Town Square Collaborative empowering rural churches
UNIVERSITY MISSION
True to our Christian heritage, we prepare students from diverse religious, cultural, educational and economic backgrounds to live life fully.
UNIVERSITY CORE VALUES
Growth, Honesty, Hospitality, Justice, Sabbath and Service
UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION
Richard L. Dunsworth, J.D. President
Janie Diels, Ph.D Vice President for Academic Affairs
Amy Lloyd Vice President for Marketing & Enrollment
Lori McBee Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Engagement
Dody Pelts Vice President for Student Success
Aerial view of the New Student Residence Hall that opened for the 2025 Fall Semester. (Ken West Photography)
18 Planned Giving
Planning your legacy to assist Ozarks students
28 Heart of a Healer
Alumna Angela Foster ’91 thrives in healthcare career
Class Notes
Catch up on the latest news of former classmates, friends
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, Ken West, Margo Duvall, Brian Cormack ’01
A large gathering of family and friends attended the 2025 Spring Commencement ceremony on the campus mall. The graduating class of 140 was one of the largest in several years.
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
CLASS OF 2025
Ozarks Honors 140 Spring Graduates
University of the Ozarks awarded bachelor degrees to 140 graduates in Saturday, May 17, during its Spring 2025 Commencement on the campus mall.
University trustee and longtime Oklahoma educator Susan Pinson gave the keynote address. A former elementary classroom teacher, Pinson currently leads the state accreditation process for all Oklahoma universities with educator preparation programs.
Pinson encouraged the graduates to “see astonishment in the simple and the complex … Scrutinize your activities to see if they include the Ozarks values of service, justice, growth, hospitality, honesty, and Sabbath. These values are gemstones that extend beyond your Ozarks experience. Embedding them in your life will
produce astonishing riches.”
Pinson also left the graduates with three specific instructions. “Today, as you step into the world beyond Ozarks, carry these three instructions with you: Pay attention—to people, places, and moments of meaning. Be astonished—by beauty, kindness, and life’s surprises. And tell about it—because sharing your story brings us all closer. May you live with joy, not just today, but every day forward.”
The students’ welcome address was provided by Apryl Miller, a theatre and communication studies major from The Bahamas, who graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors.
“My fellow graduates, this is our spotlight,” she said. “You’ve faced challenges, late nights, deadlines, and perhaps a few classes with Dr. Stewart Hart where you questioned whether you’d make it. What we have accomplished today is not just a piece of paper, but it symbolizes every win we celebrated aloud and every loss we battled in silence. You have proven to yourself and the world that you are capable, strong minded, and ready to take on the next chapter.”
Miller also thanked the families and faculty on behalf of her classmates.
“To the parent, families, and friends, we thank you. You have supported and encouraged all of us throughout our journey, and it has been the cornerstone on which we have built our success on,” she said. “To the faculty and staff, your passion, patience, and dedication has shaped the minds of each one of us. You have been mentors, motivators, and sometimes even therapists and for that, we are profoundly grateful.”
NEW STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL
In August, more than 200 students moved into the University’s new $27 million, four-story New Student Residence Hall on North College Avenue that was completed during the summer. The 250-bed, 64,000-square-foot hall is one of the single largest capital construction projects in University history. The new residence hall is divided into 10 housing communities and includes both single and doubleoccupency rooms as well as a community kitchen, study rooms, a gaming lounge, elevator and laundry rooms.
University Launches Skills Academy
University of the Ozarks is proud to announce the launch of the University of the Ozarks Skills Academy, an online skills marketplace designed to equip learners with in-demand skills through short-term credential and certificate programs.
Created to meet evolving workforce demands, the Skills Academy offers a dynamic alternative to traditional degree programs. These specialized, flexible courses are tailored to provide learners with practical knowledge and industryrelevant competencies that can immediately enhance career opportunities and support long-term professional growth.
“The University of the Ozarks Skills Academy aligns with our mission of providing accessible, forward-thinking education that prepares individuals for real-world success,” said University President Richard Dunsworth. “This platform allows learners to upskill or reskill quickly, affordably, and effectively in areas that matter most to employers today.”
Key features of the Skills Academy include:
• Short-term programs designed for immediate application in the workforce;
• Credentials and certificates in highdemand fields;
• Online, self-paced learning to accommodate busy schedules;
• Opportunities for both career starters and experienced professionals.
“With the launch of this marketplace, the University continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation in higher education and to supporting learners across all stages of their professional journeys,” said Dr. Janie Diels, vice president for academic affairs.“Certifications can enhance a person’s competitiveness in the job market and accelerate their career readiness.”
Diels added that earning industryrecognized credentials “is a smart career development step that builds on their degree’s foundation and keeps them ahead in a competitive job market. These certifications validate their expertise in cutting-edge tools and best practices, signal a commitment to lifelong learning, and open doors to new roles, higher salaries, and leadership opportunities.”
Designed in partnership with Acadeum, the nation’s largest course-sharing platform, the Skills Academy is available from any
online device. The Skills Academy allows learners to choose from among dozens of certificates and programs curated by U of O to align with global workforce needs. These certifications are offered by leading online education providers like Coursera.
With the U of O Skills Academy, learners can choose from self-paced options with certificates that cover various fields of study. Among the categories available include, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Generative AI in Business, Human Resources Management, Digital Marketing, Marketing Analytics, UX Design, Developer, Cyber Security, and Six Sigma Certification. Classes will be added to the Skills Academy as the program grows.
The Skill Academy will also be available to current U of O students as well as U of O alumni. Students and alumni will receive a 10 percent discount on courses.
The Skills Academy not only meets employer needs; it also fits with changing
attitudes toward higher education. Research indicates that a growing number of learners are interested in pursuing resumeenhancing “micro-credentials,” such as industry certificates, as part of college degree programs.
To explore courses and certifications offered by the U of O Skills Academy, please visit ozarks.edu.
For questions about the Skills Academy, contact Bewley at mbewley@ ozarks.edu
New Student Enrollment Up 10%
Bolstered by one of the largest incoming classes of first-year students in its history, enrollment at University of the Ozarks has increased for the second consecutive year. A total of 796 students were enrolled at Ozarks for the 2025 Fall Semester as of the end of business on Wednesday, Sept. 10, the official day of record for the semester. It marks a 1.8 percent increase over the 2024 Fall Semester enrollment of 782. The incoming class of first-year students, which includes first-time freshmen and transfer students, is 285—tied for the third-largest in University history and a 10 percent increase over 2024 first-yearstudent numbers of 259. In addition, the number of first-time freshmen grew from 208 to 228, a 9.6 percent jump. The number of students from Arkansas also increased more than 10 percent from a year ago, from 315 to 348. This year’s student body also includes 205 international students from 28 countries outside the United States.
Ozarks Named “Best Value” Again
For the third consecutive year and fourth time in the last five years, University of the Ozarks has been ranked the No. 1 Best Value in the South Region in U.S. News & World Report’s annual college rankings.
In the 2026 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges, released on Tuesday, U of O ranked first in the “Best Value Schools” category among the nearly 100 regional colleges in the 12-state South. The value rankings evaluate the cost of attending a university relative to the quality of the institution and takes into account such things as the percentage of students receiving need-based financial aid and the average institutional aid those students receive.
“We are honored to once again be recognized as the top Best Value university in our region,” said U of O President Richard Dunsworth. “We know the investment families make in higher education is significant. This ranking reflects our on-going commitment to making a high-quality, personalized education both accessible and affordable. It affirms
The U of O business student trio of (pictured, from left) Gabriel Mendoza, Daniella Ugarte, and William Guillen took home first place in the small business elevator pitch category and third place in the small business plan category on at the prestigious ACC Capital Governor’s Cup competition held at the Little Rock Statehouse Convention Center in April. The students’ prospective business, Pet Buddy, is an eco-friendly business concept that takes used clothing items and turns them into pet items, such as toys and beds. The ACC Capital Governor’s Cup is an annual collegiate business-plan competition among students from the state’s colleges and universities. The Pet Buddy team is the first team from U of O to place in the competition. Jon Langlois, assistant professor of business, is the team’s advisor.
the work of our dedicated faculty and staff and the transformative opportunities we strive to provide every student, regardless of background.”
The magazine’s annual late summer publication that analyzes institutions of higher education also had Ozarks ranked sixth in overall rankings among South Regional Colleges.
Ozarks has been ranked among the top 10 in the South Region in each of the past 10 years. The overall rankings examine such criteria as academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.
2025 rankings and was ranked No. 2 in the category in the 2023 rankings.
Ozarks was also ranked No. 1 in the Best Value category in the 2022, 2024 and
In addition, Ozarks is ranked No. 47 in Social Mobility in the South Region. This category represents those colleges that are most successful “at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants.”
New Faculty and Staff
The University welcomed several new faculty and staff for the 2025-26 academic year. They included (front row, from left) Dr. Chol Hyun Park, assistant professor of computer science; Dr. Daniel Warwick, assistant professor of psychology; Dr. Shalini Tiwari, assistant professor of biology; Rebecca James, housekeeper; Kelly Goines, housekeeper; Demitri Teddlie ’25, assistant men’s wrestling coach; (middle row, from left) Brad Jones, men’s and women’s head tennis coach; Eduardo Guzman, adjunct professor of music; Dr. Jordan Price, assistant professor of education and director of teacher education and field experience; Kelli Clark, academic support specialist; Nate Williams, head men’s basketball coach; (back row, from left) Todd M. Goehner, associate professor of graphic design; Maranda Banning, academic services assistant; and Stone Faulkenberry, assistant professor of physical education.
Q & A Get to Know
DR. BEFRIKA MURDIANTI
A native of Indonesia, Dr. Befrika S. Murdianti, professor of chemistry, joined the Ozarks faculty in 2013 and was promoted to full prfessor in 2025. Known by her students as “Dr. M.,” she earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Institut Teknologi Bandung, a master’s in chemistry from the University of Tulsa, and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Oklahoma State University. Murdianti teaches general, physical, and forensic chemistry, and is also a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS). She obtained extensive training in the area of nano-engineered fullerene colloidal suspensions, where one of her works was selected as the cover article for the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. She co-edited a book titled Arachidonic Acid: Dietary Sources and General Functions, and is one of the editors for Modern Chemistry and Applications. She is the recipient of 2017 Richard and Katherene Bagwell Outstanding Faculty Award. Since 2016 she has been involved in coaching chemistry and material science to Arkansas high school students for the Arkansas Science Olympiad.
How would you describe growing up in Indonesia?
I was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital. As the capital of the country, Jakarta is equipped with many features and the most sophisticated infrastructure as compared to other cities in Indonesia. As the capital, Jakarta is also a melting pot where people from various parts of the country seek better opportunities to reside. I was very privileged growing up in Indonesia, especially in Jakarta. I had access to a good education, as well as various embassies where I could obtain information on scholarships to study abroad, and the opportunity to meet people from other parts of the country. And of course, these people from other parts of the country would bring their culture and food with them, so I was exposed to many diverse cultures and foods from around Indonesia from an early age.
When and how did you first get interested in chemistry?
Since I was little, I have had a dream of becoming a medical doctor. My grandfather was a medical doctor during World War II. He passed away in the late 1960s, long before I was born. So I have never met him, but my grandmother often talked about him, what he did as a doctor, and showed us some of the equipment that my grandfather used during his time as a physician. I was very much interested in the life of a doctor when I was little, mainly because I wanted to wear the white coat. When I was in high school, students had to choose a major in 11th grade to give an idea of which area to pursue in college. There were four majors in high school when I was a student: physics, biology, social science, and language (now there are only two majors: natural science and social science). Since I wanted to pursue a career in medicine,
I opted to major in biology; however, my aptitude test results showed that my talent in biology was not as strong as in physics. The school counselor suggested that I take physics instead, as she predicted I would struggle in biology, given my weakness in memorization. So, the school placed me in the physics major, where the curriculum consisted of 10 hours of mathematics, 8 hours of physics, and 6 hours of chemistry per week. Out of the three subjects, chemistry was my weakest. In my 12th grade, I took a prep class for the University National Entrance test. I was still planning to attend medical school, but the try-out scores consistently indicated that I would be more suited to the natural sciences than to the life sciences. However, this dream of wearing a white coat never ceased; therefore, if I wanted to pursue a career in the natural sciences, the only field where I could wear a white coat was chemistry. It does sound silly, but that’s the main reason I chose chemistry. And, if I can’t go to medical school, I’d better get into the best institute of technology in the country. I was accepted into the chemistry department at Institut Teknologi Bandung, one of Indonesia’s most prestigious universities for science, engineering, and the arts. I did not enjoy my first semester as a chemistry student and was considering retaking the University National Entrance test for medical school the following year. However, the Introduction to chemical study class changed my mind. Before, I only knew that chemistry was a challenging subject with little real-life application, but the professor of the class showed many chemistry demonstrations that sparked my curiosity. With the presentation, he explained why matter reacts in specific ways, and all of these can be learned through an understanding of chemistry. The class and the professor made me reconsider pursuing medicine and instead focus on chemistry.
Why do you think chemistry is an essential subject to study, even for non-majors?
Chemistry is also known as the central science, and it is called this way for a reason. It is the science that connects one field to another, so by studying chemistry, you open up a huge opportunity
to connect with and understand other fields. Every matter consists of atoms that interact with each other through bonding and various structures. These bonding and structures are the ones that determine the properties of matter, which ultimately explain what happens in nature. Our everyday life involves chemistry, whether we are still breathing or not. When living things are still breathing, for example, everything that is happening inside the bodies is essentially a series of chemical reactions. Even when living things are no longer breathing and buried in the ground, chemical reactions still occur. If these reactions are formed deeply within the ground over a very long period, under pressure and heat, they can transform into fuels. You may think that not everything relates to chemistry, but it does. Arts, for example, involve many aspects of chemistry too, primarily if you work with ceramics.
What keeps you excited/motivated about teaching?
The new things I keep learning and discovering through teaching, and the opportunity to share knowledge and skills with others.
What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching?
Not precisely the teaching itself, but more on the results of teaching. When you hear back the stories from former students and you know they have become successful, you feel these indescribable emotions that make you realize you want to do what you do more and more.
How has the adjustment been from growing up in a city of 12 million (Jakarta) to living in rural Arkansas?
