Today Magazine 2024

Aerial view of the new Thomas and Frances Wilson Athletic Complex (Photo by Nick Schluterman)

20 Summer of Service

Internships with churches enlighten students’ summer

24 Alumni Profile

Alumnus Fidel Samour ‘05 is a budding entrepreneur

32 Class Notes

Catch up on the latest news of former classmates, friends

PRODUCTION STAFF

Larry Isch, Editor

Director of Public and Media Relations

Phyllis Parsons

Graphic Design and Brand Coordinator

Vinnie Tran

Graphic Design and Photography Coordinator

PHOTO CREDITS

Vinnie Tran, Josh Peppas, Nick Schluterman and Zach Thompson.

Wearing their eclipse viewing glasses, Ozarks students enjoyed watching the total eclipse that passed through the Clarksville campus on Monday, April 8. The University held a campus watch party on the mall for students, faculty, staff and local alumni.

UNIVERSITY DIRECTORY

Admin Services 479-979-1208

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Advancement 479-979-1234

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Athletics 479-979-1407

Ozarks Bookstore 479-979-1323

President’s Office. 479-979-1242

Public Relations. 479-979-1420

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Office of Alumni Engagement

University of the Ozarks 415 N. College Avenue

Clarksville, AR 72830-2880

Phone: 479-979-1234

E-mail: alumnioffice@ozarks.edu

WEBSITE www.ozarks.edu

CLASS OF 2024

Ozarks Honors 100 Spring Graduates

University of the Ozarks conferred degrees on 100 graduates on Saturday, May 11, during its Spring 2024 Commencement held on the campus mall.

Alumnus and University trustee Peter Van Dyke served as the keynote speaker. The 1987 Ozarks graduate is the vice president of complex casualty claims at CNA Insurance headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. He is serving his third term on the University’s Board of Trustees.

“So what is it about this ‘education’ that we’ve received that makes a difference?” Van Dyke said. “First, I must confess I have an unwavering commitment to and belief in a liberal arts education. What you have benefited from is an exposure to eclectic and diverse areas of studies. While this is beneficial in myriad ways, the

crucial fact is you have gained the ability to think critically about problems, and fashion innovative and creative solutions to them. In short you will bring a broad, multi-dimensional perspective to all matters.”

“Second, you have benefited from a small school environment. I often hear people extol the advantages of mega universities, but the fact is that the opportunities you’ve been given during your time here, rival those of any large university. I have always told my kids, it’s not where you go; it’s what you do. And what you’ve had the chance to do here is take on leadership roles, forge direct and meaningful relationships with your professors, administrators and staff, and develop your capacity to accept responsibility and accountability in a safe and supportive environment.”

The students’ welcome was provided by Carter Little, a business administration major from Oklahoma City.

“We were not able to grow, succeed or even find ourselves without love, without the people who work so hard to make Ozarks what it is,” Little said. “Without the people who came before us, who cared enough to build us a chapel, to build us new facilities, to build a history, a culture, an environment for us to be better every day. People care about this place, but they care more about us. Who we are, and how we are. We all had someone love and support us along the way. Whether it was family, faculty, a friend, or someone that you consider to be all three. When we walk across this stage, remember what made us into who we are today. It was the people who cared about us and this place. I am proud of all of you, and I am proud to say I am from this University, that resides in the natural state. There is no hidden gem better than this one, tucked away in Clarksville, Arkansas.”

The Thomas and Frances Wilson Athletic Complex — the grand new $10.75 million facility for Eagles baseball, softball and soccer — made its debut in recent months with home games being hosted by the University at the facility. The complex is located where the former athletics fields were and anchors the northeast corner of the campus with state-ofthe-art elements that include full turf fields, new lighting and bleachers, locker rooms, press boxes and bathroom facilities. The complex is named in honor of the late Thomas D. and Frances Wilson of Tulsa, Okla., who made the lead gift for the facility, which is expected to be completed by January of 2025.

Professor Wofford Steps Down After 41 years

When Robert Wofford, professor of economics and business, thinks back on his 41-year teaching career at U of O, it’s his students that come to mind first and foremost.

“Knowing that I played a small role in their career success or in their life makes me happy,” said Wofford, who retired from Ozarks in May. “The interaction with students is something I’ve always enjoyed and that’s one thing I’m going to miss.”

Wofford, who was awarded professor emeritus status by the University’s Board of Trustees in the spring, has been associated with his alma mater for more than 50 years. As a teenager, his family moved to nearby Hartman from Tulsa, Okla., and he learned about the University from one of his high school teachers.

At Ozarks, Wofford would end up with multiple majors and minors in history, education, public administration and business on his way to graduating with honors. After a stint working for the U.S. Department of Justice in human resources for a prison in Texas, he returned to Arkansas to earn an MBA from the University of Central Arkansas. As he was completing his degree, one of his former Ozarks business professors, Dr. James Perrett, invited him to return to Ozarks as a professor. He began teaching at Ozarks in the fall of 1982.

“I remember one of my first classes had over 100 students in it, so that was somewhat overwhelming,” Wofford said. “I also remember it took some time to figure out how to take what I learned in graduate school and teach it to undergraduates. It was a bit of an adjustment.”

Wofford quickly discovered that the classroom was his calling.

“I had initially planned to teach maybe four or five years and then enter the business field, but I found that I really enjoyed teaching,” he said. “I loved the interaction with other faculty across campus. It was one large family and there was a lot of cohesiveness. I also enjoyed getting to know the students and watching them grow and develop during their time here. It was very satisfying to watch them start as freshmen and then go on to graduate school or great jobs.”

While Wofford taught a variety of business classes during his time at Ozarks, he specifically enjoyed teaching economics

and statistics.

“I tell my classes each year that nearly every major decision you make in your life involves economics,” he said. “It’s so important to understand the basics of economics because it plays such a large role in our lives. As far as statistics, it also plays an important role because the world is made up of numbers and the more you can understand and work with numbers, the better off you will be. I’ve had so many former students come back and say to me how much they appreciated my statistics classes and how it made a monumental difference in their careers.”

Another lesson Wofford tried to instill was the importance of punctuality. Often arriving to campus by 6:30 a.m. each day, Wofford was known for his many early-morning classes and for locking the classroom doors once class began.

“I tried to teach life skills in my classrooms and one of the most important life skills is being on time and showing up ready to go,” he said. “When these students

graduate, they will need to show up to work on time and do their best, and those are the types of life skills I tried to emphasize. A lot of students probably didn’t appreciate it at the time, but they would often come back later and thank me.”

Wofford received the University’s Bagwell Outstanding Faculty Award in 1988 and served as director of the University’s Small Business Institute for numerous years. In addition, he’s been one of the longestserving marshal of ceremonies in the college’s history — from 1986 to 2023.

Freshman Enrollment Up 10.6%

The University’s entering class of first-time freshmen for the 2024 Fall Semester represents a 10.6 percent increase over last year’s incoming class, University officials announced this week. A total of 782 students were enrolled at Ozarks as of the end of business on Sept. 11, the 11th day census “snapshot,” required by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education. The total enrollment marks a 2.5 percent increase over the 2023 Fall Semester enrollment of 763. The first-time freshman class is 208 students, nearly an 11 percent increase over last year’s number of 188.This year’s student body includes 439 females (56 percent) and 343 males. A total of 315 students are from Arkansas, including 101 from Johnson County. This year’s student body is also one of the most geographically diverse in the University’s history with 226 international students from 25 countries outside the United States.

Ozarks Named “Best Value” Again

For the second consecutive year and third time in four years, University of the Ozarks has been ranked the No. 1 Best Value in the South Region in U.S. News & World Report’s annual college rankings.

In the 2025 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges, released this week, U of O ranked first in the “Best Value Schools” category among the nearly 100 regional colleges in the 12-state South. The value rankings evaluate the cost of attending a university relative to the quality of the institution and takes into account such things as the percentage of students receiving need-based financial aid and the average institutional aid those students receive.

The magazine’s annual late summer publication that analyzes institutions of

U of O Receives

“A”

Rating for Financial Stability

Ozarks received an “A” rating in the 2023 Forbes College Financial Grades ranking. The annual rankings assess the operational viability and balance sheet strength of more than 900 private colleges across the United States.

To build the college financial grades list, Forbes pulled the latest available financial data from the National Center for Education Statistics, which covers the fiscal year that began in July 2020 and ended in June 2021.

In total, the publication ranked 906 colleges that enroll at least 500 full-time students. Ozarks received a grade of 3.96 — which ranked 154 out of the 906 colleges. Ozarks was one of just two colleges in the state to receive at least an “A” rating in the 2023 rankings.

Over the past three years, Ozarks is ranked first in the state in the college financial grades ranking with an average of 3.46.

“The University serves many firstgeneration, historically under-represented and financially challenged students,” said U of O President Richard Dunsworth. “Having Forbes’ recognition of the hard work of the community as fiscal stewards is affirming and encourages us to be even better.”

higher education also had Ozarks ranked fourth in overall rankings among South Regional Colleges, up from seventh in last year’s rankings.

Ozarks has been ranked among the top 10 in the South Region in each of the past 10 years. The overall rankings examine such criteria as academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

Ozarks was also ranked No. 1 in the Best Value category in the 2022 and 2024 rankings and was ranked No. 2 in the category in the 2023 rankings.

“This latest recognition of the University’s efforts in combining outstanding academics with outstanding value is testament to the wonderful work

of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters,” said U of O President Rich Dunsworth. “We remain committed to making an Ozarks education both accessible and affordable while providing a top-notch education to students, regardless of their background or family income. That is the legacy and mission of this University.”

In addition, Ozarks is ranked No. 40 in Social Mobility in the South Region. This category represents those colleges that are most successful “at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants. The vast majority of these federal grants are awarded to students whose adjusted gross family incomes are under $50,000,” according to the magazine.

New Faculty and Staff

The University welcomed several new faculty and staff to campus during the All Employee Opening Workshop held on Wednesday, Aug. 21, in the Rogers Conference Center. Among the new employees for the 2024-25 academic year include, (front row, from left) Rev. Sara Anne Berger, assistant director of the Thriving Congregations Program; Dr. Jisook Park, assistant professor of music; Alyssa Langel, director of alumni engagement; Adrienne Arbaugh, JLC academic support coordinator; Pam Cogan, assistant professor of accounting; (back row, from left) Micayla Sharkey, director of student engagement; Jacob Sharkey, residence hall director; Amanda Turpin ’24, assistant women’s basketball coach; Nathan Bacon, assistant baseball coach; and Tina McCain, JLC academic support coordinator. Not pictured are Margarita Jimenez, housekeeper; and Brandon Snider, groundskeeper.

Q & A Get to Know

RUSSELL JONES

Russell Jones joined the University of the Ozarks faculty beginning the Fall 2023 Semester as an instructor of broadcast/ video/multimedia storytelling. A native of Dover, Ark., Jones earned a degree in communications from Arkansas Tech University while serving as the sports editor for the Dover Times and working on the family farm. After graduating from Tech, he was a producer, reporter and anchor for KFSM, Channel 5 in Fort Smith, Ark., before going on to work for WBRZ News2 in Baton Rouge, La. He has also served as a writer and managing editor of VideoGameWriters.com and as an assistant editor for Dig Magazine in Baton Rouge. Jones has almost 20 years of experience working in multimedia, including television, magazines and newspapers. His wife, Dr. Macy Jones, is an assistant professor of theatre and communication studies at Ozarks.

When and how did you first get interested in the communications field?

I’ve been a storyteller since I was five years old, so I’ve always been interested in communicating and performance. My mom saw me re-enacting a taped performance of a Canadian storyteller, Robert Munsch, to my friends while they were visiting and encouraged me to grow that talent into a skill. I performed at local libraries and talent shows, and started doing community theatre when I was older. Then in high school one of my teachers told me I had an anchorman’s voice, and for the first time I really considered the possibility that I could do something like be on television. That encouragement meant a lot to me, and I pursued it through college until I wound up realizing that dream by reporting on-air at KFSM 5NEWS in Fort Smith.

What are some of your goals/ambitions for the communication program at Ozarks?

Our students face a very different marketplace than I did 20 years ago when I was graduating. I want them to be prepared not just with hireable skills, but a sustainable work ethic and knowledge of how to secure their careers, not just hand control over to an entity which doesn’t have their growth and success as a priority. I’m excited to work with Susan Edens again; she’s built a great foundation for our program with her work in the television and radio spheres. My goal is to help support that with a dedicated production studio program which will give students an organized space to work on their individual creative goals, guidance for getting started, and accountability to keep them on track and finish the work. I want to foster a culture like I had in media spaces in the past, where people find what they are passionate about and get the support they need to develop that passion into skill, experience, and a professional reputation. Our classes will give the necessary skill development, and the co-curricular production studio will be a

place students can keep putting them into practice regularly rather than putting the skills back on a shelf until they need them again after graduation.

How would you describe your teaching style?

I enjoy a collaborative environment, where people respond to each other and give feedback instantly about the subject. My favorite classes are those when I can give the students an idea or a goal, break them into groups to tackle or discuss them, then step in and help facilitate those conversations or provide boosts to help guide them through the problem. Media production students need hands-on time with gear and live situations to help prepare them for working in the field, and studying communication means living through the give-and-take of transmitting, receiving, and decoding information while being able to observe and think through the many influences which affect what is being said and heard. My goal as an instructor is to create those situations, facilitate moving through and understanding them, and providing chances to reinforce that learning and build upon it.

What are the biggest challenges facing communication students today and in the next 10 years?

We’re at a time when the media environment is incredibly crowded; there’s a lot of noise out there, and a real lack of overall responsibility. It is easier than ever to get access to communication tools and channels, but more competitive overall to get noticed. This big, noisy environment can push creators to extremes — extreme takes online, extreme acts, and doing anything to make growth happen. Many of these are also not sustainable careers; influencing, streaming, and content creation often have grueling schedules, are at the whims of platforms which inevitably will turn on them to extract more value for their own growth, and are little more than shilling to the current trend or audience whim without long-term consideration. Those who do find success long-term are rare, and develop that ability to sustain themselves through the practices I’m dedicated to teaching. The next 10 years are going to see that process intensify as media companies buy each other up, new platforms emerge, and existing platforms scalp their creators for more value. Increasingly, people who make media will need to have a diverse skillset to pivot when things become unsustainable for them, and have a strong foundation of ethical practices to make sure they don’t lose themselves trying to keep their numbers going up. The successful creators long-term will value consistent work, forming a loyal audience base or client list, and using those as a security against outside influences who seek to take advantage of

them. They should want to be in a place where they can afford to say “no” to things; it will make them more successful at dictating terms when a larger group wants to use their services or offer them opportunities.

What is a digital brand and why is it important for students to create one?

