as well.” During her junior season, she had 21 games where she scored in double figures, including a 32-point outing against Lyon College. “Abby has a great feel for the game and just understands how to make the right play,” said Eagles Head Coach Seth McDowell. “She’s such a great scorer, but she can impact a game in other ways like rebounding or creating for others while not forcing anything.” McDowell said he’d like to see Beene be even more aggressive on offense. “At times, she’s even too unselfish, always looking to get others involved before herself,” he said. “But that speaks to how she plays and how much she values the team. Her decision making, consistency, and ability to do a little bit of everything are a big reason she’s been so successful at University of the Ozarks.” Beene has helped guide the Eagles to the postseason in all three of her years at Ozarks, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished since the Eagles joined NCAA Division III in the late 1990s. Last year, the Eagles overcame a sluggish start to win their last seven conference games to advance to the SCAC Postseason Tournament, where they fell in overtime to a high-seeded Texas Lutheran. “We had lost something like eight games in a row and I think we finally said, that’s enough,” Beene said. “We just got sick of losing and I think we all got more determined. We began to focus more on the defensive end of the court and that just seemed to click with us. We won a few games in a row and then just got on a roll. At that point we felt invincible.” While basketball has come fairly easy to her, the health science major said she has surprised herself with how well she has done in the classroom at Ozarks. “I first came in as a business major and then tried physical education and that didn’t click,” Beene said. “Then, I took a health science class and discovered I loved it. I’ve surprised myself with how much I enjoy academics, especially since I’ve found an area
that I’m interested in. Coming out of high school, I never would have guessed in 100 years that I would be in a science-related field. I’ve really surprised myself in how serious I take my academics now, and it’s because I’ve found something I really enjoy.” On schedule to graduate in May 2027, Beene will be the first in her family to earn a college degree. “That’s something that’s really big for me,” she said. “It was big in my family that I finished high school, so college is going to be really big. Hopefully it will motivate my younger brother to get his college degree.” McDowell said Beene’s teammates look up to her. “Abby is just a really genuine, steady person, someone people naturally trust and enjoy being around,” he said. “As a teammate, she’s consistent, dependable, and unselfish, which is someone everyone tends to want to be around. As a leader, she has become more vocal this past season. She leads through her work ethic and how she shows up. People follow because they see the work she puts in.” As the lone senior on the 2026-27 team, Beene is ready to lead her team to the next step. The Eagles will return their top three scorers from last year. “I will be the only senior next year, so I’m nervous about that, but we’ve got some really good younger players and we’re such a close-knit team,” Beene said. “Austin College ended up winning the conference tournament last year and that’s a team we beat by 11 points a week or two earlier. That showed me that the conference tournament is wide open and that anyone can win it. That’s going to be my goal as a senior—win the conference tournament and advance to the national tournament. I’m really excited for this next year.” TODAY, 2026 /// 21
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EAGLES ATHLETICS
Athletes of the Year Selected for 2025-26
Pavlin Tabbed to Lead Volleyball Program
Lucius Named Head Coach of M&W Tennis Teams
The University’s male and female athletes of the year for 2025-26 were swimmer Jessie Wright and wrestler Ka’Ron Lewis. They received the honor at the annual Athletic Celebration Awards Ceremony in May. Wright, a senior from Decatur, Texas, had a historic season for the swim and dive team. Wright is the first swimmer from the program to win the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Year as well as the program’s first All-Conference and individual conference winner. At the SCAC Championships in February, she was the conference champion in the 200 IM, swimming a program record time of 2:15.39. She helped the Eagles to a third place finish at the championships, their best performance in program history. A threetime SCAC Swimmer of the Week honoree during the 2025-2026 year, she ends her career owning multiple program records. Lewis, a senior from Edgewater, Maryland, finished his career as one of the most decorated wrestlers in program history, capping his senior season as the St. Louis Intercollegiate Conference Wrestler of the Year. Competing at 285, Lewis won his second individual St. Louis Intercollegiate Conference title while helping the program win its third straight conference championship. He finished with a 22-6 overall record, collecting nine wins by pin and taking home two titles this season. He was consistently regionally and nationally ranked throughout the season.
Erin Pavlin was named the new head coach of the women’s volleyball program in March. A native of Springfield, Mo., Pavlin brings more than a decade of coaching experience across NCAA Division I, Division II and junior college programs. Most recently, she served as an assistant coach at Pittsburg State University, helping the program to the 2025 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association playoffs. “We are thrilled to welcome Erin Pavlin as the next head volleyball coach,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Sergio Molina. “Erin has built an impressive coaching resume, and her experience in player development, recruiting, and team management made her stand out throughout our search process. She has been part of successful programs at Pittsburg State, Akron and Trinity Valley, and understands what it takes to help studentathletes succeed both on the court and in the classroom.” At Pittsburg State, Pavlin assisted in all facets of the program, including recruiting, player development, opponent scouting and film analysis using Volleymetrics. Pavlin earned a master’s degree in sports science and coaching from Akron in 2024. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration with dual majors in management and marketing from Columbia College, where she helped the program reach a pair of national championship finals. She was a two-time all-conference performer and earned the NAIA Champions of Character Award.
Colin Lucius was selected as the new head men’s and women’s tennis coach in August. Lucius comes to Ozarks with an impressive resume that includes coaching and playing at the NCAA I level. A native of Shreveport, La., Lucius served as the assistant men’s coach at NCAA Division I University of Alabama-Birmingham during the 2025 fall season and 2026 spring season. During his time at UAB, Lucius played a key role in recruiting, on-court training and travel logistics. As a player at NCAA I La Salle University in Pennsylvania, Lucius was a starter in the lineup all four seasons and made the Academic All-Conference Team in each of those seasons. He went undefeated in home matches his junior and senior years. As a student-athlete, Lucius was a member of the La Salle Honor’s Council and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Prior to his coaching stint at UAB, Lucius served as an assistant women’s coach at LSU-Shreveport. “I am incredibly honored to join Ozarks as the head coach for the men’s and women’s tennis programs,” said Lucius. “My grandfather is an Ozarks alum and my family roots are in the Ozarks, so when I saw the position open, I thought, what better place to begin my career as a head coach. Ozarks is home to one of the country’s most impressive tennis facilities and offers student-athletes the best of Division III athletics.”
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Harris ’01 Returns to Lead Baseball Program Chad Harris ’01 is returning to his roots as the new head baseball coach at University of the Ozarks, the same place where he began his coaching journey more than two decades ago. Harris, who was the assistant coach at Ozarks from 2001-2006, has orchestrated impressive turnarounds at every stop in his coaching career while his teams have flourished in the classroom. “This is a home run hire for us,” said Dr. Sergio Molina, Director of Athletics. “Coach Harris checks all the boxes. He has a knack for turning programs into winners while his teams have thrived in the classroom. I am eager and excited to see how this program develops and what he is able to accomplish. We are proud to hire an alumnus, reputable coach, and a person of his character.” Harris, originally from Hot Springs, was the head coach at NCAA III University of Wisconsin-Platteville from 2019-2026 where he was named Coach of the Year, posted the most conference wins in school history and guided the program to the Conference Tournament three times. He has coached multiple All-Americans in his career. “I am extremely grateful to President Richard Dunsworth, Vice President Amy Zamaripas, Dr. Sergio Molina, and the search committee for this opportunity,” said Harris. “While visiting campus, it became
clear this university is still an extremely special place. The athletic facilities are phenomenal, and I believe together we can build a competitive baseball program at Ozarks, one that our campus community and the community of Clarksville will be proud of.” At UW-Platteville, he guided the program to three conference tournaments and in his first season there, the program doubled its win total (20) from the previous season and posted a program best 14 conference wins. The Pioneers also made the conference tournament for the first time in nine seasons while he garnered Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year. This season, Harris had both the Conference Player of the Year and
Conference Newcomer of the Year and the program broke single season records for most home runs (49), highest fielding percentage (.971) and most strikeouts (273) by a pitching staff. The program also received votes in the NCAA III top-25 poll while producing multiple conference Player of the Week honorees. Prior to UW-Platteville, Harris served as the assistant coach at University of Dubuque for two seasons, helping the program to a conference regular season title, conference tournament title and a pair of wins in the NCAA III National Championships in 2018. Before his stint at Dubuque, Harris started the program at AIB College of Business in 2013. In just his second official playing season, he was voted the Conference Coach of the Year. His 2014 team ranked No. 1 nationally among NAIA institutions in team GPA, earning the NAIA Scholar Team award. 26 players received recognition on the Conference All-Academic Team. In 2014, the team went 24-19 and advanced to the conference championship game. His 2015 team was second nationally in team GPA and led the NAIA with 14 Daktronics Scholar Athletes. On the field in 2015, the team won the regular season conference title with a 16-8 record and again made the conference championship game.