When I came to the US in 2005, to Tulsa, I was shocked by the quietness of the city. Tulsa is a big city, but compared to Jakarta, it felt like a very quiet place to me. There were times when I thought of going back home, but fortunately, I was extremely busy during my time as a graduate student in Tulsa, so I didn’t have the time to feel homesick or lonely. From Tulsa, I moved to Stillwater, a smaller town than Tulsa, and then to Russellville, another smaller town, and finally to Clarksville. I have adjusted well during each transition. Every time I moved to a new place, it was always hard at first, but I have always quickly adapted to the new place. I recently visited Jakarta, and I can’t imagine myself living in such a hectic place now that I’ve learned the peacefulness of living in a small town.
You serve as a faculty advisor for an interfaith working group at Ozarks to promote understanding among various worldviews. Why is this important to you?
In this current climate, everywhere in the world, people misunderstand each other. Even among people of the same faith, misunderstandings can arise due to cultural differences. Without dialogue, these misunderstandings would never be corrected. I see myself not only as a Muslim, but also as a colored female working in a field that males dominate, and I can guarantee 100 percent that misunderstandings would occur. Many of our students or people in the community probably only know about Islam through the media. In this era of overwhelming information, it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from non-fact. People may feel intimidated seeing a woman with a headscarf talking about chemistry; some may conclude that I could be a violent person, based on the information they obtained from the internet. This is where promoting understanding among various worldviews becomes essential. If we remove all those attributes
(female, headscarf, Muslim, chemistry), the only thing that remains is humanity—no difference between human No.1, human No. 2, etc. And showing who we are through actions and compassion and promoting understanding among these differences becomes important.
As an avid cook, how do you believe chemistry and cooking complement each other?
In chemistry, we learn a great deal about heat and pressure, and in cooking, we also utilize heat and pressure to prepare our food. Measurement is also another important aspect in cooking, and the first thing you learn in chemistry is measurement. You don’t have to understand science to become a cook, but understanding the science behind cooking can make you a better cook.
Your colleagues talk about how great your macarons are. What would you say the secret is to making great macarons?
Patience. Macarons are delicate cookies that rely heavily on humidity during the baking process and are prone to failure. They are also cookies that require skills to make. Just like anything that requires skills, the more you practice, the better you become. The secret to great macarons is not to be afraid to face failure and keep practicing to master the art of making macarons. Also, find friends who would be willing to help you finish your products because there will be a lot of macarons produced.
What are some of your other interests and hobbies outside of academia?
I enjoy hiking, traveling to new places, not touristy ones, though, and eating well. Whenever I have the time, I always take my hiking shoes with me to go hiking, travel to a new place, or work on a cooking experiment to create good, healthy food.
Reviving Rural Roots:
By Rev. Phillip Blackburn Director of Town Square Collaborative
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of rural America? Ok, after cows, what image comes next? Is it an old main street? Perhaps it’s a Dollar General. It could be some symbols of Americana, kids on bicycles, flags waving on porches in the summer breeze. We could go on and on, but I doubt it would take long before another image came into your mind, a church. The Church plays a unique role the rural spaces and small towns of our country. In rural communities, churches are senior centers and first responders, they are food pantries and miniature United Ways, they are tight knit groups sometimes comprising several generations. Many rural churches have been there so long that no one alive can remember a time they weren’t there. And these churches, like many rural institutions like schools and hospitals, need support.
It is with this in mind that University of the Ozarks began its work to support rural churches. What began with a 2021 grant from the Lilly Endowment for Religion has become three grants, totaling nearly $7 million. What began as one program to support rural pastors in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Arkansas, has become an ecumenical initiative, the Town Square Collaborative, whose mission is to support rural churches, communities and their leaders. With all this in mind, let me tell you what exactly this support entails, and then why U of O is the ideal home for a project like this.
The Town Square Collaborative’s primary focus is empowering the rural church to be the Church. This means rooting our work in the Church’s core identity as a community of Jesus Christ. This also means that we try to empower congregations to do this work and embrace this identity outside their own doors. We want to equip them to be anchor institutions in their community; to embody the role that their standing and longevity inherently confer upon them. The Church cannot be the Church if it exists solely for itself, and rural communities cannot thrive if churches become insular. The centerpiece of our work is the Rural Ideas Conference, which was
Photo by Brian Cormack ’01
More than 100 people representing rural churches and congregations in 11 states attended the Town Square Collaborative’s first Rural Ideas Conference on the University of the Ozarks campus in July. The three-day conference was established to empower rural churches and to help them embrace their roles as anchor institutions within their communities.
just held July 16-18 on campus. The conference hosted around 130 attendees from 11 states and numerous denominations, primarily Presbyterian Church (USA) and United Methodist. This conference centers and celebrates the gifts of rural congregations and seeks to equip them to engage their communities in rich and meaningful ways. The conference was led by our Leadership Network. This group meets monthly and is composed of individuals and organizations from around the country whose sole focus is rural communities and the rural churches. Partner organizations include the North Carolina Rural Center, the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement, the Presbytery of Southern Kansas, and the United Church of Canada. This network will grow over the year. The other element of the conference was our programmatic partners. These are non-profit agencies who have received subgrants from the Town Square Collaborative to support rural churches in meaningful community engagement. Bringing their expertise and experience, but keeping the congregations centered in the work, these partners will seek to equip congregations to do meaningful, substantive work in their communities. Our programmatic partners are Innovative Poverty Solutions, Communities Unlimited, Arkansas Community Action Agencies and the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Further, the Town Square Collaborative supports cohorts for rural PC (USA) pastors, lay pastors and laity. One of the earliest learnings we had was the need to reimagine leadership at the congregational level for rural churches. Thus what was originally imagined as a program to support seminary educated pastors has become a sweeping initiative to support clergy and laity alike, and to provide support and education for rural congregational leaders whatever their education level or ordination status. This means meeting people where they are, and tailoring our work to equip,
empower and collaborate with all levels of leadership. In addition, the Town Square Collaborative provides internships for U of O students in congregations throughout Arkansas. This past summer, five students were placed in four congregations around the state. Their work is diverse. They help congregations with worship and programming. They study and engage local communities. They engage with congregational leaders. It is our hope that through this process congregations will be exposed to the amazing students we have at University of the Ozarks, and that our students will have a deeper appreciation for rural congregations and communities.
As you can see, we have been busy over these last few years. As we think about this work, it is important to note that University of the Ozarks is the ideal home for the Town Square Collaborative. U of O was established by the Church and has been sustained by the Church. As University President Richard Dunsworth likes to point out, many of our buildings are named after Presbyterians. But more than this, University of the Ozarks is, itself, an anchor institution in a rural place. Thriving in and supporting a rural community is in our DNA. Clarksville is like many of the towns with whom we work. It is a tight knit community which has seen its fair share of challenges, but which also continues to make its way in the modern world. Thus our work in the Town Square Collaborative comes from a place of deep respect for and knowledge of rural communities.
I look forward to telling you more about our work in the years to come. If you are in a rural community I encourage you to reach out to me or my team and introduce yourself, or make plans to see us at the Rural Ideas Conference June 24-26, 2026. You can learn more about what we do at www.townsquareco.org. I hope you are as excited as I am about this work, and the university’s commitment to supporting rural congregations and communities. I can be reached at pblackburn@ozarks.edu.
California In Focus
During the Spring 2025 Semester, students in Assistant Professor Margo Duvall’s Photography in Focus class traveled to California over Spring Break to hone their digital photography skills at such iconic sights as the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite National Park, Highway 1 and Big Sur. Professor Duvall grew up in California, attended college there, and taught at several universities in the state. Here are a few of their photos from the trip.
THE ROBE OF POSSIBILITIES
By Dr. David Strain, Professor of English
The day she defended her dissertation, Alma Johnston posted to Facebook a picture of herself in her doctoral robes. Alongside it she posted a picture of herself in my doctoral robes. I had taken it on her first day in her freshman composition class. “It seems like such a minor thing to do,” she remarked, “but for me, that day, it sent a big message.”
It was supposed to. I began taking pictures like this in my freshman classes over 20 years ago. Gilbert Parks had been engaging me in monologue on the subject of learning styles. I’d been thinking seriously about what he’d said (and said and said). This was something I could do. Truth be told, I started doing it in no small part because I wanted a good excuse to keep from having to bray the blessed syllabus at everybody on day one. Still, I thought it might also be a way to connect with certain students—to send a message, as Alma put it. It was worth a shot.
Each year, I ask students to think of my doctoral robes as a metaphor. I ask them to think of what they want to become—what sort of career they want to have, what sort of life they want to lead, what sort of person they want to be in four years, in ten years, in twenty-five years. I invite them to think of my doctoral robes as a metaphor for those things. None of them yet belong to them—any more than do my doctoral robes. In time, though, they’ll earn them for themselves—as Alma did literally.
Students react in different ways. Many love it and are eager to volunteer. Some pose with big smiles. Others ham it up. But not all students react that way. Frankly, it makes some a little uneasy. A few hold back because it’s weird—I’m supposed to be braying the syllabus at them like everybody else. A few, though, hold back, I suspect, because they take it seriously. I’m asking them to put on
and wear the kind of person they want to be when they’re pushing 50. It brings home the recognition that, in the choices they make every day, they’re doing precisely that. Regardless, I tell them that I will send them their picture that evening and then again the evening before their commencement.
That’s when the fun starts. Occasionally some smart aleck tells me he’s been waiting all day to see whether I’d remember. (Yes, I mean you, Alfa!) However, most students have long since forgotten that I’d ever promised to send them their picture. When they see it, it takes them back—in a fairly visceral way—to that first day of college. They remember how they felt then. And the gap between then and now gives them a pretty powerful gauge of just how far they’ve come.
One student stands out for me, though. As a freshman, he was pretty much a jerk. He did as little as he could to get by, and he didn’t much appreciate my periodic reminders that that wouldn’t feed the bulldog. He barely passed. And he hated my bleeding guts. Still, he stuck with it. And on the evening before commencement, his name was on the list. So I sent him his picture along with my usual spiel about how proud I was of him and how far he’d come since that day.
The next morning, after he’d received his diploma and as he was walking down from the platform, he diverged from the usual path and began walking toward the faculty—indeed, toward the spot where I was sitting. As I was sitting next to Dippel, I figured he was the target. Dippel meant a lot to a lot of kids, and this was his sort of kid. For what it’s worth, this was the pandemic commencement, so Dippel and I were socially distanced. So the closer the kid got, the clearer became the angle of his trajectory— and he wasn’t heading for Dippel. (Did I mention that the guy hated my bleeding guts?) In the fleeting moments before he finally arrived at my chair, a single thought went through my mind: “My God, the little turd’s gonna slug me!” If so, I figured the least I could do was to stand up and take my medicine like a man. So I did.
Only he didn’t slug me. He hugged me.
In a fairly long life, I’ve rarely been quite so stunned—not to mention thankful to have avoided a broken jaw. The young man didn’t say much. He didn’t have to. With more than a hint of a tear in his eye, he thanked me for sending me his picture. “And for everything else,” he added. I don’t know what he meant by that. I do know that I’ve never loved my job more than I did right then.
CAMPUS 1 2
RAEGAN SWAFFORD ’25 received the 2025 Hurie Award from University President Richard Dunsworth and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Janie Diels. The award is presented to the outstanding member of the graduating class as voted on by the faculty. Swafford is an English and psychology major from Van Buren, Ark. She was also named the 2025 Outstanding Student in English and in 2023 won the campus-wide Project Poet competition. 1
The University’s annual outstanding faculty and staff awards for 2025 were presented to (from left) MARGO DUVALL, DR. CHRISTIE SAMPSON, NICOLE ENGLAND ’18, HUNTER JACKSON ’03, CRYSTAL BUCHANAN, AND GLENDON JENKINS ’13. The awards were presented during the Board of Trustees Faculty and Staff Awards Banquet in April.
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JESSICA BAUMGARTNER was promoted to director of human resources in April. Baumgartner previously served as assistant director of human resources since December of 2022. The recipient of the 2021 Arnie G. Sims Outstanding Staff Award, Baumgartner joined Ozarks in February of 2016 as the office manager for the Division of Business, Communication and Education. She transitioned to the executive suite in July of 2019
TANNER RUSSELL ’25, who graduated in the spring with a degree in history, became the University’s first graduate with a teaching licensure in social studies. The social studies licensure was added by the Pat Walker Teacher Education Program in 2023. The Ozark, Ark., native was named the 2025 Outstanding Student in Secondary Education. Russell did his student teaching at Clarksville High School and plans to pursue a career in teaching social studies and history. 4
headliners
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DR. MACY JONES, Walton Professor of Theatre at Ozarks, in the spring attended the 45th annual Mid-American Theatre Conference (MATC) in Atlanta where her original 10-minute play, “The Insignificant Moon,” received a workshop performance. Jones’ play was one of eight selected out of a pool of 60 to be presented as part of the playwriting symposium. In addition, Jones was elected to serve as vice president of the organization for a two-year term.
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DR. CHRIS SARVER, assistant professor of political science was appointed the University’s new faculty athletic representative (FAR) in the spring. Sarver, who has taught at Ozarks since 2022, was appointed to the three-year term. The fundamental responsibilities of the FAR are to evaluate and ensure the academic integrity of the intercollegiate athletics program and to enhance the student-athlete experience.
DR. DANIEL FUDGE, assistant professor of political science, was named in July by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal as a “Forty Under 40 honoree” for 2025. According to the publication, the honorees “were chosen by a panel of the Business Journal’s editorial staff based on career achievements and community work.” The recipients were featured in the Aug. 11 issue of the journal. Fudge joined the faculty at Ozarks in 2022. 7
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SERIA CASH ’25 AND JORGE MENDOZA ’25 shared the title of Poet Laureate of the Sprada Valley after tying for first place in the 2024-25 Project Poet competition in the 2024 Fall Semester. Cash, a psychology major from The Bahamas, and Mendoza, a media production and psychology major from El Salvador, tied for the title, the second tie in the history of the annual competition that began in 2006 as the brainchild of Professor of English Dr. David Strain.
Planned Giving
Planning for Ozarks Today, Impacting Students Tomorrow
Effective, impactful planning. It has been the key to Ozarks’ amazing development over many years – all intended to improve the quality of education our mission demands we provide our students. Everywhere you look on campus, physical improvements to our buildings and grounds are evident. Ozarks’ ability to provide financial aid to students through scholarships and grants has grown dramatically. Likewise with support for faculty and academic programming, and an expansion of student activities, too.
Partnering with Ozarks in achieving all these strategic goals have been many, many alumni and friends who have aligned their charitable goals with the University’s. The names of these champions for our students resonate across campus and throughout the lives of those who attained their educational dreams here. The names of endowed scholarships and awards are cherished on this campus and by the students whose lives
they change forever. Educational, residential, and recreational facilities are ornamented with the names of others who are committed to ensuring Ozarks’ students have the best facilities and tools with which to learn and grow. Faculty and students alike are academically enriched through research and co-curricular opportunities created through well-designed endowments that bear the names of those who established them. The amazing results of such deliberate planning by the University and its donors shines in the smiling faces of our students and alumni every day!