Your brand is your reputation. Tropes in movies like the popular kid, the jock, the mathlete, are all forms of what a brand represents, but in the marketplace those labels become things like ‘the professional’ or ‘the industry expert.’ Because of the speed and reach of the digital environment, getting a good reputation can be hard to build, but a bad rep can happen to you fast and unexpectedly. Students can think about digital brands like a job interview; it’s the first impression a potential employer or client might have of you. Big things like reviews and recommendations can affect it, but little things like the types of words and images used on social media platforms — or even which media platforms you aren’t on — can also be impactful. Your audience might be a larger company, clients for your services, or a larger pool of collaborators. It’s our job as professors to help Ozarks students know how to create that picture of who their customer is and know how they need to communicate to them impactfully.

How do you believe your diverse background in media and communications benefits your students?

Media influences many more aspects of our lives and livelihoods today, and having a broader understanding of those influences both prepares them for their careers and gives them the perspective needed to navigate their daily lives. Having a big toolbox of skills will also help students be prepared for unexpected changes in the industry, such as new digital platforms. If you want to have a podcast, you should be prepared to also have a YouTube channel, and understand how to make content for your social media platforms, and know how to bring Patreon or other monetization into the picture… the list goes on. I want our students ready and confident they can make their own paths forward, not develop a single skill useful to one slice of the industry which becomes irrelevant less than ten years into their careers.

With the advent of AI technology, what types of future career opportunities do you believe there will be for students in both emerging and traditional media?

There’s always going to be a need for people who are technically skilled and creatively able. I have a friend who made a podcast, then found a career as a podcast editor; that’s the kind of opportunity I see as always being there, but someone may not be looking for that when they first start out. Automation might try to replace it, but it’s never going to be able to cross the kind of quality divide that exists in a creative field like content editing and production. AI will improve the tools they use, and successful students will keep abreast of their capabilities, but that quality divide between a skilled producer or editor and a cheap AI knockoff won’t go away, and the employers and clients who either try to use or prefer the latter are not worth working with.

What advice would you give a freshman student who wanted to pursue a career in communications/media?

I’d ask them what kind of media they want to make, or what kind of role they want in a communications field, and then tell them to get started now. Make a website, make a video, make a podcast; it’s never been easier. Don’t make it to sell or publish, just make

it. Make it ugly, or broken, or imperfect, and be okay with that because it’s never going to see the light of day: it is just there to help them get better at making something. There are two things stopping people from doing that right now; many feel like they need to get an immediate payoff or monetization off everything they do, which is an influence of the media environment, and many feel like it has to be professional-grade out of the box or it’s not worth doing. Those are both far too high of bars to clear on your first try, and they’re going to stop you from making more things so much you’ll never really improve. I want to foster an environment where freshmen understand nobody has to give them permission to make something, they can just do it.

What hobbies or interests do you have outside academia? I love camping, which makes me happy to be living in the Ozarks again. I recently had the chance to go with Dr. Darrin Hunt, some Ozarks students, and field researchers from Iowa to collect cicada and fish samples to research how the brood emergences are impacting the local ecology. Camping on the river, chatting about the work around a campfire, and making Dutch oven cobbler for the students is awesome. I like food and cooking. Living in Louisiana gave me a chance to develop my gumbo and jambalaya recipes, and try out a lot of different kinds of cuisine. I get curious about different food cultures or dishes, learn as much as I can by making it over and over, and find chances to make food for other people whenever I can. In downtime at home, I love to read and play games. I have a large board game collection, I spent several years managing a video game review website and doing game podcasting, and was part of an independent publishing group writing fiction for online audiences for a few years. It all comes back to storytelling for me; interactive stories like those in games, emerging stories like the ones we make while playing, and creating my own stories through writing.

What would be one thing about you that would surprise most people?

I grew up on a farm and worked in a garage for quite a few years. Cutting, baling, and hauling hay was what I did during my teen summers, and through college I worked at the family gas station fixing tires, changing oil and brakes, and working on log trucks. We would fix any tire from as small as a lawn mower to as big as a skidder tire. No surprise, though, I much prefer being in a classroom than under an 18-wheeler’s oil pan in 100-plus degree heat in August.

As Annie Nelligan sat in the front row seat of the grand court Philippe-Chatrier at the 2024 French Open in Paris watching one of her professional tennis idols during a practice session, the moment felt completely surreal for the University of the Ozarks senior.

“I had never even left the United States before and now here I was at Roland Garros in Paris watching Rafael Nadal,” said the elementary education major from Fort Smith, Ark. “It was like a dream come true and I kept asking myself if it was real.”

Nelligan was one of 20 student-athletes from the men’s and women’s tennis teams that participated in a 10-day trip to France and Switzerland in May that combined sight-seeing, cultural activities and goodwill tennis matches against players from France.

The trip was part of a new emphasis for the U of O athletic program to send its teams abroad. The men’s and women’s soccer

teams took a similar trip to France in 2023.

University President Richard Dunsworth pointed out that the Ozarks’ student body has a high percentage of first-generation and Pell-eligible students from the U.S., many of whom have not had the opportunity to travel outside the United States.

“One of our goals as an institution of higher education is to encourage, support and assist our students with enriching travel abroad opportunities,” Dunsworth said, “Going abroad is one of the most life-changing experiences of college and can promote growth in self-awareness and adaptability as well as enhance criticalthinking, problem-solving, leadership and intercultural skills. We’ve seen that our athletic teams that have traveled abroad together have forged stronger team-building and camaraderie, built crossculture connections and experienced new and diverse competition.

In today’s globalized and interconnected world, it is more important than ever for students to have these international experiences so they are able to work with and among different cultures.”

During the tennis teams’ trip to Europe, they spent most of their time in Lyon, France, and Paris. In Paris, they spent two days at Roland Garros watching the 2024 French Open tennis tournament, one of the sport’s four major tournaments. That was the highlight for many of the Ozarks students who grew up watching the iconic red clay tournament on television.

“I loved watching the French Open because I’ve watched it on TV my entire life and to be there was unbelievable,” said Kelsey Smith, a sophomore health science major from Norman, Okla. “To be able to walk around all of the courts and see all of these great players was an experience that I will remember for a lifetime. It’s a story I can’t wait to tell my kids and future spouse.”

Bishop Bass, the University’s head tennis coach and a former Eagle player, called Roland Garros the “absolute highlight” of the trip and said he enjoyed watching his players experience it as well.

“Being on the grounds and seeing all the high level tennis from front row seats was something pretty amazing,” he said. “Seeing a childhood idol, Rafael Nadal, was wonderful and definitely once in a lifetime for me. It was a time when I really got to bond more with the players and actually see them fully excited to experience something for the first time just like I was.”

Bass watched his teams grow even closer through the experience.

“Watching the team interact with each other in a setting away from campus and school matches was quite a treasure,” Bass said. “It was also good to see my European student-athletes take on more of a ‘leadership’ role within the group and help the ones who have never been to Europe, especially with directions and language barriers. I really think that they all became a little bit closer from all the experiences. Roland Garros was huge for everyone and that was the time when everyone was on the same page and enjoyed every second. Each player took time to chat with their teammates about their favorite players and all watch each other’s favorites. Watching them run around and make plans at Roland Garros was really special.”

Continued on Page 12

For most of the student-athletes from the U.S., it was the first time to travel abroad.

“This trip made me realize how much I want to travel in the future; As soon as I got back home, I was making plans to make it back to Europe,” said Joshua Wilde, a junior business administration major from Jefferson City, Mo. “Getting to understand how everything works, from international air travel to understanding the culture of a specific group of people, has encouraged me to want to do it again.

Florence Lebois, a former Ozarks administrator and the founder and CEO of Campus Globers in Lyon, organized and led the trip for the U of O contingent. She said she was thrilled that her work with University administrators has led to the trips abroad for the athletic teams.

“President Dunsworth and I have frequently discussed the importance of international exposure for all students,” she said. “Through my research on opportunities for athletes to study and practice their sport abroad, I realized that the intensive schedule of practices and games at their home institution made it difficult for most athletes to study abroad for a semester or a year. As a result, I decided to design short-term programs that would allow entire teams to discover a new culture while continuing to practice and play their sport. I leveraged my many connections in the French soccer world to start building the first program for the soccer team. From day one, the entire leadership team at Ozarks has believed that international experiences make a significant difference in the lives of our students and has strategically committed the University to this path. We collaborated closely with the athletic department and coaches, and I met with the team during my visits to Ozarks. Together, we created a trip for the soccer program in 2023 that was tailored to their goals and budget. We successfully replicated this approach with the tennis team.”

Lebois said she has enjoyed watching the world open up to students who are travelling abroad for the first time.

“Each student and participant always inspires me, giving me a reason to push boundaries and create more immersive experiences abroad,” she said. “I can see how much these experiences transform them. They begin to see their friends, their team, and the world through a different lens and discover so much more about themselves. From visiting the Olympic Museum in Switzerland to participating in tournaments with local teams, and witnessing iconic events like the Roland Garros tournament or a Paris Saint-Germain soccer match, we shared absolutely magical moments. Every

minute, I realized that these students could never have imagined seeing Nadal train at a Grand Slam tournament, sharing a soccer field with a French partner, understanding another way of living by sharing a meal with local students, or practicing their passion with local kids. I’ve seen teams return home much stronger and closer. They bond through shared challenges and collective experiences outside their comfort zone, growing significantly from who they were before the trip.”

The impact of traveling abroad for one particular studentathlete from Ozarks stood out to Lebois.

“She didn’t have a passport before this trip, and she later told me that she now feels capable of studying abroad for a longer period,” Lebois said. “She also mentioned her desire to help international students on campus, wanting to make them feel at home as she did during the trip.”

Natalie Dreyer, the women’s soccer coach at Ozarks, saw the impact traveling to France had on her team in 2023.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience for our staff and players; they were able to get out of their comfort zone and indulge themselves in a new culture,” Dreyer said. “ They made memories that they will talk about 20 years from now. Not many people can say they traveled abroad with their collegiate athletic team. One of my favorite things about the trip was being able to experience something amazing with our team, that many coaches also don’t get to experience in their tenure. We talk about being a part of something bigger than ourselves a lot and I was able to see it and gain a different perspective on this trip. It reminded me of my ‘why?’ I also loved the day at the Alps; it was amazing to be able to swim in a lake surrounded by beauty in another country. The Eiffel tower

twinkling at night was also a magical experience.”

Dreyer remembers a moment with one of her players that almost brought tears to her eyes.

“One of my players said, ‘This is my first time on a plane,’ and hearing that was really special,” Dreyer said. “It was awesome to be able to share this experience with her. It’s hard to put our experiences into words, but it will be an experience we talk about for years to come.”

The tennis teams’ trip to France included a bike tour of historical Lyon; a crepes-making workshop; tours of a winery and chocolate factory; a day trip to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland; a visit to the picturesque alpine town of Annecy, France; and a tour of Paris.

“I was really surprised with the history in Lyon and being able to learn about it on the bike tour,” said Ryan Rosalin, a sophomore health science major from Fort Worth, Texas. “One thing I will always remember is the view from the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière in Lyon.”

It was the first time to travel out of the country for Joseph Guidry, a junior finance major from Shreveport, La.

“I enjoyed the architecture, the scenery, the food, the culture, just everything,” Guidry said. “It was a very eye-opening and amazing experience as a whole. It was a fabulous trip with people I love. I have made memories that I will never forget, and I am forever grateful for it. This trip has prompted my want to explore more in the future because it just makes you wonder what else can possibly be out there.”

Though some funding for the trip came from the University’s Student Enrichment Fund, the student-athletes raised most of the money themselves.

“I’m so glad I took the chance to go on the trip,” said senior Emily Saniseng from Van Buren, Ark. “I was even more impressed than I expected I would be. I went not knowing what to expect, and only had worries that I would be lost and confused the whole time. This wasn’t the case, and I instead made new friends and saw sights I never thought I would be able to see. I would encourage anyone to take a trip outside the country. Traveling not only gives you new experiences, but also allows you to learn about new cultures.”

Kao Lenkopane, a senior business administration major from Botswana, was one of seven international student-athletes who made the trip. And though he had been to Europe before, experiencing it with his teammates made it extra special.

“Getting to take part in new experiences with my friends and teammates made it phenomenal,” Lenkopane said. “I’ll never forget watching tennis at Roland Garros while enjoying French coffee and a croissant. I also enjoyed seeing the French people cheer on their own athletes and indulge in patriotism. I enjoyed every minute of it, from figuring out which train to take, to trying to order in French and trying new foods, to meeting strangers who eventually became friends.”

It was the first time to travel out of the U.S. for Gabbi Davis of Pottsville, Ark., and Erika Jones of Van Buren, Ark.

“Learning about European culture was one of the highlights for me,” said Davis, an elementary education major. “It made me

realize how much more accessible it is to travel abroad, and gave me the confidence to do it in the future. It was truly a once-in-alifetime opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am so grateful to have had the chance to experience it.”

Said Jones, a junior history major: “Getting to know the culture of the country and seeing the way that other people live was enlightening. It was both mind-blowing and completely eyeopening. It convinced me that I will be traveling abroad again because it made it seem a lot more accessible and possible than I originally thought it was.”

University officials say they want to continue to encourage and support travel abroad opportunities for its student-athletes.

“In an era where many young people believe that international experience isn’t essential, and that everything can be done from behind a screen through the internet, social media, and AI, it’s a joy to welcome students from the University of the Ozarks and engage them in unique sports journeys,” Lebois said. “Their passion for their sport becomes a universal language. These international programs are not just academic endeavors or sports trips; they are deeply involving experiences that redefine how students perceive and engage with the world. My hope is to continue offering these transformative programs to more students. I aim to change how students access study abroad opportunities, enabling the greatest number of students to have unique, immersive, and affordable international experiences. I envision welcoming even more international athletes to share their passion and contribute to making the world a better place through sport.”

For Nelligan, the experience far exceeded her expectations.

“This trip was the most pure and wholesome fun I’ve genuinely ever had,” she said. “I loved how this trip further strengthened our bond as a team; if that’s even possible. I was thrilled when I found out I would be taking this journey, but even more excited to do it next to my best friends. There’s not many things as special as learning, growing, and playing with those you love. There’s nothing better than experiencing a new country with 20 of your closest friends.”

CAMPUS 1 2

SOLENA MARTINEZ ALEMAN ’24 received the 2024 Hurie Award from University President Richard Dunsworth. The award is presented to the outstanding member of the graduating class. Aleman is a health science and business administration major from Leon, Nicaragua. The Walton International Scholar was also named the Outstanding Student in Health Science and was a four-time academic all-conference selection on the women’s cross country and track teams.

The University’s annual outstanding faculty and staff awards for 2024 were presented to (from left) JOEY HUGHES ’10, KENNETH KENNEDY, DR. DANIEL FUDGE AND DR. STEWART HART. The awards were presented during the Board of Trustees Faculty and Staff Awards Banquet in April. Fudge and Hart each received the Richard and Katherene Bagwell Outstanding Faculty Award.