Weathers Wins SCAC Elite 19 Award Chloe Weathers of Clarksville capped a stellar athletic career at Ozarks by being named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Elite 19 award in both cross country and track in 2025-26. A 2026 elementary education graduate, Weathers is the first U of O student-athlete to receive the prestigious conference award. Established prior to the 2018-19 academic year and meant to recognize the best of the best within each conference sponsored-sport as it relates to both academic and athletic achievement, the SCAC Elite 19 is awarded to the studentathlete who has completed the equivalent of
at least 60 credit hours at his or her current institution and has at least a cumulative 3.25 GPA. Additionally, the student-athlete must also have earned All-SCAC honors in his/her sport for that particular season. Weathers received track allconference honors at the 2026 championships after placing third in the 10,000-meters. She was also allconference in cross country where she finished in 10th place and helped the Eagles to a third-place finish, their highest finish at the conference championships in more than 25 years. Weathers is a two-time Ozarks Female Athlete of the Year. TODAY, 2026 /// 23
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THE NINJA OF P SERVING UP INNOVATION, ACCESS AND COMMUNITY Q & A WITH FUYEI XAYKAOTHAO ’03
In just a few years, former Eagles tennis player Fuyei Xaykaothao ’03 has gone from discovering pickleball to helping shape its future. Inspired by his children and a desire to make the sport more accessible, he launched the Minnesota-based company, PikNinja Sports, creating innovative paddles that are earning national recognition while using the game to inspire the next generation.
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2003 marketing graduate from Ozarks, Fuyei Xaykaothao is making waves in the fast-growing pickleball industry through his Eagen, Minnesotabased company, PikNinja Sports. A Hmong American and the son of refugees from Laos, Xaykaothao grew up in Texas, before earning an academic scholarship to attend Ozarks, where he excelled on the men’s tennis team, becoming team captain. He remains ranked among the program’s top 20 in career singles victories with 17. After graduating from Ozarks, he moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota, to embrace his roots in the Hmong community. He landed his first corporate job at Ecolab in the finance department, then was recruited into the marketing department at Target Corporation. He later became a technical IT recruiter for TEKsystems, placing hundreds of IT professionals into the top Fortune 500 and 100 companies in the Twin Cities. Xaykaothao picked up a pickleball paddle for the first time in 2019 to ward off winter boredom. He was hooked, and before long, his family was too. That led him to create PikNinja Sports. Xaykaothao, who competes in pickleball at the top amateur level of 5.0, said he is considering going professional in a few years when he’ll be eligible for the 50-plus division. He and his wife, Shary, reside in Eagan, Minnesota, with their three children: Kennedy (12), Addison (10), and Paxton (8). DESCRIBE GROWING UP AS A CHILD OF REFUGEES FROM LAOS: Growing up, I knew early on that we had very little. My parents worked whatever jobs they could find to put food on the table. We were thankful for any opportunity we had to keep food and a roof over our heads. I started working by the age of 12, not for myself but to help provide for the family. We didn’t have much growing up but we had each other and we were very happy. Knowing that my family could not afford to send me to college, I had to find alternative pathways to get me into college. I kept a 4.0-plus GPA and joined as many clubs and activities in high school as I could. Ultimately, I learned to play tennis because I had heard that players could potentially get scholarships to go to college. My father was my coach and we self-taught ourselves with old tennis magazines, free videos from the local library, and thousands of hours on and off the courts. This little poor Hmong kid eventually made the high school varsity team as a freshman, rose to No. 1 singles my sophomore year, and became team captain my junior and senior years. I held a top 20 junior tennis ranking for the Dallas area. After several tennis scouts and interviews, I ended up getting recruited by Coach Sally Wood with an academic scholarship to attend Ozarks. HOW DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR EDUCATION AT OZARKS PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR CAREER AND FOR EVENTUALLY BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR? I have always believed that I would start my own business one day. To be blessed with professors like Randy and Robert Hilton, Dr. Stewart Dippel, Dr. Rickey Casey, Dr. Elissa Heil, Dr. David Strain, Professor Stacy Key , Coach Sally Wood, President Rick and Sheree Niece — all believing in me early on making a huge impact on me. The relationships I built with my tennis teammates; my doubles partner, Taylor Dodds; captains Greg Gilliam and Peter Maxwell; my brothers Charter, Reggie, Zach, Cesar, Luke, Dan, my 26 /// TODAY, 2 0 2 6
co-captain Julie Richardson, my roommates Alvaro Duron, Sam Fincher, and so many other people that helped influence my life. I cannot say thank you enough to them all. HOW DO YOU THINK BEING A COLLEGE ATHLETE PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? I was never the strongest athlete, nor the most talented, but what I did have was a tenacity to not give up and to always believe in myself and my teammates. To become the team captain my junior and senior years was a real honor for me. I hope that I made as positive an impact on my team as they did on me. The experience of being on a team is priceless. Although I never had a winning record on the courts, I always believed I was a winner off the courts. And that meant so much more to me. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO LEAVE CORPORATE AMERICA? I was able to reach my goal of a six-figure salary before I turned 30 years old, and then I realized that money was not where my happiness was. Through all these work experiences, my happiness came from my volunteer work with the community. I was the youth director for a community non-profit for over 10 years and also volunteered annually on a local non-profit tennis organization to give back to under-served communities, and I really enjoyed those experiences. I finally left corporate America and took a huge pay cut to become the tennis and marketing executive director for a non-profit called Saint Paul Urban Tennis. Our mission was to promote life and leadership skills through the sport of tennis. I managed over 80 coaches, 35 sites in Saint Paul, and over 3,000 students in our programs on an annual basis. Working directly with my community, I was most happy. I knew I was making a real impact. Then Covid came, and we all got promoted to the house. That was when I was able to sit down and figure some things out for our lives. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE PIKNINJA SPORTS? We say PikNinja Sports is Minnesota’s favorite pickleball brand. We produce professional pickleball paddles, cool pickleball gear, sponsor community players, sponsor events, and help empower the community through pickleball. Our motto is: Believe, Become, PikNinja. My initial goal was to create equipment that would help make pickleball more accessible to people without breaking the
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bank. We want to produce hip, high-quality paddles at a lower price point to help expand access to the sport and appeal to younger players. WHEN AND HOW DID PIKNINJA GET STARTED? I started the first Pickleball brand/business in Minnesota during Covid in 2020. Our website PikNinja.com went live in March of 2021. It was a time when we all had to be 6-feet apart, schools were closed, gyms were shutdown, and the world was in hiding. My wife and I just wanted our kids to get outside and feel alive. So, we set up some junior tennis nets in our cul de sac, chalked out some fake lines, and all of a sudden everyone wanted to play with us. Our kids fell in love with it and eventually they wanted their own paddles. We were so excited that they wanted to spend time with us and did our best to find them their own paddles. Sadly in 2020, nobody at WalMart or Target even knew what pickleball was. We ended up going to Dicks Sporting Goods and my kids all thought the designs were boring, bland, and not cool. They wanted Wonder Woman, Spiderman and so they challenged me to design them their own paddles. I thought to myself and realized it was not such a bad idea since I was just home during Covid anyway. We couldn’t afford the IP for Wonder Woman or Spiderman, so we settled on something that made them feel cool and powerful. This was the birth of PikNinja Sports as they loved ninjas and this represented them. We developed our first prototype paddle in 2020 with a longer tennis style grip, a grittier surface, cool ninja logo, and all of a sudden everyone wanted to play with our paddles. Fast forward to 2026 – we now have 45 ambassadors across the nation that play and promote PikNinja. We have shipped thousands of paddles all over the world in places like Canada, Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Alaska, Puerto Rico, etc. We have earned several national and local awards for our pickleball paddles and been featured on media outlets including: Good Morning America, Fox TV, KSTP, MPR, Star Tribune, CNN, many local magazines, etc. Our goal is to empower people through the sport of pickleball and we are proud to say that we have given thousands of hours back to youth and community development and have raised over $100,000 for local charities. WHAT HAS BEEN THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS? We love what we do, and we stay involved in the community and continue to give back as much as we can. But ultimately, we are not just a product company. We are a real community of players that are super engaged to help grow the game for all. We believe that every child, human, player should feel they are part of a team — Team PikNinja. We are super inclusive for all of our events. We require all of our ambassadors to give back 20 hours of community service every year and they give so much more. We have donated hundreds of paddles all across the nation to fire fighters, schools, veterans, Wounded Warrior and non-profits, to do our best to pay it forward. We have worked with former Twins players, former Vikings players, professional hockey players all to give back to the community. We hope to continue to do what we love everyday and scale up 100-times. HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME PIKNINJA? When we started playing pickleball back in 2019-2020, many players called me the Pickleball Ninja because I was running all
around the court playing very aggressive tennis style points. Now, the sport has evolved to become extremely fast and physical. We like to believe that our company had a huge impact on growing the game here in the Midwest. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE FUTURE OF PICKLEBALL? The future of pickleball is with the youth. We cannot wait to see pickleball become a real team sport in schools all across the country and world. Everyone and every youth should have an opportunity to feel like they can play pickleball and be part of a team. WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST SURPRISING THING YOU’VE LEARNED IN LAUNCHING YOUR BUSINESS? I used to think that if I made a lot of money, I would be happy. This was far from the truth. Chasing a bigger dream of making a difference for my kids and the community has made me so much happier. We used to be the poor kids that always needed donations, scholarships, financial assistance, and now we have the opportunity to be the ones who are able to donate and give back to the community. Happiness is simply doing what you love. The money will eventually come. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE THE KEYS TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR? Staying authentic, humble and grounded through this whole process has made a huge impact. I never forget where I come from and how different life was before the business. I am thankful for every day I get to spend with my kids, my wife Shary, my friends and family, and ultimately doing what we love. The moment we forget the why is the moment we stop being real. One piece of advice I would give is to not chase the money. Chase the things you love and figure out how to make an impact with it. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES FROM OZARKS? The friends I made, from my old roommates to my old teammates. We shared so many late night study sessions, weekend tennis tournament trips, PBL competitions, Intramural sports; I had a blast! WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING TO RELAX? I continue to give free tennis and pickleball lessons to the younger generation any chance I can get. I see pieces of myself in all of them and know how important it is if someone believes in them. TODAY, 2026 /// 27
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2026 Alumni Award WINNERS The University of the Ozarks Alumni Association recognized four of the University’s distinguished graduates with its 2026 alumni honors during the Ozarks Awards Ceremony during Homecoming in October. Alumni Merit Award
Alumni Achievement Award
SHARLA FULTZ ’02
JACK THORP ’96
Sharla Fultz of Clarksville is the recipient of the 2026 Alumni Merit Award for meritorious work on behalf of the University. Fultz is a dedicated educator who has spent 25 years serving the Clarksville School District. She is currently a district gifted and talented enrichment teacher, GT coordinator, and elementary interventionist. She also serves as Family & Community Engagement Facilitator. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Ozarks, Fultz went on to earn a TESOL master’s degree from Arkansas Tech University, and her Gifted and Talented Licensure from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She and her husband, Josh, have been married for 25 years. Her son, Rhett, is a junior cadet at the US Air Force Academy, and her daughter, Analeise, is playing volleyball and pursuing an elementary education degree at U of O.
