TODAY University of the Ozarks Fall 2018

U N I V E R S I TY

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T H E

OZARKS

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FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS BREAKING THE CYCLE

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

CONTENTS 2 Commencement

4 Enrollment Record

9 ROTC Returns

University awards 99 diplomas to 2018 Class

University sees record growth for second consecutive year

Army leadership program gives students new options

UNIVERSITY MISSION

TODAY AN ANNUAL MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS VO LUME 3 7 /// FA L L 2 0 1 8

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True to our Christian heritage, we prepare students from diverse religious, cultural, educational and economic backgrounds to live life fully.

UNIVERSITY CORE VALUES

Growth, Honesty, Hospitality, Justice, Sabbath and Service UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION

Richard L. Dunsworth, J.D . ......President Alyson Gill, Ph.D......................Provost Steve Edmisten.. ............... .......Special Assistant to the President Reggie Hill.. ...................... .......Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment Lori McBee....................... .......Vice President for Advancement Jeff Scaccia.. .................... .......Vice President of Finance and Administration

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18 Lessons Learned

25 Campaign Update

30 Alumni Profile

2018 graduate Huckaba transformed by world travel

Climb Higher campaign surpasses $42 million mark

Dr. Jeannie Oliver ’92 is a Woman Without Walls

ON THE COVER:

University of the Ozarks students (seated, from left) Brenda Sandoval, Eleazar Coronado, Sydney Key, (standing, from left) Tanner Young, Jarret Bain, Falon Hanson and Aye Aye (pictured left) are among a large number of first generation college students who, with the help of Ozarks, are working to become the first in their families to earn a college degree.

See Page 12

PRODUCTION STAFF

UNIVERSITY DIRECTORY

Larry Isch, Editor Director of Public and Media Relations Chris Zimmerman ZinCreative Vinnie Tran Graphic Design and Photography Coordinator Phyllis Parsons Graphic Design and Brand Coordinator

Admission................479-979-1227 Advancement...........479-979-1230 Alumni Relations.......479-979-1234 Athletics...................479-979-1407 Business Office........479-979-1208 President’s Office.....479-979-1242 Public Relations........479-979-1433

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Office of University Advancement 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

PHOTO CREDITS

Josh Peppas, Zach Thompson, Mike Kemp TODAY, FA LL 2018 /// 1

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

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niversity of the Ozarks awarded bachelor’s degrees to 99 graduating seniors during the 2018 Spring Commencement ceremony, held Saturday, May 12, 2018, on the campus mall.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Eric Steinmiller, a 2002 Ozarks graduate who is an educator, instructional leader and school administrator in Chicago.

University Awards 99 Diplomas

In his address titled, “Ozarks: Our Experience, Our Charge,” Steinmiller urged the seniors to live the University’s mission of living life fully.

“Engage others in the Ozarks vision to live life fully,” he said.

“Everyone graduating today, you are charged to stand up for others and to live your life to the fullest. This means standing up for others and living to make the lives of others better. By modeling this expectation, you will have an impact on your family, peers, children and others you were not aware were watching. By living life fully, you will leave a positive footprint on eternity.”

Representing the senior class, Ariana Lujan, an elementary education major from Little Elm, Texas, presented the students’ welcome. Hailey Hardgrave, a biology and chemistry major from Hartman, Ark., led the graduating class in the Turning of the Tassel ceremony. Hardgrave was selected as the 2018 Hurie Award recipient as the outstanding graduating senior.

Those graduates who were recognized for earning Summa Cum Laude honors (3.85 grade point average or higher) were Miguel Cuellar, Hailey Deatherage, Roseanna Ezell, Franchesca Garcia, Hailey Hardgrave, Jae Lynn Huckaba, Jeremy Jacobs, Nicole Justice, Mackenzie Kimbriel, Elias Loria, Azalia Cruz, Kellie Palmer, Luis Robles, Valeria Robleto, Jose Salinas, Kathleen Sotomayor, Maranda Watson and Nicole Wood.