3

KIMBERLY SPICER ’98, program specialist in the Student Success Center, was recognized in October of 2023 for 25 years of working and supporting TRIO students at Ozarks. Spicer, a 1998 graduate of Ozarks, was honored by the Arkansas Association of Student Assistance Programs (AASAP) at its annual conference. TRIO programs are federal student services programs designed to provide services for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

DR. KAETHE HOEHLING, director of counseling services, has co-authored an article in the “Journal of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress.” She teamed up with four other scholars to write the article, “Women serving in special operations forces: Practical recommendations for mental health providers.” Hoehling recently completed her Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from Univ. of the Cumberlands. 4

headliners

PRESIDENT RICHARD DUNSWORTH (left) was presented with the Pillar of Progress award by trustee and Chamber consultant RAY HOBBS ’77 at the ClarksvilleJohnson County Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Awards Banquet. The award is presented to a person who “possesses leadership qualities and whose outstanding actions over a period of years have enhanced the quality of life of the citizens of Johnson County.” Ozarks was also the Employer of the Year. 5 6

MIRIAN MARALDA, a junior art and marketing major from Comayagua, Honduras, won the Best in Show honors during the 2024 River Valley Arts Center Collegiate Competition in Russellville, Ark., in March. The art piece was titled, “The Great Outdoors,”and is “a reflection of humanity’s relationship with nature,” Maralda said. U of O students also won first, second, third and honorable mention in the annual competition. 8

CODY WILLIAMSON was elected president of the Student Government Association during student elections in April. Williamson is a senior political science major from Fayetteville, Ark. He served on the University’s Model UN team last year and is also a member of the Campus Activities Board. He also served an internship with the City of Clarksville’s Economic Development Office during the past academic year. He plans to attend law school following graduation. 7

JOSH PEPPAS ’00 (right) received the 2024 Dr. Rick and Sherée Niece President’s Above and Beyond Award from University President Richard Dunsworth during the Board of Trustees’ annual Faculty and Staff Awards Banquet in April. Peppas, a 2000 graduate of Ozarks, has served as the sports information director at the University since 2001. The award is named in honor of the former president and first lady of the University.

SUMMER OF SERVICE

As University of the Ozarks senior Seria Cash recalled her summer internship at Mena (Ark.) First Presbyterian Church, a broad smile appeared and she became emotional.

“It reminded me of unfamiliar pain I hadn’t experienced in a long time — leaving a place and people who you grew to love and who loved you in return,” said the psychology major from The Bahamas. “I went there with nothing but my suitcase and life packed inside. And I left there with a guitar, incredible memories, a book filled with words of love, and family and friends that I know I can go back to whenever I feel like. The experience of being with those people within the community of Mena was truly one of the greatest joys and blessings of my life. I no longer consider money with a job in mind; I work to serve, build and watch people smile — it’s the thing I crave most. The internship experience was the most beautiful thing I have experienced in a long time, and I am truly grateful for the blessing and opportunity to have been chosen as one of the first students to be a part of it.”

Cash participated in a new summer internship program between U of O and rural Presbyterian churches in Arkansas that provides hands-on experience for students and much-needed assistance for the churches.

The program was created as part of the nearly $1 million Thriving Rural Congregations grant that was awarded to the University by the Lilly Endowment in 2023 to support rural Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations within the Presbytery of Arkansas.

The Rev. Phillip Blackburn, director of the Thriving in Rural Ministry Program at Ozarks, said the internship program’s goal is “to connect the students of the University to rural congregations in the Presbytery of Arkansas in the belief that a mutually beneficial relationship could develop.”

“Our hope was that the congregations would benefit from the fresh eyes of our students, as well as their enthusiasm for engaging the wider community,” Blackburn said. “For students, we hoped they would gain a broader perspective on rural Arkansas, the work of the rural church, and the value of rural places. Further, we hoped that by connecting their course of study with real world application, we could deepen their sense of vocation.”

Four U of O students took part in the inaugural program during the summer of 2024 — Cash; Meri Emongo, a junior finance major from The Republic of Congo; Tanaisa Rolle, a junior marketing

major from The Bahamas; and Daniah

a May 2024 health science graduate from Clarksville.

The students were divided into pairs and spent a total of eight weeks serving two churches, Mena First Presbyterian Church and Morrilton First Presbyterian Church. The students spent four weeks at each church.

Throughout the internship, the students had various responsibilities and took part in a variety of activities. They participated in and led worship services, worked at local non-profits that the churches support, attended church meetings, volunteered at food pantries, took part in youth groups and activities and assisted in Vacation Bible School. The students even helped lead research in areas such as the economic impact of rural churches within their communities.

Many of the duties pushed the students outside their comfort zones.

“I was definitely nervous at first leading different services and voicing my opinions more,” said Rolle. “This challenge taught me to be braver in public speaking, as I had to overcome my nerves and communicate my ideas clearly and confidently. By pushing myself to express my different ideas openly, I gained valuable skills and learned to trust myself more and the value that I have. This experience significantly boosted my confidence in public speaking and idea sharing.”

Castaneda even found herself leading a nutrition cooking class at the church.

“Although I have a strong background in nutrition, I had limited experience instructing and organizing a class for a diverse audience,” Castaneda said. “In order to build my confidence, I practiced my presentation several times to help manage my public speaking anxiety. I was able to keep my composure and maintain a consistent pace throughout the class by paying attention to the audience’s questions and comments. Overall, the class turned out to be a success and the participants engaged and asked several questions. This experience taught me how important it is to push myself and how motivated I am to assist others in improving their general health.”

Castaneda,

A particular evening of fellowship with the Morrilton congregation stood out for Emongo.

“We had the opportunity to give a presentation about our countries of origin, how ministry is carried out there and what life is like there,” Emongo said. “The audience was very enthusiastic and asked a lot of questions. I was proud to represent my country and deconstruct preconceived ideas that some might have had.”

The Rev. Sara Anne Berger, the assistant director of the Thriving Congregations Program at Ozarks, worked closely with the students and the churches directing the pilot internship program. The feedback she received from the churches conveyed the impact the students made.

“I have seen benefit to the churches firstly in the students’ presence in those places; it is always energizing for a congregation to have new people present in their worship and work, and especially younger people who bring additional perspectives and ideas to the life of a congregation,” Berger said. “Both congregations expressed how much they value the students’ energy, enthusiasm, willingness to pitch in and get to work, and how eager they are to join in with the churches’ activities. I also think the students call attention to things that the congregation hasn’t noticed — sometimes to opportunities they might be overlooking or things they are missing, But the students also have commented on the good they see in these churches, and have expressed admiration and appreciation for the congregations’ missions and activities. I have shared those insights with the congregational leaders, because I know it is a boost to a congregation for someone to come in and notice something they do well, and express appreciation for them, so that is certainly a value the interns bring to these churches.”

The Rev. Dr. Peg Falls-Corbitt, pastor of Morrilton First Presbyterian Church, said the interns helped re-energize her congregation.

“Hosting the interns brought energy and liveliness, and a sense of added purpose to the congregation’s summer worship and programming,” Falls-Corbitt said. “While of course this was partly due to their energy and youthfulness, it was also the effect of being part of the project and the congregation thinking of itself as being part of the education of college students. In addition, each student brought gifts that strengthened the programs with which

they volunteered. In June, we were able to feature the interns in a Fellowship Dinner program, and that was an avenue for the adults, mostly, to build connections with the interns and learn about their home countries. In July, we were able to involve them in Vacation Bible School, and their presence and caring attention to the children enlarged the circle of love the children experienced that week. Their help also was hugely appreciated by the volunteers that make the Conway County Care Center able to do its work for the hungry in our community.”

Falls-Corbitt said one of her favorite moments was watching Rolle and Emongo ride bikes that a member of the church had let them borrow.

“They didn’t have a car, so the program paid a young man from our congregation to drive them around, and another member loaned them two bikes,” she said. “ I don’t think bike riding to appointments had been in their vision of the internship, and there was adjusting to do for Tanaisa who was not an experienced biker. But as they tried the bikes out in the church parking lot, big smiles broke out across their faces. And it was pretty much with that attitude that they took on the internship: ‘New experience here I come!” They took that attitude into each thing I asked them to do.”

Berger said witnessing the congregations’ welcome and farewell of the students encapsulated the essence of the internship program.

“In our world there are many internship opportunities and summer jobs and ways to live and serve, but the unique aspect of this summer internship program of living and service is the church connection,” Berger said. “On the front end, the church in Mena asked me secretly to get a list of the interns’ favorite foods and snacks, so that they could gather donations from the congregation members and fill the kitchen of the interns’ housing with their favorite foods, as a way to welcome them. On the other end, on the last Sunday in June, before the interns switched churches, the church in Morrilton had the interns come forward and spoke a blessing over them and prayed over them, before they sent them onto the next church. These unique elements of this program encapsulated the kind of welcome, support and care the interns experience in this program from the congregations.”

Alumni Help With Athletic Complex

Agroup of former University of the Ozarks student-athletes are ensuring their legacy as an Eagle will remain on campus for years to come through their support of the new Thomas and Frances Wilson Athletic Complex.

Alumni (pictured, from left) Dustin Cole ’06, Rebecca GroffPreston ’12, Kris Breton ’01, Dr. Jessalyn Halsted ’08 are a few of the dozens of former Ozarks student-athletes who have recently committed donations to help the University complete the funding for the new $10.75 million facility. The complex, which will include new softball, baseball and soccer fields as well as locker rooms and press box, will be completed during the Fall 2024 Semester.

The University has raised approximately $7.5 million toward the $10.75 million complex, including the lead gift of $6.2 million from Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Wilson of Tulsa, Okla. The University is fund-raising the remaining $3.35 million of the project’s total cost and there are numerous naming rights available for various areas of the new complex, including the soccer and softball fields, BBQ deck, dugouts and locker spaces.

Groff-Preston, a former softball and soccer standout at Ozarks, has committed to donate $6,000 over three years to be a part of the Softball Dugout Club.

“As soon as the opportunity to contribute came across, I was eager to contribute,” said Groff-Preston, who lives in New Jersey where she works as a program manager for the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. “In fact, my first call was to my parents to ask if they would also contribute on my behalf. I am incredibly grateful for my parents’ contributions to my education, both my undergraduate and master’s degrees. They worked tirelessly to enable my brother and I to go to college, and without their help, I would not have been at Ozarks, and I would not have had the opportunity to continue to play softball and soccer.”

As one of the first players to help bring back the men’s soccer program at Ozarks in the late 1990s, Breton said he is proud to have played a role in helping start one of the University’s most successful programs. The men’s soccer program has made 21 conference postseason tournaments and won three conference titles since the late 1990s.

“I chose to go to Ozarks because of the academic scholarship I was awarded and because I could continue playing soccer, but not necessarily in that order,” said Breton, who is director of outreach for Columbia University Engineering in New York City. “I had no idea what I wanted to study, but I knew I loved soccer so that influenced me tremendously. That incoming class of soccer recruits in the fall of 1997 was the first to be really recruited. We went through some tough times that first year, but it brought us together. A few of us from that team still talk or text almost daily and 10 or so of us get together every few years, so that’s unique.”

Halsted, an optometrist in Northwest Arkansas, has supported the Ozarks Annual Fund for over a decade. A former standout for the women’s soccer team, Halsted has pledged $2,400 over two years to the Wilson Athletic Complex as part of the women’s soccer Locker Room Club. Halsted and her husband, 2008 Ozarks graduate Alex Gossett, have two young sons.

“I can’t wait to show my kids the new athletic complex and my name in the locker room,” Halsted said. “Playing soccer at Ozarks was a highlight of my collegiate experience and I made life-long friendships and memories that I’m able to share with my children.”

Cole, a standout pitcher for the Eagles from 2003-06, is a senior vice president at Arkansas Federal Credit Union in Little Rock. He has pledged $6,000 to the new complex as part of the Baseball Dugout Club and $2,400 for a baseball locker.

“Playing for Ozarks was literally an awesome experience that has been much, much more than just four years playing baseball and getting an education,” Cole said. “Not only has it helped in my career, but I’ve made life-long friends from my time there. I think it’s going to be amazing to know that I was a part of helping make this athletic complex a reality. When I show up to alumni games or just visiting campus, it will be really special to see my name and the names of my teammates and friends at the field and know we helped contribute to making it possible.”

For more information on how to support the Wilson Athletic Complex, please contact Jimmy Clark at jclark@ozarks.edu

McIntyre Gift

McIntyre of Dallas, Texas, (right), shown with Jimmy Clark, major gifts officer for athletics, recently made a $2 million commitment through his company, Bill McIntyre Sports Group, to the Thomas and Frances Wilson Athletic Complex. The gift was made in honor of McIntyre’s son, Chris McIntyre ’14, and daughterin-law, Kalli Simpson ’15. The baseball field’s home dugout will be named in honor of Chris, who played baseball for the Eagles from 2010-2014. A tennis court at the University will be named in honor of Kalli, who played tennis for the Eagles from 2012-2015. Bill McIntyre has been a member of the U of O’s Board of Trustees since 2021.

Bill

Sophomore clay target shooter Logan Wilson burst onto the international para-shooting scene with a grand summer.

For University of the Ozarks sophomore Logan Wilson, the summer of 2024 was indeed “golden.”

Wilson, a member of the University’s clay target shooting team from Mineral Springs, Ark., brought home a gold medal by winning the prestigious 2024 Para Trap Grand Prix in Hillsdale, Mich., in June. The victory propelled Wilson to among the top para shooting athletes in the country and secured him a spot on the U.S.A. Shooting Para Trap team. The victory also earned him a trip to Italy next summer for the Para Trap World Championships.

The two-day competition in Hillsdale attracted para shooting athletes from around the world shooting in Olympic Trap. It was the first international trap shooting competition for Wilson.

“When I first got there, I was pretty nervous, not knowing what to expect, so I went in with low expectations,” he said. “In the first few days of the pre-event training, I got more and more comfortable with everything and got to meet and shoot next to some of the other shooters. I gained a lot of confidence in those first few days. It was awesome meeting other wheelchair shooters. I’d only met one or two other para-shooters of any kind, so being able to compete in an event that was all para-shooters was really awesome.”

Competing in the seated division, Wilson started the competition by hitting 17 out of the 25 “clays” in the first round. He took control of the meet by hitting 20 in the second round and finished out the five rounds with scores of 16, 19 and 17.

“After the second round I realized, hey, I’m not doing too bad and I might actually have a chance. My confidence went up from there,” Wilson said. “After winning, I was in shock for a little bit. It took a while to sink in.”

Wilson was born with VATER Syndrome and has been in a wheelchair for most of his life.

He began competitive shooting when he was in seventh grade after his father learned about a nearby youth shooting sports program sponsored by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

“I was like any other young boy, I wanted to play some kind of sport, but there’s not a lot of sports in southwest Arkansas that a young boy in a wheelchair can do,” Wilson said. “When my dad learned about the youth shooting sports program, he thought that this was something I could do. He brought me out and gave me an old bolt-action 20 gauge shotgun. At first, I went out there and I was terrible, but I could physically do it. It was a little difficult to figure out the chair placement and learning how to rotate my body. Over time, it started clicking with me. From the minute I shot my first clay I was hooked.”

