Today - Fall 2022

CONTENTS

Students hang out in the lobby of the University’s new Thomas and Frances Wilson Science Center, which opened up for classes during the Spring 2022 Semester. The science center renovation and expansion is the single largest capital construction project in University history(See page 4)

UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY

CORE

VALUES Growth, Honesty, Hospitality, Justice, Sabbath and Service

UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION

Richard L. Dunsworth, J.D. President

Gloria Arcia, Ed.D. ........................Vice President for Finance and Administration

Jeff Elwell, 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

ON THE COVER: The University’s new Thomas and Frances Wilson Science Center and brick walkway plaza.

23 Digital Photography

24 Playing for Grandpa

Arjona finds inspiration from grandfather’s experience

28 Alumni Profile

PRODUCTION STAFF

Larry Isch, Editor

Director of Public and Media Relations

Karlee Swartz

Creative Director

Phyllis Parsons

Graphic Design and Brand Coordinator

Vinnie Tran

Graphic Design and Photography Coordinator

PHOTO CREDITS

Vinnie Tran, Josh Peppas, Ken West

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 Exchange 479-979-1323

President’s Office. 479-979-1242 Public Relations. 479-979-1433

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

Windgate grant to enhance digital photography program

Attorney Ashley Holman ’12 is advocate for crime victims

CLASS OF 2022

Ozarks Celebrates Record 150 Graduates

The University of the Ozarks’ Spring 2022 Commencement ceremony featured the largest graduating class in University history. The ceremony, held on May 14 on the campus mall, included 150 graduates, two more than the previous largest class of 148 in the spring of 2021.

Sue Tull of Little Rock, Ark., served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Tull, the market director of the Arkansas chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), has served on the University’s Board of Trustees for 12 years, including stints as board chair and chair of the enrollment & marketing and student activities committees.

“Do not forget to take that college capsule of joy with you into adulthood,” Tull said. “Adulting is not always easy, and you will find that your college years, despite the obstacles that you faced, will be some of the most memorable years of your life. Don’t be afraid to fall back on those memories and always choose collegiate joy over adult stress. All of you have worked hard to be walking across this stage today and should be proud of your accomplishment. You were able to complete your studies and earn a degree during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic amid other catastrophic events. You have faced obstacles, overcome adversity, persevered and pivoted. I hope that the fact that you’ve triumphed in the face of extraordinary and unexpected challenges has given you wellearned confidence in your abilities to do hard things. Your new super-power of adaptability will direct your time and talents moving forward. This experience also carries with it certain responsibilities in your future life. There will be plenty of time to put these principles into action as you chart your professional course and I am sure that your resilience skills will serve you well. In the meantime, I hope you

will take pride in what you’ve already accomplished.”

Sade Seymour, a communication studies major from The Bahamas, was nominated by faculty and staff to provide the senior’s welcome for the graduating class.

“Think of the University of the Ozarks’ mission that encourages us to live life fully,” Seymour said to her classmates. “Take the experiences, life lessons, failures, disappointments, highs and lows - take them and use them to embrace the uniqueness of your life’s journey. As hard as it may seem at times, keep going. We all sit here today because we chose to keep going. The late nights and early mornings, the constant consumption of caffeine, pushing ourselves to get out of bed even at the toughest times - these are what got us here to this exact moment.”

The University welcomed a monumental new addition to the campus during the Spring of 2022 with the opening of the Thomas and Frances Wilson Science Center. With the rolling Ozark Mountains as a backdrop and nestled between Munger-Wilson Chapel and the Walton Fine Arts Center on the west side of campus, the $18.4 million Wilson Science Center is the single largest capital construction project in the University’s history and was one of the signature initiatives of the Climb Higher campaign that was completed in 2021. The facility includes state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories as well as dedicated research areas. The University held a Dedication Ceremony for the new facility on April 9, 2022. Said University President Richard Dunsworth: “Thanks to the leadership of the Wilsons and the partnering of hundreds of other supporters, the physical home of the scientific disciplines on our campus has been regenerated and rejuvenated through far and away the largest capital project in this school’s long, inspiring history. Over $18 million has been given, simply given, in support of this project by those who have witnessed the enduring, life-changing impact of an Ozarks education on the lives and careers of her students.”

Q & A

Get to Know

DR. MATTHEW BUMBACH

Dr. Matthew Bumbach, assistant professor of music and director of the University choir, joined the U of O faculty in July of 2021. Bumbach (Boom-bahk) previously served as an assistant professor of music and director of choirs at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City from 2017 to 2021. He has also taught and led choirs at College of Central Florida in Ocala, and Seminole (Fla.) High School. A native of Florida, Bumbach earned his bachelor’s degree in music education at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla., and a master’s degree in music from the University of South Florida in Tampa. He received his D.M.A. in musical arts from University of Miami in 2017 and has conducted choirs throughout the United States, Europe and Mexico. With a research interest that focuses on the confluence of classical choral music and popular musical styles, Bumbach frequently writes, presents, and lectures on bluegrass style, fusion choral works, technology integration in choral performance, and storytelling in virtual choir videos. He has published articles in numerous publications and his choral compositions have been performed by various choirs. His published choral music is carried by Hal Leonard and his independent publications can be found at sheetmusicplus.com. Bumbach’s wife of 13 years, Dr. Melissa Bumbach, also has significant experience as a music educator and is an expert on the music of Cuba and the Cuban professional choral system. The Bumbachs have 3-year-old twin daughters, Rachel and Selena.

When and how did your interest in music first begin?

I can’t put my finger on when or how my love of music began. I was singing and writing songs as early as I can remember, so music has always been a part of me. I took piano lessons as a child, played in my elementary school band, and sang in school choirs. In high school, I taught myself to play guitar and my passion for music really took off. I fell in love with choral music as a member of my college choir. Singing with an exceptional group of musicians is a transformative experience!

What are your goals in regards to the choral program?

I am working together with Dr. [Sharon] Gorman to modernize the entire music program to ensure our students are prepared for the 21st Century musical landscape. This means that in addition to the history, theory, and practice of Western music, our students will gain fluency with music technology, learn the history of popular music, and understand music as a global practice.

For the choral program, specifically, I am working to broaden the repertoire. Many choirs focus exclusively on the music of white European males from around 1500 to today. But there are so many

composers of different genders, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds whose music is worthy of performance. While traditional Western choral music is important, it isn’t any more important than other music. I hope to provide a balance of Western music, popular music, and global music.

What do you believe is the key to a choir coming together to reach its full potential?

The global pandemic that we are still experiencing has been challenging for singers because Covid 19 is a respiratory illness. At the beginning of the pandemic we heard stories about choral rehearsals being super-spreader events. For a time group singing just stopped. And suspending singing was the responsible decision. As vaccines have become more available, particularly now that we have a vaccine for almost all age groups, we can start to discover our new normal. This doesn’t mean that choir will be exactly what it was before the pandemic. We have learned that the socially responsible thing to do when you are sick is to mask in public and that coming to school or work when you are sick is not a wise decision. We have to carry this new knowledge into our practice as we go forward. So, step one in bringing the choir together to reach its full potential is to accept this new normal Next, we will work to form an identity. Who are we, as a university and a singing community, and what do we want to achieve? This will be guided as much by the students in choir as by me. Our goals and our identity will determine what we want to be as a choir. Once we define our goals, we will work hard to achieve them. The key to reaching our full potential is for each individual singer sacrificing for the good of the whole.

What do you believe are the important life skills that students can get from participating in a choir?

Choir has the potential to teach so many life skills! I don’t even know where to start. Choir is a microcosm of society. All kinds of people find their way into choirs. They come with different languages, experiences, hopes, and dreams. But they all want the same thing. They want to be a part of a community with a shared purpose, excellent performance. Choir can teach us that there is strength in numbers, that harmony is more important than a single unified voice, that we are only as strong as our weakest member… how do I pick just one life lesson?

Some of your research focuses on technology integration in choral performances? How is that relevant?

This is an excellent question because most people view choir as an antiquated institution that never really progresses. For many choirs, this is true. But choirs have increasingly come to depend on technology to facilitate learning. Years ago, directors recorded and handed out rehearsal tapes so that singers could practice at home. When I taught high school, I would post digital rehearsal tracks online for my singers. Now, we have apps that can take a picture of a sheet of music and instantly play a midi-rendering of the music on the page! Part of my research involves leveraging these tools to improve singer learning and retention. I am most enthusiastic, however, about integrating technology in choral performance. During the pandemic, my choir classes were forced into online learning just like most other universities around the world. Since we couldn’t meet to rehearse and perform, we produced digital concerts featuring “virtual choir” performances. As we participated in asynchronous rehearsals, learned to record ourselves, and stitched videos together from our individual recordings, we discovered a new medium for storytelling. The combination of stunningly composed music, beautiful singing, and moving images let us tell compelling stories. I found the virtual choir medium to be not only interesting but profound.

What was the inspiration behind creating a songwriters group in Clarksville and what is the purpose of the group?

As I mentioned, I was writing songs early in my childhood. I learned to play the guitar as a teenager as a vehicle for my songwriting. As my education and career progressed, however, I stopped writing popular music. This was in part due the time constraints of being a college professor, but there is also this ridiculous notion that Western classical music is more valuable than popular music. It took time for me to put away that notion and to make time for the art that drew me to music, writing songs. I started Clarksville Songwriter’s Circle as a way to connect musicians and build a community of artists. This group has only just begun, but we are growing! I see exciting things in our future.

When you talk about “ethics” in choral performance, what does that mean?

I have sung for many conductors, each with a unique style and philosophy. While all conductors want to prepare beautiful performances, some pursue excellent performance no matter the cost. This can lead to pushing singers too hard, having unreasonable expectations, and even toxic culture. I am a musician, of course, but I am an educator first. I value the growth of my students above the perfect performance. For this reason, I take the time to contextualize the repertoire, explore the message, and shepherd my students through the process of learning. To me, the people I make music with are more valuable than the music.

At the School of Mines and Technology, you increased choral participation more than 60 percent. How did you accomplish that?

I focused on the people in the room and worked to foster a culture of inclusivity and affirmation. The singers that I inherited felt joy in singing, and that joy spread. Once we developed our unique identity, i went out into the schools and community and let them know who we were. People flock to healthy and affirming spaces.

How did your interest in Bluegrass music start and why do

you think it resonates with you?

I didn’t grow up with Bluegrass music. I was always more into rock music. In 2012, however, my choirs at College of Central Florida and the Marion Civic Chorale (a community choir) were invited to participate in a festival choir at Carnegie Hall. This choir, made of singers from around the world, gave the Carnegie Hall premiere of The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass by Minnesota composer Carol Barnett. I fell in love with the piece and it became really special to me. In my doctoral degree program I had to find a research topic for my dissertation. My mind went back to that Carnegie Hall performance and the beautiful piece of music that we sang. I discovered that there was very little written about the piece and its composer, so I took up the topic. Through the course of my research I discovered that the bluegrass genre was full of virtuosity, beauty, and excitement!

How has being married to a fellow music educator influenced or impacted you as an educator and as a conductor?

It is truly a blessing to share a passion of music with my wife, Dr. Melissa Bumbach. We challenge each other, share exciting music, and frequently perform together. There is nothing quite like sharing an artistic endeavor you love with someone that you love! Because Melissa is a master teacher and brilliant writer, she has pushed me to become a better scholar and to grow as an educator.

What kind of music have you introduced to your twin daughters and what are their music interests?

Rachel and Selena seem to have music in their DNA. They both danced before they could walk and they sing constantly. Our girls are bilingual, speaking Spanish and English, so we try to reinforce their language development by giving them a lot of Latin American music. Right now, they are hooked on Canticos, a program that sings each song first in Spanish, then in English. It is a wonderful way for them to learn Spanish children songs!

What other hobbies/interests do you have outside of academia and music?

As a professional musician and educator I get to do what I love every day! But I do enjoy hiking, traveling, and reading historical fiction. At this stage in our life being the parents of twin toddlers is all consuming. I love watching my daughters discover the world.

New Trustees Elected to University Board

The University of the Ozarks’ Board of Trustees elected six new members to the board during its annual fall board meeting, held Oct. 8 on campus.

The new members who will begin their three-year terms on Jan. 1, 2023, include (pictured, top row, from left), Shannon Huggins ’91 of Arlington, Texas; Kendra Akin Jones ’01 of Springdale, Ark.; Allyn Donaubauer of Fort Smith, Ark.; (bottom row, from left) Chris Broadway of Colleyville, Texas; Beth McGaw of Dallas, Texas; and Rev. Tasha Blackburn of Fort Smith.

In addition, Susan Pinson of Edmond, Okla., and Sue Tull of Little Rock, Ark., were elected to a second, consecutive threeyear term. The officers for 2023 will include, Pinson as chair, Donaubauer as vice-chair and Mike Powell as secretary.

Huggins, a 1991 Ozarks graduate, is the senior vice president, contract strategy and population health, of Methodist Health System in Dallas, Texas. She began with Methodist in 2002 and has system responsibilities for contracting and payor relations on behalf of Methodist. She has been active in the Ozarks Alumni Association and is the current president of the Alumni Board. She and her husband, Bryan, have two sons. She has a master’s degree in health care administration from Texas Women’s University.

Akin Jones, a 2001 Ozarks graduate, is the assistant general counsel for environmental issues for United States Steel, based in Pittsburgh, Penn. Prior to joining U.S. Steel, Akin Jones was in roles as senior counsel environmental for Tyson Foods, Inc., and director senior counsel for litigation and contingencies for Windstream Services, LLC. She started her legal career in the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office. She is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association, the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel and the Association of Corporate Counsel. She and her husband, Ben, live in Springdale and have two daughters. She earned her law degree from the U of A School of Law in Fayetteville in 2004.

Donaubauer has been a financial advisor for more than 40 years. As a

chartered retirement planning counselor, he has in-depth knowledge of the needs individuals face both before and after retirement. He is also a certified financial planner practitioner. Donaubauer, who has a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the University of Arkansas, first joined the Ozarks board in 2001 and has served as ex-offio on the University’s Endowment Committee. He also serves on the boards at the We Care Foundation, the Bost Foundation and Children’s Emergency Foundation.

Broadway worked 34 years in the energy industry before beginning a new career in real estate at EXP Realty serving North Texas. Broadway and his wife, Cathy, are the parents of 2016 Ozarks alumna Elizabeth Broadway Conley. The family established a named endowed scholarship for JLC students when Elizabeth graduated. Cathy is a retired RN and school nurse. The Broadways also have a son, Kyle. Broadway earned a degree in petroleum land management from Texas Tech University.

McGaw is an independent educational consultant and her experience working with youth and young adults in transitioning from high school to college or college to work spans 20 years. She is an active member of Learning Disabilities Association of America and currently serves on the Board

of Managers. McGaw and her husband, Steve, have three grown sons. Their youngest, Bradley, is an Ozarks alumnus of 2020. McGaw has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from University of Cincinnati, and a master’s degree in adult education from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Blackburn, who previously served consecutive three-year terms on the board from 2016-2021, has been an ordained minister since 2002. She and her husband, Rev. Phil Blackburn, became co-pastors at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith in 2012. She has also served churches in Illinois, Indiana, and Scotland. She has a bachelor’s degree from Illinois College and graduate degrees from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and University of Edinburgh’s New College in Scotland.

In related action, the University’s board voted to appoint a member of the alumni board to serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Advancement & Alumni Relations Committee. George Pittenger ’91 of Cleburne, Texas, was selected to serve as the ex-officio member of the board.

Those rolling off the board on Dec. 31 include, Arvid Bean ’78, Dr. Jim Bruning, A.O. Curran, Ann Patterson ’75, Sherilyn Poole, Peter Van Dyke ’87 and Dr. Ed Wilkinson.

Ozarks named “Great College to Work For”

University of the Ozarks has been named one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to the 2022 Great Colleges to Work For® program.

The results, released in September in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are based on a survey of 212 colleges and universities. In all, 68 of those institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium, and large institutions, with U of O included among the small universities (500 to 2,999 students.)

U of O earned honors in five categories: Job Satisfaction & Support; Compensation & Benefits; Professional Development; Mission & Pride; and Faculty Experience.

Ozarks was also named to the Great Colleges Honor Roll, a status granted to only 42 colleges each year who are highlighted

most across the recognition categories.

“It is heartening to receive external recognition and validation for the dedication, loyalty, sweat and sometime tears of the nearly 200 people who make University of the Ozarks such a special place,” said U of O President Richard Dunsworth. “We strive to be a mission-

driven, values-based organization and when individual passions align with institutional values wonderful environments can be created – even in the shadows of pandemics, unrest and uncertainty. I am thankful to live and work among so many who are committed to preparing students to live life fully.”

The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institution questionnaire that captured employment data and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.

The Great Colleges to Work For® program is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country.