When it comes to making a lasting impact, few choices are as personal as a planned gift. Planned giving is the process of making a charitable contribution as part of your overall financial or estate planning. It allows you to support the causes you care about most while achieving your own financial and philanthropic goals.
At University of the Ozarks, planned gifts have helped
shape the future of generations of students. From scholarships and academic programs to facilities and endowments, these thoughtful contributions ensure the mission of the University continues to thrive.
What Is Planned Giving?
Planned giving encompasses a variety of giving methods that allow donors to make larger gifts than they might be able to from their income alone. These gifts are typically made through:
• Bequests in a will or trust: A donor names a charity in their will to receive a specified amount of money or assets upon their death. Many supporters of Ozarks even opt to leave the remainder of their estate to Ozarks after other specific bequests have been fulfilled.
Gifts of retirement assets or life insurance:
A donor can name a charity as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement account, ensuring a substantial future donation.
• Charitable gift annuities: A contract that provides the donor with fixed payments during their lifetime, with the remainder benefiting a charity after their death.
• Charitable remainder trusts: A trust that provides income to the donor or a beneficiary for a set period, with the remainder of the trust going to a charitable organization.
• Charitable lead trusts: A trust that provides income to a charity for a specific time, with the remainder going to the donor’s heirs.
• Real estate or appreciated securities: By donating real estate or appreciated securities, donors can make a significant gift to charity, often with the benefit of avoiding capital gains taxes and receiving charitable deductions. Each option can be tailored to fit your unique circumstances and objectives.
Benefits to You as a Donor
(Please consult with your financial and legal advisors to ensure any of these methods meet your needs and intentions.)
Planned giving is not only a powerful way to support the institutions and values that matter most—it can also offer substantial personal benefits, including:
1. Tax Advantages — Depending on the type of gift, you may receive income tax deductions, avoid capital gains taxes, or reduce estate taxes.
2. Income for Life — Certain giving vehicles, such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts, can provide you or a loved one with a steady stream of income for life.
3. Financial Flexibility — Planned gifts allow you to make a contribution without affecting your current lifestyle. For example, a bequest in your will doesn’t impact your finances today but ensures a future legacy.
4. Peace of Mind — Knowing that your gift will have a lasting impact can provide a deep sense of fulfillment and peace—your values will live on through your generosity.
The amazing results of such deliberate planning by the University and its donors shines in the smiling faces of our students and alumni every day!
Your Legacy at University of the Ozarks
When you include Ozarks in your estate plans, you become part of the University’s legacy of excellence, innovation, and access. Many of our students benefit directly from scholarships and support made possible by planned gifts from alumni and friends who believed in providing opportunities for future generations.
Start the Conversation
As an Ozarks alumnus or friend, we invite you to consider how a legacy gift could ensure that future students receive the same transformative experiences that shaped your life. Your story—your success—can inspire and empower the next generation. Reach out to us today to explore how your lasting impact can help others follow in your footsteps.
Planning your legacy doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re just beginning to consider your options or are ready to include a bequest in your will, we’re here to help.
Together, we can build a future that reflects your values and transforms lives.
To have a confidential conversation about your legacy at Ozarks, please contact Lori McBee, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement at lamcbee@ozarks.edu or call 479-979-1354.
Huggins ’91 Honors Mother With Scholarship
U of O alumna Shannon (Carlisle) Huggins ’91 (pictured, left) and her family of Arlington, Texas, have created an endowed scholarship for pre-nursing students to honor the life and legacy of her mother, a long-time surgical and school nurse in Texas.
The Janeice Carlisle Pre-Nursing Scholarship was established with a $20,000 gift from the Huggins family. The University recently entered into a new academic partnership with the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith’s Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing for students interested in careers in nursing. Under the 2+2 articulation agreement, students complete the first two years of study at U of O and transfer all credit hours to UAFS for completion of the bachelor of science in Nursing (BSN).
The pre-nursing track began in the Fall 2025 Semester.
Carlisle (pictured, right) graduated with a nursing degree from Texas Christian University in the early 1960s before embarking on a 30-plus-year career in nursing. In 1963, she married Richard Carlisle while teaching obstetrics in a nursing program in Lubbock, Texas. Carlisle spent numerous years as a surgical nurse and later concluded her career in the early 1990s as a school nurse with the Arlington Independent School District. She died in 2013 at the age of 74 due to the progression of frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Huggins, a member of the University’s Board of Trustees who has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare administration, said the pre-nursing scholarship at Ozarks will help fill a void while also honoring her mother’s career in nursing.
“My mother started her career as a surgical nurse back when you saw them do everything,” Huggins said. “They worked in the OR, they did emergency room call, they made rounds with patients and they also worked in the physician’s office. I saw her in all facets of nursing and the dedication she had for the profession and that left a lasting impact on me. We also struggle in this country as far as having enough nurses and being able to support the ones we
have. So, when Ozarks was developing this new 2+2 program, it made me think that this would be a good way to support future nurses and to honor my mother’s dedication and commitment to the profession.”
Carlisle was able to graduate from TCU with the assistance of student loans from the Presbyterian Church. Immediately following her graduation, she repaid the loans by spending two years working at a hospital on a Navajo reservation in Ganado, Ariz.
“Knowing that my mother had to take out loans to pay for her education, this endowment is another way that we can help pay that back for someone else,” Huggins said. “Maybe this scholarship can help alleviate some financial issues for some students pursuing a nursing education.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a nine percent growth in nursing employment from 2020 to 2030, accounting for an estimated increase of 276,800 jobs in the field.
Supporting the Wilson Athletic Complex
Numerous alumni and friends have supported the construction of the University’s new Thomas and Frances Wilson Athletic Complex in recent months. Kelly Robins ’03 ( pictured, left), Loscar Mejia ’01 and Eric Steinmiller ’02 (pictured center), and Allyn and Janice Donaubauer (right) have all made monetary gifts to support the complex. Robins, of Reno, Nev., donated $127,500 for the soccer press box, which was named the Robins Nest. Mejia, of Dublin, Ohio, and Steinmiller, of Chicago, Ill., funded new home and visitor team shelters for the soccer field. The Donaubauers donated $75,000 to create the Donaubauer Launch Pad batting cages for baseball and softball. There are still numerous naming opportunities available in the Wilson Athletic Complex. Please contact the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement at 479-979-1234 to learn how you can support Eagles student-athletes.
Waldo Scholarship Celebrates Educators
James “Pete” and Carolyn Waldo, devoted educators and proud first-generation college alumni of University of the Ozarks, dedicated their lives to inspiring generations of students. In honor of their 63-year marriage and lifelong commitment to education, their children have established an endowed scholarship to support future teachers at their alma mater.
The Pete ’56 and Carolyn Johnson ’58 Waldo Endowed Scholarship has been established at U of O with a $30,000 gift by their children, Allen Waldo and Lisa Waldo Wilhelms. The scholarship will be awarded beginning the 2026 Fall Semester to juniors or seniors who are majoring in education.
The Waldos met at Ozarks as students and were married for 63 years, each spending more than 30 years working in education. Pete passed away in 2020 and Carolyn died in 2021, both at the age of 85.
Wilhelms said she and her brother decided to establish a scholarship at U of O because of what the University meant to her parents.
“Mom and Dad loved going back to Clarksville to visit the campus anytime they could,” Wilhelms said. “Their careers were greatly impacted because of the University. They met and fell in love at the University, leading to 63 wonderful years of marriage. The regular contacts from the University’s administration meant the world to them. The happy memories of the friends made, the sports played, and the lessons learned, were a fundamental part of their life.”
Wilhelms said she loved to hear about the impact her parents had on their former students.
“Together, they taught for more than 60 years, making an impact on numerous individuals,” she said. “We always loved it when we were out with mom and dad—as far away as Tampa, Florida— and they ran into past students from several decades earlier who told them how much they had enjoyed their teaching and class.”
Ben Powell Endowment
Mike (far left) and Susie (far right) of Clarksville, recently made a $250,000 gift to U of O to establish the Ben Powell ’00 Faculty Enhancement for Science Endowment in memory of their son, Ben. The endowment will assist the University with recruitment and retention of science faculty. Ben, a business owner in Clarksville, was a long-time supporter and advocate of this alma mater and received the University’s Community Champion Award in 2022. He died unexpectedly on Feb. 6, 2025. Also pictured at the signing were (from left) U of O President Richard Dunsworth and Ben’s daughters, Ari and Sylvia.
Pete and Carolyn met in the early 1950s as students in the athletic department of what was then The College of the Ozarks. Carolyn, from Piggott, Ark., was a student-worker in the office and Pete, from Lamar, Ark., was an athlete lettering four years in basketball and baseball and serving as a student-manager for the football team. They were married on Aug. 19, 1956.
The first in his family to earn a college degree, Pete would go on to earn a master’s degree in education from Washington University in St. Louis while embarking on a 33-year career as a basketball coach and health and PE educator at Ferguson-Florissant School District in St. Louis. Pete, who retired in 1989, was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award by U of O in 2012.
After Carolyn’s sophomore year at Ozarks, Pete and Carolyn were married and they moved to St. Louis for Pete’s first teaching position. A talented artist, Carolyn worked for Universal Match designing matchbooks until she became a mother. Once her children were in grade school, Carolyn returned to school to finish her undergraduate degree, eventually earning a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She was also the first in her family to attend college. She worked for the Ferguson-Florissant School District and the Branson (Mo.) School District for many years before retiring in 1997.
“Our parents were true educators at heart,” Wilhelms said. “We were constantly reminded that no one can ever take an education away from you. They never missed an opportunity to take advantage of teachable moments in the community, at church, in school, with their volunteer work as well as at home both with Allen and I as well as the grandkids. I’m sure all of us have a funny story or memory of when grandma and grandpa had to stop in the middle of something and impart their wisdom. What better way to honor their legacy than to assist in the education of future teachers.”
Allen Waldo said his parents would be proud to have a scholarship in their name at their alma mater for future educators.
“Mom and Dad always had such fond memories of their years at University of the Ozarks and knew the education they received there made such an impact on their lives,” he said.
GREATNESS
Most collegiate athletes fuel up with protein bars or energy gels before competition. But for University of the Ozarks multi-sport phenom Chloe Weathers—who shines in cross country, swimming, and track—the secret to success is a bit sweeter: scarfing down a fistful of gummy snacks moments before racing. Call it gummy-powered greatness.
“It’s just something I’ve been doing for a while and it’s part of my pre-race routine,” Weathers said. “I also sometimes bring a bottle of honey that my teammates and I will squirt in our mouths before we race. These sugary snacks just give me a quick energy boost for the race.”
The gummy snacks seem to be working as the senior from Clarksville is a two-time U of O Female Athlete of the Year (2023-24 and 2024-25) and holds no less than 13 individual and team relay school records in the three sports.
In cross country, Weathers holds the top three record times in the 5K distance and six of the top 10 all-time marks in that distance. Her time of 18:23 at the 2024 Arkansas D3 Championships is the all-time record in that distance. In the 6K distance, Weathers also holds the top three record times, including the top mark of 23:05.65 that she ran in the 2024 SCAC Championships on her way to earning all-conference honors.
In track and field, she holds individual records in the 800 meters (2:25.42) and the 1500 meters (4:52.52) and was on relay teams that hold the records in the 3000, 5000 and 10000 meter relays.
In swimming, she holds school marks in the 50-meter backstroke (29.05) and the 100 backstroke (1:03.49) and was on relay teams that set school records in the 200 and 400 freestyle, and the 200 and 400 medley.
Ozarks swimming coach David DeGeus credits the combination of God-given talent and an unrelenting work ethic for Weathers’
success. He recalled one instance when the swim team returned from winter training in Florida.
“We had a 13-hour bus ride and got back to campus at 2 a.m. in the morning, and Chloe jumped off the bus and did her run workout,” DeGeus said. “That was pretty impressive.”
Her drive to excel is something that DeGeus saw immediately.
“She tackles anything given to her and always wants to do more,” DeGeus said. “She pushes herself and others to be their best. She never misses a practice unless it is for a competition in another sport and always makes it up. She is always early and gives full effort in everything that she does. She does not settle for less and gives everything she has.”
Eagles cross country coach Cash Kunkel said Weathers’ consistency and attention to detail are what sets her apart.
“Chloe shows up every day with the same drive and determination, never letting an obstacle affect her effort,” he said. “She has a strong commitment to doing the little things right— recovery runs, strength work, and preparation—which translates into big results on race day. She’s a runner who never takes shortcuts. Her leadership comes through in how she balances competitiveness with support; she pushes herself while also making sure her teammates feel valued and motivated.”
Weathers said her athletic success didn’t always come easy.
“I remember running during field days in 5th and 6th grades and I always got beat, especially in sprints,” she said. “It wasn’t until I started running longer distances that I started doing well. I remember in the 7th grade I ran in a junior high cross country meet and finished seventh. I was surprised how well I did. That’s when I started gaining confidence.”
Weathers said she gets her competitive spirit from her athleticminded family. Her late grandfather, LeRoy Douglas ‘60, was a standout baseball and basketball player at Ozarks in the 1950s and was elected to the University’s Sports Hall of Fame. After receiving offers from 16 different professional baseball teams, Douglas left Ozarks in 1954 to sign a major league contract with the Detroit
Weathers holds U of O swimming records in the 50-meter backstroke and the 100-meter backstroke. She is also a part of record-holding relay teams in the 200 and 400 freestyle and the 200 and 400 medley.
Tigers. His professional career was cut short after he was hit in the head by a fastball, causing a near-fatal skull fracture. Douglas went on to a successful high school coaching and administrative career.
“I loved hearing his stories about his time playing sports,” Weathers said of Douglas. “My whole family has always been into sports so it just seemed natural that my sister, Macy, and I would get into sports. It’s just something we’ve always done as a family.”
As a three-sport athlete with a perfect 4.0 grade point average in elementary education, there’s little down time for Weathers. Her typical day begins at 5 a.m. with a two-hour swim practice, followed by a full load of classes, a training run of between 5-7 miles, and an evening of homework.
“There are definitely days I feel tired and overwhelmed,” she said. “I just try to stay disciplined and use my time wisely. It helps to make a schedule and plan out each day. I just try to break it off in little chunks and it doesn’t seem so bad.”
On the cross country course, Weathers often starts out slow before surprising her opponents with a late-race surge.