Jack Thorp of Broken Arrow, Okla., is the recipient of the 2026 Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding recognition in his chosen professional field. Following honorable service aboard the USS Doyle (FFG-39) during Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield, and Desert Storm, Thorp enrolled at Ozarks. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ozarks in 1996 and credits Ozarks with instilling the values of integrity, service, and leadership that have guided his life and career. After earning his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law, Thorp began his prosecutorial career in Arkansas before returning to Oklahoma in 2005. He was appointed District Attorney by Governor Mary Fallin in 2017 and has twice been named Oklahoma District Attorney of the Year. He and his wife, Joy, live in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Young Alumni Achievement Award
Young Alumni Service Award
DR. HAILEY HARDGRAVE ’18
ODALIS GARCIA ’23
Dr. Hailey Hardgrave is the recipient of the 2026 Young Alumni Achievement Award, given to an alumnus under the age of 35 who has gained recognition in his or her chosen profession. A native of Johnson County, Hardgrave earned a degree in biology and minor in chemistry at Ozarks. She went on to graduate with her M.D from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2022 and is currently finishing the final year of her general surgery residency. She will continue her training with a two-year abdominal transplant and hepatobiliary surgery fellowship at Vanderbilt University starting in August 2027. She plans to return to Arkansas at the conclusion of her training to increase access to liver and kidney transplantation to patients of her home state. She currently lives in Little Rock with her husband, Christian, and daughter, Norah.
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A native of Clarksville, Odalis Garcia is the recipient of the 2026 Young Alumni Service Award, which recognizes an alumnus who is at least five years out of graduation and under 35 years of age, has been active in alumni activities, and who has demonstrated loyalty to the University. Garcia graduated from Ozarks in 2023 with a degree in business administration. She currently serves as a realtor with PAK Home Realty in Northwest Arkansas. She also works in marketing and has owned and operated a photography business for the past six years. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas and the University of the Ozarks Alumni Board of Directors, and was recognized as Volunteer of the Year by CASA of the 5th Judicial District for her service as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).
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2026 Donor Award WINNERS The Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement presented its 2026 philanthropy and friends awards during the Ozarks Awards Ceremony, held during Homecoming in October. Alumni Legacy Award
FRED ’86 AND DANA (GALYEN) ’85 SUTTON
Fred ‘86 and Dana (Galyen) ‘85 Sutton of Hindsville, Ark., are the recipients of the 2026 Alumni Legacy Award. The Suttons, who were married in 1981, have supported Ozarks for a total of 29 years — dating back to 1989, with 22 years of consecutive giving. They have given to causes including the Ozarks Annual Fund and baseball program. In 1993, they established the Sutton Memorial Fund for student scholarships. Dana went on to earn an MBA and is a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner. Fred, who played baseball at Ozarks, has worked for the Arkansas State Parks as a ranger and law enforcement officer for 20 years. They have two children — Cole and Katie — six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Pay It Forward Award
THE KING FAMILY
The King Family has been associated with and has supported the University for more than 100 years. Kathryn King Kish, Alice King Kutz and her husband, Kurt, (pictured) continue that legacy of support today and are the recipients of the 2026 Pay it Forward Award. The King family’s relationship with the University first began in the 1890s when James and Angie King, who were Alice and Kathryn’s great-grandparents, agreed to make a sizable donation to the college that had just moved from Cane Hill, Ark., to its present location in Clarksville, in 1891. James King made the donation with the understanding that this would also pay the tuition for his children to receive a degree from the college. All 12 of James’ and Angie’s children would attend Ozarks, as well as many other relatives, and the family would establish numerous student scholarships over the years.
Emerging Philanthropist Award
DR. SHERIDAN (BARAJAS) POUNDING ’16
Dr. Sheridan (Barajas) Pounding ‘16 is the recipient of the 2026 Emerging Philanthropist Award which recognizes individuals age 40 or under “who have demonstrated a record of exceptional generosity in support of Ozarks’ mission and who have inspired others to give similarly.” She is a veterinarian who practices small animal medicine in the Washington, D.C. Area. A native of Alvin, Texas, Pounding majored in biology at Ozarks and graduated with academic honors. She went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University in Alabama. Pounding has supported the University through the 1834 Club since 2022. She has also given to the Ozarks Annual Fund and to the Theodore “Taz” Beard IV Scholarship Endowment. She and her husband, Manny, welcomed a daughter, Sidney, to the family earlier this year.
Community Champion Award
BARRY AND STEPHANIE DENTON
Barry and Stephanie Denton of Clarksville are the recipients of the Community Champion Award which recognizes “an individual or company that has worked cohesively with the university to advance both the institution and the Clarksville community.” The Dentons, have been married for 23 years, and have five sons and two grandchildren. They have owned Denton’s Southern Landscaping for 20 years and previously owned Blossemberry Nursery. Barry has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural education from Arkansas State University and Stephanie has a bachelor’s degree in agri business. From helping plant trees across campus to generously sharing their time, expertise and guidance on numerous landscaping and beautification projects, the Dentons have always been willing to lend a hand whenever called upon.
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HOMECOMING 2025
A Look Back
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CLASSNOTES Carolyn (Bradley) Rhinehart ’79 was selected by the Arkansas governor to serve on the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and is serving a term that will expire in 2028. A retired teacher whose career spanned over 37 years, she currently serves as the government liaison and disbursing officer for the Scranton Board of Education. Gary Simmons ’90 was named the head boys basketball coach of Thaden School in Bentonville, Ark., in July. He previously coached at El Dorado High School, Mountain View, Van Cove and Hector, all in Arkansas. His coaching record — combining high school and junior high — is 959-368 over 31 years and includes two state championships and one state runnerup appearance. He has had 32 athletes who have gone on to play basketball in junior college and at NCAA Division I and Division II levels. His teams have compiled 19 conference championships, 14 conference tournament titles, five regional tournament titles and 18 state tournament appearances.
Carolina (Andino) Villars ’96 is living in Wichita, Kan., with her family and working as a global marketing executive. She has more than 20 years of experience leading growth, innovation, and portfolio strategy across North America, APAC, Europe, and Latin America. She led marketing for Cargill’s Food & Beverage business, where she unified cross-functional teams and strengthened category and portfolio performance. Throughout her global career, she has helped organizations accelerate innovation, improve speed-to-market, and advance sustainability-focused growth strategies. She joined the U of O Alumni Board of Directors in July. Samantha (Synder) Carpenter ’97 serves as Concurrent Campus Principal for Virtual Arkansas, where she leads concurrent enrollment initiatives and supports public school stakeholders across the state. Before transitioning into secondary and higher education, she spent 10 years working in the journalism and communications field. Samantha joined the U of O Board of Directors in July.