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Megan Ahne, OZARK, AR Stephanie Alderson, OARK, AR James Allen, BENTON, AR Juan Almaraz, CLARKSVILLE, AR Daniel Arend, FORT WORTH, TX Jesus Arredondo, CLARKSVILLE, AR Lorenzo Bac, GUATEMALA Valerie Baltazar, VAN BUREN, AR Jacob Barker, RUSSELLVILLE, AR Grace Brown, BOONEVILLE, AR Patrick Brown, ALMA, AR Nathalie Calero, NICARAGUA Anthony Chalupka, FLOWER MOUND, TX Lynette Clark, AUSTIN, TX Patrick Clifford, KATY, TX JaToris Combs, SHREVEPORT, LA Thane Cook, FORT SMITH, AR Deborah Cooper, CLARKSVILLE, AR Elizabeth Cooper, CLARKSVILLE, AR Ben Counts, WICKES, AR Miguel Cuellar, EL SALVADOR Joel Cuevas, CLARKSVILLE, AR Pierre De Forton, FRANCE Hailey Deatherage, BARTLETT, TN Matthew Dixon, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR Bryce Elder, OTTAWA, KS Roseanna Ezell, QUITMAN, AR Monserrat Fabian Manzanares, CLARKSVILLE, AR Derek Fadrique, HOUSTON, TX Franchesca Garcia, NICARAGUA Brittanie Gragg, HUNTSVILLE, AR Alexandre Guillain, FRANCE John Guthrie, WICHITA, KS

Hailey Hardgrave, HARTMAN, AR Karlee Henson, MULBERRY, AR Jae Lynn Huckaba, FORREST CITY, AR Devon Jackson, HOUSTON, TX Jeremy Jacobs, COAL HILL, AR Paul Jarvis, MILTON, GA Anisha Johnson, LITTLE ROCK, AR Nickolas Johnson, BERGMAN, AR Konner Johnston, ATKINS, AR Jordan Jones, SEARCY, AR Darwin Juarez, HONDURAS Nicole Justice, PANAMA Caroline Keller, BATON ROUGE, LA Hayden Keller, MORRISTOWN, TN Robert Ketterer, BANDERA, TX Mackenzie Kimbriel, CLARKSVILLE, AR Eric Ledieu, FRANCE Molly Linthicum, ALMA, AR Taylor Loftis, FORT SMITH, AR Ester Lopez, HONDURAS Elias Loria, COSTA RICA Ariana Lujan, LITTLE ELM, TX Jordan McCutcheon, ROSWELL, NM Thibault Melchior, FRANCE Luis Mena, HALTOM CITY, TX Patrick Mixon, LEWISVILLE, TX Azalia Molina, HONDURAS Wesley Needham, EARLE, AR KC Nkalari, ROCKWALL, TX Berenice Osorio, MEXICO Kelli Palmer, BENTON, AR Mary Perrin, RUSSELLVILLE, AR Jelena Petrovic, CROATIA

Lavante Pettigrew, MAUMELLE, AR Elvia Pinzon, PANAMA Laura Prichard, BRYANT, AR Karen Ramirez, MEXICO Tiffany Robinson, FORNEY, TX Luis Robles, COSTA RICA Valeria Robleto, NICARAGUA Destiny Ruple, POCAHONTAS, AR Keilin Salas, COSTA RICA Jose Salinas, HONDURAS Matthew Samaniego, SAN ANTONIO, TX Dalton Shultz, CLAREMORE, OK Gabriela Serrano, EL SALVADOR Carlee Shelton, ROWLETT, TX Hillary Shelton, HOUSTON, TX Chance Silvey, GENTRY, AR Chesney Skaggs, BRENTWOOD, AR Amanda Skidgel, DIAMOND BAR, CA Kole Smith, LARAMIE, WY Kathleen Sotomayor, GUATEMALA Julia Thomas, WYLIE, TX Hailie Tolich, PHELAN, CA Alexandre Torbey, FRANCE Spencer Turner, HOT SPRINGS, AR Daniel Valencia, WATAUGA, TX Catherine Varvel, NACOGDOCHES, TX Maranda Watson, RATCLIFF, AR Alice Williams, CLARKSVILLE, AR Jacob Williams, BROKEN ARROW, OK Adam Winter, CONWAY, AR Nicole Wood, WEST PALM BEACH, FL Samantha Workman, PARSONS, KS Brooke Wright, ARVADA, CO

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UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

Enrollment Reaches New High University Welcomes Record 872 Students for Fall 2018

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niversity of the Ozarks continues to be one of the fastest-growing universities in the region, shattering enrollment and admission records for the second straight year and topping 800 students for the first time in its history.

A total of 872 students are enrolled at U of O for the Fall 2018 Semester, the most in the University’s 184-year history and a 15 percent increase over last year’s previous record of 755 students.

Enrollment at Ozarks has increased 49 percent since 2013, when 585 students were enrolled.

The incoming class, which includes first-time freshmen and transfer students, is 323 — the largest incoming class in the University’s 184-year history and a 38 percent increase over the incoming class of 2016.

The university also reported a retention rate of 75 percent for last year’s freshman class from fall 2017 to fall 2018, a 15 percent increase over the fall-to-fall retention rate from the previous year.