“I seem to do better when I hold back for the first part of the race and then finish strong, so that’s kind of been my strategy,” she said. “My goal is always to run the second half of the race faster than the first.”
Last season was even more special for Weathers because she got the opportunity to compete again with her younger sister, Macy, who was a freshman on the cross country and swim teams.
“I loved having her on campus with me and being able to go through the season with her as a teammate,” Weathers said. “When we train together, it brings out the best in both of us. We’ve got one more year together as teammates and we want to make it a good one.”
Weathers is following in the footsteps of her grandfather, LeRoy Douglas ’60, who was a standout multi-sport athlete for Ozarks in the 1950s and a member of the University’s Sports Hall of Fame.
SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Two ultra-successful coaches were inducted in October 2025 as the newest members of the University of the Ozarks’ Sports Hall of Fame.
DAVE DE HART Coaching
SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Dave De Hart was one of the most successful coaches in U of O 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). Nine of his teams advanced to the post-season. He was named American Southwest Conference Coach of the Year in both 2000 and 2001, and his 2003 team won the ASC Postseason Tournament to advance to the NCAA Division III Championships. His teams won ASC regular season titles in 2000, 2001 and 2007 and finished second in 2002, 2003 and 2006. His 2001 team still owns the program record for most wins in a season (18). De Hart’s teams displayed an explosive offense – the program’s top-five goal scorers played for him – and one of the nation’s best defenses. The program’s all-time leader in goals against average, wins and shutouts were goalkeepers under De Hart. Sixty-four of his players earned all-conference honors during his tenure and 14 of his players earned allregion honors. Seventy-five of his players achieved a spot on the academic all-conference team while five of his teams earned the prestigious NSCAA team academic award. De Hart also served as athletic director for four years at Ozarks.
C.B. “COTTON” HAVENER ’49 Coaching
Carroll Bradford “Cotton” Havener, a 1949 alumnus of Ozarks, was a long-time basketball coach in Arkansas, most notably in Mulberry. He won a total of 2,270 games as a junior and senior high boys and girls coach at different points in a career that spanned from 1945 to 1987. His 1,556 high school victories is the second most ever in Arkansas and among the country’s top-50 in the history of high school coaching. He was named Outstanding Basketball Coach in Arkansas in 1987 and was nominated for the National Basketball Coach of the Year award that same year. He was an Arkansas All-Star head coach, leading the West All-Star basketball teams in 1987. He was named Coach of the Year in his district 28 times. Playing in one of the smallest classifications in Arkansas, Havener’s teams were known for defeating larger teams across the state. His winningest season came on the high school boy’s side in 1965. That same group would win over 90 games in three years. On Dec. 15, 1989, the Mulberry gym was named in his honor. He is a member of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He died in 1990.
SPORTS HALL OF FAME
2025 (Induction Year)
Dave De Hart, coaching
*C.B. “Cotton” Havener ‘49, coaching 2023
Vickie Alston ’86, basketball
Jack Jones ’79, coaching
*George J. “Bubba” Terry ’32, coaching 2021
Patrick “Slick” Baker ’85, track and field
Kara Bartholomew Johnson ’07, softball
Marcus Hampton ’93, basketball
Beverly Hogrefe Massengale ’92, basketball, cross county
2000 inductee Charlie Spoonhour ’61 won more than 550 games as a college basketball coach, including stints at St. Louis University and University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He died in 2012.
Penni Peppas-Burns ’94, a 2002 inductee, scored a school-record 2,170 career points in a stellar four-year career for women’s basketball in the 1990s.
2017 inductee Lindy Swatzell Mantooth ’05 was a standout on the soccer field for the Eagles in the early 2000s. A native of Westwood, Kansas, Swatzell holds nearly every offensive record at Ozarks. She owns the program record for career goals (42), career points (95) and career goals per game (0.63).
EAGLES ATHLETICS
Athletes of the Year
Selected for 2024-25
Senior Demetri Teddlie and junior Chloe Weathers were named the University’s 2024-25 Male and Female Athletes of the Year, respectively.
Weathers, from Clarksville, Ark., won the athletic department’s top award for the second straight year. During the 2024-25 season, she excelled at cross country, swim and track. In cross country, she was named all-conference and broke her own school 6K record, running a 23:05.65. She also broke her own school 5K record during the season with a time of 18:23 and represented the Eagles at the NCAA III Regional Cross Country Championships in Rock Island, Illinois.
In swimming, Weathers owns school records in the 50 backstroke and 100 backstroke. She is a member SCAC Honor Roll and University’s President’s list. She was named to the SCAC All-Sportsmanship Team.
Teddlie, from Shreveport, La., was named the top men’s student-athlete in his first season on campus. Teddlie qualified for the 2025 NCAA III National Championships and was ranked among the NCAA III top wrestlers in the 157-pound weight class all season. He won the individual St. Louis Intercollegiate Conference title while helping the program win its second straight conference championship. For his efforts, he was named to the All-Conference First Team.
Teddlie owned 26 wins and was named SLIAC Wrestler of the Week multiple times. He ended the year ranked No. 10 in NCAA III. At the NCAA III National Championships, he finished among the top-12.
Clay Target Team Shines at National Shooting Events
The University of the Ozarks’ clay target team claimed a pair of national top 10 finishes during the 2024-25 academic year.
The Eagles finished third as a team at the SCTP International Trap National Championships in Ohio in July. In March, the team took ninth place in the ACUI/SCTP Clay Target National Championships in San Antonio, Texas.
In the SCTP event, Ozarks shot a team score of 287 for third place. Leading the way for Ozarks was Tyler Treadway (105), Kinley Cox (91) and Daton Pinkston (91). Treadway was third overall at the competition. Pinkston was eighth overall and Cox was fourth among the women’s competitors. All three of those shooters were named to the SCTP National Team for their performances.
At the ACUI/SCTP Clay Target National Championships, the Eagles had a score of 2687, good for ninth overall in the Division 2 category. More than 1,200 shooters competed in the four-day event. The Eagles finished among the top-10 in American Skeet, American Trap, American Doubles Trap and Doubles American Skeet.
The top scorers for Ozarks were Daton Pinkston for the men with a score of 540 and Joelle Peterson for the women with a score of 475. Riley Walerak of Ozarks finished national runnerup in Class B American Skeet and Class A Doubles Trap.
“I was pround of how our team competed on the national stage headto-head against the best shooters in the country,” said head coach Lance Brown. “The competition brought out their best and they represented the University well.”
Wrestling Team Claims Second Straight SLIAC Title
The Eagles won their second straight St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Men’s Wrestling Championship in February in front of their home crowd in Mabee Gymnasium.
Under Head Coach Vinny Barber, the Eagles, ranked No. 24 in NCAA III, once again proved too strong for their SLIAC opponents, winning by a large margin against second-place Westminster College (137.5 to 90).
“We have a really, really special group of guys and that showed today,” said Barber. “Our guys really care about each other. They want to see each other win. We were excited to do this at home and show our people we could defend the title. We had some expectations going into the championships and we had to work on removing some pressure from them. Today was an amazing example of how they handle pressure and the big moment.”
The Eagles had seven wrestlers advance to the finals and each won the individual conference titles: Shelton Chastain (125), Javin Douglas (133), Zander Payne (141), Hayden Rofkahr (149), Demetri Teddlie (157), Airamis Mendoza (165) and Gabriel Sheikh (174).
“It feels amazing that we had seven guys win titles,” said Barber. “Our 141 and 149 guys propelled us. I am proud of the guys and their work. It was an electric performance and electric environment to have seven guys in the finals and that’s special.”
Douglas was named SLIAC Freshman of the Year. The Eagles coaching staff won SLIAC Coaching Staff of the Year.
New Coaches Join Athletic Program
The University of the Ozarks’ Athletic Department welcomed eight new head coaches to campus heading into the 202525 academic year.
(Pictured, from left) Cash Kunkel, cross country and track; Nate Williams, men’s basketball; Nathan Rankin ‘23, men’s wrestling; Natalia Burdulis, women’s volleyball; David Kuhn, women’s softball; Wyatt McCaghren ‘24, men’s and women’s clay target; and Seth McDowell, women’s basketball. Not pictured, Brad Jones, men’s and women’s tennis.
Cash Kunkel
Kunkel was named interim cross country coach in August following a standout career at Arkansas State University where he was all-conference in both cross country and track during his collegiate running career. He served as a volunteer track and field coach at ASU during the 2024-2025 season.
Nate Williams
A native of Pennsylvania, Williams most recently served as assistant coach at NCAA Division I Wofford College. Before Wofford, Williams was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Emmanuel College in Georgia, helping the Lions to a Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship and an NCAA Division II Tournament appearance in 2023.
Nathan Rankin ‘23
A 2023 business administration graduate of Ozarks, Rankin was a four-year standout on the wrestling mat and the cross country course, advancing to the NCAA National Championships in both sports. Rankin served as the head assistant coach for wrestling two seasons, helping Ozarks to a pair of conference championships.
Natalia Burdulis
Burdulis was named the first head coach for the new women’s volleyball program in January. A native of Maple Valley, Washington, she most recently coached at NCAA II Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico. Prior to that, Burdulis was an assistant coach at NCAA II Fort Lewis College in Colorado and at her alma mater, NCAA III Pacific University (Ore.), for two seasons.
David Kuhn
Kuhn was named head softball coach in August. A native of Greenville, Miss., Kuhn has more than 800 career victories and is the winningest coach at both University of Central Arkansas (UCA) and
Delta State University. He has 27 years of collegiate coaching experience at the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and National Junior College Athletic Association levels. He has posted 30-plus winning seasons 17 times as a head coach.
Wyatt McCaghren ‘24
A 2024 communication studies graduate of Ozarks, McCaghren was named co-head coach of the men’s and women’s clay target teams in June. McCaghren ended his career as one of the top shooters in program history, winning multiple individual titles while being a part of national championship teams. He was named an ACUI/SCTP All-American in 2023. He joins Lance Brown as co-coache of the men’s and women’s teams
Seth McDowell
McDowell comes to Ozarks after a successful stint at NCAA Division III Knox College in Illinois. A native of Jackson, Mo., McDowell also was head coach at St. Louis Community College and Harris-Stowe State University prior to Knox. He also served as the assistant coach at Harris-Stowe and Missouri Baptist University.
Brad Jones
Jones was selected to lead the tennis program at Ozarks over the summer after a successful six-year tenure leading NCAA Division III Brevard College in North Carolina. During his time at Brevard, Jones guided the Tornados to three consecutive USA South Conference Tournaments. He also coached at Bethany College (W.V.).
Making Ozarks History
The University’s new women’s volleyball team made Ozarks history this fall as the Eagles took the court for intercollegiate matches for the first time. The Eagles, under the direction of head coach Natalia Burdulis, won their first-ever match, a 3-1 victory over Williams Baptist University on Sept. 2, 2025, in Mabee Gymnasium.
THE HEART OF A HEALER:
ONE WOMAN’S LIFELONG CALL TO SERVE
Q & A WITH ANGELA (WARD) FOSTER ’91
When Angela (Ward) Foster ’91 signed up for the Army Reserves, she had no idea she was enlisting in a lifetime of adventure. From the deserts of the Gulf War to the halls of Walter Reed and the jungles of Honduras, she answered the call. Along the way, she rose to the rank of colonel, built a career in nursing, and came full circle—back home in Arkansas, still serving on the frontlines of rural healthcare.
When Angela (Ward) Foster ’91 joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 1987 at the age of 19 to help pay for college, she had no idea the impact that decision would have on her life and career. She went on to a 34-year career in the Army Reserves and Arkansas National Guard, retiring in 2021 as a colonel. During her time in the military, she had four deployments: the first as part of Desert Storm in 1991, then to Germany in 2003, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 2006, and Honduras in 2017. Before she retired from the military in 2021, Angela served as the chief observer controller/trainer in the 7307th Medical Training Support Battalion. Operating at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, she and her unit prepared combat hospitals for a war environment. A native of the small Ozark Mountains township of Red Star, Ark., Angela is the oldest of four daughters and became the first in her family to attend college when she enrolled at Ozarks in the mid-1980s. After graduating with a biology degree, she went on to earn an associate’s nursing degree from Westark Community College, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Arkansas Tech University and a master’s degree in nursing from University of Central Arkansas. Once she earned her associate’s degree, she was able to take a direct commission within the Army Reserves, becoming a second lieutenant. She continued making advancements in her military career and attained the rank of colonel in 2017. For the past 15 years she has served as an advanced practice nurse practitioner (APRN) with Conway Regional’s Mayflower (Ark.) Medical Clinic. Working in a rural health care clinic, she cares for patients from ages 2 and up. She and her husband Rodney, a 1991 graduate of Ozarks, met at the University and were married on Jan. 19, 1991. The Fosters reside in Conway, Ark., and have two grown children, Samantha Foster-Gray and John Lucas Foster.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP IN RED STAR, ARKANSAS?
It was wonderful. In hindsight, I definitely learned the distinction between needs and wants, and the value of hard work. My mother was someone I really admired because she worked so very hard to support and raise four daughters. I get my work ethic and my values from her. I was the oldest of four girls on a 200-acre farm that had cattle and hay and we had plenty of things that had to get done, so my work ethic just kind of came naturally. Growing up in Red Star also reinforced the importance of family and I think because of that my immediate family is very close to each other.
YOU WERE THE FIRST IN YOUR FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?
I knew going to college was the only way out from up there. You were either going to work at a chicken or turkey processing plant after high school, which I did a couple of times during the summers, or you were going to go to college. I knew I didn’t want to work at a processing plant for the rest of my life, so college was always on my radar. There wasn’t a plan and you didn’t have a counselor or anybody to help you plot out anything. It was just something you figured out as you went. My recruiter at Ozarks, Francis Pitts, was a grandfatherly type man and he was vey helpful. Being the first to go to college in my family wasn’t as big a deal or focus as it is now. It was just, ‘hey, she made it.’ And then my younger sister Shannon came to Ozarks and graduated in 1993.
DESCRIBE THE IMPACT THAT SERVING IN THE MILITARY HAS HAD ON YOUR LIFE AND CAREER:
There are not enough words to describe within one simple response the impact the military has had on my life. I served for just over 33 years so for over half my lifetime. I entered military service as a 19-year-old from Red Star, Arkansas, who, honestly, was afraid of my own shadow. After serving in the military in the Army Reserves, the Arkansas National Guard and being mobilized and deployed several times, I can say that I am no longer afraid of my own shadow. It shaped everything that I now am—how I am as a nurse, how I am as a wife and mother, as well as a sister and friend.