New Faculty and Staff

The University welcomed approximately 30 new employees to campus to start the 2022-23 academic year. Among those were (seated, from left) Krista Denne, instruction and outreach librarian; Sierra Jasna ’22, assistant softball coach, Dr. Daniel Fudge, assistant professor of political science; Heath Spillers, science laboratory coordinator; Star Lowery-LaGrone, instructor of health science; Bishop Bass ’15, interim head men’s and women’s tennis coach; Nichole Sherman, director of student engagement; Terry Hatcher, coordinator of records and data services; Lauryn Houston, office coordinator for the Office of Administrative Services; (Second row, from left) Lori Wineland, Student Support Services advisor and skills coach; Margo Duvall, visiting assistant professor of art; Dr. Christie Sampson, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Leanita Pelts ’04, instructor of education; Adriana Giraldo, public safety officer; Stephenie Squire, student account coordinator; Libby Vaught, instructor of sustainable agriculture; Dr. Chris Sarver, assistant professor of political science; Karlee Swartz ’18, creative director; (Third row, from left) Jake Holland ’20, associate director of alumni engagement; Jacob Barker ’18, assistant baseball coach; Richard Capovilla, public safety officer; Darrell Shaw, director of Ozark Outdoors; Jack Johnson, assistant men’s basketball coach; JT Ryan, assistant women’s basketball coach; Stephen Adams ’13, information technology manager; and Ye Wang, assistant professor of psychology.

University Business Opens in Clarksville

Pressed Ink, a University of the Ozarks-owned screen printing and embroidery business, opened in downtown Clarksville in early October.

The business is located at 100 N. Johnson Street. Hours of operation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Pressed Ink features in-house designers and digitizers for services ranging from screen printing to engraving and embroidery. It will also have predesigned clothing items, including T-shirts and hoodies highlighting local schools such as Clarksville, Lamar, Westside, Oark and Scranton

Tina Lemons manages the store and Alexis Engel serves as the screen-printing technician. The business employs eight Ozarks students who work 10-15 hours a week.

“We offer custom tee shirts, and school spirit tees for the local and county high schools,” Lemons said. “We also have engraving services for many items and custom trophies and plaques made in the store as well as embroidery services for shirts, bags, baby gifts and many other gift ideas for those who are hard to buy for.”

Lemons and Engel both previously worked in the embroidery business at Forrester-Davis Development Center’s M.A.C. Industries. Both Lemons and Engle were hired to lead the operations for Pressed Ink after the University purchased the screen-printing and embroidery equipment from M.A.C. Industries in 2021.

Lemons said the goal of Pressed Ink is to provide “the campus and local community a customer service experience unlike what they typically receive.”

She is also looking forward to working with the U of O students as they receive real-world experience working with a small business.

“This will be a real-world experience of what it is like to work in customer service,” Lemons said. “They will learn all of the aspects of operating and running a business and this will allow them to grow into their full potential as business leaders, not followers.”

The students who are currently working at Pressed Ink include, Angela Bray, engraver; Sarah Bureau, engraver; Michelle Gonzalez, customer service and embroidery; Lio Jean, screen printing;

Incoming Class Enrollment Up 19%

The enrollment size of the incoming class for the 2022 Fall Semester represents a 19 percent increase over last year’s class. A total of 785 students were enrolled at Ozarks as of the end of business on Sept. 7, the official day of record for the semester. It marks a slight increase over the 2021 Fall Semester enrollment of 784 and the fourth-highest enrollment in the University’s 188-year history. The incoming class, which includes first-time freshmen and transfer students, is 285, the third-largest in University history and a 19 percent increase over last year’s incoming class of 240. In addition, this year’s freshman-to-sophomore retention rate is 68 percent, a six percent increase over last year.

Ruudy Laguerre, engraving; Djouberg Mingot, screen printing; Fizza Tahir, customer service and embroidery; and Brittany Temple, screen printing.

Education Program Lauded for Exam Results

The University of the Ozarks’ Pat Walker Teacher Education Program has been recognized for its students’ high pass rates in the state licensure exams.

U of O elementary education students ranked first in Best-Attempt Pass Rates and sixth in First-Attempt Pass Rates in Arkansas in 2021, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). Aspiring teachers in Arkansas must take and pass the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test, one of the final steps before earning a teaching license.

Pam Smith, director of the Walker Teacher Education Program, said the education program at Ozarks takes numerous steps in helping its students prepare for the Praxis exams.

“We believe candidates need support as they fulfill the requirements of teacher licensure and one of those areas where candidates continue to need support is Praxis testing,” Smith said. “Research shows that many students who take the exam and do not pass the first time will not retake the test. Therefore, our department has established timelines to include study/tutoring sessions provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, networking with recent graduates on how to be successful, and when to take the exam that is required.”

Smith also commended her colleagues from other disciplines across campus.

“Our candidates are also supported by the content teachers across campus that provide the knowledge base needed to be successful in their licensure area,” she said. “It is a team effort that creates the environment of support the candidates need to be successful on the exams and prepared for their future classrooms.”

According to the NCTQ, U of O students achieved a state-best 100 percent success rate in 2021 in Best-Attempt Pass Rates, the number of test-takers who pass regardless of the number of attempts. In First-Attempt Pass Rates, Ozarks students achieved a 50 percent success rate, well above the state average of 39 percent.

Also, the U of O program was one

of four universities in the state to be recognized for having a high proportion of Pell grant recipients and high pass rates. Ozarks has more Pell grant recipients (42%) than the state average (35%) and exceeds the state’s first-time average pass rate.

According to the NCTQ website, “Pass rates, or the rate at which teacher candidates pass their licensing tests, serve as a compass, pointing toward strengths and opportunities in preparing teacher

candidates. With this information, states and programs now have the opportunity to look at the data from multiple perspectives. Each lens conveys important insights on the quality of the institutions’ preparation, their level of encouragement and support for retaking a failed test, persistence on the part of test takers, as well as commitment and innovation to overcome educational inequities and inadequate K-12 preparation.”

Board Votes to Freeze Tuition

The University’s Board of Trustees voted in the spring to freeze tuition for the 2022-23 academic year, the eighth time in the past decade that the University has not raised tuition from the previous year.

The Board chose to hold the annual cost of tuition to $24,950 for the third consecutive year. Since 2013, tuition at Ozarks has risen just 5 percent, compared to a nearly 30 percent national average increase in tuition at four-year colleges over the past decade.

“As we have for the last decade, we remain committed to ensuring that an Ozarks education is as affordable and accessible as possible and to reducing the amount of debt our students incur,” said U of O President Richard Dunsworth.

“Even as our economy recovers, we know that many financial challenges remain for our students and their families. Our Board wants to ensure that the door to opportunity remains open for both our current students and our incoming students.”

There were also no changes to the University’s learning material fees. There will be a 2.8 percent increase in room fees and a 6 percent increase in board fees for the 2022-23 academic year. Dunsworth said the rising cost of food precipitated the increase in board fees.

U of O’s tuition of $24,950 is 35 percent less than the national average of $38,070 for a private, four-year university, according to The College Board’s Trends in College Pricing 2021.

Pat Walker Teacher Education students, faculty, administrators and mentors gather for a photo during the Teacher Pinning Ceremony in the Spring 2022 Semester.

Students Run Summer Parks Program

Thanks to four University of the Ozarks physical education majors, this past summer was an even more enjoyable experience for more than 60 local children.

The four students — McKenzie Becerra, Jacob Friemel, Rebekah Guess and T.J. Saniseng — served internships this past summer with the City of Clarksville’s Parks and Recreation Department. With the assistance of Darrell Shaw, director of the University’s Ozarks Outdoors program, the students organized and led the inaugural Camp Take-A-Hike, three separate week-long summer camps for youth ages 7 through 11.

The camps were held in the morning hours throughout the week with the U of O students leading the way in such sports and activities as kickball, capture the flag, archery, biking, kayaking, swimming, disc golf and arts and crafts.

“Our goal is to just keep the kids moving and active,” said Shaw. “The first camp we had 15 sign up and the last two we had the maximum of 25 with others on a waiting list. The internship is designed to support programming for the community and give students experience for their future careers and we’ve been pleased with how the first year has gone.”

The U of O students are receiving one academic credit hour for the experience and are getting paid for their work.

“It’s been a very enjoyable experience,” said Friemel, a junior from Subiaco, Ark. “I’ve been a little shocked with how energetic the kids are. Just trying to run around with them and keep up with them wears me out by the end of the day.”

The four U of O students are all a part of the Ozarks Outdoors program and all of them are pursuing careers in coaching or teaching. They believe the internship is preparing them for their career paths.

“I know this is the type of thing I want to do for a career and this experience just reaffirms that,” said Guess, a junior from Clarksville. “Things like getting and keeping their attention and getting them to be engaged is great experience for my future.”

Clarksville Mayor David Rieder said he has been impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of the interns in developing and leading new opportunities for area children as well as the interns in other departments within the city.

“I have asked my staff to challenge their interns with the dayto-day affairs of city operation,” Rieder said. “We have witnessed Ozarks interns leading new programs such as a thriving community garden, youth camps, concerts, and new marketing campaigns. Three interns worked directly with our economic development office to provide support to local existing and expanding businesses. The diverse cultural backgrounds of these students have aided our efforts to be a more inclusive community. Every Ozarks intern has left a positive and lasting impact in our city. I hope we continue to impress a love for public service among each of them.”

Saniseng, a senior from Van Buren, Ark., said the U of O students are also appreciative of the opportunity to put their own stamp on the summer camp.

“Having the chance to create and develop what the camp looks like has been a great experience,” Saniseng said. “I’ve worked with kids a lot, but I’ve never had the freedom to really create what a camp might look like. To work with the children and to introduce new activities and games and to see them learn and grow is really great. When you see them find something that they really like or that they’re good at, it’s very gratifying.”

Becerra, a junior from Heber Springs, Ark., said she has heard positive feedback from the children as well as their parents.

“I work at Walmart and I see a lot of the kids and their parents outside camp and I hear about how much they are enjoying the camp and how much the parents appreciate this opportunity for their kids,” Becerra said. “There’s even one kid who came to all three camps. I think parents like that their kids are getting outside and being active for at least a few hours a day.”

Ozarks Ranked No. 2 Best Value

Ozarks has been ranked the No. 2 Best Value and No. 6 overall in the South in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s annual college rankings. In the 2023 edition of Best Colleges, U of O ranked second in the “Best Value Schools” category among the nearly 100 regional colleges that were listed in the South Region. 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.

The magazine’s annual late summer publication that analyzes institutions of higher education also had Ozarks sixth in overall rankings among South Regional Colleges — the 24th consecutive year Ozarks has been ranked in the “top tier” among regional colleges in the South.

In addition, Ozarks was ranked No. 1 in the South Region for Most International Students and 36th in the South Region in the category of “Social Mobility.”

Long-Time Faculty, Staff Members Retire

Five faculty and staff members with more than 130 years of combined Ozarks experience announced their retirements at the end of the 2022 Spring Semester.

(Pictured, clockwise from top left) Buddy Smith, professor of mathematics, retired from full-time teaching after 42 years; Stuart Stelzer retired as director of the Robson Library after 39 years at Ozarks; Felicia Atkinson ’03 retired as the learning disabilities educational assistant at the Jones Learning Center after 29 years at Ozarks; Stacy Key stepped down as associate professor of practice of mathematics after 23 years at Ozarks; and Dr. Rhonda Shook ’92 retired as associate professor of communication after 14 years.

Smith concluded a 42-year full-time teaching career at Ozarks that began in 1980. “I’ve been truly blessed and fortunate to have spent the majority of my career here,” Smith said. “I’ve loved teaching at a small college, where I could really get to know my students. I realize that’s not always the case in teaching, so I’ve never taken that for granted.”

Smith’s legacy at Ozarks is one of generosity, patience and genuineness. “Buddy has been and still is one of the most genuine people I have ever met,” said Chelsea Glasscock, a 2013 graduate. “He cares about his students beyond just the classroom and that shows. He’s the type of professor that you tell your friends and family about years later while reminiscing on the good ole’ days on how you learned math in a room full of chalkboards.”

Stelzer, who led the University’s library services for the past 39 years, retired on June 30, 2022. He received the University’s Alvin C. Broyles Outstanding Staff Award in both 1993 and 1997 and was selected by the senior class to give the keynote address at the Spring 1999 Commencement ceremony.

Dr. David Daily, professor of religion, remembers first meeting Stelzer when Daily was interviewing for a teaching position at Ozarks in 1999.

“I realized then that if Ozarks was anything at all like Stuart, then it was a place that I wanted to be,” Daily said. “Every conversation with him is an adventure. Each time he and I talk, I come away astonished not only by how much he knows, but especially by his ability, in a single question, to upend every facile assumption I have ever made about a subject. There is no telling how many student research papers and senior projects owe their success to his advice and guidance over the years. ‘We are all beings of light,’ he often says, and the fact that he has treated each person at Ozarks as a being of light has made him a gift to us all.”

Atkinson began her career at Ozarks in 1991, working parttime and has served as program coordinator for Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), as an adjunct in English and as the tutor coordinator in Student Support Services.

Though she enjoyed classroom teaching, Atkinson said her greatest job satisfaction came from working individually with students on research writing. “I enjoy helping students organize their ideas and mine the databases for academic articles to

underpin a project,” she said. “Working with students as they improve their writing skills has been rewarding in immeasurable ways.”

Key was an instructor of mathematics from 1999 until 2015, when he was promoted to associate professor of practice of mathematics. He has also served the University in various administrative positions, including coordinator of institutional research (2004-2007), coordinator of academic assessment (20072013), coordinator of the Critical Inquiry program (2007-2012), chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (2013-2018) and Faculty Athletic Representative (2014-2018).

“The ability that we have on our campus to interact with students in and out of the classroom is a powerful and important tool in understanding how learning takes place and how we can maximize the learning process,” he said. “This is true not only for students, but for faculty members as well. I have learned some valuable information and life lessons from my students.”

Shook, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Ozarks in 1992, called it an honor when she had the opportunity to return to U of O to teach in 2013.

“The most important part of my job is helping students create the best version of their own life story,” she said. “It has been an honor to be part of a faculty that was so transformative for me, and I have endeavored to create transformative experiences for my own students, both in and out of the classroom. Connecting Ozarks students to cultures they might not ordinarily encounter – the Karen community, our homeless friends, street artists, elementary school ESL students, senior citizens, documentary filmmakers, and Hollywood producers – and watching their hearts and minds expand is my greatest reward.”

headliners CAMPUS

1PAM SMITH ’90, was named the new director of the Pat Walker Teacher Education Program in April. The 1990 Ozarks graduate has taught at the University since 2015, After graduating from Ozarks in 1990, Smith taught in private school one year before spending 25 years as a classroom teacher and principal in public school systems. Smith was the recipient of the 2019 Broyles Outstanding Faculty award and was promoted to an associate professor of practice in 2021.

The University’s outstanding faculty and staff awards for 2022 were presented to (from left) ALBERT LEDING, MARY JANE SPILLERS, SARA WARREN, LISA GRUBENINNESS, ALICIA NOWOTNY, DR. DEREK WARREN AND DR. NATHAN ERIC DICKMAN. The awards were presented during the annual Board of Trustees Faculty/Staff Awards Banquet in April.

5DR. STEVE OATIS, professor of history, was appointed the new associate vice president for academic affairs (AVPAA) on June 1. Oatis, who has taught at Ozarks since 1999, will remain a professor of history at the University and will continue to teach a couple of classes each semester. As AVPAA, Oatis will support and assist the leadership, management, and day-to-day oversight of academic affairs and will take a leadership role in the areas of assessment and accrediting.

6VICENTE VASQUEZ VELASQUEZ ’22 was named in April as the 2022 Hurie Award recipient as selected by the faculty and given to the top member of the senior class. The environmental studies major from Panama graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors and was named the Outstanding Student In Environmental Studies and served as president of the Chess Club and as manager of the Food for Thought Garden.

Psychology students

(from left)

3ISABELLE MATUTE HERNANDEZ, KATERINA ALVARADO AND

SOLANGE AVALO joined their professor, DR. ISAAC HUNTER, in presenting their research at the 2021 American Psychological Association international convention last year. The research team explored a number of topics that followed the themes of what makes for a meaningful life and pursuing one’s professional calling.

BENJAMIN STORMES (LEFT) AND GARRETT

HOUSTON were voted by the student body to serve as Student Government Association president and vice president, respectively, for the 2022-23 academic year. Stormes is a junior biology and philosophy major from Fort Smith, Ark. Houston is a senior health science and business administration major from Scranton, Ark.

7As part of the University’s annual Christmas tradition, the University donated $3,000 to four local nonprofit organizations last December. University President RICHARD DUNSWORTH (center) presented checks to representatives from Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Safe Haven Ministries, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, and The CALL of Johnson County. Included were alumna (far left) REBA PRIDGIN ‘81 and (third from left) KATHY BARTLETT ‘93.

8DR. SERGIO MOLINA, assistant professor of physical education, was named the University’s faculty athletics representative (FAR) in February. He will report directly to U of O President Richard Dunsworth to ensure academic integrity and the welfare of student-athletes. He will also represent Ozarks with the NCAA and the American Southwest Conference (ASC).

U of O President Richard Dunsworth (right) and alumnus Ruben Aleman ‘94, president of the El Salvador National Administration of Aqueducts and Sewers (ANDA), joined forces to establish an internship agreement between the two entities.

AN ALLIANCE OF OPPORTUNITIES

For eight U of O students, including seven Walton Scholars, the summer of 2022 proved to be a valuable learning experience as they took part in an inaugural two-month long internship with the El Salvadorian government’s National Administration of Aqueducts and Sewers (ANDA).

The president of ANDA, Ruben Aleman, is a 1994 graduate from U of O and a former Walton Scholar. University officials partnered with Aleman and other officials from El Salvador to set up and implement the eight-week internship for the eight students. It was the first-ever internship program established by the El Salvadorian government with a United States university.

Aleman said the students helped the agency in areas such as electrical and water indicator data sheets, database creation and administration, data visualization techniques and software tools, development of a communication SWOT analysis and creating client service standard operating procedures.