“There is growing energy and excitement throughout the campus as we continue to reach notable milestones in this University’s long history,” said U of O President Richard Dunsworth. “The growth reflects the University’s positive image and reputation in higher education here in the River

Valley and across the region, nation and world. With a record number of new students choosing Ozarks as well as a significant increase in retaining our current students, this success is reflective of the outstanding work of our dedicated faculty and staff.”

This year’s student body is one of the most geographically diverse in the University’s history with 182 international students from 25 countries, including the Bahamas, Belgium, Haiti, Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Malaysia, Panama, Russia, Rwanda, South Korea, Spain and Zimbabwe. Ozarks also has students from 27 states and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

The University is also setting records for enrolling local students, with 169 students from the River Valley counties of Johnson, Pope, Conway, Franklin, Logan and Crawford. A total of 104 students hail from the University’s home county of Johnson, including 40 in the incoming class.

Dunsworth said the University and its board of trustees have worked to hold, and in some cases decrease, the cost of attending Ozarks for students and their families over the past six years by eliminating fees, freezing tuition, increasing scholarship support and placing an emphasis on technology.

“We remain committed to keeping an Ozarks’ education affordable and reducing the amount of debt our students incur and I think prospective students and their families see that,” Dunsworth said. “We’ve implemented a sound financial aid strategy that is in line with our mission of serving and preparing students from diverse backgrounds.

When you combine that with increased academic opportunities, broader international partnerships and more innovative programs and curriculum, you have an educational experience that is truly top-notch.”

“This year’s student body is one of the most geographically diverse in the University’s history...”

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Fall 2018 Enrollment

by the

NUMBERS

872 49%

Total record enrollment, breaking the previous mark of 755 in 2017

323

Increase in enrollment

Business Administration

107

Biology

84

Health Science

59

Psychology

50

Political Science

29

Communication Studies

27

Environmental Science

358

Number of students competing in athletics at Ozarks

Male

347

Percent of international students who come from 25 countries

Female

Undeclared

Enrollment Trends

2013 585

21%

Number of students in the Fall 2018 incoming class, the largest in University history

Most Popular Majors

2018 872

104 Number of students from Johnson County

27

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010 2009

872

755

686

651

587

585

576

630

584

625

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UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

NEW FACULTY and STAFF

The University welcomed more than 30 new faculty and staff to the campus community this semester. Among the new employees for the 2018-19 academic year are (pictured, seated, from left) Dr. Isaac Hunter, assistant professor of psychology; Denise Prather, head softball coach and assistant athletic trainer; Heidi Pinkerton, head men’s and women’s cross country and track coach; Amy Scaccia, assistant director of early career education; Laura Reehl, director of conference services; Cara Graham, director of development; Ashley Bryant, office manager for the Jones Learning Center; Krista Denne, assistant softball coach; Whitleigh Wilhelmi, academic support coordinator; Sarah Scroggins, admission counselor; Lori Harper, office manager for Administrative Services. (Standing, from left) Dr. Michelle Fowler, visiting assistant professor of psychology; John Cossaboon, public safety officer; Janet Meyer, instructor of management; Dr. Danielle Young, assistant professor of political science; Dr. Alyson Gill, provost; Rebecca Bailey, assistant professor of theatre; Dr. Karen Fawley, associate professor of biology; Larry Graham, director of public safety; Vinny Barber, assistant wrestling coach; Dallas Brose, assistant athletic trainer; Garvaundo Hamilton, student engagement coordinator; Ethan Hefley, network manager; and Dr. Marvin Fawley, adjunct biology instructor.

Compass Opens New Digital Landscape For Campus

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n August, the University launched a new campus-wide digital learning initiative that officials believe will greatly support and enhance teaching and learning by providing every student and faculty member with an Apple iPad. Compass is a comprehensive student-success program that provides universal access to a common set of learning technologies. As part of the initiative, the University collaborated with Apple to distribute nearly 1,000 Apple iPad devices, Apple pencils and smart keyboards to its students and faculty.

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Most of the students, including almost 300 incoming freshmen, received their iPad on Aug. 20, the day before classes began for the Fall 2018 Semester. A majority of the faculty, as well as about 70 students, received their iPad in the spring, during the first phase of the program rollout.

“We believe Compass will transform the teaching and learning experience at Ozarks by creating a dynamic and integrated environment of innovation, creativity and discovery,” said University President Richard Dunsworth.

“Students will be able to access content in a way that

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supports their personal learning style and it will increase accessibility for all students.”

The iPad devices will be used by the 872 full-time students and 100 faculty and staff, including adjunct faculty, administrators and athletic coaches. The University has invested $1.3 million in the Compass initiative, which includes training seminars, equipment such as Wi-Fi-connected Apple TVs in classrooms and enhanced wireless infrastructure for greater bandwidths and faster internet.