WHAT WAS THE KEY TO ACHIEVING THE RANK OF COLONEL ?
I seemed to make rank pretty easy every time. I think the key was that I was always prepared when the opportunity presented itself. Like we’ve always told our kids, success is when preparation meets opportunity. As my husband says, I was just laser-focused. He also jokes that when I get home, I don’t always pay attention to detail, but in my work and in my career I always seemed to be focused.
WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT SERVING OVERSEAS?
There were many moments. If I had to choose one it would be the one where I realized that nursing was who I was supposed to be, not just what I did. That occurred in Landstuhl, Germany, in 2003.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT HEALTHCARE WAS YOUR CALLING?
I was deployed to Germany in 2003 during the first part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. We had opened Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and were on the ground waiting for soldiers when the first bombs hit Baghdad. We watched it happen on the news, and 8 to 12 hours later we were taking care of the soldiers. This was the first time I did actual military nursing. It made us all at that time evaluate what we were doing and why we were doing it and for the first time I realized I was
doing what I was meant to do. I realized that this is what I am, not just what I do …. Those men and women lying there were heroes. It was the process of taking care of young soldiers and realizing they were my babies. They were my family. That’s the beautiful thing about the military: we are a family. Even a perfect stranger, if they are wearing this uniform and they need you, you take care of them; they are one of your own. I got the most satisfaction I’ve ever gotten out of anything I’ve ever done.
WHAT DID THE DEPLOYMENTS TELL YOU ABOUT YOURSELF?
I learned that I can do the hard things.
HOW AND WHY DID YOU GET INTO NURSING?
When I finished school, I was working as a lab tech at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville (Ark.). I worked closely with the emergency room and was drawn to nursing. One of the nurses there, Jan Fletcher, became a mentor to me then and she still is to this day. I was deployed in Desert Storm in 1991, and when I came back, Jan and my husband, Rodney, had signed me up for nursing school. All I had to do was add my signature. Many people ask me how I went from nursing to the Army, but the Army came first. I didn’t actually love being a nurse for a long time. I went to nursing school not for the reason that most people give—stating that they had always wanted to be a nurse and help people. I just knew that nursing would give me a job and job security. I had always heard that nursing was something you had to fall in love with to do, but I had to do it to fall in love with it.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A NURSE PRACTITIONER?
Becoming a nurse practitioner was a natural progression of my professional self. Before starting on my master’s program at UCA—while working full time, still very active in the reserves and a mother to two small kids—my motto became “work smarter, not harder.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF BEING A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER?
I love connecting with people and just helping them realize that some of the those issues that seem too big and overwhelming, and therefore scary, can actually be managed quite well.
IF YOU COULD GIVE PEOPLE ONE PIECE OF GENERAL HEALTHCARE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Exercise is the fountain of youth—stay active.
WHAT CLASS OR PROFESSOR AT OZARKS MADE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Dr. Ruby Reynolds—she was the best advisor. She was kind and understanding, but also challenged me to grow outside my comfort zone. She was one of the first people I met at Ozarks and she just kind of had a way of wrapping her arms around me and taking care of me. She’d even make me beans and cornbread when I’d get homesick. Dr. John Bridgeman also made an impression. He was so smart and had a way of teaching that spoke to me. As a biology major, I had him for almost all my advanced classes.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT AT OZARKS?
I have to say it was when I was deployed for Desert Storm. Rodney and I were married and living off-campus. I had just gotten my telephone notice that I was being deployed. I went up on campus to find my sister, Shannon, to tell her the news. I was scared and tearful, as any 23-year-old would be in that circumstance. There were no cell phones in those days. Everyone was on alert tracking my sister down so that she could get to her dorm as soon as possible for me to share what was at the time very scary news with her. There were lots of hugs and tears on campus that day.
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU AND RODNEY FIRST MEET AT OZARKS?
He was helping show 12 new students around when I came for my campus visit. That was April 17, 1986. I remember that day because it was my mother’s birthday.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO IS CONSIDERING A CAREER IN HEALTHCARE?
You will always have a job. It might not be the pay you want and it might not be the hours you’d prefer, but you will always have a job.
YOU’VE VOLUNTEERED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS. WHY IS THIS CAUSE IMPORTANT TO YOU?
I was drawn to it by peers who were very involved and after working many years in emergency rooms I had seen many instances where a person, man or woman, could not leave a harmful situation without assistance. I wanted to be part of the assistance that gave them choices to remove themselves from the violence.
WHAT TO YOU DO TO RELAX AND RELIEVE STRESS?
I read. I have always read a lot. My brain gets tired as I have gotten older and reading helps me to escape for a little while. Exercising— walking in particular, helps with stress.
2025 Alumni Award WINNERS
The University of the Ozarks Alumni Association recognized four of the University’s distinguished graduates with its 2025 alumni honors during the Ozarks Awards Ceremony during Homecoming in October.
Alumni Merit Award KELLY ROBINS ’03
Kelly Robins of Reno, Nev., is the recipient of the 2025 Alumni Merit Award for meritorious work on behalf of his alma mater. Earlier this year, the former Eagles soccer player made a $127,500 gift for the soccer press box in the University’s new Wilson Athletic Complex.
Originally from Arkadelphia, Ark., Robins earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Ozarks in 2003 before going on to earn an MBA from the University of Nevada, Reno. He is the general manager for New Millennium, a Steel Dynamics company, in Reno. After graduating from Ozarks, Robins began his career as an international steel trader for Commercial Metals Company in Dallas, Texas, before working for a renewable energy company. He has worked for New Millennium since 2010, serving as district sales manager and sales manager before being promoted to GM in 2020.
Young Alumni Achievement Award GEOSHAN LEE ’20
Geoshan Lee is the recipient of the 2025 Young Alumni Achievement Award, given to an alumnus under the age of 35 who has gained recognition in his or her chosen profession. After graduating with high academic honors from U of O with a degree in communications and media studies, Lee went on to earn a degree in photography from John Brown University. In 2024, he was appointed festival director of the Ozark Media Arts Festival (OMAF) in Springdale, Ark., following a media internship with Springdale Public Schools. Currently, Lee serves as a media specialist at FaveKad in Penang, Malaysia— Asia’s leading platform for culturally themed digital e-cards. His photography, featured in more than 400 published designs, plays a key role in preserving and promoting Asian heritage through visual storytelling that reaches diverse audiences.
Alumni Achievement Award CHIE ISHII-LOSINGER ’86
Chie Ishii-Losinger received the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding recognition in her chosen professional field. IshiiLosinger is an acclaimed pianist, composer, author, and producer. Born in Japan, she moved to the U.S. at 19 to study piano performance at the then College of the Ozarks and Berklee College of Music. During her freshman year, she won first prize in the Arkansas College Student Piano Competition. After graduating, she directed the YAMAHA Music School in Arkansas before advancing her career in Japan, England, and Germany. In 1997, she became the first artist in Europe to record an audio DVD with her album Berlin Affair. In her career, she has released four solo albums, published seven music books, and launched the ALWRITE project, arranging compositions that brought solace to listeners during the pandemic.
Young Alumni Service Award JAKE HOLLAND ‘20
Jake Holland is the recipient of the 2025 Young Alumni Service Award, which recognizes an alumnus who is at least five years out from graduation and under 35 years of age, has been active in alumni activities, and has demonstrated loyalty to the University. Holland earned a degree in communications and was also a member of the baseball team at Ozarks. Shortly after graduating, Jake moved to Fayetteville, Ark., where he worked in logistics before returning to Ozarks as the associate director of alumni engagement. In that role, he spent two and a half years strengthening alumni relations through events, philanthropy, and digital outreach. He is currently a member of the Alumni Board of Directors. He now serves as the communications and community engagement specialist for the City of Sugar Land, Texas.
2025 Donor Award WINNERS
The Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement presented its 2025 philanthropy and friends awards during the Ozarks Awards Ceremony in October.
Alumni Legacy Award
FRED ’68 AND ANDREA (ANDERSON) ’68 ROMO
Fred Romo ’68 and Andrea (Anderson Betnar) Romo ’68 of Ozark, Ark., have been married for 30 years and been steadfast supporters of the University for nearly three decades, contributing to the Ozarks Annual Fund and other campaigns. Both have also served their alma mater—Fred as a member of the Board of Trustees and Andrea as a member of the Alumni Association Board. A native of Cuba, Fred is retired from Whirlpool Corporation and Andrea is a retired teacher.
Pay It Forward Award
MIKE AND SUSIE POWELL
Mike and Susie Powell of Clarksville, recipients of the 2025 Pay It Forward Award, recently established the Ben Powell ’00 Faculty Enhancement for Science Endowment in memory of their son, Ben. This endowment will assist the University with recruitment and retention of science faculty. The Powells have also supported the Wilson Sports Complex, Wilson Science Center, Ozarks Annual Fund and the Student Emergency Fund. Mike is a trustee at Ozarks.
MICHAEL LAUGHTER
Michael Laughter of Little Rock, Ark., is a recipient of the 2025 Pay It Forward Award, given to an individual or a family “who has made a difference in the lives of others through leadership, unselfish giving and direct financial support of the mission of University of the Ozarks.” Within the past year, Laughter has established both the Doug and Patricia Laughter Endowed Scholarship in honor of his parents and the annual Michael Laughter Student Award for Media Production. He has also supported the University’s Communication Studies program.
Emerging Philanthropist Award
TAYLOR JACKS ‘12
Taylor Jacks ‘12 of Little Rock, Ark., has supported Ozarks for 10 consecutive years through programs such as the License Plate Program, Ozarks Annual Fund and the Presbytery of Arkansas Scholarship. He is a producer at Waymack and Crew, a nationally recognized content production company based in Little Rock. At Ozarks, Jacks earned a triple major in Radio/Television/Video communications, accounting, and marketing. Since 2021, he has served on the Alumni Board.
MORGAN (GOATES) JACKSON ‘12
Morgan (Goates) Jackson ‘12 of Fayetteville, Ark., has also supported Ozarks for 10 consecutive years through the Ozarks Annual Fund, the Aerie Club and the Wilson Athletic Complex. She currently serves as senior director of international transportation and global logistics at Walmart, leading a diverse global team and managing complex supply chains across multiple countries. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ozarks before going on to earn an MBA from Arkansas State University.
EMILY TOWE ‘12
Emily Towe ‘12 of Little Rock, Ark., an attorney at Reddick Law Firm, has supported her alma mater for eight years, including through the License Plate Program, the Ozarks Annual Fund and the Wilson Athletic Complex. Originally from Cabot, Ark., Towe graduated Magna Cum Laude from U of O with a degree in political science. She later graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law in May of 2021. She serves on the U of O Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Community Champion Award CURRAN’S ABSTRACT AND TITLE
Curran’s Abstract and Title of Clarksville is the recipient of the 2025 Community Champion Award. Curran’s was established in 1978 by Armil O. Curran Sr. and Lura Curran. For 25 years the Currans built a reputation for accuracy, integrity, and dedicated service to the community. In 2003, their son, A.O. Curran, and his wife, Pat, took over the business, continuing the family’s tradition of excellence. In 2023, A.O. and Pat passed the torch to Ethan and CharLee Rogers, both 2012 graduates of Ozarks. A.O. Curran is a member of the University’s Board of Trustees.
HOMECOMING 2024
CLASS NOTES
Horner Askins ’65 of Springfield, Mo., was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. Askins has been involved in high school sports in Missouri since 1965. That year, he got his start as a head basketball coach at Marionville High School, compiling a 45-26 record in three seasons. He then started the football, basketball and track & field programs for Pleasant View Middle School, a part of Springfield Public Schools. Askins soon was recruited to teach and coach at Kickapoo High School when it opened in 1971. He later resigned from coaching football in order to start the school’s cross country program in 1979, staying nearly a decade in that role. He went on to become an official for track and cross country for 20 years.
Scarlett (Winfrey) Morris ’86 recently retired after teaching choral music for 40 years. She and her husband, David Morris ’83, reside in Mountainburg, Ark. The couple celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary in September.
Shirley Kiefer ’90 has been named principal at St. Joseph Catholic School in Paris, Ark., a position she held previously for 10 years. Kiefer, who earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Central Arkansas, has been a teacher in the school district for the past two years after serving as the school principal. She has also taught in Fort Smith, Ark., and at Subiaco Academy in Arkansas.
Samantha Snyder Carpenter ’97 joined the Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative as the Virtual Arkansas concurrent credit principal in August.
Matt David ’01 was named president of North America and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for Crypto.com in December of 2024. David has been a member of the Crypto.com executive team since 2021, serving as chief communications officer. In his new role, David will continue to oversee global communications and government affairs as chief corporate affairs officer in addition to his responsibilities as president of North America.
Lonnie R. Qualls Field
The University recognized the family of long-time Ozarks coach, administrator and instructor Lonnie Qualls ’55 in February as the Eagles opened the 2025 season at Lonnie R. Qualls Field in the new Wilson Athletic Complex. Lonnie’s widow, long-time Ozarks professor Levada Qualls ’55, was honored with roses from the players and their son, Bryan Qualls ‘95, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to open the season. After a standout athletic career at Ozarks, Lonnie Qualls went on to hold teaching and coaching positions at the University for 29 years. He was one of the first inductees into the Ozarks Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and the University named the baseball field after him in 2005. Lonnie passed away in 2023.
Dr. Shawn Adams ’02 is living in Northwest Arkansas and working as a doctor of physical therapy and owner of Body Mechanix Sports Medicine and Recovery in Fayetteville, Ark.
Chris Bright ’04 was named the head baseball coach of Brownwood (Texas) High School. He had been the head baseball coach at Brazos High School in Wallis, Texas, since 2020. He and his wife, Brittain, have three children.
Ana (Saldivar) Echegoyen ’04 was named the chief marketing, communications & digital officer of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary in Bentonville, Ark., in March. She has more than 15 years of global experience in strategic marketing, digital integration, and audience engagement to the institution. She will lead the brand strategy and communications division, which includes a full suite of marketing, public relations, content, creative, and digital strategy responsibilities. For many years, Echegoyen served as an executive strategy consultant, guiding global brands in positioning and retail strategy. She has held leadership roles at Tracy Locke and Saatchi & Saatchi
Thresa (Fereck) Brown ‘85 retired this past summer after 40 years of teaching, including the past 38 years at her alma mater, Booneville (Ark.) High School. Pictured with her husband, Lance, and two of their grandsons, Thresa taught various business-related subjects, including word processing, entrepreneurship, desktop publishing, website development, and digital marketing. She also served as either lead or assistant advisor of FBLA for 40 years, was the yearbook advisor for 18 years, and was homecoming coordinator at Booneville for 38 years. Thresa and Lance celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this past summer and have two children and three grandchildren. Their daughter, Grace, a 2018 Ozarks graduate, took Thresa’s place as the new business teacher at Booneville in 2025.