“The first-ever ANDA-Ozarks internship program was a tremendous success,” Aleman said. “The program’s goals were achieved and the timeline for deliverables was met. As expected, the students were instrumental in the program’s success due to their technical knowledge, research skills and professional attitude towards the program’s objectives.”

Aleman said he was impressed with the students’ analytics skills and their fluency in Offimatics, research tools and analytical software.

“Above all, though, I was impressed with their professional attitude, responsibility and engagement with the program’s goals,” Aleman said. “I was also quite impressed with their team work with their Salvadoran counterparts and ANDA´s personnel.”

Aleman and his team came to campus in April 2021 to start conversations about the internship program. While they were on campus they also set up meetings with the local utilities company, Clarksville Connected Utilities, to build relationships between El Salvador and our local water distributor.

Leading the efforts for the University were Andrea Cooper, director of career services; Nicole England, director of the Walton International Scholarship Program; and Brian Henderson, director of annual giving and alumni engagement. They worked with Aleman and his team organizing logistics and planning the internship. In April 2022 Ruben and the ESCO team made another visit to campus and interviewed 18 students for the internship opportunity, eventually selecting the final eight.

The eight students who took part in the internship were, Josue Malonado Paredes from Guatemala, Laura Bruce from Panama, Fernando Guzman from El Salvador, Isaias Ortiz Namendi from Nicaragua, Juliana Busto from Nicaragua, Alisone Guzman from El Salvador, Willian Paiz Sanchez from El Salvador and Sarah Bureau from Haiti.

University President Richard Dunsworth, who traveled to El Salvador in June to visit with the students as well as El Salvador officials, said the intern partnership has several objectives.

“Creating these partnerships with ANDA, the El Salvador government, and other organizations within El Salvador is a way to better serve Walton Scholars with internship and job opportunities in Central America and to provide internships and job opportunities for non-Walton students to be able to gain valuable and life-changing cultural experiences,” Dunsworth said. “It also allows current college students the opportunity to gain real-world experience in their field of study and opens future research opportunities for faculty and staff from U of O to gain knowledge in their field and help create programs of study.”

Bruce, a senior environmental studies and sociology major, served as an energy efficiency intern at ANDA where she conducted research on energy efficiency indicators used in the United States, the European Union, and the Latin American and Caribbean regions. She helped create a dashboard about ANDA’s current energy status. This dashboard will provide insightful information to ANDA’s top management that will help with the decision-making process in various areas of improvement.

“The internship experience was the perfect combination of learning and fun,” Bruce said. “The internship helped me to immerse more in the data science field and that’s something I want to pursue in my career. I met awesome people and found tools that will help me in future endeavors. I love El Salvador and hope to come back either as a tourist or for a job.”

Maldonado, a senior biology and business administration major, said one of the highlights of the internship was visiting an island off the coast of El Salvador, Isla Madre Sal, where the first desalination plant in the country is located.

“It was a great experience that we shared with the whole ANDA

team,” he said. “It was very moving to see this plant because it means that the inhabitants of the island will have access to potable water for the very first time. The impact of such a project was very meaningful to the lives of those who live there.

Maldonado, who plans to pursue a career in public health or biology research, said the internship helped to “sharpen my statistical analysis skills that are necessary in both careers.”

“This opportunity at ANDA has given me the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and learn a lot about the energy sector in Central America,” he said. “Although the type of work I did with ANDA is not directly related to my future career plans, it gave me the opportunity to explore my interests in the energy sector and its relationship with the environment through different initiatives to tackle climate change. I also learned how to work as a team professionally and efficiently, which is essential in any type of work I will do in the future.”

“It helped me be more open-minded to what my future could look like,” she said. “It was an awe-inspiring experience. I never thought I would be a part of the first group of interns the government brings to my home country and I couldn’t feel more blessed and grateful with God and the essential support from Ozarks. I am planning on continuing my studies and continue to look for opportunities like this that let me experience what the real world looks like. I want to find new internship opportunities or get myself more involved in research at college and have a closer relationship with my professors, which are both extremely important for the development of my career.”

Ortiz, a political science and business administration major, did his internship in the areas of customer service and data analytics. One of his duties was to help in the development of job description and procedure manuals.

“My team and I conducted interviews with the customer service agents, coordinators, administrative assistant and manager of the ANDA call center to gather all the information we needed to develop such manuals,” Ortiz said. “These documents will serve as a guide to the department as they clearly define the responsibilities of each position and the processes needed to carry out such tasks. Moreover, they will contribute to reducing the under-utilization of both human resources and time and economic resources available.”

Ortiz said he was happy to be able to use classroom knowledge in a real-world setting.

“I am grateful for this opportunity because I definitely learned a lot,” he said. “All the knowledge gained in my business classes at Ozarks definitely helped me understand all the administrative work that is done here at the call center. It felt great to be learning in practice all I learned in the classroom. One of my short-term plans is to work on an administrative assistant role. The full exposure to the institutional management is definitely giving me the knowledge needed to pursue a career in business. Having customer service knowledge is also a great skill to have considering I will be taking client-facing roles.”

Aleman said he hopes future U of O interns can assist his department in areas such as water quality lab testing, climate change risk management, energy indicators assessment follow up, communication strategy implementation, green infrastructure for climate resiliency and business intelligence for the public sector.

believe this is the start of a great partnership that will benefit both our country and students at U of O for years to come,” Aleman said.

Alisone Guzman said the internship helped her leave her comfort zone.

“I

The internship experience was the perfect combination of learning and fun. The internship helped me to immerse more in the data science field and that’s something I want to pursue in my career. I met awesome people and found tools that will help me in future endeavors.

I love El Salvador and hope to come back either as a tourist or for a job.

LAURA BRUCE, SENIOR Environmental Studies and Sociology Panama

McGaws’ Gift Assists JLC Students

When Steve McGaw of Dallas, Texas, began looking for a way to honor his wife, Beth, for her 60th birthday, he found the perfect answer through a program that was close to their family’s hearts: The Jones Learning Center at University of the Ozarks.

Steve established the Beth McGaw Career Experience Program Endowment at U of O earlier this year in recognition of his wife’s milestone birthday as well as to honor her career in helping students who learn differently. The endowment will support students in the JLC program that helped their son, Brad McGaw (pictured, right), earn a college degree in 2020.

“Beth inspired me,” Steve said. “She has spent much of her adult life helping youth with learning disabilities find their best paths forward. The JLC had a profound impact on our son, Bradley, who attended school at Ozarks, left for another school, and then came back. The JLC showed us how, with the right accommodations, a young man like Bradley could excel.”

A steadfast advocate for students who learn differently, Beth (pictured, left) changed career paths several years ago from industrial engineering to education. Since that time, she has dedicated her time and talents to assist students who learn differently and to help ensure that they have the same opportunities and experiences that other students have.

“After Brad was diagnosed with specific learning disabilities and attention issues, I became an outspoken advocate for him and other children with learning disabilities,” Beth said. “I believe early intervention is the key to success, which has proven true for Brad.”

While the family was living in Atlanta, Beth co-founded Kids Enabled, a resource for parents with learning differences, and served as the publisher and executive director from 2006-2012. After the family moved to Dallas in 2010, she served on the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Texas and LDA of America Board of Directors. She served as LDA president from 2018-2020. She currently sits on the board of LDA of Texas, the Learning Disabilities Foundation of America, and a local nonprofit board, StandUpLD.

Beth also works with high school students and young adults as an independent educational consultant (IEC) through her company, LaunchPad

Consulting Group. LaunchPad specializes in helping students with LD/ADHD/ASD in the college planning and career discovery process using a strength-based approach.

“As an IEC, it has been rewarding to guide my students to choose their best-fit college or career path and see them soar,” said Beth, who has a master’s degree in adult education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The McGaws said they hope their gift to the JLC establishes a new growth vector for students of Ozarks by providing opportunities to receive training and enrichment opportunities to help prepare them to succeed within the business world.

“My own work experience during college helped me build conviction about my chosen degree and fundamentally shaped my career trajectory,” said Steve McGaw. “I’d like to help JLC do the same for students at University of the Ozarks.”

“The introduction and placement into the workforce is a whole different challenge when students like Bradley are approaching graduation,” Steve McGaw said. “They also need someone to help them qualify and find the right jobs with the right companies. Frankly, the companies need help knowing how to match young people with relatively minor disabilities with the right positions. This program is a beautiful match between Beth’s passion for helping youth find their best paths forward and JLC’s next great opportunity to support a large community of

career-ready students.”

Dody Pelts, vice president for student success and director of the JLC, said the funds from the endowment could be used for resume-building experiences such as student wages, expenses incurred while completing internships, job coaching and additional career preparation training.

“The McGaws’ gift to the JLC will provide opportunities for our current students to receive important job coaching and career experiences that best fit their interests and learning needs while also continuing on their path to a bachelor’s degree,” Pelts said.

The McGaws said they are proud that their son, Bradley, who graduated from Ozarks with a degree in health science and minors in art and physical education. He is working as a physical therapy aide.

“The Jones Learning Center was instrumental to Brad’s success and completion of his degree,” Beth McGaw said. “The individualized attention he received from his coordinator, Debbie Carlton, tutors, and faculty was invaluable to his success in college.“

Editor’s Note: The McGaw Career Experiences Program is an ongoing commitment to serve students in the JLC. If anyone would like to make a donation to the program, they can contact Lori McBee, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement, at lamcbee@ozarks.edu.

Windgate Foundation

Gift to Enhance Digital Photography Program

The University of the Ozarks’ art program received a multi-year grant of $310,700 from the Windgate Foundation for a visiting faculty program in digital photography as well as student enrichment initiatives for art students.

More than $200,000 of the grant funds will go toward a multi-year visiting faculty position to teach additional and upper level digital photography courses in the art department. In recent months, the University has established a photography studio to meet the need and demand of students from across disciplines, such as communication studies, marketing and business.

“The art department is very excited about expanding the photography options for students,” said Tammy Harrington, professor of art. “This medium has the capacity to expand into other interdisciplinary areas, so that students will learn about photography in a portrait studio setting, product and marketing concepts, and other genres like sports, fashion, and journalism.”

Harrington said that her program has seen a 300 percent increase in the number of students minoring in art since 2016 with the addition of the LENS program, where students choose one major and two minors from each of three academic “lenses.” Harrington also pointed out that 60 percent of students who took digital photography in 2021 were not art majors.

“This will benefit a variety of students on campus, not just the art majors,” Harrington said. “The addition of a photography visiting assistant professor will provide valuable knowledge and experience to this area.”

The student enrichment component of the grant will add funding to the current Windgate Student Fine Art Exhibit Endowment to increase student enrichment activities in art. This endowment helps cover students’ costs for opportunities such as conferences, internships and workshops.

Based in Little Rock, Ark., the Windgate Foundation provides funding for the support

and development of the arts in K-12 and higher education institutions.

This is the third grant that Ozarks has received from the Windgate Foundation. The University has successfully completed several art department enhancements over the past five years thanks to the foundation, including safety enhancements

and equipment purchases for ceramics, planning work for redesigning the art gallery and beautification, establishing an endowment for senior students to better exhibit their capstone projects, new equipment and furnishings for classroom and studio spaces, and the current addition of a photography studio.

Arvest Supports Emergency Fund

The Arvest Foundation made a $3,500 donation in September to the University’ s Student Emergency Fund. Among those who attended the check presentation were (pictured, from left) Dody Pelts, U of O vice president for student success; Tony Warren ’88, Arvest vice president/commercial lender; Benjamin Stormes, U of O Student Government Association president; Richard Dunsworth, University president; Daniel Kimbrough, Arvest commercial lender; Britney Hogeland, assistant branch manager; Whitney Koenigseder, commercial loan assistant; Vanessa De Haro, commercial loan assistant; and Shawn Bates, community bank president. Warren is a 1988 graduate of Ozarks.

Every time University of the Ozarks baseball player Rennie Arjona takes the field, he is reminded of his inspiration for the sport—his grandfather, Julio.

Arjona is a standout senior outfielder for the Eagles from Panama. His grandfather played professionally as a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, reaching as high as Double-A in the 1970s before an injury ended his professional dreams.

“My grandfather has been my inspiration because he was a dreamer,” Arjona said. “He wanted to play in the major leagues but an injury ended that dream. Since he couldn’t do it, I want to do it for him. That’s why I play hard every time I step on the field.”

Arjona has shined on the diamond for the Eagles over the past three seasons. He has a career .360 batting average, including .387 last year as a junior. He should leave Ozarks as one of the program’s all-time top hitters. He is also a stellar defensive outfielder, making just one error in more than 140 career chances for a strong .993 fielding percentage.

Ozarks Baseball Coach Aaron Gentry calls Arjona one of the most consistent players he’s ever coached.

“He’s talented and works hard plus he’s a great teammate,” Gentry said. “He has a quiet confidence and plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. As a person, he’s trustworthy, positive and exemplifies our University mission and values on an everyday basis.”

Arjona was named All-ASC Honorable Mention in 2021 and All-ASC Second Team last year. As one of the top hitters in the American Southwest Conference, Arjona said the secret behind his success at the plate is primarily mental.

“I’ve been always a good hitter and I think the secret is being positive and believing in yourself,” Arjona said. “Also, my approach is to always think in fastball so that if they throw a curveball I will have time to prepare since it’s slower. My philosophy is to hit the ball to all fields.”

Arjona started his Ozarks career with a bang, hitting a blistering .407 in 13 games as a freshman in 2020 before the Covid pandemic prematurely ended the season. Despite his natural abilities, Gentry said he has seen his star outfielder grow as a player over the past three years.

“Rennie has become more observant of the game and as a result, has developed a better instinct for college baseball,” Gentry said. “Confidence and consistency are his greatest strengths and he has developed to be one of the best outfielders and hitters in our conference. He works hard in the weight room but I’d say the main reason he has developed so much is because he allows himself to be coached. He wants to learn the game of baseball and improve. He takes critique well and learns from his mistakes. He’s always had talent and a competitive spirit; Now he has talent, competitive spirit and knowledge that drives his instinct. He is a more complete college baseball player.”

Gentry believes it is Arjona’s consistency that makes him a standout.

“Rennie stays within himself,” Gentry said. “He understands his abilities and focuses on his strengths to help our team win. The key to his hitting ability is that he believes he can hit and he expects to do well every game. However, whether he goes 0-4 or 4-4 in one game, he doesn’t take that into the next game. Not getting too high or too low is another key

Arjona came to Ozarks with the help of Ozarks alumnus Tom Justice ’89, a former baseball player at Ozarks who operates a baseball academy in Panama. Arjona has been training with Justice for almost four years.

“I met Tom because I was looking to play baseball outside of Panama and a friend of mine referred me to Mr. Tom,” Arjona said. “His academy helped develop my game because he made me become very disciplined. He also

Gentry said Arjona is one of several players that Justice has steered toward Ozarks.

“Tom relayed information to me about Rennie, sent video and character references,” Gentry said. “There wasn’t a lot of conversation between Rennie and myself. It was mostly Tom acting as the go-between. Tom is the one that talked to Rennie’s family. Tom is the one that made sure Rennie got all his information to the University and Tom is the one that helped make sure everything else was in order. Rennie, along with the other players from Panama, would not be at Ozarks if not for Tom.”

Arjona is majoring in business administration and he plans to follow baseball as long as he can after leaving Ozarks. He also has a job waiting for him back home in Panama helping manage his father’s home security systems business.

EAGLES ATHLETICS

Bradshaw, Rankin Named Top Athletes for 2021-22 Athletic Teams Honored For Community Service

Kerigan Bradshaw and Nathan Rankin were named the 2021-2022 Female and Male Athletes of the Year during the athletic awards ceremony in May.

Bradshaw, a senior member of the basketball team, led the team in scoring (13.0), assists (3.1) and steals (1.2). She scored in double figures in 15 games en route to earning third team all-conference. In her career, she has been Academic AllDistrict and ASC Player of the Week. She is a three-time All-Conference performer and was named to the Academic All-Conference Team three times. A chemistry major from Harrison, Arkansas, she finishes her career ranked among the program’s top-25 in career assists (184) and scored 822 points and hit 60 three-pointers.

Rankin, a senior member of the wrestling and track teams, won an unprecedented fourth Athlete of the Year award at the University. A business administration major from Plano, Texas, Rankin was ranked among the NCAA’s top-10 all season in the 125 pound weight class. During the 2021-22 season, he was the Pete Wilson Champion, Luther Open Champion, Citrus Invite Champion, Little Rock Open Champion, Star City Classic Champion and a conference finalist. He capped his senior season as a NWCA Academic All-American. He posted 110 career wins, most in school history.

The University of the Ozarks athletic department received national recognition for its community service efforts during the 2021-2022 academic year.

As announced by Helper Helper, a subscription service that tracks high schools, universities, and non-profits’ community service hours and community impact, Eagle athletics ranked fifth among NCAA III institutions in the number of community service hours provided during the year. Volunteering a total of 1,305 hours according to Helper Helper, 14 of Ozarks’ 17 NCAA III teams finished among the country’s top-10 in community service hours. The service hours provided by the baseball and women’s and men’s swim and dive programs led all NCAA III in those respective sports. Other programs ranked among the NCAA III’s top-10 included women’s and men’s cross country/track (6th), women’s soccer (4th), softball (10th), women’s and men’s tennis (2nd) and men’s wrestling (3rd).