The current students will not incur additional costs to participate in the Compass program and officials believe that future costs of the technology will be more than offset by decreasing the amount students pay for traditional textbooks and other material.

“The bottom line is that Compass will allow us to lower the direct costs students pay to attend college,” Dunsworth said. “This is especially important as the University seeks to control, and in some cases decrease, the cost of attendance while also improving the educational experience.”

Students will be able to keep their iPad if they complete six semesters at Ozarks.

Students who graduate before the sixsemester limit will have the option to purchase the iPad at a reduced cost.

Provost Dr. Alyson Gill, whose office coordinated the implementation of the program, said Compass “promotes an active learning environment in which students and faculty engage with the material and each other both inside and outside the classroom.”

“We’re effectively creating a classroom without walls,” Gill said. “Compass will be a key driver as we support this pedagogical practice in which we move towards a student-centered learning model where students are actively involved in creating content for their courses and engaging with each other and their curriculum.”

QGet &A to Know

DR. STEWART HART DR. STEWART HART joined the Ozarks faculty in August 2017 as assistant professor of chemistry. A native of Kentucky, Hart grew up on a tobacco and cattle farm in the western part of the state before attending Centre College in Kentucky. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry from Michigan State University and taught at Grand Valley State University and Arkansas Tech University before joining Ozarks. An avid reader, he and his wife, Rachel, enjoy travelling and recently toured Iceland.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTERESTED IN CHEMISTRY? Growing up on a farm, most people assume I would have had a great interest in biology, but I was always more interested in the insecticides and herbicides that we used. I remember spilling a small amount of herbicide on my shoulder one summer afternoon. I neglected to wash it off and ended up with a small chemical burn on my shoulder. These interests and incidents led me to major in chemistry in college. In college, my organic chemistry course in my sophomore year cemented my interest in chemistry.

WHAT IS THE MOST GRATIFYING ASPECT OF BEING A TEACHER? The most gratifying aspect of college teaching is living vicariously through my students. I have former students in medical, dental, pharmacy, graduate schools and in industry. Being able to watch their careers progress and have them keep up with me is very gratifying. I am humbled by their willingness to include me in their lives after graduating.

WHAT CAN NON-MAJORS GET OUT OF TAKING CHEMISTRY CLASSES AT A LIBERAL ARTS UNIVERSITY? Students need to have a scientific perspective on our world. Learning about chemistry allows them to make their own decisions on scientific problems presented in our world. Chemistry suffers from bad PR; even the term “chemical” has a negative connotation to the average person. We must remember that water is also a chemical. Learning that elemental properties do not always translate to molecules that contain that element is very important. We want graduates who are competent in scientific knowledge and have the ability to find information about a problem.

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UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

New Partnership to Focus on Teacher Retention

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hree out of ten new classroom teachers in Arkansas are leaving the profession within five years, a disturbing trend that the University’s Pat Walker Teacher Education Program is working to help change.

The U of O education program has partnered with the Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperative in a unique initiative to improve new teacher retention rates. The Early Career Professional Educators (ECPE) program is a mentoring initiative that provides training and support to beginning teachers in an effort to keep more young teachers in the classroom.

According to the latest data from the Arkansas Department of Education, 31 percent of teachers in Arkansas leave the profession within five years.

“New teachers in Arkansas are getting out of the profession at an alarming rate and we’re taking the initiative to reverse that trend,” said Dr. Brett Stone, dean of education at Ozarks. “We’ve had an on-going partnership with the Guy Fenter Coop for several years and this program is the next step.”

The partnership between the University and the cooperative is the first of its kind in Arkansas. Under the agreement, dual-agency positions have been created: the director and assistant director of early career professional educators. The director of the program is Pam Terry, a former elementary teacher and principal who has led the University’s pre-service teacher field experiences since 2015. Amy Scaccia, a 2009 Ozarks graduate who has taught special education at Lamar High School for the past six years, is the assistant director.

The two positions will be housed in the University’s teacher

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education center in Walker Hall. Both Terry and Scaccia will continue to teach in the education program at Ozarks while also working with new teachers in the Guy Fenter Coop, which includes 21 area school districts stretching from Lamar in the east to Fort Smith in the west.

The program will focus on years one, two and three of novice teachers and will include targeted feedback and support for new teachers from other distinguished teachers, content specialists and University professors through both on-site and technology platforms. The program is expected to include up to 400 early career teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade within the education cooperative in its first year.

“We’re going to offer professional development courses and other training and support programs that will reach

Amy Scaccia and Pam Terry

these teachers during the formative years of their teaching career,” said Terry. “This partnership provides an opportunity to link theory and practice, share information and best practices and create opportunities for collaboration between early career professional educators.”