X. Her husband, David Echegoyen ’03, is managing director and operating partner with Cove Hill Partners.
Gabriela Flores ’04 was recently named the vice president of marketing for AmerCareRoyal (ACR) in Exton, Penn.
Aaron ’10 and Falon (Hanson) Brueckner ’19, welcomed their first child, Ada Kay, to the family on Aug. 26, 2025. Falon, head girls soccer coach at Russellville (ArK.) High School, was named head coach of the West team in the 2025 Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Girls Soccer Game. She led the Russellville Cyclones to their first-ever undefeated regular season and to the Class 5A state semifinals this past season.
Dr. Amy Patton ’10 was recently named the new laboratory director of the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory. She previously worked in the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) in Dover, DE.
Briar (Vona) Hughes ’11 was recently named a joint strategic intelligence planner for the U.S. Army in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in Virginia.
Dr. Lacey Mainer ’12 earned a doctorate in physical therapy from UAMS in June. Lanier made a rare perfect score on her National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), taken at the end of July. The UAMS DPT program is based at the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus in Fayetteville, Ark.
Dr. Alma Arredondo Lopez Johnston ’19 earned her doctorate in human development and family science in May from Oklahoma State University. She is shown with her husband Konner ‘18. Alma began working as postdoctoral researcher in social work at the University of Arkansas in July.
Kelsey (Ramsey) Cowan ’13 and her husband, Allen, welcomed daughter Cora Rylee to the family on July 11, 2025. She joins older brother River.
David James ’13 and his wife, Keely, welcomed a baby girl, Faye James, to the family on Dec. 12, 2024. They live in Nixa, Mo., where David is a teacher and coach.
Austin Benner ’15 is the branding solutions manager for NCR Atleos in Frisco, Texas, area. He has worked for the company since 2020.
Andrew Cummings ’15 and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed twins, Carter Lloyd and Harper Renee, to the family on July 10, 2025. The family lives in Dallas, Texas.
Nena (Evans) Hammer ’15 was named the interim executive director of the Spring Creek Food Hub in Springdale, Ark., in July. She had previously served as director of operations at the organization.
Clayton Rogers ’16 and his wife, Sarah, welcomed a new baby, H.J., to the family on Feb. 12, 2025. The family lives in Petaluma, Calif.
Sarah (Scroggins) Clark ’17 and husband, Mitchell, welcomed their second boy, Kason Joe, to the family on Aug. 4, 2025. He joins older brother Aaron Grant.
Josh Ferrell ’17 was named head boys basketball coach at his high school alma mater, West Fort, Ark., in August. He served as head boys basketball coach for two seasons at Lincoln, Ark., and as an
assistant at Rogers (Ark.) High School last year.
Alejandra Arreaga Urizar ’17 was recently promoted to head of secondary inclusion at Northbridge International School Cambodia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She has been at the school since 2024 and previously taught in Spain.
Aubrey Siess Williams ’17 is living in Tulsa, Okla., with her husband, Andrew. The Williamses were married in September 2024. Williams, who earned a master’s degree in strategic communications and digital strategy from University of Oklahoma in 2024, is working as a designer and client manager for The Inviting Place.
Keshawn Franklin ’18 is living in Highland, Calif., where he works as a behavior technician for Amergis.
Jeremy Jacobs ’18 and his wife, Brianna, welcomed a son, Kirby Clark, to the family on Oct. 23, 2024. The family resides in Fayetteville, Ark.
Dr. Chesney Skaggs ’18 recently joined the medical staff at Baxter Health in Mountain Home, Ark. Skaggs completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Northwest in Fayetteville, Ark., where she trained extensively in acute and chronic care management in inpatient settings. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from UAMS in Little Rock in 2022.
The family of Dennis Frala, Class of 1976, visited campus in July to place a brick in the Alumni Brick Plaza in honor of his memory. Dennis Frala’s wife, Patty Merrywell Frala ‘88, and his siblings, Linda Frala Bradley ‘84, Michael Frala ‘73 and Gary Frala ‘80, are all Ozarks alumni as are other in-laws. Among those family members who attended the brick placement included, (pictured, from left) Gary Bradley ‘84; Michael Frala ‘73; Gary Frala ‘80; Linda Frala Bradley ‘84; Laura Jenkins Frala ‘92; Patty Merrywell Frala ‘88; Christopher Frala (Dennis’s son); and Tabitha Frala Hoyt. Dennis Frala, who lived in Fort Smith, Ark., died on Sept. 22, 2024, at the age of 71.
Adam Winter ’18 was named the new head baseball coach at Fort Smith (Ark.) Northside High School in July. Winter spent three seasons at Subiaco Academy, where his leadership resulted in nine new program records. He then took over at Southside High School in Batesville, Ark., where he elevated the program to new heights over the past three years. While at Southside, Winter was a two-time conference coach of the year and led the Southerners to their first district tournament championship since 1986. Winter and his wife, Ashlyn, have one daughter, Rory.
Vinny Barber ’19 was named the head men’s wrestling coach for the new program at University of Lynchburg (Va.) in April 2025. He previously served as both assistant and head coach for the men’s wrestling program at Ozarks, leading the Eagles to consecutive conference titles in 2024-25.
Clay Conley ’19 was named the new girls’ basketball coach at Quinton (Okla.) High School this summer. In the spring, he led the Hammon (Okla.) High School girls team to the Oklahoma Class B state championship. Conley went 51-11 in two seasons coaching at Hammon.
Emilie “Weave” (Williams) Moenickheim ’19 in July was named senior admissions recruiter for the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Dr. Alec Mertin ’19 and Kaylanii (Loudon) Mertin ’20 are living in Loundonville, N.Y., where Alec is working as a visiting professor of mathematics at Skidmore College and Kaylanii is a residence hall director at Siena College. Alec completed a Ph.D. In mathematical sciences from Clemson University in August of 2025 and Kaylanii earned an M.Ed. in student affairs from Clemson in May of 2025.
Julio Molina Pineda ’19 earned his Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology during the spring of 2025. His dissertation was titled, “Leveraging Natural Variation in Yeast to Understand Susceptibility Differences in Parkinson’s Disease.”
Breyden ’19 and Joelle “Jo” (Long) Varner ’20 welcomed their first child, Palmer Rose, to the family on July 24, 2024. The family lives in Coweta, Okla.
Kaenan ’20 and Grace (Millar) Nix ’21 of Whitehouse, Texas, welcomed a baby girl, Rosie Jean, to the family on Feb. 19, 2025.
Ethan Bowman ’21 was named the head boys’ basketball coach at Clarksville High School in June of 2025. He previously coached girls at Mansfield (Ark.) High School.
Divina Cox ’21 is in her second year in the Ph.D. program in geography at University of California Santa Barbara. She is serving as a graduate student researcher under the Climate Resilience Fund project, led by her advisor, Dr. Ian Walker. Their work focuses on monitoring, studying, and mapping coastal dunes, using them as a nature-based solution to enhance resilience along the California coast. Earlier this year, she was awarded a $15,000 grant to begin her dissertation research. This past summer, she was in The Bahamas focusing on understanding coastal change in New
Ken Nelson ’66 and Pansy (King) Nelson ’65 of Clarksville, Ark., celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on July 18, 2025. Pansy is retired from the Clarksville School District, Gretchen’s Gift Shop and Whitson-Morgan Motor Company. Ken retired from Tyson Foods in 2021 after 55 years in the poultry business. The Nelsons are parents of two children, Angie Hewat and Josh Nelson, and have seven grandchildren.
Providence — a project that combines science with community-based monitoring and conservation. She earned a master’s degree in environmental science from the University of West Florida.
Riki Haase ’21 is living in Lorena, Texas, and working as a family law attorney for R. Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee PLLC. Haase graduated from Baylor Law School in April of 2024 and passed the bar exam in July of 2024.
Logan Harderson ’22 graduated with a juris doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law in May of 2025 and passed the bar exam in July. He plans to pursue a career as an attorney in the Arkansas River Valley.
Hannah Warren ’22 started a new job in January at Hill’s Pet Nutrition in Topeka, Kansas as an animal care and research technician.
Nicholas Bennett ’24 recently joined Edie Bailly LLP in Oklahoma City, Okla., as a tax associate. He is pursuing a master’s degree in accounting from Oklahoma City University.
Claudia Garcia ’24 was recently hired as a kindergarten teacher at Northside Elementary in Siloam Springs, Ark., for the 2025-26 academic year.
Daniel Hicks ’24 is working as an individual placement and support specialist for Family & Children’s Services in Tulsa, Okla.
Evan Hoffmeyer ‘07 (right) was named the 2024 Association Professional of the Year by the Indiana Society of Association Executives at an awards ceremony held in Indianapolis in December of 2024. Hoffmeyer is the vice president of communications for the Indiana Bankers Association.
He is also pursuing a graduate degree in counseling from Northeastern State University.
Cinthia Ortega ’24 and her husband, Alex Ramírez, welcomed a daughter, Maru Valentina Ramirez Ortega, to the family on Nov. 26, 2024. The family lives in Clarksville.
Robert Pope ’24 is in his second year as an assistant soccer coach at Lyon College in Batesville, Ark. In March of 2018, Pope joined the U.S. Air Force as Security Forces and was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base. He was deployed in June of 2020 to Qatar for six months. He completed his four-year commitment and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in March of 2022. He went back to U of O for the fall 2022 semester and was a volunteer assistant coach for the men’s soccer team from 2022-23.
Daisy Woodbury ’24 works as a project stage manager for Entertainment Consumer Events at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Fla.
Tanner Russell ’25 is working as a coach and teacher at Clarksville High School, where he did his student internship in 202425.
Christel (Bishop) Thompson ’93 of Clarksville, Ark., retired this past summer after 32 years in education. She began her teaching career in Lamar, Ark., in 1994 before moving to the Clarksville School District in 1998. She moved into administration in 2007, first serving as assistant principal at Clarksville Elementary School and moving to principal in 2012. Christel is married to Greg Thompson ’91. “My 32 years in education has been a fantastic career,” she said. “I look forward to slow morning reads, continuing to serve on the Clarksville City Council, and traveling in retirement.”
Black ’15 Living Her Dream in WNBA
Emily Black’s childhood career dream hasn’t quite come true yet, but the University of the Ozarks marketing graduate has landed pretty close to her target in the decade since graduating.
The Clarksville, Ark., native grew up watching the WNBA on television and dreaming of someday being the commissioner of the women’s professional basketball league. Today, the 2015 U of O graduate is living in New York City and working in the front office for the WNBA as the business development lead.
“Other than my parents and grandparents, nothing inspired me more as a kid than the WNBA,” Black said in a recent interview. “I loved basketball growing up — my parents aren’t sports fans so they still ponder where my passion came from — and I played in junior high and high school. Watching the WNBA and seeing women excel on the court, as well as women leading the league’s business off the court, made me feel like I could do it too someday. I used to dream of being the commissioner of the WNBA, and now I sit just a few feet outside of the commissioner’s office.”
As the business development lead for
Jack Thorp ’96 was named in August as the Oklahoma Bar Association Prosecutor of the Year for 2025. Thorp is the district attorney for District 27 in Oklahoma. The award is based on nominations from criminal defense attorneys throughout the state. A 27year career prosecutor, Thorp received the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association’s David L. Moss Award for District Attorney of the Year in 2020 and 2023. He has served as district attorney for District 27 since 2017.
the WNBA, Black is responsible for generating revenue through the sale of large-scale marketing partnerships, or sponsorship sales. She helps identify prospects uniquely aligned to the WNBA’s mission and values, conduct sales outreach and host meetings with senior-level marketing decision-makers at brands and agencies.
Black has worked with the WNBA since 2023 and has been a part of an amazing growth spurt that has seen the league become one of the fastest-growing brands in the world. Since 2023, attendance has grown by 50 percent, television viewership has grown by more than 150 percent and merchandise sales are up 600 percent.
for their entertaining and unconventional style
Blake Benson ’22 is a pitcher for the Savannah Party Animals, a colorful, barn-storming professional baseball team known
of play.
Visiting Alumni in Central America
In June, University President Richard Dunsworth and several U of O administrators held alumni events in four Central American countries to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Walton International Scholarship Program. Among the alumni and current students who attended in Guatemala were lvia Aracely Yax ’23, Andrea Alonzo ’22, Xavier Ruiz ’20, Diana Morataya ’03 Katherinn Chamale ’19, Manuel Sac ’19, Laura Calderon ’15, Miguel Angel Quisquina ’23, Diana Perez ’17, Anaeli Rodas ’15, Mario Garcia ’98, Gabriela Tovar ’01, Jose Aldana ’98, Alyssa Langel (director of alumni engagement), Lester Alvarado ’93, Raquel Castellanos ’24, Alfredo Lemus ’10, Yenifer Cancax ’25, David Polanco ’28, Daniela Lepe ’28, Gabriel Mendoza ’27, Nicole England ’18 (director of Walton Scholars Program), Pablo Cospin ’29, Yohanna Velasquez ’26, Kelly Arango ’24, Richard Dunsworth, Elisa Coy ’25, Jorge Dieguez ’06, Gladis Yessenia Alvarez ’20, Jeremy Vasquez ’29, Lorenzo Bac ’18, Luis Medrano ’14, Mitzy Rivas ’29 and Aaron England ’16.
In Mexico, those attending were Juan Pablo Vivar Jordan ’04, Alyssa Langel, Daniel del Moral Diaz ’26, Richard Dunsworth, Nicole England ’18, Alfredo Garcia ’06, Fernanda Martinez Pedraza ’29, Angel Josue Garcia ’25, Berenice Osorio ’18, Aleyda Monzon ’07, Juan Fernando de la Cruz ’21, Zyanya Sanchez ’10, Brandon Barron Beltran ’10, and Karen Loria ’10.
Those who took part in the Costa Rica reunion included, Aaron England ’16, Nicole England ’18, Sara Ambrocio Paque ’22, Kenia Roa Reyes ’22, Sheryl Cambronero ’15, Richard Dunsworth, Silvia Arias ’00, Alyssa Langel, Amelia Retana ’96, Eduardo Murillo ’24, Carlos Robledo ’07, Hidenobu Kameya ’13, Belkys Fuentes ’15, Fiorella Solano ’29, Daniela Toval Castro ’27 and Allan Arroyo ’09.