The Ozarks campus was the absolute best for a wheelchair that I have ever seen. And when I met Coach Brown, he saw the chair but unlike everyone else he didn’t immediately shut down. He sat down and said, ‘OK, let’s see your scores and averages.’ Most other coaches never asked for my scores or my achievements. They just saw the chair and were like, ‘No.’ After he saw my scores, he said, ‘OK we can make this work.’ I was pretty much sold after seeing the campus, but how Coach Brown and everyone at the University treated me absolutely sealed it.

Soon thereafter, Wilson’s dad restarted the shooting sports team at Mineral Springs High School and Wilson, a home-school student, joined the team, providing him a competitive outlet.

It was a meet at Southern Arkansas University during Wilson’s sophomore year of high school that got him thinking he might have a future in the sport.

“I kind of zoned out for a little bit while I was shooting, turning my mind off, which is when I do my best,” Wilson recalled. “Well, I hit my first perfect round — 25 out of 25 — that day. I kind of walked off the line and I remember thinking, ‘huh, this might work.’ From that point on I decided I was going to put the time and effort in to be the best shooter I could be. I’m a very competitive person, whether it’s grades or sports, and when I shot that first perfect round I made up my mind that I wanted to win tournaments and go after those perfect rounds.”

Wilson said one of the biggest challenges for wheelchair shooters is learning to rotate their bodies.

“When regular shooters turn, they turn with their hips, and when I turn, I have to turn with my shoulders and chest,” he said. “Learning how to overcome and compensate for that range-of-motion loss has been the biggest challenge for me. That was especially difficult in international trap or bunker because those clays are moving double the speed and can come out from much sharper angles. Being able to rotate fast enough and smooth enough to hit the target is a major challenge.”

When Wilson began looking for colleges to continue his shooting, he said Ozarks and Eagles Coach Lance Brown quickly stood out.

“A couple of schools I went to, once the coach saw me in a wheelchair they kind of lost interest,” Wilson said. “Ozarks was the last school I toured and one of the first things I noticed right off the bat was the campus was the absolute best for a wheelchair that I have ever seen. Where as most schools had maybe one or two powered doors on the entire campus, Ozarks had almost every door powered. And when I met Coach Brown, he saw the chair but unlike everyone else he didn’t immediately shut down. He sat down and said, ‘OK, let’s see your scores and averages.’ Most other coaches never asked for my scores or my achievements. They just saw the chair and were like, ‘No.’ After he saw my scores, he said, ‘OK we can make this work.’ I was pretty much sold after seeing the campus, but how Coach Brown and everyone at the University treated me absolutely sealed it.”

Continued on Page 22

Wilson has been competing against able-body shooters for his entire life, something that he believes benefits him when he competes in para trap events.

“When you’re in a wheelchair, people look at you a little differently,” he said. “Shooting against regular athletes taught me that in essence I am not different than they are. They aren’t inherently better shooters than me. Hard work and dedication can help level the playing field and not only can I compete with them, I can win tournaments. That has proven true in high school where I was the only wheelchair shooter and took first place, not as a wheelchair shooter, but just as a shooter. It carries forward in my college career. Coach Brown doesn’t treat me any differently than any other athlete. I receive the same level of coaching as any of the other shooters and that helps keep my head right. My dad was also my coach in high school and treated me the same way.”

Wilson said he’s shooting at his best when he can “shut the brain down.”

“For me, it’s kind of like shutting down everything around me, turning my mind off. In other words, quit thinking about it,” he said. “If you over-think it or start thinking about it too much, you’ll start overcompensating your shot and start missing. Let muscle memory and instinct take over, and that’s when I do really well.”

Those who know Wilson talk about his drive to succeed, which is not limited to athletics. He also played the violin, mandolin, guitar, and electric bass throughout his youth.

“I’m a very dedicated person; when I make my mind up to pursue something, I usually go after it with all I have,” he said. “I will shoot for as ever many shells as you hand me. In high school, most

shooters would go through two boxes of shells, but I would shoot from four to eight boxes during a practice round. It might take me two hours, but I was determined to overcome the issues with the chair. Plus, I just hate losing.”

Wilson said his “adaptability” is also a strength while shooting. “I’ve spent my life adapting to the world around me that was not built for wheelchairs,” Wilson said. “Learning how to adapt to the differences of shooting in wheelchair and my limited rotation ability, those are all examples of how I’ve had to adjust and adapt. I think that ability to adapt on the fly during a shooting meet is one of my biggest strengths.”

Despite his accomplishments on the range, Wilson, a psychology and finance major who plans to pursue a career in either clinical psychology or finance, said he’s just as proud making the President’s List (4.0 GPA) during his freshman year.

“When I was home schooled, one of the main things my parents instilled in me was a love of learning and dedication toward my studies,” he said. “I made a deal with myself right before I moved up to college that I was going to do everything in my power to have a successful freshman year. I had read a lot of places that freshmen often struggle in their first year of college and I was determined to do my best to keep a strong GPA.”

With his recent accomplishments, Wilson has been featured in several publications and television segments this summer. He was also recognized in August at the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation’s Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet in Little Rock.

“It’s been a great summer and it’s given me even more confidence that I can compete on the international level,” Wilson said. ““I definitely have my eye on the 2028 Olympics and I’m going to give everything I have to reach that goal.”

Shooting Facility Agreement Signed

Arecent agreement between University of the Ozarks and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has launched the public phase of a fund-raising campaign by the University to build an Olympic-level shooting sports facility in Clarksville.

The memorandum of understanding outlines the construction and operation of the facility and was signed in September in Little Rock by Austin Booth (pictured left), director of the AGFC, and Richard Dunsworth, president of U of O.

Under the agreement, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will donate $2 million in matching funds to the project and the University will fund-raise the remaining cost of the project. The facility will be open to the public and will be located on a 140acre parcel owned by the University just south of Interstate 40.

According to Dunsworth, with AGFC’s pledge a total of $4.5 million has been committed to the project, including $1.5 million from the University and $1 million from the city of Clarksville.

“We are one step closer to having a world-class shooting facility right here in Clarksville,” Dunsworth said. “We have the full support of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the city of Clarksville and Johnson County, and now we’re ready to fully launch the fund-raising initiative.”

The AGFC recently devoted an entire division’s focus to recreational shooting, which includes archery, competitive shotgun shooting and shooting range development. Booth says the matching

pledge is a continuation of the AGFC’s commitment to recreational shooting and its role in conservation.

University officials said construction on the first phase of the project could begin once the University raises an additional $10 million. Dunsworth said the fundraising initiative would include naming-right opportunities for donors.

The first phase of the complex would include a clubhouse, competition-level sporting clay courses and fields for skeet, trap and bunker as well as a pistol and rifle range. There will also be an archery field. The facility, which would be open to the public, would also include spectator areas, picnic areas and pavilions.

The $5 million second stage would include an RV park and additional support spaces.

According to Dunsworth, the new facility would fill a void of competition-caliber shooting sports complexes in the region. The nearest Olympic-level complex is more than 600 miles away in San Antonio, Texas.

EAGLES ATHLETICS

Athletes of the Year

Selected for 2023-24

The University’s male and female athletes of the year for 2023-24 were Jake Dado and Chloe Weathers. They received the honor at the annual Athletic Celebration Awards Ceremony in May.

Weathers, from Clarksville, excelled in cross country, swimming and track. She was named the American Southwest Conference Cross Country Newcomer of the Year and posted the highest individual finish in program history at the ASC Championships placing second overall. For her performance at the race, she earned All-Conference First Team honors. She now holds the program record in the 5k (18:50), 6k (23:12) and 3-mile (17:59). Weathers represented the Eagles at the NCAA III Regional Cross Country Championships. In swimming, she broke three school records this season and has 13 collegiate individual race wins. Weathers’ grandfather, Leroy Douglas ’60, is a member of the University’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Dado, a senior, was named male athlete of the year for the second consecutive year. He qualified for the 2024 NCAA III National Championships and was ranked among the top NCAA III wrestler’s in the 141-pound weight class all season. He won an individual title at the St. Louis Intercollegiate Conference Championships while helping the program win a team conference championship. In his career, he has won two conference titles and a career record of 93-27. Additionally this season, he was named a Scholar All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

Clark Joins Advancement as Major Gifts Officer

Jimmy Clark stepped down as director of athletics at U of O at the end of May to become the University’s new major gift officer for athletics. Clark, who was hired at Ozarks to coach baseball in 2001, has served as athletics director at Ozarks for 17 years — since Jan. 1, 2007. He served a dual role as AD and head baseball coach from 2007 until 2014, when he became the University’s first full-time director of athletics.

Under Clark’s leadership, the athletic program added numerous sports, including competitive cheer and stunt, men’s and women’s clay target, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s wrestling, and men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track. He helped manage the construction of the Alexander-Boreham Tennis Center and Thomas and Frances Wilson Athletic Complex as well as the renovations of the Mabee Gymnasium and the strength and conditioning facility. He also guided the athletic program into membership in the Southern Collegiate Athletic and St. Louis Intercollegiate conferences and hired the program’s first senior woman administrator and first fulltime strength and conditioning coach.

“I am proud that the athletic department has grown under my leadership,” Clark said. “I feel like I have left the department better than I found it. It has been an honor and privilege to work with coaches, faculty, staff, and student athletes over the last 23 years.”

In his new position, Clark will lead the fund-raising efforts for the athletic program.

Sergio Molina Named Director of Athletics

Dr. Sergio L. Molina was named director of athletics at Ozarks in October after serving as interim AD since June.

Molina previously served as an assistant professor of physical education at U of O since 2021 and was the University’s faculty athletics representative (FAR) since February of 2022.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to move over to athletics in a leadership role,” Molina said. “Over the past two and a half years I have been able to get to know the coaches and many of the student-athletes in my role as faculty athletics representative. I am looking forward to continue working with them in a different capacity.”

Molina also has nearly a decade of high school and college coaching experience in football and track and field, including a stint as a defensive coordinator at Southwestern College in Kansas where he also served as an adjunct instructor. He has also been an assistant professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Missouri Western State.

“Sergio brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to both athletic excellence and the academic success of our student-athletes,” said Amy Lloyd, vice president for marketing and enrollment.

A native of Wichita, Kan., Molina earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Wichita State University in Kansas before earning a master’s degree in physical education from Pittsburg State University in Kansas. In 2015, he earned his Ph.D. from University of South Carolina.

E NTREPRENEUR E XTRAORDINAIRE

Q & A WITH FIDEL SAMOUR ‘08

Since 2019, Ozarks alumnus Fidel Samour ’08 has used his interpersonal skills and business savvy to successfully open two coffee shops and a food hall as well as purchase two established restaurants in downtown Little Rock. He is quickly making a name for himself within the state’s business circles.

Since leaving his job with Arkansas Children’s Hospital in 2019 to strike out on his own as an entrepreneur, Fidel Samour ‘08 has made a mark in the business circles of Little Rock, Arkansas. A native of El Salvador, Samour graduated with honors from Ozarks in 2008 with majors in business administration and mathematics. Right out of college, he landed a position with Arkansas Children’s Hospital and for the next 12 years carved out a niche in the state’s health care sector as a fast-rising public and community healthcare administrator and advocate. He went on to earn an MBA from University of Arkansas-Little Rock in 2014. Five years later, he decided to scratch the entrepreneur itch, partnering with childhood friend Jorge Raul Rivera, who owned a coffee farm in El Salvador, to open Fidel & Company Coffee Roasters in downtown Little Rock’s East Village. More than 80 percent of the coffee roasted at Fidel & Co. comes from Raul’s farm located in the Chalatenango Mountains in El Salvador. The coffee business drew rave reviews from customers and critics alike and Samour opened a second downtown location in 2022. In early 2024, Samour’s restaurant concept group Remolinos LLC opened Sterling Market in East Village. The food hall boasts 4,000 square feet and features a butcher shop, fresh greens station, bakery, artisan pizza station, full bar and grab-and-go market. In August, Samour’s Remolinos group made state-wide headlines when it purchased two long-standing and renowned Little Rock restaurants — Loca Luna and Red Door — giving Samour five Little Rock establishments under his leadership. Samour and his wife, Sarah, were married on Dec. 27, 2014, and they soon welcomed daughters Layla (2021) and Susana (2023) to the family.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP IN EL SALVADOR?

It was definitely fun. There were four of us kids and we had a lot of cousins around, almost 30 of us. They were just like siblings. I was one of the younger ones and they’d always kid me about eating fast. But you had to eat fast if you want to eat. We used to get together a lot and it seems like there was always something going on. My parents were entrepreneurs; my dad was in textiles for the majority for my life and he always had a lot of employees around. So growing up around all these people is probably a reason why I’m such an extrovert. Both of my parents’ families were originally from Bethlehem. My mom’s father migrated from Bethlehem to Honduras and similarily my dad’s family migrated from Bethlehem to El Salvador. This was in the 1920s and 30s you had these people migrating from the middle East to Central America. These foreigners were often seen as outsiders, so there were some prejudices during those times. By the time I was growing up, I didn’t really experience any of that. My parents always emphasized getting an education and being bi-lingual, so I was always a good student. My dad learned English by watching John Wayne and Clint Eastwood movies. He owned the first Central American company to manufacture apparel for Disney and other U.S. companies.

HOW DID YOU END UP ATTENDING OZARKS?

My brother Ro, short for Rogelio, had met Dr. Rickey Casey in the late 1990s and got a partial scholarship to attend Ozarks. He went there for a semester and ended up transferring to Arkansas Tech because Ozarks didn’t have a computer science program. So I

first became familiar with Ozarks through him. In 2003 I came to visit and spent some time with my brother and David Echegoyen ’03, another El Salvadoran student who was attending Ozarks. I got offered a scholarship to Ozarks and a full ride scholarship to go to another university in Michigan, but I knew that was going to be too cold. I chose Ozarks because the proximity to my brother, who was living in Rogers, Arkansas at the time, and because it was a smaller school like I was used to. My graduating class in high school was less than 100. I remember arriving at Ozarks a few weeks before school started, so I just hung out, and I thought that was great. I remember feeling very at home and comfortable, almost immediately. I had talked one of my friends from high school, Jose Schonenberg ’08, to come to Ozarks with me, so he was my freshman roommate. We ended up graduating together in 2008.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN AN EXTRAVERT AND WHERE DID THAT TRAIT COME FROM?

When I got to Ozarks, I was very involved. I wanted to make the most out of my time there. I later became an RA (resident assistant) but things I was doing as an RA I was already doing as a freshman, trying to make people feel comfortable and at ease and welcome. Even when I was in K-12, I always gravitated towards the people I felt were in the margins or who needed a friend and try to help them feel included, especially when there was an American kid who was new in the school. The counselor would always come to me and ask me to go meet the new student and help them feel welcomed. That just came natural to me. It was the same way when I got to college, I kind of made it my four-year mission at Ozarks to make sure people felt welcomed. I think that comes from my parents and the examples they set with being friendly, outgoing, helping other people and not expecting anything in return. We saw that from them on a daily basis, whether it was dealing with their employees or others.

HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR BACKGROUND IN MATHEMATICS BENEFITS YOU AS A BUSINESS OWNER?