The student-athletes provided service to a number of organizations including the Special Olympics, ForresterDavis, Clarksville Elementary School and Samaritan’s Purse. The teams also volunteered at many local events including Trunk or Treat, Spadra Creek and Highway clean-up and a downtown renovation project.

Fowler Named Head Coach of Women’s Wrestling

Charlotte Fowler was promoted to the head women’s wrestling coaching position in September.

Fowler served as the assistant coach since January of 2021. With Fowler as the assistant coach last season, the program placed seventh at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship (NCWWC) Regional in just its second year of existence. It was a year of firsts for Fowler and the Eagles last season as the program recorded its first home and road win and its first win in regional competition.

A native of Texas, Fowler was a team captain and a three-time Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA) All-American at Campbellsville University in Kentucky. She helped Campbellsville to WCWA national championships in 2018, 2020 and 2021.

“I’m excited for the opportunity and grateful to be able to lead this group of women,” said Fowler. “I’m excited to give them the opportunity to receive an education and advance their wrestling careers. I think it is very empowering for women to wrestle, and I think it gives women a sense of confidence and selfawareness.”

During her wrestling career, Fowler has qualified for the Olympic Team Trials, competed at the Senior World Team Trials and finished third at the US Open.

EAGLES ADD THREE NEW HEAD COACHES

Three new head coaches have joined the Eagles athletic program in recent months: Vinny Barber ’19 was chosen to lead the men’s wrestling program, Bishop Bass ’15 has returned to Ozarks as the interim head men’s and women’s tennis coach, and Matt Bolton was promoted to lead the men’s basketball program.

Barber, who just finished his fourth season as the assistant coach, took over the program in September. A native of Highland, New York, Barber wrestled collegiately at SUNY Oneonta and Centenary College (New Jersey) before earning his bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Ozarks in 2019. Prior to Ozarks, he coached with Team Texas as a national staff member and coached 11 state champions and three Fargo All-Americans. Barber attended the NWCA Leadership Academy in 2019.

Bass was hired as the assistant coach on July 28, but was elevated to interim head coach in August when Ryan Spencer accepted a new coaching job. A native of Greenwood, Bass was a four-time all-conference player for the Eagles and is the program’s all-time leader in singles wins (49) and doubles wins (48). From 2012-2015, he posted a 49-9 singles mark for a .845 winning percentage, second-highest in school history. In doubles, he went 48-14 for a school record .774 winning percentage. Additionally, he holds the program record for most singles wins in a season with 14. During his playing career, he was named the Conference Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year, Conference Freshman of the Year and U of O Male Athlete of the Year. He graduated from Ozarks with a bachelor’s degree in business management in 2015.

Bolton, who served as an assistant coach during the 2021-2022 season, was promoted to head basketball coach in May, replacing Travis Carruthers, who relocated to Texas. Prior to Ozarks, Bolton was an assistant coach at NCAA III Cazenovia College in New York during the 2020-21 season. He later was a graduate assistant in the athletic department at Ohio University. A native of Cato, New York, Bolton played power forward at Keuka College (New York) from 2017-2019 and was a member of the conference ScholarAthlete Team while serving as team captain. He played basketball, baseball and golf in college. He received his bachelor’s degree in business and sports management from Keuka in 2019 and his master’s degree in coaching education from Ohio University in 2020.

Clay Target Team Captures Three National Titles

The University’s clay target team continued its winning ways by capturing three national championships during the 2021-2022 season.

In October 2021, the Eagles won the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) National Championship in International Skeet and International Trap/Bunker. The Ozarks group of Keaton Little, John Wagner, Wyatt McCaghren, Cameron Ziarko and Lane Klohn won the national championship with a score of 362 in International Skeet, edging out William Penn University.

The group of Jacob Tucker, Clayton Villines, Ziarko, Mason Malin and Corbin Cooper won the national championship in International Trap/Bunker. The Eagles again topped William Penn University for the title. The Eagles hit 385 targets, while William Penn hit 378.

“We went into the competition doing what we do best: shooting one bird at a time,” said Ziarko. “And when you put the practice and determination into play, you get awesome end results.”

In March, the Eagles won the ACUI International Trap/Bunker National Championship. The team of Cooper, Tucker and Ziarko took the title. The Eagles posted a score of 253 to win its first team national title at the ACUI Championships. The championship came in the Division 2 competition.

“To win one national championship in a season is special, but to win three in a season is extraordinary,” said Athletics Director Jimmy Clark. “These athletes have established themselves as one of the top teams in the country. We are thrilled with their success and the pride they have brought to our University.”

The clay target program had previously won three individual national championships.

Vinny Barber Bishop Bass Matt Bolton

A CHAMPION FOR VICTIMS

Q & A WITH ASHLEY (TEAGUE) HOLMAN ‘12

As a “nice but passionate and tough” Assistant District Attorney in Kaufman County, Texas, Ashley (Teague) Holman ‘12 is serving on the frontlines in combating domestic violence and child abuse. Her work in advocating and fighting for victims has been recognized by her peers and colleagues.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TANNER HOLMAN ‘12

Ashley (Teague) Holman ’12 decided she wanted to become an attorney at age 5 when she saw a TV segment that showcased a female attorney who answered callers’ questions about the law. A first-generation college student from Lavaca, Ark., Holman starred on the basketball court and in the classroom at Ozarks and graduated in 2012 with a degree in political science with honors. She went on to attend law school at Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law, where she clerked at various local and state agencies, including the Collin County Crimes Against Children Unit, the Texas Attorney General’s Criminal Prosecution Division and Children At Risk as a Human Trafficking Fellow. She also spent her free weekends and nights as a nanny to help pay her way through school. Following law school, Holman joined the District Attorney’s Office in Kaufman County, Texas, just outside Dallas, as an assistant district attorney. She currently serves as the chief prosecutor of the Child Abuse Division. From 2019 to 2022, she helped establish and served as the chief of the DA’s Domestic Violence Unit. In her current role, Holman represents the state in prosecution of individuals who are charged with crimes against children. Earlier this year in honor of Crime Victim’s Right’s Week, she was honored for her outstanding service on behalf of victims of crime in Kaufman County for her starting the Domestic Violence Division. Holman and her husband, Tanner Holman ‘12, met at Ozarks and were married on Sept. 12, 2015. Tanner owns and runs his own photography and videography business in the Dallas area. The Holmans have two children, Odessa (4) and Callaway “Cal,” who turns one in December.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTERESTED IN THE LAW?

From a young age, I was really interested in pursuing a career in law. I had always wanted to have a career that would allow me to advocate for others. But I don’t think I really understood how interesting the law could be until my time at Ozarks, particularly taking classes with Dr. Stewart Dippel and Dr. Gilbert Parks. Dr. Dippel loved having the class participate in mock trial, and it was in those classes and through the endless briefing we did that I gained the confidence to actually pursue law school and eventually my career. When I had first gotten to Ozarks, law school and even the practice of law seemed like such distant concepts, and frankly I didn’t know the first thing about applying, or what would be required of me in a law school setting. I also didn’t have the confidence to say “yes I am ready to take this next step and invest in myself to make this career path a reality.” But, that changed once I got to know my professors at Ozarks. When I say, I would not be doing the job I am today without Ozarks, I truly mean it. Dr. Dippel and Dr. Strain were instrumental in helping me get into law school and preparing me for the LSAT. I remember one of the first times Dippel discussed law school with me, and he was so intent on what classes were going to be the best for admissions, what internships I needed to do and when, and my LSAT preparation. At that point I would have told you I wanted to go, but still didn’t believe that that would actually happen. I remember leaving thinking “Oh, he’s serious. He actually thinks I could do this.” As a first generation college student, his wisdom and encouragement meant everything.

WHAT

IS YOUR FAVORITE OZARKS MEMORY?

Meeting Tanner for the first time. We joke about “having a moment,” and the rest being history. I was playing for the women’s basketball team, and I forget who we were playing, but it was a home game, and the men’s soccer team had come and lined the floor cheering us on. The gym looks a little different now, but back then it was especially tight quarters, and the student section was literally right by the floor. In the middle of the game, I’m playing defense on this girl, and she picks up her dribble right near the sideline by the student section and right beside half court, so I get all in her face hoping she’ll throw the ball away. While I’m doing that, hands waving, being obnoxious in her face, I look right over at this guy standing on the sideline (Tanner), and we make eye contact, and I distinctly remember thinking, “Oh weird, that guy and I just had some serious eye contact...whatever defense,” and I went back to playing the game. Afterwards I was coming out of the locker room, and walking through the lobby area to meet up with my family, and over walks this guy and he says, “Hey, I don’t know you and you don’t know me, but we had a moment!” And I said, “You’re right I don’t know you, but we sure did.” After that started our friendship, dating, and now I’m married to the cute boy on the sidelines.

DESCRIBE YOUR WORK AS A VICTIM ADVOCATE AND HOW THAT INTEREST STARTED.

A close member of my family was a survivor of domestic violence. I watched the strength that she had leaving that situation and doing everything she could to make sure her kids did not have to grow up exposed to the cycle of violence. Watching her experience, I knew that however I used my law degree I wanted it to be helping children and families navigate the judicial system. Victims of crime didn’t choose to have these things happen to them, and oftentimes have had to overcome so much before I even meet them at my office, so getting to be somebody fighting in their corner is a privilege. During law school, I spent a lot of time in District Attorney’s offices, and saw firsthand what that could look like in the role as a prosecutor especially in crimes involving kiddos.

WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING IN THE CHILD ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DIVISIONS OF THE DA’S OFFICE?

I loved my time in the domestic violence division. The work is something that is near and dear to me, and I enjoyed the challenge of prosecuting those cases. Oftentimes, you have offenders who are incredibly skilled at dodging responsibility for their crimes, and who work hard via threats, coercion, or promises to change to keep their victims from following through. When there are children in the home, that adds a whole other layer to the concern in those cases. I feel like my time in that unit was great preparation for the cases I now work on in our child abuse division. There is so much overlap. Both types of cases require many players from the community coming together to do their part for these offenders to be held accountable. Law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services, child protective services, counseling/healthcare providers, are all part of the team who get these cases ready for trial. To be successful you really have to use all the tools in the toolkit, and I have always loved being a part of a team and getting to work with really passionate people from each of those areas. These cases are always high stakes, because they involve a child, so we all know everybody has to get their job right. I had no idea how much I would have to pull from my experience as a parent when I switched over to cases involving kiddos, but it has helped me tremendously. Kids don’t operate on the schedule of an attorney, and you never know how their day will have gone or how they will respond on the stand, so the hardest part of the job is preparing kids for trial. We never want to see that have to happen, but it does, so we have to talk about the hard things. It is so humbling to hear a child victim come in and tell the things that happened to them. I have seen the bravest, wisest, most resilient little humans walk through my office, and I go home at night hugging my babies even tighter.

HOW DO YOU KEEP FROM GETTING BURNED OUT FROM WORKING IN SUCH AN EMOTIONAL AREA OF THE LAW?

I’m not perfect at it. I’ve had seasons that were hard to navigate not taking the stress home with me, but I have really grown from those times and try to be really aware of my limits. I can’t serve people well if I’m running on empty, and so I’ve tried to live by that. Praying, taking a walk in the sunshine after a really hard interview, scheduling dinner with dear friends who know me well, snuggling my babies--really just remembering and clinging to things that are life-giving for me are how I refill.

DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE IN THE COURTROOM.

This question makes me laugh, because I surprise people in trial. I get told all the the time “you’re so nice I can’t imagine you as a prosecutor,” which 1) prosecutors are some of the nicest folks I know and 2) you can be “nice” and be passionate and tough at the same time. Some of the best trial attorneys I know are able to weave being personable, professional, and passionate at the same time, and that’s what I try to strive for. By the time we get to trial, I have spent months working with our trial team and all the players to get this case before the jury, and honestly the subject matter is the stuff that everyone should be fired up about, so that part comes easy.

HOW DO YOU BELIEVE BEING A COLLEGE ATHLETE PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR PROFESSION?

Being a student athlete required a lot of juggling my schedule. I ran cross country and played basketball, so there was some overlap in

practice seasons, so I had to be really on top of my time. That has been incredibly beneficial to me now, and the experience of being a teammate and working towards a common goal. I had the best teammates during my time there who are still so dear to our family. When you travel, live, practice, eat together all the time you have to forge relationships and be a team player. Those experiences carry over into my practice of law daily.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO WANT TO GO INTO LAW?

Gain as much practical experience as you can before law school. I mean real-life experience. Hold down a job, learn time management, and do things of genuine interest to you. Shadow or meet with people in the profession to get their honest feedback, and major in an area that you find interesting and will teach you to think analytically. There’s no set cookie cutter path to getting into law school, but I think there are necessary skills students can develop in undergrad that will serve them well through school and the profession. Most importantly, don’t feel like you have to have it all figured out. Be willing to ask for help, open to learning, have integrity always, and be kind. I am always willing to talk to someone considering law as a career path. I’m so grateful for the people who answered my questions along the way.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE KEYS TO JUGGLING FAMILY LIFE AND A DEMANDING LAW PROFESSION?

Juggling truly doesn’t happen without the support of my husband, Tanner. We try to be intentional with our time, because as our kids grow we know how precious it is. He is so incredibly supportive of me, and we both encourage each other to pursue the things we’re passionate about. We know when each other have big weeks coming up and that may require a lot from the other on the home front. I think it’s just about remembering what your priorities are. I don’t shy away from the fact that I’m a mom and family is my top priority. Cal attended his first CASA board meeting at two months old, and did great! Odessa loves to come with me to volunteer events or pay a visit to the courthouse. We aren’t perfect at it by a long shot, but I hope I’m teaching them valuable lessons.

2022 Donor Award WINNERS

Figliulo Family’s Ozarks Roots Run Deep

It was the summer of 1970 when John and Marge Figliulo drove from their hometown of Chicago to Clarksville, Ark., to bring their daughter, Virginia “Ginny” Figliulo Manning, to the University of the Ozarks campus after the family had learned about the college from a newspaper ad. That trip would be the start of a long and endearing half-a-century relationship between the family and the University.

The Figliulo family was presented with the University’s 2022 Pay It Forward Award that is given to a “generous 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.” The award was presented to family members during the Ozarks Awards Ceremony, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 21, during Homecoming week.

After Virginia Figliulo Manning attended Ozarks in 197071, five more of John and Marge’s children would go on to graduate from the college: Loretta Figliulo Salazar ’78, Maura Figliulo Howerton ’80, Dr. Mida Figliulo Milligan ’85, Anna Figliulo Dunker ’87, and Michael Figliulo ’87, along with two sons-in-law, Dr. Sam Manning ’71 and Joel Swanson ’80. They also had five grandchildren attend U of O: Dr. Margaret Manning McConville ’02, John Manning ’03, and Chad Milligan ’07. Ruth Swanson Daum and Mida Swanson Nichelson were also at the campus in ’02 and ’04, respectively.

That’s a total of 13 Figliulo family members who graduated or attended Ozarks over the past five decades.

“For more than 50 years, University of the Ozarks has been a special place for all the Figliulos and the site of many Alumni Weekend and Homecoming family reunions,” said Mida Figliulo Milligan. “Ozarks has been a valued part of our family celebrations and stories for as long as I can remember. Our experiences there, the friends we made, and the professors who mentored us are all part of the tremendous legacy the University provided our family. It’s an honor to be able to give back to a place that has meant so much to us.”

In 2011, the family established the Marge Figliulo Memorial Scholarship Award at the University in memory of their late mother.

While raising a family of nine children, Marge earned a bachelor’s of education degree from Chicago Teachers College in 1962 and a master’s degree in education from Chicago State College in 1967 before embarking on a 25-year teaching career in the Chicago Public Schools.

“She was a world traveler and avid reader who knew the importance of a quality post-secondary experience, especially for preparing highly qualified teachers,” Mida Figliulo Milligan said. “In fact, many of her children and grandchildren followed in her footsteps with successful careers in education and advanced degrees/certifications. This scholarship honors her legacy of lifelong learning and support of higher education.”

“My dad commented on what a great place Ozarks has been to gather over the years and how wonderful and friendly everyone at the campus always was,” Mida Figliulo Milligan said. “My dad also shared that they felt that a smaller school provided a more personal and meaningful college experience, which it did. After Ginny attended and had a good experience, he and my mom wanted others to go, too, and fortunately we wanted to go. Traveling to Ozarks to drop off and pick up whoever was in college at the time was always a fun trip, and we got to know the campus, so it was an easier transition for us to make. He said he takes great satisfaction in seeing some of the grandkids make the choice to also go to school there, carrying on the legacy and tradition. He thinks that my mom would be very proud that we created this scholarship and that we continue to support the campus, knowing that we thought so much of where we attended school.”

Other siblings include John Figliulo, Jr., Mary Figliulo, and Martin Figliulo. The Figliulos have 15 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, with another one on the way.

“Perhaps there will be future Eagles from the Figliulo family,” said Mida Figliulo Milligan.

Alumni Legacy Award

DON PENNINGTON ’68

Don Pennington is a retired family physician in Clarksville. A 1963 graduate of Clarksville High School, Pennington served in the Arkansas National Guard from 1963-69 while attending then College of the Ozarks. He was named the University’s Hurie Award recipient as the outstanding graduate in the Class of 1968. He went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1972 and one year later became a founding partner, along with Dr. Jack Patterson ’65 and two other physicians, of the Clarksville Medical Group. He retired from family practice in 1998. Pennington served as the organist for First Presbyterian Church from 1994 to 2007 and as a medical manager for a mental health clinic from 2003-2013. He has been a docent and fundraiser for the Johnson County Historical Society since 2013. He has three children, Thomas, Aimee, and John. Both of his late parents, John Powers Pennington ’30 and Verna (Harris) Pennington ’31, are graduates of Ozarks.