Among those who attended the alumni event in Nicaragua were Nicole England ’18, Isabella Perez Del Carmen ’29, Isaias Ortiz ’22, Richard Dunsworth, Ohany Roman ’16, Jorge Avila ’09, Massiel Garcia Avila ’06, Sergio Quiroz ’06, Solena Martinez Aleman ’24, Nubia Robleto ’95, Dr. William Clary (retired Spanish professor), Gustavo Lugo Medrano ’25, Brianny Chamorro ’15, Alyssa Langel, Eugene Downs ’14, Keren Dona Vallecillo ’27, Estefania Bautista ’27, Marvin Fernandez Acevedo ’98, Maria Fernanda Maltez ’24, Cristhian Rodriguez ’23, Marcelo Hernandez ’23, Lucia Saravia ’10, and Fernanda Pichardo ’22.
RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE
Flowers Helped Seal the Deal for First Date
The first date between then freshman Ryan Evans ’01 and senior Holly McNair ’98 was on Feb. 2, 1998, and included a U of O basketball game, a party, and a bouquet of flowers.
Ryan’s splurge on the flowers was, in his words, “a big deal for a broke college student.” And, they made just the impression he had hoped for on Holly.
“After a long day of student teaching, I returned home to find a beautiful bouquet waiting for me at my front door,” Holly said. “Ryan had also written me a sweet note inviting me to a basketball game. Initially, I called Ryan to let him know I was very tired, but after some persuasion, I decided to go. I ended up having a really good time, and it marked the beginning of our relationship.”
Ryan and Holly, who live in the Houston, Texas, area, celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary on June 30, 2025.
Ryan, whose father was in the oil and gas business, was born in Canada and grew up with an adventurous spirit having lived throughout the country as well as Indonesia and Libya. When it came time to look for a college, he liked Ozarks’ small size, proximity to outdoor activities and the new soccer program he wanted to be a part of. He enrolled at Ozarks in 1997 as a 21-yearold freshman.
Holly grew up in Little Rock in a family that embraced adventure and a love for the outdoors. Diagnosed with ADD, she liked the support that the University’s Jones Learning Center offered, as well as the myriad outdoor opportunities nearby.
The two first met in the fall of 1997 when Holly went to pick up Ryan’s female roommate.
“I went to my friend’s house to pick her up for a movie, and as I walked in, I noticed Ryan sitting on the couch, wearing a blue bucket hat,” Holly said. “He gave me a curious look, and I introduced myself, letting him know I was there to pick up his roommate. We ended up chatting for about five minutes, during which I quickly learned how important family was to him. I found that quality to be incredibly sweet.”
The two dated throughout their last semester together at Ozarks, something that made a strong impression on the late Joe Hoing, dean of students.
Ryan and Holly Evans at their wedding in Munger-Wilson Chapel in 2001 (right photo) and recently with daughters Reed Ann and Ruby (above photo).
“I will always remember the day Joe Hoing approached me to talk about my relationship with Ryan,” Holly said. “He said that ever since we began dating, he had noticed a decrease in the mischievous activities on campus. Joe expressed his gratitude and gave me a big hug.”
Ryan admitted he may have been “a bit” rebellious and mischievous his first year or two at Ozarks.
“I was definitely not a candidate for student of the year,” he said. “But what I did have, and didn’t realize it at the time, was an incredible support system cheering me on; people like Dr. [Rick] Niece, Dr. [Caroline] Whitson, Dr. [Jane] Cater, Dr. [Greta] Marlow, Dr. [Amy] Oatis, Dr. [Bruce] Elmore, Julia Frost, Joe Hoing, Deb Castleman, and numerous amazing Jones Learning Center staff. I’m confident I stressed them out on a daily basis, but they showed me grace and encouraged me. I am grateful for their patience and persistence as I ended up graduating from U of O and later getting a master’s degree from the University of Houston, Downtown.”
The two dated while Ryan continued his studies at Ozarks and Holly began her teaching career, first in Fayetteville and later back in Clarksville.
Ryan proposed to Holly at midnight on New Year’s Eve as the world welcomed in the year 2000. The couple was hosting a New Year’s party with family and friends.
“Ryan was determined to pop the
question right at midnight,” Holly said. “While I was caught up in setting up fireworks and champagne for our friends, he managed to lure me outside just before midnight. I was completely taken by surprise; I had no idea that he was going to propose. To make the moment even more special, his mom had sent us beautiful champagne glasses to celebrate our engagement. It was an exciting night.”
The two were married in Munger-Wilson Chapel on June 30, 2001, in front of more than 300 family and friends.
“There were more flowers at the wedding and reception than I have ever seen, even to this day,” Holly recalled.
“Besides marrying my best friend, I will always remember Ryan’s best man, Ryan Martin. He was more emotional than both Ryan and me combined. He was distracting me because he was crying so much. It made me laugh and calmed my nerves.”
Since graduating from Ozarks, Ryan has worked in global corporate security in the energy sector. He currently leads the global corporate security team for Lewis Energy Group in San Antonio, Texas. Holly has taught kindergarten and pre-K for 25 years, with plans of retiring in two years.
They have two children, Reed Ann, a senior at U of O, and Ruby.
“Reed Ann attending U of O has been a huge blessing,” Ryan said. “Like Holly and I, she wanted a smaller campus and she loves being an Eagle.”
WEDDINGS
and Whitney
were married on March 22, 2025, on her family’s farm in Alma, Ark. The couple resides in Lowell, Ark., where Caleb is the assistant grants writer for Washington County and Whitney is a mathematics teacher at Decatur
Caleb Brown ’16
McCrary ’19
(Ark.) Middle School.
Kathleen Sotomayer ’18 and Brandon Andreae were married on April 6, 2025, in Weatherford, Texas.
Haley Weaver ’16 married Thomas Agrait on May 15, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Agraits reside in St. Augustine, Fla.
Ciara Boswell ’24 married Zach Zimmer on June 7, 2025, at Cabin Creek Lookout in Lamar, Ark. The couple resides in Paris, Ark., where Ciara is a teacher and volleyball coach.
Breanna Hiatt ’17 married Alex Baumgartner on May 24, 2025. The Baumgartners reside in Russellville, Ark., where Breanna is a teacher for the Russellville School District.
Ellery Mayleben ’17 married Calvin Pierce on Aug. 8, 2025, at the historic Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Mich. The Pierces resides in Ann Arbor, Mich., where Ellery is working as a medical records clerk.
Kremers ’25 married Kylee Chayne Ash on Aug. 2, 2025, at Subiaco Academy in Subiaco, Ark.
Cantu ’21 and Jacob Tamayo ’22 were married on Nov. 15, 2024, in Valley View, Texas. The couple
Brookley Trammell ’22 married Drew McCubbin on May 31, 2025, in Garfield, Ark. They currently reside in Gentry, Ark., with their two dogs, Moose and Ellie. Brookley teaches elementary special education at Gentry Primary School and is the head 7th grade cheer coach and assistant junior and senior high cheer coach.
Fielder Dufrene ’19 married Britney Smotherman on June 29, 2025, in Benton, Ark. Fielder is a teacher and coach for the Warren (Ark.) School District.
Elisa
lives in Justin, Texas.
Matthew
Diana Oudomvilay ’24 and Ben Lillagore ’22 were married on Aug. 9, 2025, in Hot Springs, Ark. The Lillagores reside in Hot Springs.
Callie Edwards ’13 married Madison Ross on Oct. 19, 2024, in Rogers, Ark.
Connor Klein ’23 married Ryley Gamel on May 27, 2025, at Lake Como in Milan, Italy. The Kleins reside in Pea Ridge, Ark.
MEMORIAM
Gippa Louise King Kendall ’47 of Huntsville, Ala., died on Aug. 13, 2025, at the age of 99. She taught 2nd grade in DeWitt, Ark., for 30 years.
Ellen Maxine Rail ’52 died on July 4, 2025, at the age of 95, in Little Rock, Ark. She taught elementary school for 32 years in Illinois and Arkansas. She was selected as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America in 1972, nominated for Arkansas Elementary Teacher of the Year in 1978 and was chosen Elementary Teacher of the Year by the Rogers (Ark.) Chamber of Commerce in 1983. She is survived by her husband of 72 years, The Rev. Dr. William Rail ’52.
George Martin Vagher, Jr. ’53 of Arden Hills, Minn., died on April 19, 2025, at the age of 93.
Dr. Frank Lee Qualls ’54 of Hot Springs, Ark., died on March 17, 2025, at the age of 94. He was a long-time pharmacist in Russellville, Ark., and Hot Springs.
Dr. William “Bill” Rolland Eddington ’55 of Paragould, Ark., died on Sept. 10, 2025, at the age of 92. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and served as a physician in Northeast Arkansas for more than 30 years.
Francis Ragon Pitts ’58 of Clarksville, died on Jan. 12, 2025, at the age of 88. He was a National Guard veteran and had a career in education.
Bobby Leon “Coach” Johnson ’60 of Springdale, Ark., died on April 12, 2025, at the age of 87. He was a retired coach, referee and umpire.
Lewis Joseph Sparks, Jr. ’62 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on July 11, 2025, at the age of 83. He was a pharmacist for 50 years, owning stores before spending the majority of his career at McCuthchen’s Health Depot.
Dr. Robert “Bobby” Teeter ’63 died on Jan. 6, 2025, in Rogers, Ark., at the age of 83. He practiced pharmacy for 50 years and owned Teeter’s Drug in Clarksville from 1977 until his retirement in 2016. He was an avid supporter of Ozarks athletics.
Jonnie Kay “Jupie” Tolbert Westbrook ’63 of Little Rock, Ark., died June 4, 2025, at the age of 84. She served as a volunteer at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, where she served patients throughout the center with coffee, candy, and treats. Every Christmas, for over 40 years, she delivered boxes of homemade goodies to many areas of the hospital.
Marilyn Carol (Lipe) Leonard ’66 of Saint Charles, Mo., died on May 2, 2025, at the age of 81. She was retired from United Health Care in Missouri.
John D. Osborn ’66 of Greenville, Mo., died on March 8, 2025, at the age of 88. He taught for 25 years at Central High School in Park Hills, Mo.
Larry Keith Marshall ’67 of Ashland, Mo., died on Jan. 19, 2025, at the age of 81. He served in the National Guard and was a long-time banker in Missouri.
Gary A. Coots ’68 of St. Charles, Mo., died on Dec. 15, 2024, at the age of 78.
Robert “Bob” Beaubien ’69 of Dickson, Tenn., died on Oct. 22, 2024, at the age of 77. He was a life-long educator and coach. He was inducted into the Dickson County High School Educator Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judi Beaubien ’68.
Elizabeth Hinds Clevenger ’69 of Charlston, Ark., died on Oct. 17, 2024, at the age of 76. She was a professional contralto vocalist and accomplished pianist and organist.
James “Jim” Madison Funderburg ’69 of Alma, Ark., died on June 2, 2025, at the age of 78. He was a long-time coach and mathematics teacher at Alma High School and was instrumental in helping to charter the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at the school.
Linda Jean (Johns) Bewley ’70 of Rogers, Ark., died on Feb. 20, 2025, at the age of 75. She was a retired teacher who taught in Russellville, Ark.; Alma, Ark.; and Clarksville.
Ananias “AB” Blocker II ’70 of Williamsburg, Va., died on July 22, 2025, at the age of 77. He began his career in finance and administration and worked for PWC, Digital Equipment Computer and other technology companies. After retirement, he started his own business, AB&C Southern BBQ Sauce.
Haroldean “Harold” Randy Lepel ’71 of Alma, Ark., died on Dec. 22, 2024, at the age of 82. He was a former biologist for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, later working as a nuclear medical technician.
Don Eugene Warren ‘71 of Lamar, Ark., died on Sept. 3, 2025, at the age of 76. He taught science at Lamar High School for more than 25 years.
Kenny Joe Carr ’72 of Forsyth, Mo., died on Jan. 6, 2025, at the age of 75. He worked for a variety of banks, working his way up in the financial world, from auditor to vice president.
Karen Elaine (Hardin) Earwood ’72 of Delaware, Ark., died on Aug. 31, 2025, at the age of 75. She was an elementary school teacher for many years before retiring in 2010 and was an avid traveler. She was also a former adjunct faculty member at Ozarks.
Jerry Don Childers ’77 of Clarksville, died on Oct. 30, 2024, at the age of 69. He was a successful business owner and held many school records in basketball and track.
Gary Lee Dickerson ’78 of Clarksville, died on Feb. 17, 2025, at the age of 68. He was retired from the Johnson County Road Department.
Jimmy Wayne Jennings ’78 of Dayton, Ark., died on Oct. 27, 2024, at age 69.
John Michael “Big Daddy” Johnson ’81 of Little Rock, Ark., died on July 15, 2025, at the age of 66. He recently retired after 33 years of coaching and teaching, primarily in the Little Rock School District.
Edward “Eddie” Dean Herndon, Jr. ’82 of New Johnsonville, Tenn., died on Aug. 30, 2025, at the age of 79. He was a singer and founded the musical band Southern Flames.
Bruce King ’83 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on Jan. 14, 2025, at the age of 67. He was a Title Insurance Agent, a member of First Presbyterian Church and Kiwanis.
Perry David Duncan ’84 died on Aug. 13, 2025, at the age of 64. He was a retired school teacher and principal for several school districts, including 20 years teaching in remote villages in Alaska.
David Webb ’84 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on July 14, 2025, at the age of 62. A true jack of all trades, he found joy in construction work, painting, bartending, and especially singing at weddings and social gatherings.
Daniel Brinker ’96 of Loveland, Col. On July 4, 2025, at the age of 54. He was an artist and sculptor.
Michael Benjamin “Ben” Powell ’00 of Clarksville, died on Feb. 6, 2025, at the age of 48. Ben was a business owner in Clarksville and avid outdoorsman. In 2022, he was awarded the University’s Community Champion Award.
Aaron James McNeil ’12 of San Antonio, Texas, died on Sept. 28, 2024, at the age of 35. He attained the level of journeyman in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
George Camden Riley ’15 of Fayetteville, Ark., died on Jan. 28, 2025, at the age of 33 following a three-year battle with cancer. He was a certified tennis professional in Northwest Arkansas.
Blaise Andrepont of Scranton, Ark., died on Aug. 11, 2025, at the age of 67. He was an EMT and served in the University’s grounds and maintenance department for many years.
Dr. Lee Bodenhamer of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away on Feb. 20, 2025 at the age of 90. A former trustee at the University, he had a career in insurance and investment management. He was awarded Outstanding Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Malcolm Wardlaw Hall of Oklahoma City, Okla., died on March 13, 2025, at the age of 85. He was a former trustee at Ozarks.