Luis Gonzalez ’05 was named director of communications for the Walton Family Foundation in Bentonville, Ark., in September. He will lead the foundation’s communications efforts, advancing its institutional priorities and the goals of its education, environment and home region programs. Gonzalez previously served as the foundation’s deputy director of communications and as a senior communications officer supporting the Home Region Program. During his nearly two-decade career in communications, Gonzalez has also worked in government and in the advertising sector, where he represented clients across diverse industries, including economic development, higher education, public health and tourism. Chris Harrell ’05 was promoted to head football coach at Walker High School in New Orleans, La., in April. He has spent 15 years coaching football, including 12 seasons as a defensive coordinator. In addition to his football background, Harrell has 14 years of baseball coaching experience, five of those as a head coach, including a stint at St. John of Plaquemine, La. He and his wife, Angelle, have two children, Cayden and Cruz.
Celebrating Coach De Hart
Several men’s soccer alumni attended the U of O Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony of former Eagles Soccer Coach Dave De Hart on Oct. 25, 2025, in the Rogers Conference Center (RCC). De Hart was one of the most successful coaches in University history, leading the men’s soccer team to unprecedented heights from 1999 to 2008. In 10 seasons, De Hart compiled an overall record of 135-60-15 (.678) and a conference mark of 79-32-8 (.697). Among those who attended included (front row, from left) Marcos Gonzalez ’02, Aaron Coats ’02, Coach Aaron Brueckner ’10, Wilson Jones ’09, Ricky Herrera ’04, Zach Boatwright ’04, Nathan Abbott ’08, Michael Coffey ’01, Dylan Evans ’10, Armando Vergara ’04, Chad Floyd (former athletic trainer), (back row, from left) Josh Peppas ’00 (sports information director), Clint Ponder ’01, Eric Steinmiller ’02, Lars Nyberg ’06, Dan De Hart ’09, Coach Dave De Hart, Daniel Sigala ’02, Taylor Magee ’04, Scott Thompson ’04, and Philip Johnson ’10.
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Ruth Price Bodey ’53 of Hendersonville, N.C. celebtrated her 100th birthday on May 26, 2026. Bodey grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania. After graduating from College of the Ozarks in 1953 with a degree in Christian Education, she attended McCormick Seminary in Illinois and Princeton Seminary in New Jersey, where she met her husband, Richard Allen Bodey. They had one son and one daughter and were married 57 years until his death in 2013. Richard was a pastor and seminary professor, pastoring churches in New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
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Dr. Travis Perusich ’09 was recently hired as an assistant professor of history education at University of West Georgia. Perusich, who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas, has served as a graduate assistant and instructor at U of A since 2019. He specializes in early American history, with an emphasis on the American Revolution. His research concerns African American soldiers in the Revolution and how those soldiers’ unique position intersected with the greater movement for Black freedom and rights within a changing American environment in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries. In 2024, he was named the recipient of the U of A’s James J. Hudson Graduate Research Award in Military History. An Air Force veteran and former high school teacher, Perusich earned his master’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas. Brandon Carlson ’10 and his wife, Taylor, welcomed a son, Jesse Glen, to the family on Sept. 9, 2026. He joins his sibling triplets. The Carlsons reside in College Station, Texas, where Brandon serves as the coordinator of residence life at Texas A&M University.
Robyn (Wall) Crow ’10 of Nashville, Tenn., recently published her sixth children’s book, “Candi the Candicorn,” by Scholastic. The story follows a “treat-loving, magical autumn unicorn who is shunned by a trick-loving Halloween monster town.” More information about her books as well as her fall book fair schedule can be found RobynJWall.com. Ben Eakin ’10 accepted a new position recently as the elementary special education teacher for the Lamar (Ark.) School District. Kayla (Casey) Dixon ’12 and husband Halstead, welcomed a son, Josiah Emmanuel, to the family on Aug. 7, 2026. He joins big sister Leonor. The family lives in Clarksville, where Kayla is a business teacher for the Scranton School District. Taylor Jacks ’12 was recently hired as venue manager for the Skyline Event Venue in Little Rock, Ark., and will also manage rentals of the corporate conference and meeting facilities on the third and fourth floors of 400 West Capitol. Jacks has 13 years of professional experience, including 11 with Transitions Group, a national leader in corporate and executive housing solutions, where he managed the Arkansas, Oklahoma and St. Louis markets. He most
recently worked for Waymack & Crew, a Little Rock video production company. Kelsey Stephens ’12 married Sarah Saladini on July 9, 2026. The couple lives in Aubrey, Texas. Tadera (Garland) Wiseman ’12 of Pelsor, Ark., was recently named the Special Education Supervisor of OUR Educational Cooperative in Harrison, Ark. Hidenobu “Hide” Kameya ’13 and his wife, Belkys (Fuentes) ’15, are living in San José, Costa Rica, where he has turned his passions for hospitality, education and entrepreneurship into a thriving profession. Through his business, El Japonés Latino, Kameya blends his Japanese and Central American heritages while creating culinary experiences that bring people together. Belkys is a senior marketing manager for VMware, and the couple have a young daughter. Julie (Petz) Brzozowski ’14 was recently named director of client engagement at Y&L Consulting, Inc., in Boerne, Texas. She earned an MBA from Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi and is also a certified executive education graduate from the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce and UTSA Leadership Program. Continued on Page 34
Dr. Michael Prusator ’12, was recently named Educator of the Year for the 2025-26 academic year by the Washington University Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology — recognizing his excellence and impact as an educator. Prusator earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees in radiological sciences from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Today, he serves as an assistant professor of radiation oncology and chief of external beam physics at Washington University Medicine in St. Louis, where he has been a member of the Department of Radiation Oncology since 2020.
Jenava Harris ’10, theatre director and drama teacher at Clarksville High School, was recognized by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), with the 2026 Outstanding Speech/Debate/Theatre Educator Award earlier this year. Harris was named theatre teacher of the year for the state of Arkansas. At Clarksville High School, she directs award-winning productions and mentors students to achieve superior ratings at state festivals. According to her award certificate, “Her commitment to creativity and student empowerment makes her a transformative leader in arts education.”
Russell Wambles ‘87 retired earlier this year as athletic director of Olympia High School in Orlando, Fla. Wambles was a coach and athletic director for 38 years in Arkansas, Georgia and Florida. He was recognized as the state athletic director of the year in 201516 by the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators. His wife, Becky (Crossen) Wambles ‘86, is also a graduate of Ozarks. TODAY, 2026 /// 33
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Ariel (Nichols) Merrell ’14 was one of 94 women from across the state named to the 2025 Power Women list by Arkansas Money & Politics (AMP) in its December 2025 edition. According to the publication, “Where there are women, their power is truly a force to be reckoned with. We at Arkansas Money & Politics are proud to highlight some of the most incredible women leaving their stamp on the state of Arkansas.” Merrell currently serves as corporate controller for CFS Technologies in North Little Rock, Ark., where she oversees accounting and financial operations for two manufacturing plants in Arkansas. She also serves as vice president of finance and operations for C&F Flooring and Rug Gallery in Little Rock and Springdale, Ark., overseeing all financial aspects of the company while ensuring operational efficiency across sales, warehouse, and administrative functions. Merrell resides in Maumelle, Ark., with husband, Jason, and children: Maddox, Benson, Elijah, and Lucy. Carly (Watts) Curd ’16 and her husband, Matthew, welcomed a baby boy, Carson Timothy, to the family in May 2026. The family resides in Bloomington, Illinois. Sarah (Canada) Eklund ’16 and her husband, Erik, welcomed a new baby, Robin Jade Eklund, to the family on April, 21, 2026. The family resides in Paris, Ark.
Kyra Hargrove ’24 (right) and Hope Hensley ’24 both received their master’s of arts degrees in sports management from the University of Central Arkansas in May. Kyra is a regional community coordinator with the Arkansas Virtual Academy at K12 and Hope recently took a position as an assistant director of sports information for Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif. 34 /// TODAY, 2 0 2 6
Josh Ferrell ’17 was named head boys basketball coach at Russellville (Ark.) High School in June. He most recently coached at West Fork, Ark. His first head coaching job was at Caddo Hills where he collected 85 wins in 3 seasons. He has been a head coach for 7 seasons compiling a record of 158-82, including six 20-win seasons. Ferrell has taken teams to the state tournament three times and once been to the state finals. He has been named conference coach of the year three times. Tyler Mosby ’17 and Amy Wallace ’17 of Hot Springs, Ark., welcomed a son, Calvin Lee, to the family on June 12, 2026. Tyler serves as director of student housing at National Park College and is a realtor, and Amy is the librarian at Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts. Adam Winter ’18 was named the new head baseball coach at Bentonville (Ark.) West High School in July. Winter coached one year at Fort Smith Northside, after spending time at Subiaco Academy and Batesville Southside. He earned league coach of the year honors in 2024 and 2025 and led Batesville Southside to a pair of conference titles and a conference tournament championship. Winter is married to his wife, Ashlyn, and they have a one-year-old daughter, Rory.