According to data on its own alumni, the retention rate for new U of O teacher education graduates is 90 percent over the past three years.

“Our new graduates are staying in the classroom at a much higher rate than the state average and that’s encouraging to us,” Stone said. “We feel like we can share some of the things we’re doing to help retain more teachers in this region.”

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ROTC

ROTC Returns To Campus

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or the first time in almost 30 years University of the Ozarks students will have the opportunity to participate in the U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program.

The University has re-established its ROTC program for the Fall 2018 Semester in collaboration with the University of Central Arkansas’ (UCA) ROTC program. Ozarks last had ROTC on campus in the late 1980s.

According to U of O Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment Reggie Hill, approximately six Ozarks students are taking part this semester in the program that prepares selected students to serve as commissioned officers in the active or reserve components of the Army.

“We are excited about providing our students with another pathway to long-term success and with additional career options,” Hill said. “ROTC is a first-class leadership and management program that offers an unparalleled opportunity for personal development. ROTC is also one of the nation’s leading sources of college scholarships, which is another great benefit to our current and prospective students.”

U of O’s new program will fall under the administration of UCA’s program, which includes eight Arkansas colleges and universities and forms the Bayonet Battalion, headquartered at UCA. Ozarks recently added a minor in military science to its academic curriculum. U of O students also take military science classes and leadership labs as well as conduct

physical training through the Arkansas Tech University affiliate program in Russellville.

Major Matthew Sweeney, assistant professor of military science and officer in charge at ATU, said he was excited about starting one of the newest ROTC programs in the nation at Ozarks.

“I am honored to be a part of helping re-establish the program at Ozarks and to help attract, motivate and develop good young officers for either the U.S. Army’s reserve components or active duty,” Sweeney said. “I’m well aware of the great academic reputation of Ozarks and I know it has high-quality students. We’re here to give those students who might have an interest in the military another option and to continue to expand the pipeline for top-quality officers as much as we can.”

Army ROTC offers two, three and four-year scholarships, awarded strictly on merit. The scholarship covers full tuition and fees. Additionally, they can receive stipends.

The ROTC program is of modular construction and is composed of a basic and an advanced course. Enrollment in the basic course is open to all full-time students, and it carries with it no obligation for military service. Completion of the basic course is a prerequisite for application to the advanced course. Upon successful completion of the program and graduation from college, young men and women become an Army Lieutenant in either the active Army, Army National Guard, or the U.S. Army Reserve.

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UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

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LT. COMMANDER LEROY GARDNER III, (right), head wrestling coach at Ozarks since 2016, was presented a U.S. Navy commendation medal for his service in Busan, South Korea, during the summer of 2017. Gardner has served in the U.S. Navy reserves since 2010 and was previously active duty from 2006-09. In Busan, he served five months as battle watch officer in the Combine Maritime Operational Center.

Political science students and professor (from left) ADAM WINTER, DR. MARK SCULLY, BEN HALL, BRITTANIE GRAGG and JOEL CUEVAS travelled to Fort Worth, Texas,

in November as the students competed against teams from 12 other universities in the American Moot Court Association’s South Texas regional tournament. It’s the first time a team from Ozarks has competed in a regional moot court competition.

JULIO MOLINA-PINEDA, a senior biology and chemistry major from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, took home first place in oral presentation in biology at the 2017 Arkansas IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Conference, held in October. His presentation, “Antioxidant Carbon Nanoparticle Results in Novel Auditory Response in Mice,” was based on the research he did last summer in a nine-week internship at the Baylor College of Medicine.

The top finishers in the 13th annual Earth Day Essay contest in May were (from left) JAE LYNN HUCKABA, ERIKA

HENDERSON, DAX CLARK AND JASMINE ROSALES.

Huckaba won top honors for her essay titled, “Regnant Populus,” which examined the efforts that the city of Clarksville is doing to promote sustainability and to combat environmental threats. The event is sponsored by long-time supporters DR.

WAYNE AND BETTY WORKMAN.

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headliners

HAILEY HARDGRAVE, shown with PRESIDENT RICHARD DUNSWORTH, was named in April as the 2018 Hurie Award

recipient, selected by the faculty and given to the outstanding member of the graduating class. The biology major from Hartman, Ark., was a Summa Cum Laude honors graduate who was active the Ozarks Biological Society and the Tri-Beta National Honors Society. She is enrolled in medical school.

IVAN BUSTILLO, a 2017 Fall Semester graduate, won the prestigious Student Pillar of Excellence Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Mid-America chapter in the fall. Bustillo, an RTV major from El Salvador, won the top prize in the category of photography for his short film, “Upside Down and Backwards,” which chronicled the artwork and techniques of local artist David Rackley.