Alumni Legacy Award

PHILIP TAYLOR, JR. ‘85

Philip Taylor, Jr. is the owner of Phil Taylor Insurance in Clarksville, a business his parents started in the early 1960s. A lifelong resident of Clarksville, Taylor graduated from Clarksville High School in 1981 before enrolling at what was then College of the Ozarks. After graduating from Ozarks in 1985, Taylor began working with his parents at Phil Taylor Insurance. He previously served as president of the U of O Alumni Association and has been a long-time supporter of Eagles athletics. He has also been active in the community as a member of the Lions Club and as a board member with the Johnson County 4H Foundation, the Johnson County Community Foundation, the Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative and the Panther Foundation. He and his wife, Melody, have three children, Tegan, Bethany and Phillip III, and two grandchildren, Kaelynn (2) and Klara Beth (1). His late parents, Phil Taylor ’54 and Joanne (Willett) Taylor ’60, both graduated from Ozarks.

Emerging Philanthropist Award

ZACH DOTY ‘12

Zach Doty of Fort Worth, Texas, majored in marketing and strategic communication at Ozarks and was a member of the cross country team, Phi Beta Lambda, SIFE, and SCM Studio. Today, Doty is a director of online marketing at AT&T in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He and his wife, Hannah, have one son, Graham. Doty said, “Ozarks provided a solid foundation to launching my career. Progressive curriculum and an internship through career services provided a foothold into the digital marketing and advertising industry.” Prior to joining AT&T, he served clients in the S&P 500, and Fortune 100 while working at various marketing agencies. Giving back to Ozarks is a way for Doty to “pay it forward to leaders of our next generation and support the special place that is Ozarks.”

Emerging Philanthropist Award

COURTNEY TAYLOR ‘09

Courtney Taylor of Tulsa, Okla., works as a teacher’s assistant at her high school alma mater, Town and Country School, which serves students who have learning differences, like Taylor. She was on the U of O Alumni Board of Directors from 2015 to 2020 and has supported the Ozarks Annual Fund and the Jones Learning Center (JLC) since graduating from the University. She served on the Student Foundation Board, the Campus Activities Board, and with Baptist Collegiate Ministries. “It took me five years to get a degree, but I did it,” Taylor said. “I am so thankful for Ozarks and the JLC for accepting me and making it possible. I plan to continue supporting University of the Ozarks so other students like myself can have the opportunity for a successful and enjoyable life.”

Community Champion

HORN AND SON CONSTRUCTION

Horn and Son Construction of Clarksville was established in 2001 by the late Jack Horn and his son, Travis, and is owned today by Travis and Brianna Horn. Horn and Son Construction has partnered with the University on numerous University facility projects, including the Strength and Conditioning facility, renovations of the athletic offices and construction of the current downtown restaurant and tap room project. The company has also donated numerous hours and equipment to the University on these and other projects. Horn currently serves as president of the Clarksville Rotary Club, is a volunteer firefighter in Johnson County, and previously served on the Lamar School Board. He and Brianna have two children, daughter Taylor and son Levi.

2022 Alumni Award WINNERS

The University of the Ozarks Alumni Association recognized four of the University’s distinguished graduates with its 2022 alumni honors during the Ozarks Awards Ceremony during Homecoming in October 2022.

Alumni Merit Award

JACQUELYN HAMPTON ’68

Jacquelyn (Lawrence) Hampton was the first in her family to earn a college degree and went on to a long and distinguished career in teaching, counseling and child welfare. For most of her career she was a consultant for child welfare agencies and a grant reviewer for federal and private agencies. She has authored several published articles, conducted numerous workshops and served as a featured guest speaker on topics related to child welfare and black family issues. She has also served on several boards and advisory committees. Hampton received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kansas School of Welfare and completed all but the dissertation towards a Ph.D. She has been active in the University’s Black Alumni Association. Her late husband, Henry, was also an Ozarks alumnus, and they have two children.

Alumni Achievement Award CHAW LEE YEN ’87

Chaw is an assistant professor and head of master programs at UCSI Graduate Business School in Malaysia. After graduating from Ozarks, she went on to earn a master’s degree in information technology from University Putra Malaysia and a doctorate in business administration from Multimedia University in Cyberjaya, Malaysia. Prior to joining the educational sector, Chaw had 10 years of experience with two multinational corporations. Her research interests include, online education practices for university students, mobile apps and user acceptance, mobile applications, tourism management and human resource management. She received a Research Excellence Award in 2021 in Best Innovation and Commercialization, awarded by UCSI University.

Young Alumni Service Award FALON BRUECKNER ’19

After a two-year stint working in Texas, Falon (Hanson) Brueckner returned to Clarksville and became the owner of Shine Yoga Studio in December of 2021. She has used her skills and that space to give back to the Clarksville community and bring Johnson County together. She has coordinated fundraising events for local charities such as Fun Run for Breast Cancer and Hike & Yoga for Mental Health. Brueckner continues to stay involved with her alma mater by teaching yoga classes for U of O students and faculty. She has taught a yoga class for the Women’s Empowerment Club and Homecoming and also taught a class for Freshman Orientation this semester. She married Ozarks alumnus and men’s soccer coach Aaron Brueckner ’10 in July of 2022, and they spent their honeymoon on a mission trip in Albania teaching English to high school and college students.

Young Alumni Achievement Award MEGAN MINNEAR-CORRONS ‘12

Megan Minniear-Corrons was raised in Clarksville, graduating from Clarksville High School in 2008. At Ozarks, she majored in biology with a chemistry minor, graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors in 2012. She graduated from medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock in 2017. She spent three years training to be a family medicine physician at UAMS in Fort Smith before ultimately returning home to Clarksville to set up a family practice clinic and “give back to the community that invested in me.” She currently works for the Mercy Clinic Primary Care in Clarksville where she provides compassionate care to people of all ages. She and her husband, Nathaniel Corrons, were married in 2016. They have two dogs and a cat.

A Look Back HOMECOMING 2021

1 2 3

Among those former student-athletes elected into the University’s Sports Hall of Fame in the Class of 2021 were (from left) PATRICK “SLICK” BAKER ’85, KARA (BATHOLOMEW) JOHNSON ‘07, CARL RAMSEY ‘80, JULIE (RICH ARDSON) BERNARD ‘03, CHRISTIE (SHUFFIELD) SHOULDERS ‘02, MARCUS HAMPTON ‘93 AND BEVERLY (HOGREFE) MASSENGALE ‘93.

BEN POWELL ’00 received the 2021 Community Champion Award from University President RICHARD DUNSWORTH during the annual Alumni Awards Ceremony. Powell, who owns Ben Powell Construction in Clarksville, has supported and advanced the University through his company’s work on several University projects, including the Alexander-Boreham Tennis Center.

DON HAWK ‘58 and his wife, RUTH (HOLLOWAY) HAWK ‘69, pose for a photo in front of historic Munger-Wilson Chapel for a photo by the University photographer on the campus mall. The Hawks traveled from their home in Ozark, Mo. to attend the Homecoming festivities.

The newest members of the 50-Year Club included (standing, from left) DON CRAWFORD ’71, VANAI KAMOLSIRI ‘71, JOHN OLSON ‘71, KATHY HICKEY ‘71, IRENE GILLESPIE ‘70, ALLAN HARRISON ‘71, LENA ANDERSON ‘70, (sitting, from left) PAM COCKRUM ‘71, MARIE MCNEAL ‘70 AND DONNA HARRISON ‘71. The Classes of 1970 and 1971 were inducted into the 50-Year Club.

Among the Alumni Award winners for Homecoming 2021 were (from left) BILL BALLARD ‘56, TONY WARREN ‘88 (ARVEST BANK), SYLVESTER BENSON ‘67, GEORGE PITTENGER ‘91, DAVID PRIDGIN JR. ‘07, NATHAN WILLIAMS ‘07, NENA EVANS ‘16 AND RUBEN ALEMAN ‘94

A Taste of Arkansas was enjoyed by friends (from left) SCARLET (WINFREY) MORRIS ‘86, DAVID MORRIS ‘85, MARTHA “MARTY” (RINGLEY) SHERMAN ‘84, GEOFF SHERMAN, RICHARD AVERWATER ‘85, NAOMI PARENJOTHY LEE ‘85, AND GEORGE LEE ‘85.

CLASS NOTES

Jerry Glidewell ’79 retired in August as the executive director of the Fort Smith (Ark.) Boys and Girls Club after 32 years of leading the organization. Glidewell worked as a Boys and Girls club director since 1979, first at the Johnson County Boys and Girls Club after his graduation from Ozarks. He was later hired as the unit director of the Stephens Boys and Girls Club in Fort Smith, and was named the executive director in 1990. “It’s been a privilege to work with so many incredible people,” said Glidewell in a news release. “Board members, volunteers, staff, alumni, sponsors, parents and club members. A special note of gratitude goes to those who have provided me guidance and wisdom during the journey. I’ve always considered my time at the club a calling, not a job.” During his career, he was

instrumental in numerous improvements, including capital campaigns and building projects for Evans, Goldtrap, Stephens, Jeffrey, and Hunts Park; creation of afterschool transportation, mentoring and feeding programs; establishing the Alumni & Friends Association; expansion of the College Scholarship program and growth of the Clubs endowment. Retirement will give Glidewell the chance to work on some other interests, such as writing music and art, that he had not had as much time for as he’d like.

Pat (Capshew) Edmunds ’88, Arkansas Tech Career Center (ATCC) director, received the Arkansas Career and Technical Education (ACTE) postsecondary professional of the year award during the

ACTE Conference in July in Hot Springs. Edmunds has served as ATCC director since 2010. Under her leadership, ATCC enrollment has increased by almost 200 percent.

Pete Van Dyke ’87 was promoted to vice president of MLU, Excess and AI-PI Claims at CNA Insurance in Chicago in August. Van Dyke joined CNA as senior litigation claim counsel in 2004, where he oversaw high-severity litigation. In March of 2018, he assumed the role of AVP Technical ClaimAGL. In that position, he was instrumental in evaluating, managing, and resolving highly intricate liability and coverage claims involving complex factual scenarios with multi-million dollars of potential exposure. In January of 2022, he took on additional responsibility as the interim AVP of one of the MLU units. Prior to joining CNA, Van Dyke practiced law in Florida and Indiana at various insurance defense firms, where

Griffin ’12, Pfeiffer ’18 Receive Math Teacher Honors

A pair of University of the Ozarks alumna who teach mathematics in the Arkansas River Valley were recently presented with a prestigious regional honor by the Mathematics Association of America (MAA). Kimberly (Corley) Griffin ’12 (pictured left), a teacher at Scranton High School, was named the sectional MAA 7-12 Mathematics Teacher of the Year and Maranda (Watson) Pfeiffer ’18, a seventh grade teacher at Paris Middle School, was named the sectional MAA Middle School Math Teacher of the Year.

The two were named teachers of the year in the Arkansas-Oklahoma section of the MAA and were presented the awards during the organization’s annual spring student competition, held virtually last week. Their awards were presented by Dr. Javier Taylor, an assistant professor of mathematics at Ozarks and a member of the MAA sectional committee.

Griffin, who has been at Scranton since 2014, teaches algebra I, geometry, algebra II, pre-calculus, and transitional math ready. She has also taught AP calculus AB for many years. Griffin said the thing she enjoys the most about her job is having a positive impact on youth.

“I love to watch my students work hard and be successful at all things, not only mathematics,” she said. “It is so rewarding

to be able to work with a student who is struggling and help him or her reach his or her goals.”

Griffin and her husband, Arik, have two children, Raylon, 8, and Liberty, 6. Pfeiffer has taught at Paris Middle School since graduating from Ozarks in 2018.

“I was very honored to receive the award,” she said. “There are so many teachers out there that have helped me get to where I am that it still feels like they deserve it more than me. It still feels nice to be recognized for hard work and to know

that the good things I am trying to do in my little classroom are reaching outside of it, much further than I would have imagined, it seems.”

Pfeiffer called mathematics “a joy to teach.”

“Challenging students to reach higher levels of understanding and to problem-solve is very rewarding in the right classroom environment,” she said. “These are all wonderful things of teaching.”

Pfeiffer and her husband, Jared, were married in 2019 and have three cats and two dogs.

he acted as the lead defense attorney on products, auto, and general liability cases. In his new position as VP of MLU, Excess and AI-PI Claims, he will be responsible for providing overall leadership, direction, and technical oversight for the expanded MLU, Unsupported Excess, and AI/PI, groups. Van Dyke is a member of the University’s Board of Trustees.

Sheila R. Massengale Thomas ’96, a teacher at Clarksville Elementary School, was named the 2022 Alternative Learning Environments (ALE) Elementary Teacher of the Year for Arkansas by the Arkansas Association of Alternative Educators.

Dr. Benjamin Myers ’98, a member of the Oklahoma Baptist University faculty since 2005, has taken on a new role as director of the OBU honors program. The author of four books of poetry and two books of nonfiction, Myers was named the 2015-2016 Poet Laureate of the state of Oklahoma. His poems have appeared in The Yale Review, Image, The Christian Century, Rattle and many other widely circulated journals.

Greg Gilliam ’02 of Fort Smith, Ark., and his family were named Tennis Family of the Year for Arkansas by the United States Tennis Association. Greg is a tennis pro in

Fort Smith, Ark., and teaches juniors and adults. He is also the Junior Team Tennis Coordinator for WATA and tournament referee. He plays on and captains various adult tennis teams throughout the year. Greg also serves as a volunteer assistant for the Southside tennis team in Fort Smith. He and his wife, Glenna, have two children, Mackenzie and Matthew.

Leanita Pelts ’04, who previously worked at the University for 30 years, returned to the University in August as an instructor of education. Pelts, who worked at the University in various positions from 1985 to 2015, has served as a special education teacher for the Clarksville School District since 2018. “Returning to Ozarks to the Education Department is very exciting for me; it feels like a homecoming of sorts,” Pelts said. “Coming here from the public school system, I have experiences and real life knowledge to share with those preparing to teach. I am thankful for the opportunity to become a part of the Ozarks family once again.” Pelts began working at Ozarks in 1985 as an office manager in the Division of Education and started taking classes at Ozarks on a part-time basis shortly thereafter. She earned her bachelor’s degree in general studies in 2004. After earning a master’s degree in education

from the University of Arkansas in 2006, she continued to work at Ozarks, serving as an adjunct professor in education and program coordinator for the Jones Learning Center from 2006 to 2014. She was an instructor of education from 2014-15 before leaving Ozarks to teach in the Jasper School District from 2015-18. Pelts completed an educational specialist degree (Ed.S) with emphasis in educational leadership and special education leadership from the University of Arkansas in 2022.

Katie (Shay) Schneider ’05 recently joined Farmers and Merchants Bank in Mountain Home, Ark., as community development officer. She has been active in the region as a member of the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas Board of Directors and serves on the Schliemann Center advisory board through Baxter Regional Medical Center. Katie and her husband, Mark Schneider ’04, have a son, Finnley.

Evan Hoffmeyer ’07 was named in August as assistant vice president of communications for the Indiana Bankers Association in Indianapolis. Hoffmeyer guides the communications strategy of the association, including IBA branding, publications, social media and website content. He was previously communications director for Raybourn Group International.

Ryan Rose ’07 of Van Buren, Ark., was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives when he won a Republican primary election for District 48 in May of 2022. Rose ran unopposed in the general election and will begin his term in January of 2023. Rose is an associate pastor at Evangel Temple and owner-operator of Rose Auto Sales. He and his wife, Tiffany (Glidewell) Rose ’07, have three children, Kaden, Addison and Juliana.

The University’s Athletic Department celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX with a special recognition of female student-athletes at a home women’s basketball game in February. Seven former Ozarks’ student-athletes and one former Ozarks’ coach were recognized as part of the Title IX celebration. The recognition commemorated the anniversary of the landmark federal law signed in 1972 that prohibits gender discrimination in educational programs and activities and provided additional athletic opportunities for women. Alumni who were included in the recognition were (from left) Levada Qualls ‘55, the University’s first women’s basketball coach and Title IX pioneer, who paved the way for countless female student-athletes on campus; Mandi Koch ’07 (soccer); Whitney Lewis ’14 (tennis); Sarah Clark ’17 (basketball); Grace Brown ’18 (clay target); Hannah Smith ’19 (cross country and track); Jacquelyn Bateman ’21 (swim and dive) and Sydney Key ’21 (softball).

Morgan (Goates) Jackson ’12 started a new position at Walmart in Bentonville, Ark., in June as director supply chain management where she manages the imports and drayage transportation operations. Her husband, Hunter Jackson ’03, is the associate director of major gifts at Ozarks. The Jacksons have twin eight-yearold daughters, Anna and Ellie.

Malisa (Mat Sani) West ’12 and her husband, Kyle, welcomed Zayne Aurelius, to the family on July 23, 2022. He joins older brother Hadrian. The Wests live in Atlanta, Ga., where Malisa has served as a technical producer/director at CBS46 since 2021. She previously was a technical director at WPEC News 12 CBS in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Stephen Adams ’13 returned to Ozarks as information technology manager in July. He served as a student-worker in the IT department from 2010 to 2013. He also served in the IT department as a helpdesk coordinator from 2013-15 and as a systems administrator from 2016-2018.