Chris Williams ’10 coached the Barton (Ark.) Bears to the 2026 Arkansas High School Class 2A Boys Basketball State Championship in March in his first season as head coach of the Bears. It is the first basketball title in that school’s history. A former basketball standout for the Eagles from 2005–09, Williams earned All-American South Conference honors as a senior. He previously coached at Brinkley (Ark.) High School.
Jerhett Lee ’20 of Northlake, Texas, recently made a career change by joining the South Montgomery County Fire Department as a firefighter. Christian Smith ’20 of Dallas, Texas, recently joined the U.S. Army and is serving as a motor transport operator. Dr. Hailey Weathers ’20 and her fiancé, Blake Tumbleson, welcomed a baby girl, Layton Rayne, to the family on June 14, 2026. The family lives in Clarksville, where Hailey is a veterinarian with the Clarksville Veterinary Clinic. Andrés R. Jiménez Zumbado ’20 of San Rafael, Costa Rica, recently joined Experian, where he works as an internal communication strategist. Hayden Bohannan ’21 and Camyren (Antu) Bohannan ’21 are living in Arlington, Texas, where he is a journeyman electrician and she works at Deloitte as an executive coordinator. The couple was married on May 15, 2025, and is expecting their first child in December. Vivien Wambugu ’21 was accepted into the University of Oxford this fall to pursue a fully funded doctor of philosophy degree in population health with the Nuffield Department of Population Health. At Oxford, she will work with the eAlliance for Medical Research In Africa (AMedRA)
Wendell Sears ’59 and his wife, Shirlene, of Clarksville, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Aug. 19, 2026. Wendell is a retired residential appraiser. They have two sons, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
ALU MNI /// C LA SS N OTES
team and the African Studies for NonCommunicable Diseases (ASANDE) Consortium. She was most recently a research associate II at the Equity Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) at Yale School of Medicine. Wambugu earned a master’s in global health degree from Duke University. Madison Williams ’21 and her husband, Garrett, of Tulsa, Okla., welcomed a new baby, Weller, to the family on June 1, 2026. He joins older brother Graham. Truman Hensley ’22 joined U of O in August as an academic support coordinator in the Jones Learning Center. He has served as a self-contained special education teacher and soccer and tennis coach for the Clarksville School District since 2023. After graduating from Ozarks, Hensley went on to earn a master’s degree in special education from Arkansas Tech University. He is married to an Ozarks alumna, Dr. Cody Sparks ’22, and they have two young children, Oliver and Lincoln. Mario Varela ’22 of Clarksville was recently named the assistant director of housing/ facilities at Arkansas Tech University. Abby (Lewis) Fulbright ’23 is in her second year as an interdisciplinary biomedical Ph.D. Student at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where she is studying neuroscience.
Dr. Janine Armstrong ‘10 was recently named the Robin D. and Jeanette M. Lahman Endowed Scholar in Communication Studies at Manchester University in Indiana. Armstrong joined Manchester University’s faculty in fall 2025 as a visiting assistant professor of communication studies. She earned her master’s from the UA-Little Rock, and her Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University. Her areas of expertise include intersectionality, race, gender and sexuality, faith and interpersonal communication.
Grace (Brown) Sebo ‘18 and her husband, Nate, welcomed their first child, Jeremiah Curtis, to the family on April 6, 2026. The family lives in Booneville, Ark.
Jackson Frederick ’25 is enrolled at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he is pursuing both a doctor of osteopathic medicine and master of science degree, with aspirations of specializing in cardiology or hematology/ oncology. He recently completed an internship at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, assisting with congenital cardiothoracic surgery research and observing lifechanging cardiac procedures, before earning a fellowship at UAMS developing new immunosuppressant drugs to improve outcomes for transplant patients.
Anna Claire Ryan ’22 recently passed the Mississippi Bar Exam and accepted a position at Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis, P.A., in Jackson, Miss. Ryan graduated from the Mississippi College School of Law in 2025.
Magali Garcia ’24 and her husband, Carson, of Clarksville welcomed a baby girl, Elizabeth “Ellie,” to the family on Aug. 5, 2025. Magali works for Villa Crest Academy. Karlee McCaghren ’24 recently moved to Mayflower, Ark., and is attending University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for a medical laboratory science degree. Isaac Price ’24 of Paragould, Ark., has joined Crowley’s Ridge College as an assistant baseball coach. Annie Nelligan ’25 is a first-grade teacher in Huntsville, Ark.
Several alumni softball players returned to campus in February to join the current team to honor former softball coach Jon Janssen (front row, center) at a softball game at the Wilson Athletic Complex. Janssen, who passed away on Sept. 23, 2026 (see page 41), helped start the women’s softball program in 2001 and coached the Eagles from 2001-2005. He is the winningest coach in the program’s history with 66 career victories. Among the former players who returned to campus for the event were, (pictured, front row, from left) Erica (Newell) Cooper ‘06, Devon (Bottoms) Morris ‘06, Janssen, Chelsea Joslin ‘08, Brooke (Grice) St. Romain ‘07, (second row, from left) Jeanne (Randall) Hale ‘07, Kara (Bartholomew) Johnson ‘07, Kelly (Bennett) Castleman ‘05, Regan Brown ‘07, Andrea (Dewey) DeVault ‘05, Amanda Luney ‘05, Trenda Neff ‘06, (standing, from left) Jodi (Clark) Doherty ‘07, Leigh (Thompson) Ledbetter ‘04, Shannon Rainbolt ‘05, Janae (Smith) Young ‘06, Chanceree Catlett ‘07, and Dana (Marvin) Taylor ‘06.
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UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE
A Little Love Story: 21 Years and Counting When Judith “Judi” (Stacks) Little ’07 first met her future husband, Matt Little ’05, she was 11 years old and thoroughly unimpressed. A few years older than Judi, Matt had stopped by her family’s home in Morrilton, Ark., looking for her older brother, Joseph. What began as a brief and forgettable encounter eventually grew into a friendship, a college romance, and a marriage that has now spanned more than two decades. The couple, who celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary on May 27, 2026, credit U of O with helping shape not only their careers, but also the life they built together. Today, they live in Lamar, Ark., with their two teenage children, Clayton and Cara, and both serve as educators in the Lamar School District. “I heard a knock on the door and answered it to see this chubby, blondehaired jock staring back at me,” Judi recalled. “He said, ’Is Joe home?’ and before I could holler at my brother, Joe was at the front door saying, ’This is my ugly sister.’ They both walked off to head to the school bus and I went back to bed not thinking one thing about that boy.” Though they knew each other throughout high school, it wasn’t until the summer of 2002 that their relationship took a different turn. By then, Matt was preparing to begin his junior year at Ozarks and Judi was set to start her freshman year. Judi’s path to Ozarks came about through a fortunate misunderstanding. “My best friend had told me that she had heard about a college in the Ozarks that allowed you to do work-study while attending to help students pay for college,” Judi said. “Well, she meant College of the Ozarks in Missouri, but when I Googled that name it popped up University of the Ozarks. We had a college fair at school and the recruiter from Ozarks was the only person smiling when I walked up to their table out of all the schools that were there. He was an older gentleman, but very kind and optimistic about my future at U of O. He really talked up the biology department and told me, ’Just come for a visit. I promise you’ll fall in love,’ and sure enough he was right. I loved the small classes, the home feeling, and the small campus that 36 /// TODAY, 2 0 2 6
Matt and Judi Little during their college days at Ozarks (above photo) and recently.