PATTI SCHUH, (from left) DEBBIE SIEBENMORGEN, TAMMY HARRINGTON, SUSAN EDENS AND LISA GRUBEN-INNESS were recognized in April at the Board of Trustees Awards Banquet. Harrington and Edens were honored with the Richard and Katherine Bagwell Outstanding Faculty Awards, Gruben-Inness and Siebenmorgen won the Sims and Broyles staff awards and Schuh was awarded the Dr. Rick and Sheree Niece President’s Above and Beyond Service Award.

JAKE SAWYER AND BEKAH MOORE tied for top honors in the University’s 11th annual Project Poet competition in the fall of 2017. Sawyer, a junior English major from Mena, Ark., and Moore, a junior biology major from Mountainburg, Ark., beat out 20 other students who took part in the popular fiveweek elimination format. It was the first time for co-champions in the event’s history.

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UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

BREAKING THE CYCLE Emboldened by a legacy and mission of social justice, opportunity and inclusion, University of the Ozarks is working diligently and strategically to help FIRST GENERATION college students navigate the pathway through college and become the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree.

JUAN ALMARAZ of Clarksville remembers walking onto the U of O campus for the first time in August of 2014 as a freshman, the first member of his family to attend college.

“It was very scary and I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” Almaraz said. “That first week I was hearing words like advisors, credit hours, majors and electives, and I had no idea what they all meant. I didn’t have anyone at home to ask about those things. It was all very overwhelming.”

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Four years later, Almaraz is a newly minted college graduate, having overcome the daunting odds faced by first generation college students by earning a bachelor’s of science degree in management from Ozarks in May of 2018.

“It was not only one of the happiest days of my life, it was one of the happiest days of everyone in my family,” Almaraz said. “My family and I knew what a struggle it had been to get to that point and it was quite a moment—I was a college graduate.”

According to the First Generation Foundation, the Department of Education estimates that more than 40

FIR ST GEN STU D EN TS

percent of all undergraduate college students identify as first generation college students — meaning students whose parents never completed a bachelor’s degree. The National Center for Education Statistics indicates that 30 percent of all entering freshmen are first generation college students.

First generation students face many more barriers compared to continuing-generation students whose parents have graduated from college. Being a first generation college student is one of the most often cited predictors of higher education failure—a status that universally leads to lesser educational outcomes. In addition, first gens often have greater financial need and are less likely to avail themselves of support services and resources than their counterparts.

For these and other reasons, only about 20 percent of firstgeneration students earn a bachelor’s degree, compared to 42 percent of students whose parents have a bachelor’s degree, according to the Department of Education.

At Ozarks, board members, administrators and faculty members are working diligently and strategically to remove the barriers that first generation students are facing. Though the University does not specifically collect information on first gens, it is estimated that approximately half of Ozarks’ student population would qualify for that distinction.

University President Richard Dunsworth, himself a first generation college student who grew up on a farm on the rural plains of eastern Colorado, said ensuring that first generation students are successful is part of the University’s mission and ties in with its long and rich legacy of empowering disadvantaged students.

“Arkansas has one of the lowest college completion rates in the country, second or third from the bottom, so we’re right in the heart of where many first generation students are,” Dunsworth said. “Our mission statement talks about our Christian heritage and preparing students from diverse backgrounds.”

“We know that education not only impacts one’s economic quality of life but it also impacts their physical and mental qualities of life. When you look at our history and why we were established on what was the frontier, serving first gen students seems like a natural evolution or continuation of all that came before us, whether it was enrolling women, integrating the University or assisting students with disabilities.”

Envisioning the Future Dr. David Strain, professor of English who has taught at Ozarks since 1992, knows what it’s like to be first gen. He was not only the first in his family to attend college, he was the first to graduate high school, going on to eventually earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University.

One of the first things Strain does with his freshman students is to take a photo of them wearing Strain’s doctoral robes—an endeavor to help the students envision their future. He then

brings out the photos to show them four years later, during the week of their graduation.

“Since I’m an Episcopalian, I’m big on liturgies,” Strain said. “This is what I say to them in silence, what I hope my life allows them to hear: ‘Here are the doctoral robes off my back.

I stood once where you stand now. There’s no reason you can’t do as much with what you’ve been given as I’ve done with what I was given. Figure out the place where you’ll do it.

Do it. And know that, as long as I’m above ground, we’re in it together.’”

Like Strain, Dunsworth believes that the faculty and staff members are called to help students such as first gens.