He and his wife, Elodie Adams ’13 reside in Clarksville and have two children, Illya and Idris.

Fatima Agüero ’13 started a new position in August as supply chain manager for Google. She previously served as a materials program manager and technical program manager at Applied Matierals. Agüero earned her MBA from Arizona State University in 2019.

Nick Brill ’14 and Jordyn (Ferrell) Brill ’14 welcomed a new baby daughter, Jettie Jo, to their family on May 20, 2022. She joins older brothers, Banks and Baker. The Brills live in Rogers, Ark., where Nick is a teacher and football coach at Rogers High School, and Jordyn is an occupational therapist at Regional Therapy Services.

Whitney Lewis ’14 accepted a position at Davidson College in North Carolina as the assistant dean of admission. She recently worked at Hendrix College in Arkansas as the assistant director of admission.

Kurt Shemanske ’14 of Little Rock, Ark., was selected for the 2022 Spring Class of the Arkansas Business Executive Leadership Academy. He is a corporate buyer for Dillard’s.

Brandon Brewer ’15 was named the new head baseball coach at Greenwood (Ark.) High School in August. Brewer was previously an assistant coach and teacher at Owasso (Okla.) High School. He and his wife Morgan have been married since December 2019.

Bojan Jankovic ’06 was named an assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Mississippi in the spring. Jankovic comes to Oxford after spending three seasons as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech, and boasts over 25 years of coaching experience. Jankovic has also coached at Wyoming, Oral Roberts, Centenary College and for the Serbia senior national team. He and his wife, Bojana, have two children, Zuk and Anja.

Matthew Friant ’14 and his wife, Christian Angelica Pedroza Portillo ’14, welcomed their first child, Jesse Glenn, to the family on March 17, 2022. The family lives in Conway, Ark.

Matt Piker ’14 was named the head baseball coach of Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) in August. Piker joined the Saints’ coaching staff in September 2021 as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. Before arriving at OLLU, Piker

Jim Ridling ’67 retired in June 2022 after nearly 14 years serving in the role as Alabama’s longest serving insurance commissioner. Ridling also served as the chairman of the Southeast Zone of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for a decade and led Alabama to be reaccredited by the NAIC on three separate occasions. “As Alabama’s longest serving insurance commissioner, Jim has kept stability in the agency, all while bringing fresh ideas to ensure our state was offering our people the best, whether that be in times of natural disaster or simply in our day-to-day lives,” said Alabama Gov. Kay IveyIn May, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) named Ridling the recipient of its inaugural Lifetime Achievement in Resilience Award. Ridling also created the Insurance Fraud Bureau within the Department of Insurance dedicated to investigating allegations of criminal insurance fraud and a cybersecurity center to protect Alabamians from cyber criminals. “I am deeply blessed to have had the wonderful experience of serving the people of Alabama as Commissioner of Insurance,” Ridling said.

Three graduates of the U of O communication program are combining their talents to help promote and advance one of the largest school districts in Arkansas. (Pictured, from left) Luis Alfaro ’20, Trent Jones ’02 and John Steele Cooper ’04 are all working in the communications department of the Springdale School District in Northwest Arkansas. Alfaro is a media producer, Jones is the director of communications and Steele Cooper is the assistant communications director. Jones served as the school district’s director of media for eight years before being promoted to director of communications in July of 2020.

According

ArATE,

“expertise

Clarksville first grade teacher Jessica (Prater) Crook ’14 was named the 2021 Outstanding Mentor Teacher Award by the Arkansas Association of Teacher Educators (ArATE). The award was presented to Crook by Dr. Susan Grogan (right), executive director of the ArATE, and Pam Smith, director of the teacher education program at Ozarks.

to the

the state-wide mentor award recognizes

and excellence in the mentor’s abilities to guide and support a teacher candidate during the candidate’s placement or internship experience in an Arkansas P-12 classroom.” Crook is in her ninth year of teaching first grade at Clarksville Primary.

was at Mayville State University (MSU), where he was the pitching coach for four seasons. Before MSU, Piker was a graduate assistant at Arkansas Tech University (ATU) from 2015-2017, where he earned a master’s degree in college student personnel.

Sandra Paige Davis ’16 was promoted to director of operations at the Chicago Scenic Studio in August. Davis previously served as production coordinator at the company.

Stephen Houserman ’16 and Elly (Eibes) Houserman ’16 of Clarksville welcomed a new baby girl, Clara Elizabeth, to the family on Aug. 29, 2022. She joins big brothers Emmitt and Silas. Stephen serves as the economic development director for the city of Clarksville.

Haley Weaver ’16 was recently hired as an HR business partner by Baptist Health in Little Rock, Ark.

David Estrada ’17 was named an assistant professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and an executive producer of KOMU-TV, the University’s NBC-affiliated station. He has worked the past three years as a producer for

The University held an alumni gathering in El Salvador over the summer in conjunction with the inaugural student internship program with the El Salvadoran government (See pages 1821). Among those who attended the event were (from left) Claudia Cruz ’95, Raquel Daboub ’09, Ruben Aleman ’94, Amanda Ulloa Wildner ’95, Rafael Cordero ’95 and Yanira Pena Esquivel ’91.

KOMU-TV and earned a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Mizzou in 2019. He and his wife, Amanda Paz Herrera ’17, reside in Columbia, Mo. Amanda is pursuing a doctoral degree in biochemistry at the University.

Tyler Mosby ’17 accepted a position as the assistant community manager of Dogwood Hall at National Park College in Hot Springs, Ark., in October of 2022. He was previously director of residential life at U of O. He and his wife, Amy Wallace ’17, have a son, Wesley Dean Wallace Mosby, who was born on Dec. 27, 2021.

Karlee (Henson) Swartz ’18 has returned to her alma mater as creative director in the University’s Marketing and Enrollment Department. She most recently served as the downtown director and marketing director of the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce. Her husband, Sam Swartz ’19, is an insurance producer for Matt McCoy State Farm in Clarksville.

May 2022 marked the publishing debut of Ozarks alumna Robyn (Crow) Wall ’10. Wall has published a pair of children’s books that were released on May 24 by Doubleday (Random House Kids): “My First Book of Beards” and “My First Book of Tattoos.” Originally from Tennessee, Wall lives on the Upper West Side of New York City with her husband, Nathan, and two young daughters. After graduating from Ozarks, Wall taught high school and worked in communications for several years before deciding to focus on writing fiction professionally. She called her debut books “quirky, rhyming board books that feature bearded and tattooed parents but are truly about connectedness. Cuddles are encouraged.” More information on Wall’s books an be found at https://mycool.family/

Ben Counts ’18 was hired by Kansas State University’s Recreational Services to serve as the eSports Club program coordinator in June. After graduating from Ozarks, he went on to attend graduate school at Arkansas Tech University where he pursued a master’s in psychology. During his time at Arkansas Tech, Counts got involved in the university’s eSports club and coached the League of Legends team. He led the team to a winning record and national competitions. In 2020, Counts was hired as the first full-time eSports coach at Highland Community College in northeast Kansas, where he was tasked with building up the school’s eSports team for its inaugural season.

Emily Autry ’19 is enrolled at the Iliff School of Theology and the University of Denver’s dual degree program pursuing a master’s degree in divinity and master’s degree in Social Work. Autry was awarded a Methodist Foundation for Arkansas Seminary Scholarship. After graduating from Ozarks with a bachelor’s degree in religion and political science, she served in Miami, Fla., as a coordinator of the Fill the Table Initiative in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church through the Global Ministry Fellowship Program.

Brooklyn Keeling ’19 has been hired as a teacher and coach at Lincoln (Ark.) High School.

Julio Molina Pineda ’19, a cell and molecular biology doctoral candidate at the University of Arkansas, was chosen in May by the Genetics Society of America to join its Early Career Leadership Program. He will serve as co-chair of the Policy and Advocacy Subcommittee and was also awarded the Presidential Membership Initiative due to his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. This competitive program provides an opportunity for graduate students and postdocs to propose, develop and implement initiatives that address unmet needs for the early career scientist community and the genetics field. Pineda’s graduate research focuses on using yeast to understand why certain individuals are particularly susceptible to toxic effects of the Parkinson’s diseaserelated protein alpha-synuclein.

Corey Muiz ’20 was named the head coach of the inaugural women’s wrestling team at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa, in August. Muniz has been an assistant for the Lakers men’s wrestling for the last two years where he found success with four wrestlers obtaining All-American status, two National Finalists, and one National Champion.

Ralph Jean-Pierre ’20 is a graduate research assistant at Oklahoma State

University where he is pursuing a doctorate. He recently had his master’s degree thesis, “An Analysis of African Swine Fever Consequences on Rural Economies and Smallholder Swine Producers in Haiti,” published by the Frontiers journal of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics.

Otoniel Gumbs ’21 started a new position in August as a health brand buyer for Procter & Gamble in Panama City, Panama. Gumbs is also pursuing an MBA from Illinois State University’s College of Business.

Zachary Bobo II ’21 is working as a financial analyst at First Arkansas Bank and Trust in Jacksonville, Ark. Bobo is also pursuing an MBA from Webster University.

Abby Asencio ’22 was hired in August as the community relations director for the Clarksville-Johnson County Regional Chamber of Commerce. She will lead the Chamber’s membership efforts.

Candace Rogers ’22 is enrolled in law school at Oklahoma City University School of Law

Lauren Zavala ’22 was hired in September as marketing director of the ClarksvilleJohnson County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Dustin Larison ’17 and his wife, Blessing, welcomed a new baby daughter, Zell, to the family on Dec. 19, 2021. Zell joins siblings Severian, Skyla and Rose. Dustin coaches basketball and teaches history at Joe T. Robinson High School in Little Rock, Ark.

Ozarks alumnus Roy W. “Bud” Horne ’57 of Fayetteville, Ark., has donated a commemorative Black Heritage stamp collection dating back nearly 50 years to his alma mater. Horne (pictured, center) was joined by Doug Denne (left), director of Robson Library, and Brian Henderson ’02, director of alumni engagement and annual giving, during the Sept. 30th presentation of the framed stamp collection. The collection will be displayed in the University’s Robson Library. A 1957 graduate of Ozarks, Horne is retired from a long career as a high school band teacher and sporting goods business owner. He met his late wife, Irma Esther Guzman, at Ozarks in the early 1950s and they were married in Munger-Wilson Chapel. They went on to raise five children. Horne said he began collecting stamps in the 1970s when he was a band director and his wife was teaching history in Harrison, Ark. He estimated he has more than 250,000 stamps in his personal collection.

The Alumni Association is accepting nominations for its Board of Directors as well as nominations for Alumni Awards and Sports Hall of Fame. To nominate alumni for these honors, please visit: ozarks.edu/alumni/

Scott ’79 Shares Love of Music Over Airwaves

University of the Ozarks alumnus Samuel Scott has always had a love for music and he enjoys nothing more than sharing that passion with others.

Scott, a 1979 graduate of Ozarks, owns and operates the radio station KQLO 91.9 FM out of his Clarksville home. The low-power (100 watts) non-commercial education station plays rhythm and blues 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Music is a part of all our lives. Without music, we’d all be lost,” Scott said. “I’ve always loved music and especially R&B, so running a radio station just seemed like a great fit for me.”

Scott started the station in 2015, but said the idea of owning and running his own station had always been on his mind.

“It’s something that I was always thinking about and I even hosted a blues show on a local station in 2005,” Scott said. “I started planning it many years before I actually got it going because it was quite a lengthy process to get the license. I even quit a couple of times, but I always had this voice in the back of my mind telling me to get it done.”

One of the initial challenges Scott ran into was the sustainability of the station without the resources to support a facility or staff. He found the answer by setting up the station in a spare bedroom in his home.

“Usually low power stations are run by colleges, schools, churches or groups, but not by individuals,” Scott said. “It was a little bit overwhelming trying to figure out how I was going to survive without any financial help or support. Then I figured out that the answer was to run it from my house. The bills have to be paid and that was how I was able to do it.”

For Scott, running the station is a side hustle. He continues to work full-time for Tyson Foods in Clarksville, a job he has had since 1985. He estimates that he puts in 20-30 hours a week working on playlists, programming and running the station. He said the station’s unofficial motto is, “We Play Yesterday’s and Today’s R&B.”

“Even though most everything is automated, it still takes quite a bit of time to add new music to the playlists and set up the programming,” Scott said. “I try to keep up with the latest music while also discovering old music that may not have been real popular at the time. Finding and

sharing music is something I truly love, so it’s not work to me.”

A native of Lonoke, Ark., Scott came to Ozarks in 1974 on a basketball scholarship. As a high-jumping 6-foot-5 center, Scott was a standout on the men’s basketball team in the mid and late 1970s. He still holds the school record for highest FG percentage in a season, 65.7 percent in 1977-78, on his way to earning all-conference honors.

After graduating from Ozarks with a degree in education, Scott married a girl he had met from Clarksville, Gladys Willis, and the two raised their children, son Gaylen and daughters Ashley and Shawna. Gladys died in 2012 from cancer.

“She was a beautiful lady and we raised a beautiful family and had a wonderful life together,” Scott said. “When she passed away, I was a little bit lost. Starting the radio station kind of helped me find some direction and purpose.”

Scott was the first in his family to go to college, and he said the education he received at Ozarks helped set the stage for all three of his children and his two grandchildren to earn college degrees.

“As far as basketball, I probably could

have gone somewhere else and probably played more or gotten more attention, but for me I will always be extremely grateful for the education I received at Ozarks and for the professors and staff who helped me,” Scott said. “Going to Ozarks enriched my life so much and without it, I wouldn’t be here. My wife and I always emphasized education and all my children and grandchildren have college degrees. That all goes back to my Ozarks education.”

According to the FCC, minorities make up less than 13 percent of all radio ownership in the United States. And, while Scott is proud to be one of those minority owners, he said he takes more pride in sharing his love of R&B music to his community. He has already applied with the FCC to move the station to 1400 watts in the near future to increase the station’s reach.

“There was a blank space in this area for R&B music and that was my main goal, to fill that space and to share my love of music,” Scott said. “I really enjoy going to the grocery store and someone stopping me and telling me how much they love the music. That’s the ultimate compliment.”

10,000-Mile Journey Brings Lees Together

George Lee and Naomi Paranjothy Lee both grew up in the Malaysia capital of Kuala Lumpur and even attended the same church, but it took a 10,000-mile journey to University of the Ozarks for them to meet.

The two would meet as freshmen at Ozarks in late August of 1981, the beginning of a nearly five-decade romance. Both George and Naomi graduated from Ozarks in 1985 and were married in 1990.

Their initial encounter at Ozarks was inauspicious at best.

George said he first noticed Naomi at Chicago’s O Hare International Airport, the first port of arrival in the United States for around 200 students who were traveling from Malaysia to attend college in the country. They had all left Malaysia two days earlier, with a night layover in Hong Kong.

“After clearing immigrations and customs at O Hare, my roommate in Hong Kong, Logan Ramanujam ’84, saw me struggling with my things and he offered to carry my guitar for the next flight sector as I had obviously brought too many things,” George said. “I didn’t hesitate and gladly handed the guitar over to Logan, as I knew that he too was going to Ozarks while some were going to other schools. While waiting for our flight to Arkansas, I saw a petite girl carrying my guitar from afar. And, I thought to myself, hmm, she must be a nice and caring person, carrying a guitar for a stranger. All along she thought she was helping Logan out, but she was actually helping me out.”

Naomi’s first impression of George was less impressive. “I never noticed him at all until much later when classes started,” she said. “I wondered then why this guy was ‘stalking’ me and always there in all my classes and activities. George was not the friendliest person to meet. This man does not smile. He is monosyllable. Friends questioned me about my choice. Some still do. Deep down, he’s a hopeless romantic and I love him for that.”

George said the two just happened to have a lot of the same classes and were

involved in the same activities at Ozarks. “I had seen her on campus, and we took a lot of the same classes together since we had the same major. We also took part in similar activities on campus. I guess you could say that I slowly grew on her. We found we had similar interests, quite compatible in many ways, and became fond of each other. It must have been my smile.”

Though the two didn’t start dating for several years, they spent a lot of time together during their first few years at Ozarks, including watching movies at the Strand theatre, sharing banana splits at the Dairy King, shopping at Walmart and Piggly Wiggly, accompanying each other for individual host family events, studying together and attending county fairs.

“We couldn’t afford much since we were students” she said. “Initially we didn’t have transportation, so we walked most of the time during our first year on campus.”

One evening stands out as memorable.

“I had ordered some darkroom supplies from a photo store in Fort Smith, and they didn’t have delivery services like they have today,” George said. “Back then we had the Greyhound bus which would stop at the Road Runner gas station. We didn’t have a car then, and I was going to walk to Road Runner from campus one spring night to pick up my shipment and Naomi felt sorry for me and accompanied me. It took us a while to walk there and back. We learned a lot more about each other that night.”

Naomi said the two became much closer when George’s King Hall roommate, Alan Liew, drowned at Lake Ludwig in the spring of 1982.

“That incident devastated the whole campus community and brought everyone a lot closer, especially those of us who were with him, and tried in vain to revive him,” Naomi said. “For us, it was also the first time we managed a crisis together.”

Following graduation, the two continued dating and were married on May 26, 1990, at Wesley Methodist Church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Lees live in Penang, Malaysia, where they’ve established impressive careers in public relations, event management and software development.