held large opportunities. I was able to receive several scholarships based on my community service work during high school and sure enough, I could afford it.” A few weeks before classes began, a Fourth of July gathering changed the course of their friendship. “During that summer, we began seeing each other a little differently,” Matt said. “Judi had decided to attend U of O before we started dating, and I was already attending. After a Fourth of July gathering, Judi and I had a very long conversation, which led to me letting her know, ’I think I kind of like you.’ To which she replied, ’I think I kind of like you, too.’ On July 10, 2002, we went on our first date.” Their romance nearly hit a snag just weeks later when Matt failed to show up on time for a freshman orientation dance. “He told me he would be at my dorm room at 7 p.m. and by 8 p.m. I got tired of waiting,” she said. “I headed out with some friends upset and mad at myself that I had fallen in love with a liar. I got back to my room around 8:30 p.m. and he came slap out drunk to my door banging on it with his best friend apologizing for being so late. I had never been so angry in my whole life. That was the first and last time in 24 years he has disappointed me.” Despite that rocky moment, their relationship continued to grow throughout their years at Ozarks. Less than two years later, Matt was ready to propose. On June 19, 2004, he took Judi to Petit
Jean Mountain with plans for a dinner, sunset proposal and a scrapbook filled with photographs, notes, and memories from their relationship. Things didn’t go exactly as planned. “In my head, I had planned on giving her the scrapbook at the overlook at sunset,” Matt said. “God had other plans. It was raining, service was taking longer than I had hoped, and it just didn’t work out. Frustrated that nothing was going the way I wanted it to, I pulled the scrapbook from behind my seat and said, ’Here, I got you something.’ It was definitely not the most romantic way of doing this. Judi proceeded to open the scrapbook and read through it. When she opened the envelope with the engagement ring, she was silent in surprise/ shock. After a few seconds of silence, I said, ’Well, will you? Marry Me?’ she replied, ’Yayess!’“ Today, the Littles continue to make an impact in education, serving students in the same community where they built their lives together. After coaching softball and teaching math for several years, Matt has served as Lamar High School’s EAST facilitator since 2020. Judi teaches biology at LHS and sponsors both the Science Club and the Christian Student Union. More than 20 years after they first began dating, the Littles’ story remains a testament to unexpected beginnings, shared purpose, and the lasting connections forged at U of O.
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WEDDINGS
Jake Holland ’20 and Kristina Reppond were married on Nov. 14, 2025, in Angleton, Texas. The Hollands reside in Fulshear, Texas.
Zackery Donlen ’25 and Kjersta Lybbert ’28 were married on June 13, 2026, in Krum, Texas. The couple resides in Russellville, Ark.
Meghan Mansur ’17 married Dannial Budhwani on July 25, 2026, in Birmingham, Ala. Among the alumni who took part in the wedding were Sandra Davis ’16, Abigail Mansur ’20, Erin Langham ’99, Cassidy Topps ’17 and Jon Warren ’18. The couple lives in Nanjing, China, where both are teachers.
Alex Ross ’18 and Breanna Aguilar ’21 were married on March 13, 2026, in Maui, Hawaii. The couple resides in Rockwall, Texas, where Alex is an internal communications specialist and Breanna is a physican assistant.
Tanner Russell ’25 and Annie Sampley were married on June 11, 2026, in Mulberry, Ark. The Russells live in Ozark, Ark.
Kerigan Bradshaw ’22 and Aaron Hensley were married on July 12, 2025, in Point Lookout, Mo. TODAY, 2026 /// 37
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WEDDINGS
Zachary Bobo ’21 married Ann E. Beach on April 10, 2026, in Sherwood, Ark. Zachary is an assistant vice president for portfolio management for Bank OZK in Little Rock, Ark.
Jennifer Fisher ’93 married Bobby Harvey on July 25, 2026, at Asbury Church in Tulsa, Okla. 38 /// TODAY, 2 0 2 6
Elli Ballard ’29 married Tristen Davidson on Jan. 6, 2026, at The Barn at Sleepy Hollow in Clarksville. The Davidsons reside in Clarksville, where Elli is an art major at U of O.
Nicholas Bennett ’24 married Abigail Boring on June 27, 2026, in Greenough, Montana. The couple reside in Norman, Okla., where Nicholas works as a tax associate at Eide Bailly in Oklahoma City.
Josh Stephens ’22 and Breana Constable ’22 were married on Sept. 6, 2025, in Merriam Woods, Mo. The couple resides in Blue Springs, Mo.
Angelica Garcia ’21 and Michel Rankin ’21 were married on June 28, 2025, in Prairie Grove, Ark. The Rankins, who reside in Centerton, Ark., welcomed a son, Nolan Gregory, in March.
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Logan Wilson ’26 married Brooke Haynes ’25 on April 25, 2026, in Russellville, Ark. The Wilsons reside in Conway, Ark.
Geoshan K. Lee ’20 married Daniela Picado Mora ’22 on June 20, 2026, in Penang, Malaysia. Among the alumni who attended were Luis Alfaro ’20, Carlos Garcia ’22, Juan Sanchez ’21, Luis Felipe Garcia ’21, Naomi S. Lee ’85 (groom’s mother), George G. Lee ’85 (groom’s father), Mileidy Espinoza ’24, Rebeca Mariscal Ruelas ’23, Claudia Garcia ’24, Colin Cosby ’24, and Andrea Alonzo ’22.
Janna Rhinehart ’22 married Cory White on June 1, 2025, at Sleepy Hollow Barn near Clarksville. The Whites reside in Scranton, Ark. Janna is a health and PE teacher as well as the junior high cheer coach and assistant softball coach in the Clarksville School District.
Skylar Brown ’22 married Colton Colston on Oct., 26, 2025, at Horeshead Lake Lodge in Clarksville. The Colstons live in Maumelle, Ark.
Riki Haase ’21 and Takoda Chaney ’22 were married on Oct. 18, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. Among the bridesmaids were alumni Sydney Key ’21, Reese Ramirez ’24 and Tori Reiber ’22
Abigail Mork ’19 and Sierra Jasna ’22 were married on Oct. 3, 2025, in Colorado. The Morks live in Colorado.
Mason Malin ’22 married Ana Feeback on May 30, 2026, in Richmond, Ky. The Malins reside in Paris, Ky. TODAY, 2026 /// 39
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IN
MEMORIAM Milton Davis May ’51 of St. Charles, Mo., died on Dec. 22, 2025, at the age of 94. He was a retired pharmacist, pastor and business professor. Col. Ruben H. Johnson ’52 of Magazine, Ark., died on Sept. 23, 2025, at the age of 95. He served in the Army National Guard for 34 years, including in the Korean War, and in 1981 as the deputy commander of the 39th Infantry Brigade at the rank of Colonel. He also directed the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service from 1981 until his retirement in 1989. His many contributions to agriculture in Arkansas resulted in his induction into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2014. Geraldine (King) Morgan ’52 of Clarksville, died on March 27, 2026, at the age of 95. She and her husband, George, established Peach Pickin’ Paradise in Clarksville in the mid-1970s. She was a long-time Sunday school teacher for First United Methodist Church. Betty (Hodges) Ehren ’53 of Frisco, Texas, died on Dec. 19. 2025, at the age of 93. She began her career with the FBI in Washington, D.C. and later worked as a teacher and school librarian. Dorothy Bossard ’54 of Huntsville, Ala., died on May 23, 2026, at the age of 93. She was a retired teacher in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Nell (Cox) Griffin ’55 of Fayetteville, Ark., died on May 28, 2026, at the age of 92. She began teaching in 1971 at Bryant, Ark., and later taught at Van Buren Public Schools until her retirement in 1988. Vernon McDaniel ’55 of Ozark, Ark., died on Nov. 17, 2025, at the age of 92. He was a retired teacher and journalist and served as mayor of Ozark for 12 years. In 2014, McDaniel
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was honored with the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and leadership throughout his years of service.
education, with 32 years being in the Fort Smith (Ark.) Public Schools. He served as a math teacher, bus driver, social worker, and the supervisor of transportation.
Sue Carolyn (Tolbert) Bennett ’56 of Knoxville, Ark., passed away on June 15, 2026, at the age of 91. She was the former owner of Young’s Furniture Store in Clarksville.
Mary Reece Martindale ’63 of Malabar, Fla., died on April 3, 2026, at the age of 84.