“I’m not sure on the numbers, but my gut tells me that we have a disproportionate number of faculty and staff members who are first generation and who are comfortable working with those students, not because of who the students are but because of who we are,” Dunsworth said. “As I hear more and more stories about our faculty, it kind of clicks. Their upbringing suggests that they are one of the first people in their family to go to college as well.”

Almaraz credited being a volunteer in the Ozarks Outdoors program and working with then-director Bendex Stevenson as a big reason he felt connected to Ozarks.

“Being from Clarksville and living off campus, Ozarks Outdoors was my connection to campus outside the classroom,” he said. “I met so many great people through that program and Bendex was such a mentor and friend.

Whenever I was getting discouraged or had a bad day, I could go talk to him and he would encourage me and point me in the right direction again.”

Hailey Hardgrave, a first generation student who grew up rural Hartman, Ark., graduated from Ozarks in May with the University’s highest academic achievements as well as the most prestigious honor for a graduating senior, the Hurie Award. The biology and pre-medicine major was accepted into several medical schools before deciding on the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where she is currently pursuing a career in pediatrics medicine.

Hardgrave credited her professors at Ozarks for showing her what was possible.

“Even though my parents hadn’t gone to college, they were always supportive and encouraging,” Hardgrave said. “But when I started college, I had no idea what I was capable of or that I could be anything I wanted to be. I think my professors saw that in me and gave me the support and encouragement I needed. They pushed me and challenged me in ways I had never been and they brought out my full potential. They showed me that my goals and dreams didn’t have to have limits.”

Strain said he decided to pursue a career in higher education because of the professors who made an impact in his life as a first gen.

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“Many years ago, I was walking down Garden Street in Cambridge,” he said. “I was unhappy. I had the old boy network going for me, but I didn’t want to end up as just one more old boy. I thought of my college professors and realized that I envied them. I thought of my dear friend, [former professor and provost] Caroline Whitson at University of the Ozarks, and realized that I envied her. I decided, then and there, that, when I died, folks would know why I’d lived.

I decided that I would come home to the hills I had escaped and do for others what others had done for me.”

One piece of advice that Strain gives to his first gen students is to find someone to emulate.

“Most good people become good by incorporating bits of people they’ve come to love,” he said. “Find people whose character has something you want. Steal it for yourself.”

Knowing the Rules The University’s Student Success Center includes the U.S. Department of Education’s federally funded TRIO program, which works with nearly 200 students, most of them first generation college students who come from low income families.

The SSC staff offers services such as tutoring, academic counseling, skills coaching, financial literacy workshops and stress management counseling. Connie High, director of the SSC, said one of the biggest problems she sees with first generation students is that they don’t know the lingo or nuances of higher education.

“These students are usually highly motivated to succeed and they’re willing to do everything they can to be successful,” High said. “They just don’t know what questions to ask or that they can even ask questions. They don’t know how college works and they don’t have anyone at home to ask. We work with them on how to ask the right questions, where to go on campus for specific help and how to do things like plan out a schedule and how to read a syllabus. We become that point of contact for information and resources for their four years.

Dunsworth said he believes first gen students often have to overcome such intangibles as pride, shame and self-doubt.

“I think a lot of these students look in the mirror and say to themselves, ‘I’m not supposed to be here,’” he said. “I was working with a young man recently who saw asking for help as a sign of weakness. I told him, you just have to ask for help.

You’ve got 168 faculty and staff on campus who were called to work in education because they were called to serve. They are hoping that one day you will walk into their office and say, ‘Will you help me?’

“For our first gens, it’s not about working harder, it’s about knowing the rules of the game and some of those rules are learned by our families and some of the rules are learned from our social groups. And if my family or social groups do not have those rules, when and where do I learn them? It’s incumbent upon us to think through that so that we’re teaching 14 /// TODAY, FA L L 2 0 1 8

those rules as quickly as possible, to mitigate fear, shame and doubt.”

Dunsworth said the University has looked at ways to eliminate barriers for first gen students, even as early as the admission stages. He said that was one reason the University recently implemented a test-optional admission route.

“As we recruit students, our enrollment management team is evaluating every single thing that can possibly be perceived as barriers,” Dunsworth said. “One example is test optional.

We know there are some inherent bias in test scores. Test scores are a wonderful tool for half of our students. For the other half — often those from rural, small towns without a diverse curriculum —students underperform on these tests and then go on to perform beautifully in the classroom.”

New programs and initiatives at Ozarks such as the LENS curriculum and the Compass program are also helping to demystify higher education for first gens and their families and to level the playing field for all students.

“The way we’ve built the curriculum with LENS allows us to use language that isn’t academic jargon,” Dunsworth said.

“For instance, we talk about a broad liberal arts education.