The Lees have four boys, Nicholas (31), Justin (27), Geoshan (26) and Kevin, who passed away when he was 10 months old. Geoshan graduated from Ozarks in 2020.

The Lees said they have fond memories of their time at Ozarks.

“This is the place where it all started and it will always be our special place,” Naomi said. “We are glad and are blessed that we found each other here. We also made a lot of friends here, some have passed on, but we are still in contact with their families.”

(Editor’s Note: Right Time, Right Place is a new regular feature in the Today magazine featuring alumni who met their spouses while students at Ozarks.)

George and Naomi Paranjothy Lee at their 1985 Ozarks graduation (left photo) and with their sons in a recent photo.

WEDDINGS

CJ Burns ’19 and Kaden Stuart ’19 were married on Sept. 4, 2021, in Jackson, Tenn. CJ works for Airrosti Rehab Centers and Kaden works in insurance. They live in Fort Worth, Texas.

Mollie Howell ’17 married Ben Seals on July 30, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. The Seals live in Tulsa, where Molly is a 5th grade teacher in the Tulsa Public Schools.

Gloria Cizungu ’20 married Loick Wetchi on July 4, 2022, in the Republic of Congo. The couple lives in Lexington, Ky.

Jack Waggoner ’20 and Brittanie Gragg ’18 were married on Dec. 15, 2021, in Bentonville, Ark. The couple lives in Elkins, Ark., where Jack is a network analyst for ABB Motors and Mechanical, Inc., and Brittanie is an associate attorney at Elliott and Smith Law Firm.

Cade Coggin ’18 and Rebecca McCarron ’19 were married on Sept. 3, 2022 in Sevierville, Tenn.

Aaron Brueckner ’10 and Falon Hanson ’19 were married on July 3, 2022, in Alma, Ark. The Brueckners live in Clarksville where Aaron is the men’s head soccer coach and Falon owns Shine Yoga Studio.

Kaylanii Loudon ’20 and Alec Mertin ’19 were married on Dec. 18, 2021. The Mertins live in Seneca, S.C.

WEDDINGS

Jacquelyn Gearhart ’20 and Jordan Bateman were married on Oct. 22, 2021, in Heritage Acres near Clarksville. The Batemans live in Clarksville, where Jacquelyn serves as director of parks and recreation for the city.

Haley Deatherage ’18 and Kole Smith ’18 were married on June 4, 2022, in West Fork, Ark. The couple makes their home in West Fork.

Hailey Godfrey ’20 married Cody Thomas on April 23, 2022, in Salem, Ark. Hailey graduated in August 2022 with a doctorate in occupational therapy from Arkansas State University. The Thomases reside in Salem.

Kaitlyn Henrietta ’19 married Ryan “Layne” Garcia ’19 on May 26, 2022, in Valley View, Texas. The Garcias live in Fort Worth, Texas, where Kaitlyn is an assistant manager for The Springs Event Venues and Layne works for the finance team at BNSF.

Caitlyn Bell ’18 married Tucker Dodson on August 26, 2021, in Glacier National Park in Montana. Caitlyn is in her second year of the physician assistant program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock and plans to graduate in August 2023.

Tristian Leonard ’19 and Hailey Bromley ’19 were married on March 7, 2022, at Petite Jean Mountain in Arkansas. Tristian is a biological science technician with the USDA and Hailey is a nuclear medical technologist at Comanche County Memorial Hospital. The Leonards live in Iowa Park, Texas.

Luke Vera ’17 married Sophia Roehl on July 31, 2021, in Bentonville, Ark. Luke works for Novonix, a renewable energy company in Northwest Arkansas. The couple welcomed their first child, Mila Grace, to the family on June 29, 2022.

Laura Calderon ’15 married Carlos Barillas on June 25, 2022, in Guatemala City. Among the bridesmaids were Ozarks graduates Brianny Chamorro ’15 (third from left), Gabriella Pena ’15 (fourth from left), Yeraldine Thomas ’15 (second from right) and Anaeli Rodas ’15 (far right). The couple lives in Guatemala City, where Laura is a junior buyer for Cemaco, the largest retail company in Guatemala.

Nena Evans ’16 married Timothy Hammer on May 14, 2022, in Huntsville, Ark. The Hammers live in Northwest Arkansas where they own and run a farm-to-table restaurant, Homegrown Native Foods.

Olivia Allard ’19 and Jacob Organ ‘19 were married on Dec. 19, 2021, in Springdale, Ark. The Organs live in Benton, Ark., where Olivia is a biology teacher and coach and Jacob works as a bartender.

Brittany Brantley ’13 (right) married Nicole Allen on Feb. 2, 2022. The Allen-Brantleys reside in Springtown, Texas, with their daughter, Adaline.

Evan Sharpe ’21 and Maria Fabian ’21 were married on July 15, 2022, in Las Vegas. The Sharpes live in Northwest Arkansas where Evan is a police officer in Rogers and Maria works at Outdoor Cap in Bentonville.

MEMORIAM

Dr. Donald Wayne Stecks ’51 of Little Rock, Ark., died on Aug. 19, 2022, at the age of 94. He was a long-time pharmacist and owner of Kingwood Drug Store from 1966 until 1993. In 1989 he was the NARD National Independent Retail Pharmacist of the Year Award and former president of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Maxine Dean Stecks ’52.

William Thomas “Tom” Blackburn ’52 of Benton, Ark., died on Nov. 22, 2021, at the age of 89. He retired from St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center after 32 years as the director of Laundry and Linen Services.

Dr. L.D. Horn ’52 of North Little Rock passed away on July 7, 2022, at the age of 93. He was a long-time pharmacist and former president of the Arkansas Pharmacist Association.

George Ernest

Loss

’54 of Little Rock, Ark., died on Sept. 7, 2022, at the age of 90. He coached football for 39 years, including at St. Anne’s Academy in Ft. Smith, Ark., where he led the team to seven undefeated seasons, garnering 100 wins in his first 116 games and earning the title of “winningest coach in Arkansas.” After coaching one year in Perryville, Mo., Loss and family relocated to Little Rock, where he

led teams at Catholic High School for Boys, Bryant High School, North Little Rock Old Main, and Hall High. He was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at U of O in 2017.

Billy Dean Porter ’54 of Clarksville, Ark., passed away June 20, 2022, at the age of 89. He was the retired owner and general manager of Clarksville Wood Products Inc., served two terms as mayor of Clarksville and also served in the Arkansas House of Representatives.

Dr. James “Jim” Clarence Price ’54 of Athens, Ga., passed away on Feb. 16, 2022, at the age of 89. He was a pharmacy professor at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy from 1968 to 2010. He was a specialist in industrial pharmacy

University Mourns Loss of Dr. Stewart Dippel

The University mourned the loss of a beloved member of its campus family in January of 2022 with the passing of Dr. Stewart Dippel, professor of political science.

Dippel joined Ozarks in 1992 and was considered a leading academic in 17th century religious history. He wrote several books on the topic, including, “The Sacralization of the World in the Seventeenth Century: The Experience of Holiness in Everyday Life,” (2009); and “The Fast Day Sermons Before the Long Parliament (16401660): Their Role in Shaping Intellectual and Political Life in 17th-Century England,” (2014). He was the recipient of the University’s Bagwell Outstanding Faculty Award in 2004 and also served as the college’s faculty athletic representative.

“He taught me to think critically, strive for compassion, and always seek justice,” said Cameron Coker ’14. “Dr. Dippel helped me become the man I am today. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know and learn from him.”

“He was truly my favorite professor, not only because he challenged me, but

because he always spoke his truth and was always real with his students,” said Angel Umuhoza ’20. “He helped many of us discover our true passions in life and for that, he will always have a special place in our hearts. You could literally see his passion for teaching; he always gave us his best.”

“I am very appreciative and thankful for God to have allowed me and others to be blessed with Dippel’s presence,” said

Kyven Higgins ’22. “He was a man who spoke his mind and was one of those special professors that makes the world go round. He shall forever be the epitome of what teaching at Ozarks is all about: Making a difference in a student’s life.”

In April, the Board of Trustees voted to award the rank of professor emeritus to Dippel posthumously.

Said colleague Dr. David Strain: “Stewart earned the status of professor emeritus through three decades of exemplary service. We bestow it not as an honor but as a prayer: May his courage and his integrity never depart from this college, never be absent from the women and men who constitute it … Whenever one of us speaks out against something that they believe will diminish the education we offer our students, Dippel will be there. Whenever one of us speaks up for someone who has been wronged or belittled, Dippel will be there. And whenever one of us speaks truth to power without fear of the cost, Dippel will be there and in rare form.”

practices and a member of the American Pharmaceutical Association.

Rita Fern (Blackard) Daniel ’55 of Clarksville, died on Aug. 20, 2022, at the age of 88. She was a retired teacher and coach.

As a pioneer for Title IX and women’s athletics, she was hired in 1976 as first coach for women’s basketball and the assistant athletic director at the University of Central Arkansas.

William “Billy” Crowder ’56 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on July 25, 2022, at the age of 89. He was a coach and teacher at Ozark (Ark.) and Springdale (Ark.) schools.

In 1965 he was hired as the Westark Junior College (Now Arkansas-Fort Smith) baseball and basketball coach where he coached for 33 years and had the baseball field named in his honor. He is a member of the U of O, UAFS and National Baseball Coaches halls of fame.

Carolyn Oneita Johnson Waldo ’58 of Branson, Mo., died on Dec. 4, 2021, at the age of 85. She was a retired teacher. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Pete Waldo ’56 in 2020.

Everett Clarence Kendrick, Jr. ’64 of Springdale, Ark., died on Feb. 21, 2022, at the age of 80.

Sharon Jean (Collier) Allured ’65 of Alma, Ark., passed away on Feb. 20, 2022, at the age of 78. She was a retired teacher.

Mary Ann (Chandler) Stillings ’65 of Tybee Island, Ga., died on Feb. 28, 2022, at the age of 78. She was an active member of Saint Michael’s Catholic Church and volunteered for Post 154 of the Sons of the American Legion.

The Rev. Cmdr. Bruce H. Williams ’43, died on Oct. 24, 2021, at the age of 101. He joined the United States Navy in 1941 and served until 1975. He was a line officer in World War II, a chaplain in Korea and Vietnam and also served as a prison chaplain for 10 years before retiring. Then he served small churches as pulpit supply or as stated supply. Williams received numerous awards for his service in the Navy. He was a minister in the Presbyterian Church, American Legion, VFW, and Fleet Reserve Association. In 2016, he and his wife, Rev. Tracy Julian Williams, established the Chapel Programming Endowment to “provide support to Chapel programming and spiritual life in keeping with the traditions of the Presbyterian Church (USA).” As a member of the Class of 1943, Williams served as secretary of the class from 1978 to 2006 and was recognized in 1993 with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Together, he and the late Virginia Williams received the 2006 Legacy Award from the Alumni Association.

Richard C. “Dick” Rail ’59 of Little Rock, Ark., died on July 19, 2022, at the age of 85. He was a 39-year veteran of the Arkansas State Police. He was appointed lieutenant colonel in 1988 and continued to hold that rank until retirement in 2001. He also served in the Air National Guard.

Joanne (Willett) Taylor ’60 of Clarksville, Ark, died on May 1, 2022, at the age of 87. She taught school at Coal Hill, Ark., and was retired as owner of Phil Taylor Insurance Agency and a member of Clarksville Church of Christ. She served on the U of O Alumni Board for many years and received the Alumni Merit Award in 1991.

Hansel “Hank” Sparks ’62 of Clarksville, Ark., died on April 5, 2022, at the age of 81. He served in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard and was a 911 coordinator for Johnson County, a businessman and worked in telecommunications.

Raymond Harold Fitzgerald ’64 of Cordell, Okla., died on Jan. 24, 2022, at the age of 88. He served in the U.S. Air Force.

Sylvia Marie (Kauffeld) Kinnear ’66 of Green Cove Springs, Fla., died on Sept. 10, 2022, at the age of 78. She was a teacher for 38 years before retiring. Her work career included secretary, preschool teacher, community and school volunteer, and bookkeeper before retiring after 20 years with Little Rock Family Practice.

Marilyn Sue (Houston) Trone ’66 of Clarksville, Ark., passed away on May 16, 2022 at age 77. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, James (Jim) Trone ‘66, who she met at Ozarks during freshman orientation.

Carol Marvel Yates ’67 of Coal Hill, Ark., died June 24, 2022, at the age of 85. She was a retired mathematics teacher. She was a member of the Hartman United Methodist Church, and served on the Johnson County Regional Hospital Board.

Cecilia M. Ewing Hayes ’68 of Hillsboro, Ill., died on May 4, 2022, at the age of 75. She owned and operated International Filter Manufacturing Co. in Litchfield, Ill.

Joseph “Joe” Edmond Baker ’69 of Southaven, Miss., died on March 7, 2022, at the age of 82. He was a 29-year veteran of the United States Air Force and Arkansas Army National Guard.

Cmdr. Bruce H. Williams ’43

Lulu Dane (Baker) Schabell ’70 of Knoxville, Ark., died on March 31, 2022, at the age of 75. She was a retired teacher.

Thelma Nancy (Person) Runion ’71 of Tuckerman, Ark, died on Jan. 6, 2022, at the age of 72. She served as a special education teacher for 45 years in Newport, Ark., and Brinkley, Ark.

Sidney Lee “Sid” Kern ’72 of Clarksville died on Sept. 18, 2022, at the age of 73. He worked at Greenville Tube for 46 years and was an avid golfer, runner and fisherman.

Jennifer L. Fram ’73 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on March 25, 2022, at the age of 72. She was a retired kindergarten teacher.

Louis Wayne Whorton ’76 of Alma, Ark., died on Dec. 5, 2021, at the age of 70. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and went on to become a legendary basketball coach. He was inducted into the NJCAA Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 and is also a member of the University of the Ozarks Sports Hall of Fame and the UAFS Athletics Hall of Fame.

Rosemarie W. Liggett ’76 of Blackridge, Penn., died April 9, 2022, at the age of 92.

Merrill Mankin ’76 of Fort Smith passed away on Nov. 25, 2021, at the age of 68. He had a long and successful basketball coaching career in Arkansas and Texas. He won numerous conference titles, and two state championships in girls’ basketball while at Fort Smith Southside.

Penelope “Penny” Young ’79 of Mulberry, Ark., died on May 3, 2022, at the age of 65. She worked in both nursing and banking and played piano for the First United Methodist Church in Mulberry.

Robert Michael Chrisman ’80 of Ozark, Ark., died Feb. 19, 2022, at the age of 64. He was the co-owner of Chrisman Ready

Mix and a member of the Coal Hill Church of Christ.

John Wayne Dollar ’81 of Rogers, Ark., died on May 18, 2022, at the age of 69. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp., and was retired from the U.S. Postal Service.

Michael Ray Stone ’81 of Russellville, Ark., died Dec. 1, 2021, at the age of 72. He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Kenneth Gus Hern Baca ’85 of Buda, Texas, died in October 2021, at the age of 58. He retired in 2020 after a 30-year career in information technology.

Norma Jean Barnes ’89 of Paris, Ark., died on Jan. 17, 2022, at the age of 56. She was a former manager at Cloyes Gear, Family Dollar and Dollar Tree.

Anthony Aaron Caton ’90 of Mulberry, Ark., died on Jan. 12, 2022, at the age of 65. He was a former communication professor at U of O and at Arkansas Tech University, where he served more than 10 years as the department head of communication.

Mary Ann Gusewelle ’90 of Little Rock, Ark., died Nov. 24, 2021, at the age of 53. She was retired from Kroger.

Wincie Elizabeth “Liz” Hendricks Esch ’93 died on Sept. 17, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. She worked for several nonprofits, including the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks and Community Creative Center.

William Aaron Sisco ’95 of Clarksville, Ark., died on Oct. 4, 2021, at the age of 70. He was a retired construction superintendent with Nabholz Construction.

Jean Fields Smith ’96 of Clarksville died on Dec. 22, 2021, at the age of 80. She moved to Clarksville in 1992 and made many friends on her daily walks around campus over the past 30 years.

Briana Jo Greenemeyer ’99 of Edmond, Okla., died on Dec. 17, 2021, at the age of 45 following a battle with cancer. She worked for Avaya Technology Company for 17 years.

Katherine “Katie” Lien Burton ’05 died on Nov. 13, 2021 at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City. She was a special education teacher in Topeka, Kan., and Shawnee Mission, Kan.

Susan Jane (Dean) Sparks ’09 of Clarksville, Ark., died June 29, 2022, at the age 63.

Charity Grace Rohrbough ’22 of Bentonville, Ark., died on March 21, 2022, at the age of 22, as the result of an automobile accident. She was a home healthcare worker for Home Helpers of Rogers.

Jimmy William Allen of El Dorado, Ark., died on Sept. 27, 2022, at the age of 78. He coached men’s basketball at Ozarks from 1986-89 and was Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year in 1988.

Troy Wayne Clark of Ozark, Ark., died on Feb. 16, 2022, at the age of 86. He was a former accounting professor at Ozarks.

Jaime Encinas of Fort Smith, Ark., died in November 2021. He served as an instructor in the business program from 2019-2020.

Phyllis Jo (Mitchell) Johnson of Springdale, Ark., died March 25, 2022, at the age of 86. She was a former business professor at Ozarks.

Peggy Bort Jones of Hillsborough, Calif., died on Dec. 7, 2021, at the age of 85. She was a former Board trustee.

Henry Joseph Mariani of Little Rock died on Oct. 9, 2021, at the age of 83. He was a former owner of the Nite Light Company in Clarksville and former member of the Board.