There’s a quote [by Oliver Wendell Holmes] that goes something like “A man’s mind, stretched by new ideas, may never return to its original dimensions.’ I feel like working math problems my entire life has helped stretch and expand my mind. You’re going through

a process working on problems that you’re trying to solve and getting to the answer, and at the end of the day that’s what I’m doing in my businesses. I know I use math daily, whether it’s working on an excel sheet, analyzing data or working on payroll.

HOW DID YOU LAND YOUR JOB AT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL?

That’s an interesting story. During my junior year, [Mathematics] Professor Matt Myers grabbed me one day and said they needed someone to give this prospective student and his family a tour of campus. So I show them around campus and I’m just telling them about the buildings on campus, about student life activities and classes. I was being my normal outgoing self. Anways, I must have made an impression on the father because when we were saying our goodbyes, the dad asked me what I was doing after graduation and handed me a card with his cell phone number on it and told me to keep in contact. It turned out to be Scott Gordon, who was chief operating officer at Children’s Hospital. His son ended up coming to school at Ozarks and we kept in touch. During my last semester, he sent me an email of a job opening at the hospital and I ended up applying for it and getting the job after I graduated.

HOW DID THE VISION FOR FIDEL & CO. COME ABOUT?

I was travelling throughout the U.S. for my job with Children’s Hospital and I started gravitating to coffee shops and the ones I liked best were the ones that had a roastery component to it, just because I felt they would have the best coffee. For some reason I always had an affinity for the coffee industry. Interestingly, I didn’t drink coffee at all growing up or even through college. It was something I sort of discovered later on. I remember finding a French press at work and making coffee through a coffee grinder for the first time and it was like a light bulb went off. I realized that coffee could smell good and taste good. So that was around 2011 where I kind of started the journey of getting more into home brewing and learning more about coffee. In 2016, I got reconnected with a buddy I went to middle school with who was growing coffee in El Salvador. Later that year he visited Northwest Arkansas and we went around with him to various places, including the roastery at Onyx Coffee lab. That visit really cemented my love for the coffee industry and wanting to be a part of it. I loved the camaraderie, the details, the science behind it, there’s just so much that goes into making great coffee. It is such a dynamic crop. We visited his coffee farm in El Salvador a few months later and that’s when we first started working on a plan to start the business. I found this space in 2018 and it looked like a great opportunity for a coffee shop. The renovation took longer than expected, but we opened up on Dec. 30, 2019. All the logos we already had printed said, ‘Established in 2019,” so we were going to make 2019.

WHAT WAS YOUR MINDSET GOING INTO THIS VENTURE, KNOWING YOU WERE GIVING UP A PAYCHECK?

I knew that this business would require my full attention, especially because of the level of quality and detail I wanted to provide. There was a vacuum in Little Rock that we felt like we were in a good position to fill. I knew I couldn’t do it halfway and that if I really wanted to do this there was no looking back. Plus, we knew that we had hired good, experienced and proven

people to run the business and that made us feel confident. My wife was still working and we didn’t have any children at the time, so we had a little bit of a safety net to fall back on.

LESS THAN THREE MONTHS AFTER OPENING, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIT. HOW DID THE COFFEE SHOP SURVIVE?

Thankfully, we had about three months to be open, which was long enough to acquire a good base of customers before everything pretty much shut down. We did things like social-distancing kits that had homemade bread, milk, toilet paper, honey, chocolate, oats, flour — stuff that we were buying anyways. And we were still doing curbside service with coffee and pastries. At the end of the day, we got a lot of support from the local community, which helped us survive. That and a loan we took out helped us weather the storm.

STATISTICS SHOW THAT NEARLY 60 PERCENT OF NEW BUSINESSES DO NOT LAST FIVE YEARS. WHY HAVE YOU BEATEN THE ODDS?

I think for us it’s been the attention to detail, the quality of the customer experience and taking care of our team. When you take care of your team, that impacts the customer experience. I would say to put as much money as you can into employee compensation because that’s going to be your best investment, We’ve had people tell us that they go to other establishments and it’s just a revolving door of employees. We’ve had consistency in our employees, and the customers see familiar faces when they come back and appreciate that.

WHAT IS SOMTHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE?

Most people might be surprised that I’m an avid bowler and that I have a 200 average in my last bowling league, even though I haven’t had a chance to play as much lately. I took a bowling class at Ozarks and I wasn’t very good back then, so I’ve improved a lot since then.

HOW DO YOU RELAX OR RELIEVE STRESS AFTER A LONG DAY?

When I get home, my two little daughters are waiting for me and just playing with them is my favorite way to relax. The other night I was laying my daughter down to bed and she just loves to play with my ear before she goes to sleep. As we were lying there, I remember thinking that there’s no where else I’d rather be. That’s the perfect way to end a long and stressful day at work.

2024 Alumni Award WINNERS

The University of the Ozarks Alumni Association recognized four of the University’s distinguished graduates with its 2024 alumni honors during the Ozarks Awards Ceremony during Homecoming in October.

Alumni Merit Award LEE WHITAKER ’93

Lee Whitaker, a business administration major at Ozarks who was also a standout on the men’s basketball team, has more than 30 years experience in supply chain solutions and distribution. He has worked in logistics and supply chain industry in areas of freight, warehouse operations, transportation management, and transportation. He is currently the regional distribution manager for Star Pipe Products in Orlando, Fla. He previously served as plant manager for Valvoline Inc., and as operations manager for UPS Supply Chain Solutions in Atlanta, Ga. He has lived in Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, and Florida since graduating. A native of Marvel, Ark., Whitaker helped the Ozarks men’s basketball team win both conference and district tournament titles in 1994. He and his wife, Lisette, have been married for more than 26 years.

Young Alumni Achievement Award JAE LYNN HUCKABA ’18

Jae Lynn Huckaba is an associate attorney for Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, a global law firm in Miami, Fla. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish with high honors from Ozarks in 2018, she attended law school at the University of Miami School of Law. Huckaba was the first student accepted into the University of Miami J.D./M.A. Latin American Studies dual degree program and later became the first student in the history of University of Miami School of Law to graduate from the program. In 2023, she received the E. Randolph Williams award for her “incredible pro bono service.” Earlier this year, Florida Super Lawyers recognized Huckaba as a “Rising Star,” a rating for lawyers who have attained a high-degree of professional achievement.

Alumni Achievement Award DZUHARI “DZU” MOHD DAUD ’89

Dzuhari “Dzu” Dr. Mohd Daud of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, graduated from Ozarks with a biology degree, and has had a long and successful career in the fields of biotechnology, environmental science, technology development, and the music industry. He currently serves as a board director at Cyanocreek, where he helped deploy cutting-edge multi-channel network convergence (MCNC) technology for high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity in rural Malaysia, He previously developed a medication risk management tool for physicians and implemented Wi-Fi technologies in remote areas using mini mobile ambient power generators. He has also led environmental projects like bio-absorbents and biodiesel from waste oil. In the music industry, he served as CEO of Cooperative Industry Music Malaysia (KOPSTAR).

Young Alumni Service Award ABBY (ASENCIO) TUCKER ‘22

Abby (Asencio) Tucker is in her first year of teaching ninth-grade English at Russellville (Ark.) Junior High School. She previously served as vice president of the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce where she trained and managed staff and led the organization in hosting and operating Chamber-related events. While a student at Ozarks, she served an internship at the chamber in the spring of 2022 before joining the organization full-time later that year as community relations director. She was promoted to vice president in 2023. A native of Gentry, Ark., she graduated from Ozarks with a major in English and with Summa Cum Laude honors. During the summer of 2024, she married fellow Ozarks alum Jacob Tucker ’23.

2024 Donor Award WINNERS

The Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement presented its 2024 philanthropy and friends awards during the Ozarks Awards Ceremony in October.

Alumni Legacy Award

TED ’58 AND JOE ANN ‘57 YOUNG

Ted and Joe Ann (West) Young of Clarksville have supported the University for nearly 30 years each and have given to Ozarks for 19 consecutive years. Ted was a former four-sport athlete at Ozarks who was inducted into the U of O Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. Following his graduation from Ozarks, Ted served two years in the U.S. Army before going into coaching. He later became a business owner with Young Furniture Store and also worked for the Clarksville Housing Authority before retiring in 2007. Joe Ann spent 48 years in education before retiring in 2006.

Pay It Forward Champions Award

GILBERT PARKS ’90 AND SUSAN BURDEN ‘67

Gilbert Parks ’90 and Susan Burden ’67 of Clarksville, who have been married since 1999, have supported the Ozarks Annual Fund for nearly three decades and have been avid supporters of the University’s wrestling program in recent years. Parks, who was given an honorary degree from Ozarks in 1990, taught political science at the college for 50 years — from 1964 to 2014. He was named the University’s Bagwell Outstanding Faculty member in both 1988 and 1992. Burden, who graduated from Ozarks in 1967, is a retired teacher who taught in Texas, Missouri and Arkansas.

Pay It Forward Champions Award

DR. GENE AND LYNDA STEPHENSON

Dr. C. Gene Stephenson and Lynda Adkins Stephenson of Austin, Texas., have been married for 61 years and have supported the Ozarks Annual Fund for the past 33 years, including the establishment of a pair of endowed student scholarships. Gene served as president of Ozarks from 1990 to 1997 and led a major facilities upgrade on campus that included the additions of Robson Library and the Boreham Business Building.. Before joining Ozarks, he served 25 years at East Central University in Oklahoma. Lynda is an author and former educator who taught English for 25 years at ECU.

Emerging Philanthropist Award TRISTAN ‘12 AND ANDREA COOPER ‘12

The Coopers have given to the Ozarks Annual Fund and supported the new Wilson Athletic Complex. Andrea (Muffuletto), who earned master’s degrees in college student personnel and school counseling, serves as the counseling manager for Cass Job Corps and Tristan, who has a master’s degree in fisheries and wildlife science, is the engine captain for the Pleasant Hill Ranger District. The Coopers welcomed their first child, a son named Sawyer Cooper, to the family in May.

Emerging Philanthropist Award ETHAN HARBOUR ‘12

Ethan Harbour’s first gift to Ozarks was the purchase of a senior brick in 2013 and he has supported the Ozarks Annual Fund for six consecutive years while steadily increasing the amount of his donations. Harbour, who earned a master’s of divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2015, serves as a loan assistant at First Western Bank in Booneville, Ark., and as the interim pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, ELCA, in Booneville. He is president of the Booneville Lions Club and chair of the Logan County Democrats.

Community Champion Award DUFFIELD GRAVEL COMPANY

Duffield Gravel Company of Russellville, Ark., will receive the Community Champion Award, given to an individual or company that has worked “cohesively with University of the Ozarks to move the University and community forward together.” Duffield Gravel Company was founded by Ronnie Duffield in 1971 with one location and four employees. The company has partnered with the University on numerous facility projects, including the Wilson Athletic Complex, the strength and conditioning center, and parking and roadways near the athletic facilities.

HOMECOMING 2023

CLASS NOTES

Brad McLelland ’99 was hired in July by the Ponca City (Okla.) School District to teach high school English. He is a published author of middle-grade novels and is the recipient of the 2019 Oklahoma Book Award.

BJ Greene ’04 was named superintendent of schools of the Carlisle (Ark.) School District in July. He has been a principal and athletic director at the school for the past six years. He and his wife, Amanda, have three children and reside in Carlisle.

Christa (Lanphear) Williams ’04, a mortgage loan originator for Simmons Bank in Little Rock, was recognized in July as one of the “Top Mortgage Professionals 2024” by Soriee magazine,

Tony Fung ’05 is the director of shopper marketing & eCommerce for Bob Evans Farms, Inc., in Columbus, Ohio. Fung, who has an MBA from John Brown University, has nearly 20 years of shopper marketing, eCommerce, and digital marketing experience. In 2023 he was recognized by Brand Innovators 40-under-40 and P2PI in Retail Media.

Tabitha Leeds ’07 is living in Sacramento, Calif., where she is the senior director of accounting services at California State University, Sacramento.

Lauren (Wilson) Smith ‘07 started a new job in June as an English teacher at

Clarksville High School. She has taught the past 10 years at Lamar High School. Smith has a master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Central Arkansas. She resides in Clarksville with her husband, Kenny.

Emma Curry ’09 was promoted in February to senior operations manager at Saatchi & Saatchi X, an advertising and commerce agency headquartered in Northwest Arkansas.

Huy Do ’09 was recently hired by University of Tulsa as assistant professor of business information systems. He earned his Ph.D. in accounting from the City University of New York – Baruch College. He is also a licensed CPA in Oklahoma. Before receiving his Ph.D., he gained extensive professional experience in corporate accounting and international financial reporting working for McElroy Manufacturing, Inc. in Tulsa. His research interests lie in the intersection between firms’ voluntary financial disclosure and technology. He works to inform policymakers by leveraging programming skills to investigate how changing financial reporting landscape affects capital market participants.

Kaitlyn (Williams) Lanier ’12 and husband, Kyler, welcomed daughter Keira to the family on Jan. 10, 2024. The family resides in Winter Haven, Fla.

Dr. Reed Perryman Turns 93

Dr. Reed Perryman ’51 of Jenks, Okla., celebrated his 93rd birthday on March 20, 2024. Perryman graduated from the then College of the Ozarks’ School of Pharmacy in 1951 before embarking on a 37-year career as a pharmacist and owner of Perryman Drug Store in Calico Rock, Ark. His wife of 66 years, Anita (Woolf) ’51, was also an Ozarks graduate. She passed away in 2019. Reed was a church organist for more than 50 years and also served as mayor of Calico Rock from 1987-1994. During his time at Ozarks, he was selected “Most Talented Boy” and “Who’s Who on Campus.” He was a member of the Lions Club, American Legion and Masonic

Lodge, all for more than 60 years, and was elected a school director for three terms. He has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church since June of 1939. He has two children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Malisa Mat Sani-West ’12 recently started a new position as a promotions administrator with Fox 25 News in Oklahoma City, Okla. She previously served as news director for the station.

Laken (Littlefield) Adair ’13 works as a controller and human resources payroll manager for Littlefield Retail Group in Fort Smith, Ark. She and her husband, Chad, have two sons.

Brittany N. Allen-Brantley ’13 opened her own law firm, Brantley Law, in Springtown, Texas, in August. The Texas A&M School of Law graduate has been practicing since 2016. She specializes in estate planning.

Kelsey (Ramsey) Cowan ’13 and husband, Allen, welcomed a baby boy, River Dean, to the family on Oct. 26, 2023. Kelsey is a science teacher for Fayetteville (Ark.) High School.

Glendon Jenkins ’13 recently completed a master’s degree in computer and information science with an emphasis in data science from Southern Arkansas University. In July he was promoted to director of enterprise applications at University of the Ozarks. Jenkins, who joined the University in 2014, was previously the institutional research analyst and developer.

Continued on Page 34

Dr. Amy (Smedley) Patton ’11 completed a Ph.D. in forensic science from Oklahoma State University in 2024. Patton resides in Milford, Delaware, with her husband, Wesley. She is the technical director for the Special Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory at the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, located on Dover Air Force Base.