Martha Joelynda “Martha Jo” (Dollar) Efurd ’56 of Greenwood, Ark., passed away on Aug. 13, 2026, at the age of 92. She was a career educator who loved painting and travel. Ted Young ’58 of Lamar, Ark., died on May 27, 2026, at the age of 94. He was a retired high school coach, business owner, the Clarksville Housing Authority maintenance director, and a member of the Clarksville First United Methodist Church. Hubert “Bhurle” Sossamon ’59 of Webb City, Mo., died on July 2, 2025, at the age of 88. He was a retired vice president of Cameron Mutual Insurance in Cameron, Mo. Donald “Don” Ray Watson ’59 of Midwest City, Okla., died on Jan. 3, 2026, at the age of 88. He was a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves and spent 29 years as an educator for the Mid-Del School System in Oklahoma. David Holloway ’60 of Murfreesboro, Ark., died on Nov. 2, 2025, at the age of 88. He was a coach, teacher, principal, and superintendent for 45 years for the Murfreesboro School District. Jennings David Ross ’60 of Clarksville, died on March 13, 2026, at the age of 89. He was a long-time coach in Mountainburg, Ark., and Clarksville, and his 1988 Clarksville High School baseball team won the state championship. Benny Thomas “Bucky” Deaver ’63 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on Dec. 20, 2025, at the age of 84. He devoted 35 years of his life to
Delores K. “Dee” Metcalf Morrell ’65 of Colusa, Calif., died on Dec. 14, 2025, at the age of 82. She was a retired teacher. Tommy Lee Sexton ’66 of Clarksville, Ark., died on Oct. 8, 2025, at the age of 80. He was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War and was a long-time official with Farmers Bank & Trust, retiring as vice president. Robert Clinton Sigman ’67 of Ozark, Ark., died on Jan. 25, 2026, at the age of 80. He was a long-time teacher and coach with Ozark Public Schools. Marie Antoinette “Andy” (Brown) McNeal ’70 of Little Rock, Ark., died on May 20, 2026, at the age of 77. She was a longtime educator and administrator in Little Rock Schools. Glenda Gail (Dennis) Owens ’71 of Clarksville, died on Jan. 19, 2026, at the age of 77. She was a retired teacher and librarian in the Arkansas school districts of Marked Tree, Mountain Home, Forrest City, and Lamar. Donald West ’71 of Magazine, Ark., died on March 30, 2026, at the age of 74. He worked for Kirkpatrick Scales Company of Booneville for many years and later worked in various capacities at Magazine Public Schools. John Wayne Blackard ’74 of Hickeytown, Ark., died on April 9, 2026, at the age of 79. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War before beginning a career as a flooring installer, boat salesman, and mechanic. Edward Anthony “Eddy” Esposito ’74 of Fort Myers, Fla., died on March 19, 2026, at the age of 73. He was a business owner. Assefa Gabriel Egziabher Sr. ’78 of Clarksville, died on Sept. 6, 2026, at the
ALU MNI /// IN MEMOR IA M
age of 72. He worked in management for Greenville Tube Co., for many years. Barbara Ann (Carrillo) Lewis ’79 of Lamar, Ark., died on March 23, 2026, at age 70. Charles Mark Walton ’79 of Clarksville, died on May 19, 2026, at the age of 69. He was an employee for Dana Corporation. Aaron “Drew” Binkley ’82 of Greenwood, Ark., died on July 16, 2026, at the age of 69. He was retired from Entergy, Arkansas Nuclear One, in Russellville, Ark., where he started out as a chemist and then held many roles. He was also a former EMT and the director of ambulance services for Johnson County Regional Hospital in Clarksville. He was an ordained deacon in the Presbyterian Church. Robert “Bob” Wayne Mooney ’82 of Clarksville, died on Dec. 18, 2025, at the age of 73. He was an Air Force Veteran, teacher, coach, and licensed carpenter. Patricia “Trish” Renay (Catlett) Gordon ’84 of Magazine, Ark., died on March 24, 2025, at the age of 75. She was a retired teacher. Margaret Trible Moseley ’87 of Little Rock, Ark., died on Sept. 22, 2025, at the age of 63. She served on the U of O Alumni Board and was an enthusiastic volunteer for many organizations including St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, the Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the Brain Injury Association of Arkansas. James Derek Brown ’89 of Fort Worth, Texas, died on Jan. 23, 2026, at the age of 63. He had a career as a sonographer, dedicating many years of service within the John Peter Smith Hospital system and various private practices. Linda Kay (Einert) White ’95 of Clarksville, died on Feb. 15, 2026, at the age of 75. She was a former employee at University of the Ozarks, including in the business office as controller and as director of human resources.
Angela Kay Otts ’00 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on Jan. 13, 2026, at the age of 47. She previously worked for American Airlines. Andrea Arleta (King) Alvarado ‘02 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on August 6, 2026, at the age of 53. She was a long-time educator and taught at Christ the King Elementary School in Fort Smith for 18 years. Cozax Malachi “Zach” Lee ’04 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on March 28, 2026, at the age of 50. He spent several years working as a manager with Lowe’s, but his true passion was serving and supporting others in his community, where he dedicated much of his time and heart. CydNee Sloan ’14 of Fayetteville, Ark., died
on June 22, 2026, at the age of 34. Jon Janssen of Bentonville, Ark., died on Sept. 23, 2026, at the age of 59. He was a former admissions counselor and served as the University’s first softball coach. Sue Frueauff of Little Rock, a former trustee at Ozarks, died on Aug. 4, 2026, at the age of 86. Sue served as a trustee of the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation for 30 years. Cole Martin of Clarksville, a former trustee at the University, died on May 14, 2026, at the age of 85. He was a former CEO of First Security Bank in Clarksville. Janice Martene McVey of Clarksville, died on Aug. 1, 2026, at the age of 92. She was a former director of admissions at Ozarks.
Former President Stephenson Dies at 89 Former Ozarks President Dr. Carl “Gene” Stephenson, died on July 5, 2026 in Austin, Texas, at the age of 89. Stephenson graduated from Ada High School, Ada, OK in 1954. He enrolled at the University of Oklahoma in the fall of 1954 and graduated with a B.S. degree in Geology in 1959. He married Lynda Carol Adkins on June 8, 1963 in Shamrock, TX. In 1964 he received a master’s in mathematics and in 1972 a doctorate in mathematics education, both from OU. He started his professional career as a math teacher and coach at Shamrock High School. In 1963 he received a National Science Foundation Academic Year Scholarship to attend OU, and upon receiving his master’s degree he joined the faculty at East Central State College as an Assistant Professor in Mathematics. In 1975, three years after completing his Ph.D., Stephenson was named dean of arts and sciences at East Central. In 1980, he was promoted to Vice President of Academic Affairs. In 1990, he left Ada to take the position of Chief Operations Officer at University of the Ozarks, where he later became president. He retired from Ozarks in January 1997 to become president of the Oklahoma Independent
Colleges Association. During his tenure at Ozarks, Stephenson was successful in improving the standing of the faculty. Prior to his arrival, 30 percent of the faculty had doctorates; when he resigned, 80 percent did. In addition to changing the academic atmosphere, he dramatically changed the physical image of the campus. In November 1996, the University dedicated five new and renovated buildings on campus, including the Boreham Business Building and Robson Library. He is survived by his wife, Lynda, and his children, Amy and Tom.
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UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
MEMORIALS AND HONORARIA Aug. 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026
MEMORIALS Cathy Allison Dr. Sammy Manning ’71 and Virginia Manning ’74 Blaise Andrepont Rick and Sherée Niece Martha Lou Bagley ’57 Levada Qualls ’55 Charles Wallace Barnes ’72 Levada Qualls ’55 Theodore “Taz” Beard ’15 Cole Clementson ’15 Victoria Stiner ’17 Tara Jean Richards ’13 Sara Woodard ’15 Al McBee ’14 Sue Bennett ’56 John Patterson and Edna Patterson ’67 Daniel A. Benton Vickie Benton ’98 and Dwight Benton Dorothy L. Bossard ’54 Marvin Leister and Mira Ann Leister ’63 John Cossaboon Anonymous Eva M. Davis Sonja McCuen ’88 R. Louis Dewett ’57 Mary Holloway Dewett ’58 Dr. Scott Donaldson Hilda Turner Solaris Energy Infrastructure, LLC Robert C. Norris Brenda Kay DuBois ’69 Dr. Angela Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer Perry David Duncan ’84 Jerry Duncan ’58 and Dorothy Duncan ’58 Dr. Janice Cater Geoffrey and Martha Sherman ’84 Karen Earwood ’72 David Pridgin ’71 and Reba Pridgin ’81 Dr. William R. Eddington ’55 Levada M. Qualls ’55 Rick and Sherée Niece The Rev. Dr. Ralph E. Ehren ’55 *Betty Hodges Ehren ’53 Edward Anthony Esposito ’74 Ann Patterson ’75 and Max Snowden John Figliulo Maura Figliulo Howerton ’80 and Bradley Howerton Martin Figliulo Maura Figliulo Howerton ’80 and Bradley Howerton Mida Figliulo Milligan ’85 and Billy Milligan
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Nell Marie Griffin ’55 Roy Horne ’57 Dylan Hill ’15 Duane and Sharon Birdsong Bill Holder ’52 Jerry Holder Roberta Holder Jane Holder ’55 Irma Guzman Horne ’57 Roy Horne ’57 Levada Qualls ’55 Robert “Bob” Hurley ’59 Levada Qualls ’55 Mary Jo Tolbert Hurley ’58 Levada M. Qualls ’55 David M. Johnson ’68 Phyllis Johnson Jones ’63 Jon Michael Johnson ’81 Karen Hilton ’80 and Pat Hilton ’74 Dickie Jones ’72 Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71 Ronald King Laster ’64 Maribeth Laster Cozax Malachi Lee ’04 Rick and Sherée Niece Barbara Ann Lewis ’79 Maura Figliulo Howerton ’80 and Bradley Howerton Mary Reese Martindale ’63 Mira Ann Leister ’63 and Marvin Leister Vernon McDaniel ’55 Steve and Dorinda Edmisten Jane Holder ’55 Roy Horne ’57 Delores Kathleen Metcalf ’65 Barry Morrell Geraldine Morgan ’52 John Patterson and Edna Patterson ’67 Margaret Trible Moseley ’87 Dr. Janice Cater Lucile L. Murphy Steve and Dorinda Edmisten Don Pennington ’68 Harve and Loyce Ann Taylor ’72 Paul and Savannah Taylor Roy Horne ’57 Terry ’67 and Carolyn Avery ’68 Kenichi Otsuji ’74 William Luther Thompson ’74 Rick Otto Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85 Patricia Overholt Ann Patterson ’75 and Max Snowden Tommy Ervin Owens ’70 *Glenda Owens ’71 Levada Qualls ’55 Glenda Gail Owens ’71 Levada Qualls ’55 Bill D. Porter ’54 David Porter Maxine Rail ’52 Emily Richesin