Frederick Reynolds

“Rick” Otto III died on May 30, 2022, at the age of 64. He was a former director of information technology at the University.

MEMORIALS AND HONORARIA

Don Davis

Aug. 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022

MEMORIALS

Charles and Dorothy Angell

Cathy Angell and Ronna Biggs

Barbara Angell Vogl and Rocky Vogl

Dennis and Cindy Keeling

Richard and Katherene Bagwell

Bagwell Foundation

Rick Bagwell

Barbee Vickburg

Norma Jean Barnes ’89

Sonja McCuen ’88

Raymond Bean and Lorena Bean ’41

Arvid Bean ’78 and Sharon Jones Bean ’78

Theodore (Taz) Beard, IV ’15

Frances Adams ’17

Sheridan Barajas ’16

Bristol Chilton ’16

Cole Clementson ’15

Melody Cochran ’13

Codie Freeman ’15

Haley Gilliam ’16

Tyler Hydrick ’14

Catherine Mays ’15

Kristopher McCrary ’16

Wesley Needham ’18

Victoria Stiner ’17

Elizabeth Tate ’15

Alix Tiegs ’16

Sarah Valentine ’16

Anonymous

Sara Sisemore Woodard ’15 and Phillip Woodard ’09

Doug Black

Marty Black

Jeffrey Scaccia and Amy Scaccia ’09

William Thomas (Tom) Blackburn ’52

Bill Ballard ’56

Mary Millar Boyer

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek

Gary R. Bryant ’64

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Katherine (Katie) Lien Burton ’05

Rick and Sherée Niece

Marian Riddell Cargile ’64

John W. Cargile ’61

Anthony A. Caton ’90

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek

Carl (Phil) Collins ’65

Mary Barnsley Martindale ’63 and Kenneth Martindale

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Bill Crowder ’56

Donnie and Karla Harkreader

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Charles Dawson

Stanley Tubbs ’68

R. Louis Dewett ’57

Mary Holloway Dewett ’58

Scott Dillard

Michael Shannon McBee ’89 and Lori McBee

Stewart Dippel

Daniel Brewer

Sara Mangol and Susan Foster Larry and Cindy Isch

Rick and Sherée Niece

Aunt Jo and Cousins Blake Rexroat ’06 and Lauren Dunn Rexroat

Jeffrey Scaccia and Amy Scaccia ’09 Steven and Amy Oatis

Daniel Taddie

Arnold Leon Dunn ’60

Marjorie Dunn

Robert (Bob) Eddington ’54

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Relf Efurd ’53

Martha Dollar Efurd ’56

Fritz H. Ehren ’53

Ethan Harbour ’12

Judy Koon Willcoxon

Juanita Blackard Ehren

Michael Shannon McBee ’89 and Lori McBee

Vernon McDaniel ’55

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek and *Frank Schull

Gene and Lynda Stephenson

Judy Koon Willcoxon

Ralph E. Ehren ’55

Betty Hodges Ehren ’53

Michael Shannon McBee ’89 and Lori McBee

Vernon McDaniel ’55

Elizabeth Eisenmayer ’00

Estate of Edith M. McChesney

Kurt McChesney ’81 and Ursula McChesney

Mitchell S. Epperson

Susan Smith Epperson ’62 and Jon Epperson Marge Figliulo

Maura Figliulo Howerton ’80 and Bradley Howerton

Bobbie Head Hamill ’66

Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66

Connie G. Hamilton ’60

Gary Bradley ’84 and Linda Frala Bradley ’84 Edna Elkins Patterson ’67 and John Patterson

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Bessie Joyce Lamb Higgs ’49

Donna Higgs-Jones ’79

Dylan Hill ’15

Edwin and Lynn Bell

Duane and Sharon Birdsong

Jon Drake

Melodye and Russell Stickley

Helen Groskopf Hoeffer ’81

Jennifer Newman Chavers ’96 and Roger Chavers

John Frost ’89 and Julia Frost

Ron and Lynnette Klatt

Lissa Malcom ’10

Rick and Sherée Niece

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek

Carol Hoing

Anonymous Rick and Sherée Niece

Joe W. Hoing

Anonymous

William (Bill) Lee Holder ’52

Matt Brown

Jane Wilson Holder ’55

Jerry Holder

Roberta Holder

Irma Guzman Horne ’57

Roy Horne ’57

Wiley Lin Hurie

Frank and Reba Parks

Marie Hervey Ingram ’33

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Doug Jeffries

David and Teri Daily

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Linda R. Johnson ’65

Sharon Beth Patterson

Phyllis (PJ) Johnson

Rick and Sherée Niece

Dickie Jones ’72

Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71

Anna Lou Kauffeld

Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66

Lawrence and Ethelda Kauffeld Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66

Fred A. and Ophelia Jacobs Kauffeld Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66

Clio Thompson Kettelhut ’34

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek

Billie B. King

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Burley King ’40

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Burley Burnett King ’64

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Michael C. King ’71

Ivan Crossno ’71

Robert (Bob) King ’67

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

W. Ernest King, Jr. ’41 and Maribeth King

Kathryn King Bost ’43

Alice King Kutz and Kurt Kutz

Enoch (Buzz) LaPointe ’65

James Lynn ’64 and Erma Lynn Charles (Chuck) Larson

Richard and Mary Cohoon

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85

Larry and Cindy Isch

Rick and Sherée Niece

Paulette Nieuwenhof Freeman ’80 and James Freeman

Edna Elkins Patterson ’67 and John Patterson

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek

Mary Laugwitz

Jim Trone ’70

Arthur “Art” Leonard ’68

Carl Mashburn ’69 and Sherry Mashburn

Joe V. Marler ’60

Joyce Wilson Marler ’59

Elizabeth Meek

Edna Elkins Patterson ’67 and John Patterson

Carl Lee Miller ’64

James Lynn ’64 and Erma Lynn MaLinda Spurlock ’88

Ada Parks Mills ’33

Lee and Joanie Mills McCleskey Christina (Tina) Minden ’89

Carl Minden ’94 and Angela Minden Roscoe Moore

Edna Elkins Patterson ’67 and John Patterson Donald Munro

Steve and Dorinda Edmisten

James (Jim) Murray ’75

Michael Shannon McBee ’89 and Lori McBee

David Morton

Dorothy J. Murray

Richard Murray

Ralph H. Newkirk ’82

Thomas Konen

Leland Nordin

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85

Jackie Ott

Edna Elkins Patterson ’67 and John Patterson

Dawn J.M. Schull Dvoracek

Tommy E. Owens ’70

Glenda Dennis Owens ’71 and Steve Owens

Edward Myron Parker

Tommy and Judy Parker

Guy E. Parker

Tommy and Judy Parker J. T. Patterson ’38 and Lucile Sanders

Patterson

Ann Patterson ’75 and Max Snowden

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Scout Snowden

Jack T. Patterson ’65

Len Bradley

Lisa Carlton

Steve and Dorinda Edmisten

Sharon Beth Patterson

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Scout Snowden

Gene and Lynda Stephenson

Lucile Sanders Patterson

James Lynn ’64 and Erma Lynn Maurine Sanders Patterson ’53

James Lynn ’64 and Erma Lynn Dorcas Sue Patterson Pine ’57

Robert and Jane Dudley

Mary Ann Gammill and Robert (Ted) Gammill

Sandra Pitts Gray ’57

Marilyn Hankins

Jane Wilson Holder ’55

Roy Horne ’57

Keith Lewis

Vernon McDaniel ’55

Judy McRae

Bruce and Marilyn Morgan

Naylor Flois Eustice Page ’54

Edna Elkins Patterson ’67 and John Patterson

Don Pennington ’68

Laura Pittman ’79

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek Angie Simmons

James Williams

Susie Maude Pittman ’39

Anonymous Bill D. Porter ’54

Edna Elkins Patterson ’67 and John Patterson Ethel J. Powell ’79

Peter and Connie Bradish

Robert (R.L.) Qualls

Vernon McDaniel ’55

Gene and Lynda Stephenson

Anne Queen

Ben Queen

Michael A. Rail ’80

Sue Rail Wilkerson ’82 and Danny Wilkerson

Lewis Rogers ’34 and Lora Beth Rogers

Bob and Colleen Rogers

T. L. and Lois Smith

William Eddington ’55 and Charlotte Felkins Eddington ’56

Susan Smith Epperson ’62 and Jon Epperson

Curtis Lee Spence

Lance Spence ’91 and Virginia Spence

Harold Leo Stepp, Jr.

Darrell Williams ’76

Hal G. Stillings ’63

Jimmy and Kelli Clark

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek

Mary Ann Chandler Stillings ’65

Mary Ann Stillings ’65

Jimmy and Kelli Clark

Michael R. Stone ’81

Robert Wofford ’79 and Debra Bartlett Wofford ’77

Bruce R. Swinburne

Larry and Cindy Isch

Ann Taddie

Larry and Cindy Isch

Darrell Williams ’76

Nancy Geisler Tamuty ’59

Donald L. Tamuty

Joanne Willett Taylor ’60

Len Bradley

Pam Cockrum ’71

Steve and Dorinda Edmisten

First Security Bank

Karen Gilley

Donnie and Karla Harkreader

Jane Wilson Holder ’55

Larry and Cindy Isch

Michael Shannon McBee ’89 and Lori McBee

Rick and Sherée Niece

George and Betty Overbey

Jason and Heather Patton

Don Pennington ’68

David Pridgin ’71 and Reba Geels Pridgin ’81

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55 Gary Stubbs Charlotte White

John David Taylor

Steve and Dorinda Edmisten

Eleanor M. Thomas

Christopher and Elizabeth Knife

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek

Thomas Y. P. Tong ’85

George Lee ’85 and Naomi Paranjothy Lee ’85

Jerry Allen Trowbridge ’66

Ethan Harbour ’12

Jake Tull ’10

David and Selena Overholt

Mary Ellen Richards

John and Martha Tull

Betsy Tull Landers

Sue Tull

Mary Ann Weatherton S. Turley ’54

Ken Stroud

Harley Wagoner

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Jerry W. Wagoner ’58 Donald Kessler ’70

Mitchell Wagoner

Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Bobby (B.J.) Webb ’63

Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66

Rev. William (Bill) Weber ’53

Deborah Hawkins

Jeri Mobley

Paula Waldorf

Don Gene White

Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66

Guy and Freda Kauffeld Willett ’52

Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66

Rev. Bruce Williams ’43

Larry and Cindy Isch

Ron Laster ’64 and Maribeth Laster

David Pridgin ’71 and Reba Geels Pridgin ’81

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek

Tracy Julian Williams

Deborah D. Williams

Jeffrey Scaccia and Amy Scaccia ’09

Darrell Williams ’76

Nathan Williams ’07 and Randa Williams

Paula Wills

Gene and Lynda Stephenson

Rev. William (Bill) Woodard

Ron Laster ’64 and Maribeth Laster Ann Woolley

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek

Gene and Lynda Stephenson

July 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021

HONORARIA

Bill Alexander ’55 and Linda Alexander Ray and Orvalene Holbrook

Cathy Angell and Ronna Biggs

Barbara Angell Vogl and Rocky Vogl Mark Anis ’00

Mohammed and Elizabeth Anis Edward Blazek ’65

James Lynn ’64 and Erma Lynn Colin Cosby ’24

Susan Cosby

Brenda Wheeler DuBois ’69

Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer

Rebecca Wheeler Edwards ’01 and Robby Edwards

Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer

Susan Smith Epperson ’62

Don Pennington ’68

Lance and Valerie Wheeler Fetters

Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer Brett Hays ’06

Harold and Pam Hays Kaethe Hoehling

Sonja McCuen ’88

Ray and Orvalene Holbrook

Bill Alexander ’55 and Linda Alexander

Jane Wilson Holder ’55

Roberta Holder

Dennis and Cindy Angell Keeling

Barbara Angell Vogl and Rocky Vogl

Shayla Morrow Montelongo ’12

Mignonne Morrow ’70

Clint Morrow ’15

Mignonne Morrow ’70

Olivia Allard Organ ’19 and Jacob Organ ’19

Anonymous

David Pridgin ’71 and Reba Geels

Pridgin ’81

Hilda Turner

William Rail ’52 and Maxine Phillips Rail ’52

Paulette Nieuwenhof Freeman ’80 and James Freeman

Farren Sadler ’51

Liz Sisk

Wirt and Torpy Skinner

Thomas and Linda Skinner

Buddy Smith

Len Bradley

Rick and Sherée Niece

Thomas Smith

Holly Dunsworth and Kevin Smith

Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 Darrel Wheeler, Jr. ’75 and

Sharon Goza Wheeler

Martin Trussell ’17

Thomas Trussell and Amanda Moore

Anna J. Atkinson Wagganer

Naomi Atkinson Newman

Sharon Goza Wheeler

Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer

Darren and Larry Wheeler-Stepp

Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer

Jeremy Wilhelmi

Paulette Nieuwenhof Freeman ’80 and James Freeman

*Bruce H. Williams ’43

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek

Darrell Williams ’76

Jerrod Cowell

If you would like to make an Honoraria or Memorial in recognition of a loved one to the University of the Ozarks Annual Fund, please contact the Advancement Office at 479-979-1230.

Alumni Classes of 1970s and ’80s Shine in Annual Fund Challenge

In the Class Challenge, Ozarks Alumni were able to contribute to the Ozarks Annual Fund, which provides students with scholarships and opportunities to live life fully. During this challenge, alumni teamed up with classmates from the same decade and competed against one another. They were challenged to see which class decade could raise the most money as well as which class decade would get the most alumni to contribute and donate. This year’s first ever Class Challenge started just before spring homecoming on April 7 and lasted until June 30. Over the course of that time, Ozarks alumni raised $50,298.49 from 114 different alumni donors. As a result, the class decade of 1980 raised the most with $13,101.68, while the class decade of 1970 contributed the most alumni with 23. Congratulations to both the class decade of the 1970s and 1980s for being the first ever winner of the Class Challenge.

A FINAL WORD

FROM DR. DAVID STRAIN

“RUINED BAND” EMBODIES DIPPEL’S OZARKS LEGACY

(Editor’s Note: Dr. David Strain, professor of English, has taught at U of O since 1992. Strain wrote the following article in tribute to his long-time colleague and friend, Dr. Stewart Dippel (pictured left), professor of political science, who died in January of 2022.)

It’s been over 10 months since that day in mid-January when I got a text from Rich Dunsworth asking me to pray for Stewart Dippel, who was then in ICU. We learned the next day that we had lost him. When we remember dear friends who have died, most of us have a tendency to tidy up reality— to force them into a mold that they don’t necessarily fit. Stewart wasn’t meant for molds. In that lies a lesson.

Had he lived another few months, Stewart and I would have completed 30 years of service together. You might get the idea, then, that Stewart was fiercely loyal to Ozarks. So far as it goes, that’s true. However, it doesn’t go far enough. For it forces Stewart into a mold he doesn’t fit. Yes, Stewart was fiercely loyal to Ozarks. He could also be fiercely critical. Whenever he felt we weren’t living up to our potential, whenever he sensed we weren’t living out our values, he could just flat let it rip. He often seemed to be on the verge of giving up on us. However, here’s the deal: he never did.

If you read his Facebook posts, you’ll come across with some frequency the phrase “ruined band.” It’s how Stewart typically referred to his colleagues. What you may not know is that it’s an allusion to his favorite Shakespeare play, Henry V. The phrase occurs in the prologue to Act IV, where the vastly outnumbered English face certain annihilation at the hands of the French near a little place called Agincourt. It’s a grim business—so grim that Shakespeare has the young king offer safe conduct and pay to any English soldier who wishes to return home: “We would not die in that man’s company.” For Stewart, there was no higher honor than to be among the “ruined band” who fought with Harry on St. Crispin’s Day.

The real measure of loyalty is not whether someone remains true to an institution they love. (Any idiot can do that.) The real measure of loyalty is whether someone remains true to an institution they love and lament in near equal measure. For that bespeaks a wisdom rare in our recyclable culture, which tells us that we’re to find a place where we can thrive and thrive there. (Twaddle like that is wisdom?) Stewart understood real wisdom, which tell us that we’re to find a place where we’re needed and thrive there by meeting needs. Stewart’s sort of loyalty doesn’t express itself in sugary sound bites. Rather, it expresses itself in what the leader of another ruined band called “the fierce urgency of now.” Our world is bleeding. Nobody’s going to stanch the wounds but us. Get busy, get better, and find your fulfillment in the lives you help save. Benefits? Morale? Working conditions? Important but secondary. True loyalty arises in the needy faces in front of you. Sometimes, by golly, fighting for them means throwing chairs. And, Lord knows, Stewart threw a few. But he stayed in the fight until his dying day.

If there’s a fuller measure of loyalty, I don’t know what it is.

EMPOWER THE FUTURE!

BY SUPPORTING THE OZARKS ANNUAL FUND

When you support the OZARKS ANNUAL FUND , through the 1834 Society, the Coffee Cup Club or a one-time gift, you’re empowering Ozarks students to reach their full potential. Ozarks alumni and friends, like you, help provide more than $2 million annually for student scholarships. When you support the OZARKS ANNUAL FUND, you empower dreams. You empower opportunities. You empower greatness. You empower the future! Your gift to Ozarks transforms lives and empowers our students to be powerful, confident and prepared. Please scan one of the QR Codes below or visit ozarks.edu/support today.

DON’T MISS OUT!

•

•