Person ’77 Recalls Winning Miss C of O 50 Years Ago

Students at Clarksville Junior High heard an inspirational message in February from Kaye Bagsby Person ‘77, who was crowned the first Black Miss College of the Ozarks in 1974 — 50 years ago.

Person’s visit was part of the school’s celebration of Black History Month. A retired educator, Person, a 1977 graduate of Ozarks, now lives in Tuckerman, where she retired seven years ago after a 39-year career teaching vocal music to all grades.

She began her education as a child at Grace James School, the black school in Clarksville, located on what is now University of the Ozarks property. After her fifth grade year, Person transferred to Hurie Elementary, where for the first time she attended school with white classmates and teachers. She also attended junior high and high school at Clarksville, and graduated at age 16.

A talented singing voice opened the door for her to attend college following high school graduation.

“While I was in high school, my favorite thing to do was sing,” Person said. “I was blessed to get a vocal scholarship to The College of the Ozarks. I was the first freshman to receive a full-tuition vocal scholarship to Ozarks, as a 16-year-old. In those days, I didn’t understand what that really meant. But it provided me with many wonderful opportunities.”

Lee Laster ’58 and his wife, Darlene, reside in Honolulu, Hawaii. Laster is retired from a career as a corporate security director and F.B.I. official, including five years in the 1980s as the assistant director of the F.B.I. in charge of the New York City office with more than 700 agents.

Person credited supportive college personnel with helping her to succeed as a young student, including Dean Yeager, Jane Adams, and Dr. Charles Dawson.

“Dr. Dawson saw something in me,” she said. “Every year, the choir would take a 10day tour where we would travel and sing at Presbyterian churches in Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri. My second year, before we left on that choir tour, Dr. Dawson said he wanted me to enter the Miss C of O pageant. “I thought there was no way. I didn’t like competing. And then I found out there was a swimsuit competition. I barely weighed 100 pounds, I was just 17 years old and was not developed like my friends because they were all older than me. They looked different than me.”

Dawson told Person her scholarship could be contingent on her participation in the 1974 Miss C of O pageant, and because she knew her family would expect her to do her part to continue to fund her education, Person agreed.

“I thought, ‘I’ll be in the pageant,’” Person recalled. “But I didn’t think I’d win! Why? Because I had a different skin color than everyone else.”

In the talent portion of the pageant, Person sang Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly,” a performance which must have impressed the judging panel, as talent accounted for 50 percent of the overall

Hailey Weathers ’20 participated in the White Coat ceremony in April at Oklahoma State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. She is currently doing a year of clinics as part of her externships.

score. “That song paid my way through college,” Person told the students. “In those days, if people of color won anything in a pageant it was Miss Congeniality. When they announced Miss Congeniality, it wasn’t me. Then they announced second runner up, first runner up … I could not believe when they called my name as the winner.

Person would go on to be the first black talent award winner and second runner-up at Miss Arkansas 1974 and to become the first black Queen Elberta (Johnson County).

“My life has been beautiful,” she said.”This school took care of me and sent me to Ozarks. Then Ozarks took care of me and sent me to my first job, at Taylor Street Development school. I am so grateful for the opportunities I was given. My alma mater meant something to me and it still means something to me. Take your life seriously. Take your education seriously. Choose something to guide you.”

Several educators at Clarksville High School showcased their Ozarks pride recently during a college apply day at the school. They included, (pictured, from left) JJ Thornton ’98, Aaron England ’16, Jenava (Moreau) Harris ’10, Robin Carlton ’22, Kristie (Daniel) Frost ’96, and Lauren (Wilson) Smith ’07.

Marcus Bobb ’14 was named senior tourism manager for Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in January. He was previously senior project manager for the organization. He and his wife, Hope (Clifford) Bobb ’15, reside in Boswell, Okla.

Julie (Petz) Brzozowski ’14 is a business development manager at Y&L Consulting, Inc., in Boerne, Texas. She earned an MBA from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and is also a certified executive education graduate from the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce and UTSA Leadership Program. She and her husband, Andrew, reside in Boerne.

Kelly (Gorny) Cox ’14 and her husband, Andrew, welcomed a son, Declan Graeme, to the family on July 19, 2023. The family resides in Nashville, Tenn., where Kelly works for a Christian non-profit called Justice and Mercy International as their sponsorship manager, “proudly helping to get sponsors for vulnerable children in poor areas of the world and teaching them about Jesus.”

(Casey) Dixon ’12 was named Arkansas Business Education Association’s New Business Teacher of the Year during the organization’s annual meeting in July. Dixon recently started her third year of teaching business education and advising FBLA at Scranton (Ark.) High School. She lives in Clarksville with her husband, Halstead, and their daughter, Leonor.

Kylee (Firkins) Freeman ’14 teaches writing for grades 3-5 in the Johnson County Westside School District. After graduating from Ozarks, she went on to earn a master’s degree in special education from Henderson State University. She and her family reside in Altus, Ark.

Monica (Seiler) Harding ’14 and husband Sean welcomed their first child to the family, daughter Erin Kay on April 1, 2024. The family lives in Rogers, Ark., where Monica is a fourth-grade teacher.

Whitney Lewis ’14 was named senior assistant director of admission at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., in August. She most recently served as assistant director of admission at Davidson College in North Carolina.

Ty Volz ’15 recently accepted a new position with the Little Rock School District as a theatre teacher at Parkview Magnet Arts/ Science High School. He previously taught at the Arkansas Arts Academy in Rogers, Ark.

In March, officials and supporters of the Fort Smith (Ark.) Boys & Girls Club (FSBGC) gathered to formally rename the renovated Jeffrey Club as the Jeffrey-Glidewell Unit. The name change honors Jerry Glidewell ’79, who spent 43 years leading the FSBGC until retiring in 2022. According to the FSBGC, Glidewell helped push club membership over 3,000 and “spearheaded the expansion of programs, volunteers, and sponsorship opportunities,” to include the development of Hunts Park, and other ballfields. “For 35 years, Jerry Glidewell diligently led the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club in serving thousands upon thousands of children throughout the Fort Smith region. He did much of this work at the Jeffrey Club unit out of a poorly ventilated office not much bigger than most closets,” said Sam Sicard, FSBGC board member. “We believe recognizing Jerry in this permanent way is deserving and appropriate.”

Sarah (Scroggins) Clark ’17 and husband Mitchell welcomed their first child, Aaron Grant, to the family on April 4, 2024. Sarah is a teacher with the Jasper (Ark.) School District.

Luke Vera ’17 was recently promoted to senior manager of accounting at NOVONIX Limited in Bentonville, Ark. He earned a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas. Vera resides in Bentonville with his wife, Sophia, and their children.

Dr. Hailey Hardgrave ’18 and husband, Christian, welcomed their first child, Norah James, to the family on June 7, 2024. Hailey is a surgery specialist in Little Rock.

Grace (Brown) Sebo ’18 is teaching phonics for grades 3-5 at Johnson County Westside. She is in her seventh year of teaching. She also serves as a coach for the U of O clay target shooting sports team.

Falon (Hanson) Brueckner ’19 accepted a position in July as the head girls’ soccer coach and business teacher at Russellville (Ark.) High School. She previously owned Thrive Wellness Studio in Clarksville.

Brian Cormack ’01 presented his photography exhibit, ”Intruders in the Dirt: The Architecture and Landscape of the Arkansas Delta,” at the University’s Stephens Gallery in February. The exhibit focuses on the Arkansas Delta in the eastern part of the state, an area that Cormack said is “filled with rich history and culture.” Cormack’s photographs have been selected 10 times to tour with the Small Works on Paper exhibition, sponsored by the Arkansas Arts Council. His work also appears in a permanent exhibit at the Historic Arkansas Museum, and has also been used by groups like the Arkansas Business Publishing Group, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service. He and his wife, Caroline, reside in Little Rock with their sons, Jonah and Elliott.

Kayla

Olivia (Allard) Organ ’19 and Jacob Organ ’19 are living in Benton, Ark., where Olivia is the head girls soccer coach and a teacher for Bryant High School. She also recently completed a master’s degree from Arkansas State University.

Bryce Johnson ’20 and Summer (Sanders) Johnson ’20 of Russellville, Ark., welcomed their first child, Hayes Everett, to the family on May 25, 2024.

Teranne Morrison ’20 is entering her fourth year of medical school at the University of Nicosia Medical School in Engomi, Cypress. She plans to pursue a career as an OBGYN and plans to practice in Ireland.

Deneya Cooper ’21 is working as an alcohol and other drugs assistant at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, where she is also working on a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.

Taylor Holland ’21 was recently hired as an English teacher for the Shirley (Ark.) School District. She previously served as a development officer for the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton.

Braxton Leding ’21 graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in May and passed the Arkansas Bar Exam this past summer. He was sworn in as an attorney in September and has joined the Law Offices of Craig L. Cook in Ozark, Ark.

Jeremy Clark ’09 (right), pictured with his former Ozarks basketball teammate David Hamilton ’06, was named head boys basketball coach at La Porte (Texas) High School in Houston this past summer. He previously coached for Willis, Texas, and recently completed a master’s degree in education. Hamilton is an outside sales representative for Valves Unlimited Inc., in Houston and a member of the Fort Bend Independent School District in Texas.

When the total solar eclipse passed through the state on April 8 this year, tens of thousands of Arkansans viewed the rare phenomenon with eclipse glasses designed by U of O alumna Odalis Garcia. Garcia, a 2024 business administration major from Clarksville, was one of two winners of a state-wide contest last summer that was sponsored by the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium (ASGC) to design the viewing glasses. Garcia’s design was on 250,000 viewing glasses that the consortium distributed to schools and universities throughout the state. Garcia works in real estate in Northwest Arkansas.

Crystal Oudomvilay ’21 was recently hired by the biotechnology research firm ICON plc in Mount Pleasant, S.C., as a clinical research coordinator. She earned a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from West Virginia University in 2023.

Mario Varela ’22 began a new position in July as coordinator of student recruitment at Arkansas Tech University - Ozark Campus.

Several alumni returned for an informal 1960s-70s soccer reunion in Clarksville in April. Among those who attended were (from left) Jesus Farfan ’71, Levada Qualls ’55, Tanya Gibbons ’70, Rang Gibbons ’69 and Heady Nezhadpour ’72.

He previously served as community relations director for the Clarksville-Johnson County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Lauren Zavala ’22 joined the Fort Smith (Ark.) Boys and Girls Club in January as marketing and donor relations manager.

Alex Trinidad ’23 was recently hired as an executive resident at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas. Scottish Rite is a pediatric orthopedic hospital that also specializes in learning disabilities like dyslexia and other orthopedic conditions like rheumatology, treating patients from around the world.

where she finished in second place. she and her husband, Carl ’74, are retired educators living in Charleston, Ark.

Rosemary (Smith) Underwood ’75 appeared on the TV show Wheel of Fortune in September,

Guiltner ’95 Directs New Movie

Clayton Guiltner ’95, a Los Angeles based writer, director, and producer leading GC Films LLC, will release a new film, “Hope’s Hollywood Christmas,” on Amazon Prime Video on November 25. The film is written, directed and produced by Guiltner, an accomplished director who recently transitioned from theatre to film and television. The heartwarming film tells the story of a struggling single mom who takes a temp job with a has-been, aging movie star and teams up with the star’s chauffeur to stop a scheming lawyer and agent from stealing her fortune. Together, they find love, a new sense of family, and holiday magic along the way. Guiltner resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Erin, and four kids. More information on the film can be found at www.hopeshollywoodchristmas.com.

Visiting Alumni in Malaysia

In June, University President Richard Dunsworth and Director of Development Brian Henderson held alumni events in several areas of Malaysia. Among those in attendance in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, (above photo, left) were (front row, from left) Henry Chu ’93, Peter Wong, Jaye Henderson, Brian Henderson ’02, Anthony Chong ’93, Naomi Lee ’85, (back row, from left) Robbie Makajil ’91, Chunyip “Jakob” Lee ’94, President Dunsworth, and George Lee ’85. Among those in Penang, Malaysia, (above photo, right) were (from left to right) Shaharuddin Jamaluddin ’85, Rebecca McKinney, Brian Henderson ’02, George Lee ’85, President Dunsworth, Fion Chen ’20 and Naomi Lee ’85.

Among those who attended the alumni event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (above photo, left) were (front row, from left) Lay Hoong Yap ’11, Naomi Lee ’85, George Lee ’85, President Dunsworth, (second row, from left) Su San Lee ’11, Laiken Yap ’83, Tan Huey Yin ’11, Ai Hoon “Alice” Ooi ’88, Faridah Hameed ’86, Siew Peng Lai ’85, Kok Eng “Brandon” Tan ’86, Khong Ming Wong ’89, Jaye Henderson, You Hoo Cheah ’85, Loganathan Ramanujam ’84, Pak Keong “Gibson” Foo ’85, Billy Goh ’85, (back row, from left) Simon Pong ’89, Chun Han “Angust” Wong ’10, Yook Chin “Patrick” Lee ’11, Khairuddin Chik ’85, WeiWen Yeow ’85, Mohd Dzuhari “Dzu” Mohd Daud ’89 and Brian Henderson ’02. President Dunsworth (above photo, right) presented Dr. Chaw Lee Yen ’87 of Malaysia with the 2022 Alumni Achievement Award.

RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE

Sparks Fly A Decade After Class Encounter

In August of 2001, freshman Kerri Hughes ’04, walking into her first class as a college student, serendipitously chose a seat next to sophomore Taylor Magee ’04 in Professor Karen Jones’ General Psychology class in the Smith-Broyles Science Center. Eleven years later, that same classroom would be the site of their marriage proposal.

“As a nervous freshman walking into my first class, I quickly grabbed the closest open seat which happened to be right next to Taylor,” Kerri said. “ We didn’t actually speak to each other until near the end of that semester and Taylor invited me to a study group for the final.”

Kerri, who grew up in the small central, western Arkansas community of Cove, said she didn’t decide to attend Ozarks until late in her senior year of high school.

“In December of my senior year, I was in a significant and tragic car accident, where I lost three friends, and up-ended my life plans,” she said. “I was drifting into late spring with little plans — very unusual for my hyperplanned salutatorian-self. But a basketball coach and mentor suggested that I look at Ozarks and set up a visit to campus and with the basketball team. I arrived on campus, in the pouring rain. At the start of the tour, it just felt like home, a safe place to land, and grow, and thrive – and it was every bit of that and much more.”

Taylor, who grew up in El Dorado, Ark., said he chose Ozarks because it gave him an opportunity to play collegiate soccer.

“Soccer was a sport I had always loved to play, and Ozarks provided an opportunity to continue something I loved,” he said. “ Most of my friends attended U of A, UCA, or Louisiana Tech. I was looking to branch out and carve my own path and attend a school where I did not know anyone. I was also attracted to Ozarks’ small school atmosphere and proximity to outdoor activities. During my first visit to campus, [University President] Dr. Rick Niece made a major impression on me. He was one of the determining factors that led me to attend. His ability to remember names and make everyone around him feel special are qualities I try to emulate today. I still have his handwritten letters.”