Rev. Dr. Gordon and Shirley Garlington Ann Patterson ’75 and Max Snowden Jalane Lee Robert and Jeanne Boehmler Sue Ellen Wilkerson ’82 and Danny Wilkerson William Anderson Rail ’52 David Ross ’60 David Pridgin ’71 and Reba Pridgin ’81 Len Bradley Janie Salazar Dr. Sammy Manning ’71 and Virginia Manning ’74 James Smith, Jr. Sarah Anne Myers Rev. Nancy Smith Chris and Martha Allen Curtis Lee Spence Lance Spence ’91 and Virginia Spence C. Gene Stephenson Rev. Julie Adkins Lisa Burner Patrick Farmer Turner and Caroline Whitson Sewanee:The University of the South,Office of Civic Engagement James Tincher Warren and Evelyn Dunkin Rick and Sherée Niece Sallie Gordon and Ken Schwenke John Torbett ’53 Wanda Torbett Jake Tull ’10 David and Selena Overholt Mary Ellen Richards Sue Tull John and Martha Tull, III Allen Dobson Ron Ward Dr. Sammy Manning ’71 and Virginia Manning ’74 Linda Kay White ’95 Robert ’79 and Debbie Wofford ’77 Darrell Williams ’76 Rick and Sherée Niece Harold Whitson ’34 and Pearl Whitson ’35 Steve and Dorinda Edmisten Debbie Williams ’81 Darrell Williams ’76 Pam Willis Cyleste Coppage ’97 and Kelly Coppage Ted Young ’58 Len Bradley Levada Qualls ’55 Rick and Sherée Niece
MEMORIALS /// H ON OR A R IA
Family Creates Scholarship HONORARIA in Memory of Bill Porter ’54 Aug. 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026
Richard Joseph Averwater ’85 Beth Washington Ruth Lois Bodey ’53 Bronlynn Spindler Cole Clark ’24 Jimmy and Kellie Clark Jimmy Clark Eric W. Parker ’02 Rebecca Wheeler Edwards ’01 Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer Lance Fetters and Valerie Fetters Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer Brett Hays ’06 Harold and Pam Hays Dr. Helen McElree ’47 Joe Yanik Dr. Rick Niece Dr. Gene Stephenson* and Lynda Stephenson Fred Romo ’68 and Andrea Romo ’68 Dr. Don Pennington ’68 Dr. Buddy Smith Nicolas Dunsworth ’22 Emma Dunsworth Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 Darrel Wheeler, Jr. ’75 and Sharon Goza Wheeler Spencer Turner ’18 Superior Senior Care Darrel Wheeler, Jr. ’75 Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer Sharon Goza Wheeler Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer Darren Wheeler-Stepp Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer Dr. Caroline Whitson Dr. Gene Stephenson* and Lynda Stephenson
* Indicates someone who has passed away within the last year.
If you would like to make an Honoraria or Memorial in recognition of a loved one to the University of the Ozarks Annual Fund, please contact the Advancement Office at 479-979-1234.
University of the Ozarks trustee David Porter (pictured, left) and the Porter family have established the Bill Porter ’54 Scholarship Endowment in memory of his late father (pictured, right, with his wife, Anna Lou). The scholarship was established earlier this year and will be given to students with financial need majoring in business—with first preference given to students from Johnson County, Arkansas. A former mayor of Clarksville as well as state legislator, Billy Dean Porter was a 1950 graduate of Clarksville High School and 1954 graduate of what was then The College of the Ozarks, where he majored in business administration. He died in 2022 at age 89. David Porter joined the U of O Board of Trustees in 2024. He is the CEO and principal with the Polk Stanley Wilcox architectural firm in Little Rock. “University of the Ozarks has been a cornerstone of our family’s story since my father graduated from The College of the Ozarks in 1954,” David Porter said. “The professional and personal success he achieved through his education provided the foundation for my siblings and me to thrive in our own lives and careers.” The Porters are descendants of a family that has resided in and around Harmony, Ark., in Johnson County since 1838. Bill was married to his wife, Anna Lou (Pierson), for 60 years and they have four children, Charlotte, David, Jimmy and Robert. Bill Porter began his business career working part-time, while in college, at Galloway Lumber Company and joined the company full time upon graduation, as office manager and bookkeeper. After the owner of Galloway Lumber died in 1964, the surviving members of the ownership group, Jack Cline, E. K. Johnson and Leslie Bryant, added Bill as a fourth stockholder in a new corporation, Clarksville Wood Products Inc. He was named general manager of the company and over the years bought out the other three stockholders, becoming the sole owner of the business, where he continued to work until retirement, when he sold the company in 1999. Early in his adult life Bill became an active member of the City of Clarksville with his appointment to the Clarksville Light and Water Committee in 1968, becoming chairman in 1970. In 1971, he successfully ran for mayor of Clarksville and served two 4-year terms. In 1981, Bill successfully ran for an open seat in the Arkansas State House of Representatives, a position he held for 12 years serving under two governors, Frank White and Bill Clinton. During his years in the state house, he served on several committees, with his proudest achievement being the passage of an appropriations bill that provided funding for a new headquarters in Clarksville for the Arkansas State Police Troop J. He decided not to run for re-election in 1992 and formally retired from politics. During his business and political career, he served in leadership roles on numerous local, state and national committees and commissions, including the Arkansas Forestry Commission, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, President of the Cooperage National Trade Association, Clarksville Board of Education, Board of Directors of the Johnson County Regional Hospital and Board of Directors of First Security Bank. Bill was also a long time Rotarian, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. Maintaining and improving the original Porter family homestead in Harmony, including raising cattle, horses and a large garden, was his lifetime passion and gathering there with family was one of the things he enjoyed and treasured the most.
TODAY, 2026 /// 43
UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
A FINAL WORD
FROM DR. DAVID DAILY
The More Rigorous Path That is Love (Dr. David Daily is a professor of religion who taught at Ozarks from 2000-2026 before retiring in June. He was the recipient of the University’s Bagwell Outstanding Faculty Award in 2004, 2009 and 2026.)
One summer day early in my time at University of the Ozarks, a woman came to my office in the Walton Fine Arts Center for a chat. Her son had applied to our college, but before the family made a decision, she wanted to know something about the religion course he would be taking. “Can you promise me,” she asked, “that he’ll come out the other side still believing in what we taught him?” It was a fair question. What could possibly matter more to her than that her son be strong in the faith she had passed down to him? I knew exactly what she was driving at, because much to my parents’ chagrin at the time, I went through my own painful crisis of faith while in college, an experience that changed my view of the world and ultimately led me to become a religion professor. In her one question, everything that mattered both to her and to me and my calling seemed to be at stake. I answered her question the best I could at the time. I pointed to Ozarks’ identity as a Presbyterian college, where we support our students’ growth by asking them to wrestle with hard questions about what they believe. I pointed to the Bible where people like Abraham and Sarah and the Psalmist questioned God directly, only to find a gracious God in response. I even tried to quote Arkansas poet Macrina Wiederkehr, who said there is more divine grace in a good question than in a thousand answers. But I had to be honest and tell her that I couldn’t make any promises about her son. I can’t control what students do with what they find in my classes. I can only model what I hope is a generous spirit of inquiry, and then trust that as students keep searching and learning and growing, God will keep working in their lives, no matter where they may land on a given issue at a given time. Then one day a couple of years later, I came across something I wish I had read before meeting with that parent. It was in a letter that the Southern Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor had penned to Alfred Corn when he was in college and having doubts about his faith. Drawing from a similar letter by the English poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, her advice was simply, “Give alms.” That is, if you’re having doubts about God, the best thing you can do is to help someone when they need it. What Hopkins and O’Connor seemed to be saying was that the problem of doubt is not always something that gets resolved intellectually. We may be full of doubts about God—and usually for very good reasons—but so long as we can find it in ourselves to respond charitably to a neighbor in need, God will not be very far away. All of which is another way to say, if faced with the improbable choice between my students being clever and devout, or loving and kind, I would choose for them the more rigorous path that is love. For where love is, God will always be close at hand, whether we realize it or not.
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