Integration Pioneer Dodson ’61
Dr. Jon H. Dodson, Sr. ’61 of Little Rock, Ark., who helped integrate the University in the fall of 1957, died on Feb. 14, 2025, at the age of 86.
Dodson was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a retired long-time radiologist in Little Rock.
A native of Lincoln, Ark., he was one of five African-Americans who enrolled at what was then The College of the Ozarks in the fall of 1957. Ozarks was the first predominately white undergraduate college in the state to enroll Blacks.
In a 2007 interview, Dodson recalled his first semester on the Ozarks campus.
“We were very well received by the students, faculty and staff,” Dodson said. “At the time we knew we were the first Blacks there, but that really wasn’t an issue. We were just focused on taking advantage of the opportunity for an education that we had.”
Dodson went on to say that he had “nothing but absolutely great memories of my time at Ozarks. I received a top-quality education, left with tons of confidence, and it provided me the means for a great life. It was a very fulfilling experience. I had great teachers and made great friends.”
After graduating from Ozarks with majors in chemistry and math-physics, Dodson attended the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in Little Rock where he obtained his doctorate degree in medicine. After graduating,
he enlisted in the United States Navy where he was a medical doctor working with the Marines during his stint in the Vietnam War.
He was readily promoted to the rank of Commander, and served for over 19 years, and assumed to be the first high-ranking Black officer in the Navy. After he completed his radiology residency in Oakland, Calif., he moved to Little Rock in 1980, and incorporated the Forest Park Medical Clinic.
MEMORIALS AND HONORARIA
Aug. 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025
MEMORIALS
Bill Alexander ’55
Levada M. Qualls ’55
Charles and Dorothy Angell
Cathy Angell and Ronna Biggs
Thomas Buzbee ’67
Berte “Mali” Dahl ’80
Georgia Bean ’72
Rick and Sherée Niece
Karen Newton Bean ’74
Terry Wade ’71
Daniel Benton ’05
Vickie Benton ’98 and Dwight Benton
Ananias B. Blocker II ’70
Levada Qualls ’55
Lee Bodenhamer
Steve and Dorinda Edmisten
Rick and Sherée Niece
Edna Ralston Bowman ’28
Bobby and Anne Fincher
Leonard and Annemarie Ralston
Kenny Carr ’72
Linda Ann Bainbridge
Brandon Rhea
Delpha Riley
Jerry Don Childers ’77
Levada M. Qualls ’55
James & Irene Clark
David and Patricia Moix
Irene Clark
Dody and Jeremy Pelts
Carl “Phil” Collins ’65
Anna Schwegler Collins ’63
Gary Coots ’68
Robert and Polly Hardin
Bonnie Jo Laster ’69
Don Davis
Thomas Buzbee ’67
R. Louis Dewett ’57
Mary Holloway Dewett ’58
Jon Dodson ’61
Steve and Dorinda Edmisten
Rick and Sherée Niece
Charlotte Felkins Eddington ’56
Levada M. Qualls ’55
Fritz Ehren ’53
Gene and Lynda Stephenson
Ralph Ehren ’55
Betty Hodges Ehren ’53
Marge Figliulo
Mida Figliulo Milligan ’85 and Billy Milligan
Joyce Graf Forkner ’57
Rick and Sherée Niece
Janice Forkner Zoller ’78 and Michael Zoller ’77
Dennis Frala ’76
Len Bradley
Linda Frala Bradley ’84 and Gary Bradley ’84
Richard Franks, II ’65
Rick and Sherée Niece
Courtney Furman
Thomas Buzbee ’67
Gerald “Pete” Grant
Rick and Sherée Niece
Sarah Carlin Graves ’85
Amy K. Graves
Dylan Hill ’15
Duane and Sharon Birdsong
Gene Hogan ’58
Jerry Duncan ’58 and Dorothy Boyd Duncan ’58
Joe W. Hoing
Gene and Lynda Stephenson
William (Bill) Lee Holder ’52
Jerry Holder
Roberta Holder
Pansy Holloway ’52
Donald Hawk ’58 and Ruth Holloway Hawk ’69
Irma Guzman Horne ’57
Roy Horne ’57
Norman Huneycutt
Rick and Sherée Niece
Bob Hurley ’59
Rick and Sherée Niece
Mary Jo Tolbert Hurley ’58
Levada M. Qualls ’55
Douglas Inman ’58
Jerry Duncan ’58 and Dorothy Boyd Duncan ’58
Kendall Jackson ’92
Levada M. Qualls ’55
Mike Jacobs
Rick and Sherée Niece
David Michael Johnson ’68
Phyllis Johnson Jones ’63
Jon Michael Johnson ’81
Levada Qualls ’55
Dickie Jones ’72
Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71
Faye Williams Raible ’72 and Gary Raible
Kathryn King Bost ’43
Arkansas Community Foundation
The Barker Family
Steve Berner
Kramer Darragh
Billy Dickerson ’77 and Marion Dickerson
Steve and Dorinda Edmisten
Ruth Emerson
Daniel and Josephine Felton
Carla Grayson
Robert and Polly Hardin
Fred and Helen Harrison
Catherine Hughes
Lisa Johnson and William Johnson
Janet Jones
Kathryn Kish
Alice King Kutz and Kurt Kutz
Blaine and Jolie Leeds
Richard and Sondra McKelvey
Barry and Phyllis McKuin
John Nichols
Rick and Sherée Niece
Ann Patterson ’75 and Max Snowden
Don Pennington ’68
Michael and Marita Pilcher
J.L. “Skip” and Billie Rutherford
Harve Taylor and Loyce Ann Bean Taylor ’72
Denton Tumbleson ’74 and Jane Tumbleson
Dan C. Young
Bruce King ’83
Sarah Carter
Joan King
Levada M. Qualls ’55
Burley Burnett King ’64 and Sharon King ’64
Levada M. Qualls ’55
Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66
James Duff ’63 and Sue Kauffeld Duff ’63
De’Ann Veteto
Lena Cockrum Laney ’54
Pam Cockrum ’71
Elizabeth “Beth” Howard Larsen ’91
Rick and Sherée Niece
Ronald King Laster ’64
Maribeth Laster
William Lytle
Thomas Buzbee ’67
Roger W. Manning
Mida Figliulo Milligan ’85 and Billy Milligan
Loretta Figliulo Salazar ’78 and Felix Salazar
Betty Willey Maples
Orville Crowell ’60
John McAuley
Robert and Linda Bash
Len Bradley
Linda Lea McDougal ’90 and Richard McDougal
Richard and Sondra McKelvey
Betty and George Overbey
Don Pennington ’68
Kathy Rusinko
James and Kristin Scott
Eric and Susan Slick
Benjie and Cathy Stalcup
The Lynch Family Trust
Robert and Joanne Virden
Anne Westendorp
Matthew Zanger
Carl Lee Miller ’64
James Lynn ’64
Dorothy Murray
Donald Anderson
Robert and Kathy Millard
Debra Murray
Richard Murray
John and Margaret Shadden
Van and Susan Younes
Michael and Robin Zimmer
Ralph Newkirk ’82
Thomas Konen
Rick Otto
Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85
Tommy E. Owens ’70
Glenda Dennis Owens ’71
Steve Owens
J. T. Patterson ’38 and Lucile Sanders
Patterson
Ann Patterson ’75 and Max Snowden
Jack T. Patterson ’65
Billy Dickerson, II ’77 and Marion Dickerson
Steve and Dorinda Edmisten
Blaine and Jolie Leeds
Richard and Sondra McKelvey
Ann Patterson ’75 and Max Snowden
Don Pennington ’68
Harve Taylor and Loyce Ann Bean Taylor ’72
Denton Tumbleson ’74 and Jane Tumbleson
Morris Pearson ’53
Rick and Sherée Niece
Robert “Bob” Pine
James Williams
Robert Patterson “Patt” Pine
Edna Elkins Patterson ’67 and John Patterson
Susie Maude Pittman ’39
Anonymous
Billy Dickerson ’77 and Marion Dickerson
Steve and Dorinda Edmisten
Blaine and Jolie Leeds
Richard and Sondra McKelvey
Don Pennington ’68
Harve Taylor and Loyce Ann Bean Taylor ’72
Denton Tumbleson ’74 and Jane Tumbleson
Francis Pitts ’58
Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71
Levada M. Qualls ’55
Jane Cecil Pitts ’58
Levada M. Qualls ’55
Bill Porter ’54
David Porter
Michael “Ben” Powell ’00
Chris and Martha Allen
Chris and Cathy Broadway
Michael Dickerson
Allyn and Janice Donaubauer
Steve and Dorinda Edmisten
David Gamble
Donnie and Karla Harkreader
Rebecca and Steve Jones
Naneida and Maurecio Lazarte-Alcaia’
Beth and Steve McGaw
Rick and Sherée Niece
Ann Patterson ’75 and Max Snowden
Edna Elkins Patterson ’67 and John Patterson
Don Pennington ’68
Susan and Kent Pinson
Sue Tull
Frank Qualls ’54
Levada M. Qualls ’55
Maxine Rail ’52
Robert Lee Wofford ’79
Steve and Dorinda Edmisten
Staci Hudgens
Sarah Noblin
Dean Papageorge
Vivian Roberts
Shannon Walker
Lucindia Walters
Paulette Freeman ’80
Dan Bradford
Deborah Campbell
Eugene Anderson
Rick and Sherée Niece
Jane Holder ’55
Bonnie Grimes
Michael Payne Zoller ’77
Jill Tackett
Janet Papageorge
Carolyn Bryant-Turner
Karla Harkreader
Avanell Rail
Jimmy Ralph
Rick and Sherée Niece
Ruby Reynolds ’48
James Lynn ’64
George Camden Riley ’15
Rick and Sherée Niece
Farren ’51 and Grace Sadler ’53
Rick and Sherée Niece
Prof. T. L. Smith
James Lynn ’64
Curtis Lee Spence
Lance Spence ’91 and Virginia Spence
Cullen I.K. Story
Thomas Buzbee ’67
Fred Taylor ’58
Rick and Sherée Niece
Rosanna King Taylor ’76
Billy Dickerson, II ’77 and Marion Dickerson
Steve and Dorinda Edmisten
Blaine and Jolie Leeds
Richard and Sondra McKelvey
Rick and Sherée Niece
Don Pennington ’68
Levada M. Qualls ’55
Harve Taylor and Loyce Ann Bean Taylor ’72
Denton Tumbleson ’74 and Jane Tumbleson
Bobby Teeter ’63
Rick and Sherée Niece
John Torbett ’53
Wanda Torbett
Jake Tull ’10
David and Selena Overholt
Mary Ellen Richards
John and Martha Tull
Sue Tull
Mary Ellen Richards
Steve Quattlebaum
Gwendolyn Rose Usery ’77
Levada M. Qualls ’55
Jonnie Tolbert Westbrook ’63
Levada M. Qualls ’55
Cheryl Elaine Wilde
Sammy Manning ’71 and Virginia Figliulo Manning ’74
Deborah D. Williams ’81
Carla Tipton
Nathan Williams ’07 and Randa Williams
Katala Green Williams ’49
Rick and Sherée Niece
Paula Wills
Mary Inez Henson
Aug. 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025
HONORARIA
Rickey Casey ’79
Gene and Lynda Stephenson
Beth Patterson DuVall ’65
Ann Patterson ’75 and Max Snowden
Rebecca Wheeler Edwards ’01
Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer
Lance and Valerie Fetters
Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer
Jennifer Fisher ’93
John and Sue Fisher
Brett Hays ’06
Harold and Pam Hays
Jane Wilson Holder ’55
Roberta Holder
Lori McBee
Rick and Sherée Niece
Rick and Sherée Niece
Jane Cater
Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98
Darrel Wheeler, Jr. ’75 and Sharon Goza Wheeler
Gene and Lynda Stephenson
Jane Cater
Martin Trussell ’17
Thomas Trussell and Amanda Moore
Darrel Wheeler Jr. ’75
Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer
Sharon Wheeler
Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer
Larry Wheeler-Stepp
Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer
Darrell Williams ’76
Gene and Lynda Stephenson
Ted ’58 and Joe Ann (West) ’57 Young Jane Cater
If you would like to make an Honoraria or Memorial in honor or memory of a loved one to University of the Ozarks Annual Fund, please contact the Advancement Office at 479-979-1234
A FINAL WORD
FROM LORI MCBEE
You Can Be a Lasting Part of Honors Day
(Lori McBee is the vice president of advancement and alumni engagement and has been a fund-raiser for the University for 25 years. She is married to Ozarks alumnus Shannon McBee ’89 and is a proud mother of two alums, Al ’14 and Dylan ’21.)
Each spring, the University of the Ozarks community gathers to celebrate one of its most cherished traditions—Honors Day. This special event recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their academic disciplines. Nominated by faculty and applauded by their peers, these students represent the spirit of dedication, perseverance, and excellence that defines an Ozarks education.
Now, alumni and friends have a meaningful opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by naming an Honors Day award in honor or memory of a loved one. With a $10,000 endowed gift, you can ensure the continued recognition of student success while contributing to the long-term financial strength of the University.
Named awards serve as both a tribute and an inspiration—honoring the past while investing in the future of deserving students. Each endowed award is a permanent testament to the values and individuals who help shape the Ozarks experience. The awards listed below are available for naming. The John & Jane Doe Outstanding Student in Psychology Award is an example of how your named recognition might appear in the Honors Day program and be announced at the annual ceremony.
Humanities and Fine Arts
Outstanding Student in Art Outstanding Student in English Outstanding Student in History Outstanding Student in Religion Outstanding Student in Theatre
Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Outstanding Student in Chemistry Outstanding Student in Environ. Studies Outstanding Student in Health Science Outstanding Student in Mathematics Outstanding Student in Psychology
Social Sciences
Outstanding Student in Accounting Outstanding Student in Business Admin. Outstanding Student in Finance Outstanding Student in Marketing Outstanding Student in Comm. Studies Outstanding Student in Elementary Edu. Outstanding Student in Education Outstanding Student in Political Science Outstanding Student in Sociology
If you are interested in creating a lasting tribute through a named Honors Day award, or would like to explore additional naming opportunities, please contact the Office of Advancement at 479-979-1234 or email advancement@ozarks.edu. We would be honored to help you make a meaningful and lasting impact.
PAVE IT FORWARD
Leave your mark on Ozarks while supporting the next generation of Eagles. With a personalized brick in the Alumni Brickway, you can Pave It Forward — celebrating your legacy or that of a loved one while funding scholarships that help today’s students succeed. Every brick tells a story, and yours can inspire future Eagles.