Kerri said that her first impression of Taylor was that he was quiet and shy. Taylor

Kerri Hughes and Taylor Magee as Homecoming Queen and King in 2004 (above photo) and with their children, Draper and Collette, in a recent photo (right).

said his first impression of Kerri was that she was “very attractive, confident, and was always dressed nicely.”

After the first class encounter, the two became good friends throughout their time at Ozarks and were even chosen Homecoming King and Queen during their senior year in 2004. However, they never dated each other while in college.

After gradution, the two stayed in touch through social media and various alumni events. However, it wasn’t until shortly after Taylor invited Kerri to an Arkansas Razorback game in the fall of 2010 that they began dating, almost a decade after they first met in the psychology classroom.

“All throughout our time at Ozarks, we hadn’t even discussed dating or being romantically interested in each other, but after we were crowned at homecoming we did make a joke with a group of friends during dinner at the cafeteria one day that if we were both single at 30, we would get married,” Kerri said. “While we technically started dating before the ’30-year’ deadline, Taylor strategically waited until the weekend after his 30th birthday to propose, figuring I had to say yes, as we had jokingly remembered ‘our pact’ leading up to his birthday.”

Taylor popped the question in February of 2012 when Kerri was on the Ozarks campus for a meeting of the University’s Alumni Board in Robson Library. Taylor snuck on campus and secretly set up the

proposal venue in the same Smith-Broyles Science Center classroom where they met in 2001. He collaborated with staff on campus to get Kerri to the classroom after her meeting, where he was waiting with candles and flowers.

“I thought Taylor proposing to me on campus and in the exact classroom we first met was perfect,” Kerri said.

The couple was married on Sept. 4, 2012 in Napa, Calif., surrounded by family. They reside in Fort Smith with their two adopted children, Collette, who turned nine in August, and Draper, who turned five in April.

“Both our children joined our family through the adoption process, something we had always discussed and were very open to and interested in,” Kerri said.

Kerri, who went on to earn a master’s degree in operations management at U of A, has worked in non-profit fundraising, event planning and higher education administration and teaching. She is currently taking care of her mother, who has suffered a series of strokes in recent years. Taylor, who earned a master’s degree in sports administration from U of A, has worked for Calumet Specialty Products for the past 16 years. He serves as the sales director of distribution for the SPS division of the company, which manufactures, formulates, and markets a diversified slate of specialty branded products.

WEDDINGS

Thomas Mayers ’23 and Bella Salazar ’23 were married on May 25, 2024, at St. Benedict Catholic Church on the Subiaco Abbey and Academy campus. The couple live in Birmingham, Ala.

Abby Asencio ’22 and Jacob Tucker ’23 were married on March 14, 2024, at Horsehead Lake Lodge in Clarksville.

Candace Rogers ’22 married Auston Shown ’23 on Jan. 5, 2024, in Blanchard, Okla. The Showns live in Yukon, Okla., where Candace is finishing up her final year at Oklahoma City University School of Law.

Katie Ventress ’20 married Austin Robert on Oct. 28, 2023, in Oklahoma City. The couple resides in Oklahoma City where Katie works for Paycom as the tax team lead for global.

Thomas Ross ’18 married Bailee Schuster on Aug. 3, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. The couple live in Dallas where Thomas is vice president of mortgage lending for OriginPoint.

Dr. Sheridan Barajas ’16 married Manny Pounding on Dec. 2, 2023, in Dahlonega, Ga. The Poundings reside in Atlanta, Ga., where Sheridan works as a veterinarian.

Ricardo “Ricky” Gallardo ’16 and Morgan Markham ’16 were married on July 13, 2024, at the Sure

in

Justin Crider ’19 and Kamryn McKinney ’21 were married on Jan. 13, 2024, in Altus, Ark. The Criders reside in Van Buren, Ark., where Kamryn is a board certified behavior analyst at Social Space ABA Therapy and Justin is a salesman for Orr Chevrolet.

on Nov. 20,

Andrea Leiva ’17 married Luis Caballero in Miami, Fla., on Feb. 16, 2024.

Thing Chapel

Las Vegas, Nev.

Jasmine Rosales ’19 married Daniel Johnson

2023, at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas. The Johnsons live in Bryant, Ark., where Jasmine is a teacher and coach.

Nedgee Thermozier ’21 married Jayde Daniel on May 28, 2024, in Houston, Texas. The Thermoziers reside in College Station, Texas, where he works in drug development for a pharmaceutical company.

Samantha Workman ’18 married David Geren on June 15, 2024, at Bullskin Creek in Neosho, Mo. The Gerens live in Bella Vista, Ark.

MEMORIAM

Kathryn Elizabeth (King)

Bost ’43 of Little Rock, Ark., died on Aug. 13, 2024, four days shy of her 103rd birthday. She and her late husband, Dr. Roger Bost ’43, were married for 69 years.

Dr. Katala A. Williams ’49 of Ozark, Ark., died on Jan. 10, 2024, at the age of 94. She was a former faculty member at U of O, teaching music and English courses. She completed her master and doctoral degrees in music education at the University of Arkansas and later taught at Arkansas Tech, U of A and University of Hawaii.

Dr. Richard V. DeSalvo ’50 of Center Ridge, Ark., died on Aug. 27, 2023, at the age of 97. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in both World War II and the Korean War. He was a pharmacist in Little Rock, Conway and Perryville, before opening DeSalvo Pharmacy in Morrilton, which he owned for 32 years before retiring.

Francis A. “Frank” Dean ’51 of Little Rock, Ark., died on Oct. 3, 2023, at the age of 95. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a retired accountant.

Dr. Walter Merwin McMahen ’51 of Shreveport, La., died on Dec. 27, 2023, at the age of 98. He was a veteran of World War II and a retired pharmacist who owned Meadowview Pharmacy in Bossier, La.

Farren M. Sadler ’51 of Abilene, Texas, died on Feb. 10, 2024, at the age of 92. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and retired college business and accounting professor.

Roiselle (Green) Grim ’53 of Maui, Hawaii, died on Aug. 16, 2023, at the age of 90. She was a retired music educator and church organist and pianist.

Morris W. Pearson ’53 of Clarksville died on Oct. 23, 2023, at the age of 91. He was a retired U.S. Air Force pilot and civil engineer. He was a Purple Heart recipient and a U.S. Air Force colonel.

Lena (Cockrum) Laney ’54 of Camden, Ark., died Sept. 16, 2023, at the age of 90. She was active in The First Baptist Church of Camden, Camden Junior Auxiliary and with the Ouachita Hospital Auxiliary.

Rev. Aaron F. Barling ’55 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on July 22, 2024, at the age of 95. He was a minister in the Methodist Church, serving 17 churches in Arkansas and Texas in his 47 years of ministry.

Lt. Col. Billy “Bill” Dean Ballard ’56 of Clarksville died on March 9, 2024, at the age of 93. He was a Korean War veteran, retired educator and former basketball coach at Ozarks and University of Arkansas-Little Rock. He is a member of the U of O Sports Hall of Fame.

Charlotte Nell (Felkins) Eddington ’56 of Paragould, Ark., died on Feb. 27, 2024, at the age of 89. She spent her entire adult life as a volunteer and advocate for people with disabilities and received the Ethel Hausman Volunteer of the Year Award for her 38 years of volunteer service to the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Association.

Joyce Ann (Graf) Forkner ’57 of Shell Knob, Mo., died on Aug. 11, 2024, at the age of 89. She was a retired educator and taught piano for many years.

Dr. Bobby D. Gunter ’57 of Oklahoma City, Okla., died on Aug. 28, 2023, at the age of 88. He earned a Ph.D in chemistry from the University of Arkansas. After working at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn., and as a health physicist for General Dynamics, Gunter went on to have a successful 30-year teaching career at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Jon Tom McAnear ’58 of Clarksville, died on Sept. 3, 2024, at the age of 87.

Jane J. (Cecil) Pitts ’58 of Clarksville died on July 20, 2023, at the age of 86. She was a retired teacher who taught at several schools, including in Denver, Colorado; Wardell, Missouri; and Ozark, Hartman, and Clarksville, Arkansas.

Robert “Bob” Hurley, Sr. ’59 of Clarksville died on April 5, 2024, at the age of 86. He was veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, a retired banker and cowboy. He is a member of the U of O Sports Hall of Fame.

Fred Lee Taylor ’58 of Clarksville died on Oct. 3, 2023, at the age of 86. He taught school for 32 years at Clarksville High School and later became the Emergency Management Coordinator for Johnson County for 7 years.

Marvin “Leon” Bean ’59 of Clarksville died on April 29, 2024, at the age of 86. He was a manufacturing engineer and tool and die maker and owned and operated Bean Tool, Die and Manufacturing in Clarksville.

Col. Teddy Dean “Ted” Butler ’60 of Okmulgee, Okla., died on Nov. 2, 2023, at the age of 85. He served in the military for 35 years and a teacher and coach for 22 years.

Sharon Louis Varner King ’64 of Clarksville died on Aug. 4, 2024, at the age of 83. She was a retired teacher and was married to the late Burnett King 64‘ for 56 years.

Richard Oliver Franks, Jr. ’65 of Bartlesville, Okla., died on Sept. 27, 2024, at the age of 81. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was retired from Phillips Petroleum. He also served on the University’s Alumni Board

Ronald Gammill ’65 of Mountain Home, Ark., died on Feb. 5, 2024, at the age of 83. He was a retired teacher and coach at several schools in Arkansas and Missouri and also worked as a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Barbara Jean (Long) Monroe ’69 of Sherwood, Ark., died on Oct. 29, 2023, at the age of 76.

Willie Mae (Jennings) Patterson Davis ’70 of Clarksville died on April 6, 2024, at the age of 83. She taught at Oark and Lamar Schools in Arkansas for 31 years collectively.

Vinai “Vinny” Kamolsiri ’71 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on June 24, 2024, at the age of 79. He was retired from Baldor.

Georgia (Reynolds) Bean ’72 of Clarksville, Ark., died on Feb. 13, 2024, at the age of 76. She was a retired school teacher and co-owner of Bean Furniture.

Maj. Turner “Reggie” Clark, Jr., ’72 of Lubbock, Texas, died on Sept. 14, 2024, at the age of 73. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1972-1992 as a pilot and instructor pilot. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked as a civilian contractor, continuing to teach pilots how to fly.

Dr. John Anthony Werner ’73 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on March 18, 2024, at the age of 73. He was a podiatrist at Mercy Clinic and also had his own private practice.

Vickie Ann Pannell ’75 of Pottsville, Ark., died on May 10, 2024, at the age of 71. She was a retired teacher and librarian.

Dennis William Frala ’76 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on Sept. 22, 2024, at the age of 71. He retired from Arvest Bank in 2021 after 21 years of service.

Rosanna King Taylor ’76 of Clarksville died on Aug. 22, 2024, at the age of 70. She was a teacher and a member of The Acoustic Refugees, the First Presbyterian Church, and Pennington House Music Society.

Betty (Spillers) Boone ’77 of Savannah, Ga., died on April 4, 2024, at the age of 69. She was retired from CAHABA Medical Care.

Gwendolyn R. Usery ’77 of Clarksville died on Dec. 21, 2023, at the age of 83. She taught English for 29 years with the Clarksville School District and served as a volunteer with the Johnson County Historical Society.

Michael William Abrahamson ’78 of Magazine, Ark., died on Aug. 26, 2023, at the age of 67. He had a career as a manufacturing process engineer and was also a musician.

Dorothy M. Kennedy ’78 of Hot Springs, Ark., died on July 26, 2023, at the age of 92. She worked many years as a school nurse and finished up her career as a company nurse for Sara Lee Hosiery.

Donna Higgs-Jones ’79 of Russellville, Ark., died on Aug. 30, 2023, at the age of 66. She taught school for 38 years in Dover, Ark., and for two years in Tulsa, Okla.

John Paul Rissinger ’81 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on Oct. 24, 2023, at the age of 82. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and spent 34 years in public service with the U.S. Postal Service.

Lonnie R. Tate ’81 of Clarksville died on March 29, 2024, at the age of 77. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was owner of American Southern Exterminating in Clarksville.

Rickey D. Leding ’84 of Ozark, Ark., died on Sept. 6, 2023, at the age of 69. He was a retired certified public accountant.

Rachel (Cole) Pippin ’85 of Harrison, Ark., died on Sept. 9, 2023, at the age of 61. She had a 20-year career in the field of corrections and law enforcement and was named Arkansas Officer of the Year in 2007.

William W. “Willy” Boroski ’86 of Georgetown, Texas, died on July 18, 2023, at the age of 63. He had a successful career in acting, singing, directing and producing and was also an acting coach and writer.

Bernie Brugman ’89 of Broken Arrow, Okla., died on Feb. 6, 2024, at the age of 57. He had a career in retail sales and served as store director for Reasors.

Dr. Glenda Gail Ezell ’90 of Paris, Ark., died on Dec. 11, 2023, at the age of 68. She was a life-long educator and taught education at U of O and UA-Fort Smith.

William L. “Billy” Griggs ’91 of Fort Smith, Ark., died on Aug. 22, 2023, at the age of 58 from pancreatic cancer. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served as a public defender and child support enforcement attorney, and in private practice.

Elizabeth “Beth” Anne (Howard) Larsen ’91 of Ozark, Ark., died on Aug. 30, 2024, at the age of 54. She was a retired RN for Mercy Ozark.

Harit Singh ’95 of Denton, Texas, died on Aug. 26, 2023, at the age of 62.

Jennifer Ann Morton ’98 of Little Rock, died on Sept. 8, 2024, at the age of 48 from

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.

injuries sustained in a car accident. She was a respiratory therapist with Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Matthew C. Dunlap ’02 died on Nov. 29, 2023, at the age of 44.

Thomas Charles Hart ’08 of Little Rock, Ark., died on Feb. 10, 2023, at the age of 48.

Rushawn Nicole Engleton Carter ’09 of Belize City, Belize, passed away on May 28, 2024, at the age of 38. She was a former Walton Scholar at Ozarks.

Rev. Michael David Anderson of Oklahoma City, Okla. Died on May 19, 2024, at the age of 89. He was a former trustee at the University.

Jimmy Wayne Ralph, Sr., of Clarksville, died on Feb. 29, 2024. A U.S. Army veteran, he previously served with the University’s Office of Public Safety.

Gerald E. “Pete” Grant of Russellville, Ark., died on Sept. 17, 2023, at the age of 92. He was a former Board of Trustee member.

Joe Max Barron of Fort Smith, Ark., died on Oct. 12, 2023, at the age of 76. He was a former Board of Trustee member.

Dr. Thomas Richard “Tom” Stephenson of Lamar, Ark., died on Jan. 7, 2024, at the age of 82. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a professor of psychology at Ozarks for 30 years.

Jeffrey Clarence deBuhr of Springdale, Ark., died on March 9, 2024, at the age of 79. He was a former instructor and staff member with the Jones Learning Center.

Rev. Norman Huneycutt, of Terrell, Texas, died on June 19, 2024, at the age of 88. He was a former Board of Trustee member.

MEMORIALS AND HONORARIA

Aug. 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024

MEMORIALS

Maude Agee ’28

Mary Barnsley Martindale ’63 and Kenneth Martindale

Bill Alexander ’55

Larry and Cindy Isch

Vernon McDaniel ’55

Rick and Sherée Niece

Charles and Dorothy Angell

Barbara Angell Vogl

Katherene Bagwell

Bagwell Foundation

Rick Bagwell

Barbee Vickburg

Gene and Lynda Stephenson

Richard Bagwell

Bagwell Foundation

Rick Bagwell

Barbee Vickburg

Gene and Lynda Stephenson

Bill Ballard ’56

Chapter “Q” P.E.O.

Larry and Cindy Isch

Ozark Insurance Services Inc

Levada M. Qualls ’55

Gavin Freddie Barnes

Thomas and Nancy Smith

Joe M. Barron

Sandra Hicks Barron ’81

Georgia Bean ’72

Jack and Teresa Blakley

Gilbert Parks, Jr. ’90 and Susan Burden ’67

Don Pennington ’68

Levon Bean ’59

Darrell Williams ’76

Ray Henry Beck

Fred Romo ’68 and Andrea Anderson Romo ’68

Sheila Beene

Diane Cater Gaspar

Daniel Benton ’05

Vickie Benton ’98 and Dwight Benton

Ann Berry

Sammy Manning ’71 and Virginia Figliulo Manning ’74

Dr. Robbie Blakemore

Martha Hess

Beverly Bodenhamer

Steve and Dorinda Edmisten

Susan Gill Claunch ’71

Levada M. Qualls ’55

Jack Cline ’74

Mitzi Carol Link

Eva Davis

Kaethe Hoehling

Sonja McCuen ’88

R. Louis Dewett ’57

Mary Holloway Dewett ’58

Stewart Dippel

David Hamilton ’06 and Katie Hamilton

Lauren Christy LaFleur, Esq. ’08 and Mike LaFleur

Janet Doak

Gene and Lynda Stephenson

Kenneth (Kent) Douglas ’84

Gary Bradley ’84 and Linda Frala Bradley ’84

Charlotte Felkins Eddington ’56

Rick and Sherée Niece

Levada M. Qualls ’55

Juanita Blackard Ehren ’71 and Fritz Ehren ’53

Steve and Dorinda Edmisten

Ralph Ehren ’55

Steve and Dorinda Edmisten

Betty Hodges Ehren ’53

Claude Eubanks, II ’56

William Eddington ’55 and *Charlotte Felkins Eddington ’56

Judy Koon Willcoxon

Glenda Ezell ’90

Rick and Sherée Niece

Daniel Taddie

Edna Hunnicutt Fell ’56

Levada M. Qualls ’55

John Figliulo

William Echols, III ’86 and Mary Bray Echols ’84

Carly Figliulo

Celeste Figliulo Martin

Figliulo Brandi Harrill

Maura Figliulo Howerton ’80 and Bradley Howerton

Lori Jenkins

Jerred King

Connie Miller

Loretta Figliulo Salazar ’78 and Felix Salazar

Ellen Sube

Wagyu X LLC

Wiley and Lynn Willingham

William Yukich

Jim Forkner ’54

Ed Harrington ’56 and Janet Graf Harrington ’58

Rev. G Kenneth Gates ’82

Stephen Gates

Dylan Hill ’15

Win and Lynn Bell

Duane and Sharon Birdsong

William (Bill) Lee Holder ’52

Jane Wilson Holder ’55

Jerry Holder

Roberta Holder

Irma Guzman Horne ’57

Roy Horne ’57

Bob Hurley ’59

Edna Elkins Patterson ’67 and John Patterson

Hilda Turner

Ted Young ’58 and Joe Ann West Young ’57

Kendall Jackson ’92

Bruce Elmore

David Michael Johnson ’68

Phyllis Johnson Jones ’63

Dickie Jones ’72

Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71

Faye Williams Raible ’72 and Gary Raible

Sidney (Sid) Kern ’72

Levada M. Qualls ’55

Pat King ’81

David King ’54

Henry Kissinger

James Johnson ’57

Frank Koon

Levada M. Qualls ’55

Emogene Dunlap Kuhn ’43

Daniel Strauss

Joseph Tally

Ronald King Laster ’64

Maribeth Laster

William Rail ’52 and Maxine Phillips Rail ’52

Elizabeth Wood Leiter

Janice McVey

James (Jim) Murray ’75

Dorothy J. Murray

Ralph Newkirk ’82

Thomas Konen

Rick Otto

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85

Tommy E. Owens ’70

Glenda Dennis Owens ’71 and Steve Owens

Robert Page ’52

Flois Eustice Page ’54

J. T. Patterson ’38 and Lucile Sanders

Patterson

Beth Patterson Duvall ’65

Maurine Sanders Patterson ’53

Beth Patterson Duvall ’65

Morris Pearson ’53

Dawn J. M. Schull Dvoracek ’02

Jane Cecil Pitts ’58

Levada M. Qualls ’55

Johnny Ponce

Sammy Manning ’71 and Virginia Figliulo Manning ’74

Patricia (Corky) Porter

Thomas Porter ’69

Lonnie Qualls ’55

Gary Bradley ’84 and Linda Frala Bradley ’84

William Eddington ’55 and *Charlotte Felkins Eddington ’56

Gene and Lynda Stephenson

Judy Koon Willcoxon

Absolom Ragon ’27

Kaye Ragon Nevins ’63 and Dr. William Nevins, Jr.

Lee Ragon ’61

Kaye Ragon Nevins ’63 and Dr. William Nevins, Jr.

Michael A. Rail ’80

Sue Rail Wilkerson ’82 and Danny Wilkerson

Ruby Steuart Reynolds ’48

James Lynn ’64 and *Erma Lynn

Thomas Richardson ’69

Len Bradley

Rick and Sherée Niece

David Pridgin ’71 and

Reba Geels Pridgin ’81

Nancy Runion ’71

Cordia Person Metcalf ’73

Farren M. Sadler ’51 and Grace Sadler ’53

William Rail ’52 and Maxine Phillips Rail ’52

Charles Schulz

James Johnson ’57

Ralph Scott

Steve and Dorinda Edmisten

Betty Workman

T. L. Smith

William Eddington ’55 and *Charlotte Felkins Eddington ’56

Tommy Smothers

James Johnson ’57

Curtis Lee Spence

Lance Spence ’91 and Virginia Spence

Dr. Tom Stephenson

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85

Larry and Cindy Isch

Rick and Sherée Niece

Fred Taylor ’58

Billie Taylor

Dr. Wiley Lin Hurie

Frank and Reba Parks

John Torbett ’53

Wanda Torbett

Jake Tull ’10

Sarah Harrison

David and Selena Overholt

Mary Ellen Richards

John and Martha Tull

Sue Tull

Mary Tull

Wayne and Camille Bennett

Rebecca Bransford Paxton

Mary Brock

Lee and Robin Brown

Jane Chittick

Baker and Ashley Cunningham

William Eldridge

Christopher and Mary Heller

Byron Holmes

Jim and Suzanne Johnson

Albert Lunsford

Richard and Amelia Muse

Kevin and Diana Newcomb

Steve Quattlebaum

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull, PLLC

Mary Ellen Richards

J.L. “Skip” and Billie Rutherford

Elvin Shuffield

Beverly Villines

Ross and Mary Whipple

Louise Hervey Vaught ’31

Tommy Vaught

Rocky J. Vogl

Barbara Angell Vogl

Josephine Ward

Blaine Caldwell ’69 and Cathy Sekowski Caldwell ’69

Roy Horne ’57

Rick and Sherée Niece

John Werner ’73

Darrell Williams ’76

Deborah D. Williams ’81

Carla Tipton

Nathan Williams ’07 and Randa Williams

Katala Green Williams ’49

Roy Horne ’57

James Johnson ’57

Frances E. Wilson

Steve and Dorinda Edmisten

Larry and Cindy Isch

Kimberly Spicer ’98

Bobby Joe Wood

Janice McVey

Patricia Wood

Janice McVey

Dr. Wayne Workman ’44

Steve and Dorinda Edmisten

Aug. 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024

HONORARIA

Shane and Katie Bradley

Lisa Carlton

Sarah Capp

Sonja McCuen ’88

Lisa Liggett Carlton

Lisa Carlton

Richard and Holly Dunsworth

Thomas and Nancy Smith

Richard Dunsworth

Harve Taylor and Loyce Ann Bean Taylor ’72

Steve and Dorinda Edmisten

Richard Gaston ’94

Khay Faught ’89

Olivia Graham

The Figliulo Family

Judy Daleen

Sammy Manning ’71 and Virginia Figliulo Manning ’74

Karla Harkreader

Don Pennington ’68

Ed Harrington ’56

Joyce Graf Forkner ’57

Brett Hays ’06

Harold and Pam Hays

Jane Wilson Holder ’55

Roberta Holder

Shannon Carlisle Huggins ’91

Pat Farmer

Kathryn King Bost ’43

Don Pennington ’68

Ann Patterson ’75 and Max Snowden

Lisa Carlton

Ann Patterson ’75

Beth Patterson Duvall ’65

Jay and Sarah Patterson and Family

Lisa Carlton

Sharon Patterson

Lisa Carlton

Duffy M. Porter

Lloyd and Roberta Collins

William Rail ’51 and Maxine Phillips Rail ’52

Steve and Dorinda Edmisten

Mary Phillips Powers ’60 and Jimmy Powers

Dawn J.M. Dvoracek ’02

William and Elizabeth Branch

Gene and Lynda Stephenson

Wirt and Torpy Skinner

Thomas and Linda Skinner

Scout and Jordan Snowden

Lisa Carlton

Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98

Darrel Wheeler, Jr. ’75 and Sharon Goza Wheeler

Denton Tumbleson ’74

Don Pennington ’68

Harve Taylor and Loyce Ann Bean Taylor ’72

Don Warren ’71

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85

Daisy Woodbury ’23

Pat Farmer

* Indicates someone who has passed away within the last year.

A Final Word Continued from Page 44

Through it all Frances never sought, indeed seemed rather loath to accept, any praise for herself. Instead, she constantly expressed her hope that she had honored Tommy’s memory well and made a difference in the lives of young people. Oh, and this amazing woman who did so much for Ozarks and everyone there never failed to extend appreciation to Ozarks and all the people there. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” was her unfailing refrain – “All of you at Ozarks have made me so happy and I can never thank you enough!”

Ultimately, Frances’ conviction to service in God’s honor was made most evident by the fact that she only ever asked one thing of me, “When you hear that I am gone, just look up and say hallelujah because I will be with my God and my Tommy.” This thing she requested of me often, and I know she requested the same of her friends and family. And even in this one, humble request she tucked yet another special gift for all of us. “Do not grieve for me for I had a wonderful life and when my time comes I will be exactly where I want to be!”

At 101 years of age, Mrs. Frances Engle Wilson’s work was completed. She passed at her home in Tulsa on November 4th, 2023. I miss her tremendously, yet I must smile as I am quite sure one of her first tasks upon reaching Heaven was to marshal the combined orchestras of Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Lawrence Welk and others to perform for she and Tommy. I rather enjoy the vision of an again-tall and graceful Frances floating and gliding around a glorious ballroom floor with Tommy, absolutely dashing in his U.S. Navy dress-whites.

A FINAL WORD

FROM STEVEN G. EDMISTEN

A Tremendous Bias for Positive Action

(Editor’s Note: Steven G. Edmisten served as vice president for advancement and executive vice president from 1997 to 2014 and is currently special assistant to the president.)

ATremendous Bias for Positive Action……Describes Frances Engle Wilson to a “T”. I first met her in 2012, shortly after her beloved husband of 66 years, Tommy (Thomas D. Wilson), had passed. She had work to do.

She had invited me to her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to talk with her about a scholarship endowment she wished to establish at University of the Ozarks in Tommy’s memory. She shared with me that she and Tommy had been good friends with fellow congregants Dick and Kay Bagwell at John Knox Presbyterian Church. The Bagwells regularly related stories to Tommy and Frances about the Presbyterian university in Clarksville that had a tremendous impact on promising young men and women who might not otherwise be able to afford a college education, and where Dick was a long-time member of the Board of Trustees. Tommy, she said, had been quite taken by the school’s mission of educational service and so Ozarks seemed a fitting place to honor him and to tangibly demonstrate their shared faith in God. She asked me to tell her all about it.

Thus began a years-long, running conversation about the very special place that is the University of the Ozarks, about its long and amazing history, and, above all, about the marvelous students who received their college education there.

I also heard and learned much from Frances about the places that held a special place in her heart. Oklahoma, the entire state, of course was there. How could it not be when her grandparents had been part of the original Land Run? More specifically, El Reno, where she was born and her grandfather had started the first newspaper… and Tulsa. Now Tulsa had a place all its own in her heart. She had grown up there, received her early education there, and there it was that she had learned how to, absolutely appropriately, receive young gentleman callers in her parents’ parlour. Oh, and she had learned to dance there!

Of course, she had met Tommy in Tulsa, and they would call it home for almost all their lives together (only excepting their service to our country just before and during WWII). Tommy’s career as an engineer at Warren Petroleum was in Tulsa and her career as an accomplished writer happened there. They raised their family there.

And Tulsa was the place where Frances loved and honored her God and his Son, her Savior, Jesus Christ. Encouraged by their good friends, the Bagwells, Frances and Tommy were among the founding members of John Knox Presbyterian Church. To them that meant they not only gave generously of their financial resources, they physically worked to support the church, Tommy lending his leadership, administrative, and engineering talents in every way, and Frances working on membership, stewardship and Christian Education. Listening to Frances one would learn almost immediately how very much they loved John Knox Presbyterian.

As the years went by, I and others from Ozarks visited regularly with Frances in Tulsa, keeping her fully informed of all the happenings and student achievements. She listened so intently and so joyfully expressed her excitement over each success. And, when she was done with one project in support of Ozarks’ students, she would inevitably say, “I’m still here, so I still have work to do. What’s next?”

Always on behalf and in honor of her Tommy, she extended their Christian charity in the Presbyterian tradition in support of young women and men seeking their college education at University of the Ozarks. Frances’ and Tommy’s names, and that of the Wilson Family, are revered on campus. Young peoples’ lives are made better, both educationally and spiritually every day here thanks to such special resources as the Thomas and Frances Wilson Science Center, the Thomas and Frances Wilson Athletic Complex, Munger-Wilson Memorial Chapel, and the Wilson Family Chapel Plaza. Every year, students benefit from financial support through a variety of endowed scholarships established by Frances and Tommy. Ultimately, Frances’ and Tommy’s legacy ripples through the student body at Ozarks, and will from now on as every student benefits from their caring generosity in honor of God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

OZARKS ANNUAL FUND

479.979.1304

Your support of the Ozarks Annual Fund helps ensure that Ozarks students receive the scholarship assistance and resources to achieve their educational and career goals on their way to living a full life.