If you or your parents haven’t been to college, what does that really mean? So we’ve talked about it in terms of LENS and how there’s different ways of knowing. We’ve grouped curriculum in ways of knowing and we want students to have depth in one field and better than average understanding in the other two. These are concepts and language that I think both students and parents can understand better.

With Compass, we’re giving all students access to the same technology and resources, regardless of their background or their parents’ educational or financial status. It’s another way we’re eliminating barriers.”

The University also began celebrating its first gen students with an annual campus-wide celebration day each November, hosted by the Student Success Center, which has two staff members who are the first in their families to graduate from college. The center also posts photos of its first generation college grads on a large poster outside their offices.

“We think that it’s important that we celebrate our first generation students and show them that it is not a limitation or disadvantage and that there are a lot of faculty and staff on campus who are also first generation,” said High. “There’s some comfort in knowing that you’re not in this alone and that the University is committed to helping you succeed.”

The Financial Barriers Almaraz worked a full-time job for the four years he attended Ozarks, something that he believes helped him stay on course to graduate in four years.

“I had a lot of help with scholarships, but I still had to work and I think that when you’re using your own money to go to school you take it much more seriously,” he said. “I also learned time management very well. I knew that I needed to

FIR ST GEN STU D EN TS

graduate in four years because I didn’t want an additional financial burden.”

The University has taken numerous steps to lessen the financial burden of students through disciplined price management and a mission-driven approach to financial aid. The University froze tuition from 2013 to 2017 and has raised more than $26 million in scholarship support through its current Climb Higher campaign.

Scholarships, such as the Frontier Scholarship and the full-need scholarships for students from Johnson County and several adjacent counties, are helping to keep down the amount of debt that students incur. A total of 99 percent of Ozarks students receive financial assistance.

“The idea of borrowing money is scary for students and families,” Dunsworth said. “If I’m a little unsure of my major or a little unsure of my work prospects and a school is saying, ‘Don’t worry, just borrow,’ that can be a scary, isolating thing.

We’ve changed the narrative. We are going to ask you to borrow some money — you’re going to still have skin in the game, but we’re working to make that skin in the game more manageable.”

Dunsworth said he is continually amazed by the generosity of alumni and friends of the University who support scholarships for students.

“Scholarships have resonated with our alumni and friends in a remarkable way,” he said. “We’re sitting at almost $27 million in our campaign that has been committed to scholarships.

That’s amazing, it’s humbling. People want to help us, whether it’s a $25 gift, a $20,000 endowed scholarship or a $10 million endowed scholarship, people are saying, ‘I want to help.’”

Aye Aye, a sophomore elementary education major from Clarksville, moved to the United States in 2015 from a Thailand refugee camp. A part of the ethnic minority Karen people, she and her family suffered persecution in her home country of Myanmar. She overcame a language barrier to graduate high school and is now the first in her family to attend college.

“Paying for college is my biggest challenge but my family is sacrificing so that I can go to college and better my life,” said Aye. “The faculty and staff and other students have been incredibly friendly and supportive. I know with their help, I will be the first to graduate college and will reach my dream of being a teacher.”

Almaraz, who said he didn’t plan on attending college until he was encouraged by a friend and mentor, said he decided to enroll at Ozarks just three weeks before classes began in the fall of 2014.

“I didn’t think college was an option; I was just going to go to work,” he said. “I still look back and think how fortunate I was to end up at Ozarks. I’m really not sure if I could have had this opportunity anywhere else.”

Almaraz now has two younger siblings attending Ozarks and three more in junior high and high school who are already planning to attend college.

“Just the other day my brother, who is a junior in high school, was asking me about what classes he should be taking to prepare for college,” Almaraz said. “I’ve also been able to help out my brother and sister who are attending Ozarks and give them information and tips that I never had. It’s truly humbling to think that I am the first to have a college degree in my family and that I helped pave the path for all of them.”

Dunsworth said it’s in Ozarks’ DNA to be on the front lines of assisting first generation students.

It’s something about the history, the humanity, the legacy of this place,” Dunsworth said. “There are amazing institutions around this country, but this is a special place. Whether it’s former presidents continuing to support the scholarship fund or people who haven’t physically been on campus in decades saying, ‘How can I help?’ Or someone saying, ‘Hey, I know I can’t help today, but when I meet my maker, you get everything.’ That doesn’t happen because of a single administration and that doesn’t happen because of a single faculty member. That happens because of generations and generations and generations of Christian love.”

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Jarret Bain

Ny’Trell Dean

Aye Aye

Sydney Key

Eleazar Coronado

Meet some of U of O’s FIRST GENS Jarret Bain SOPHOMORE, PSYCHOLOGY Nassau, Bahamas

An only child, Jarret never considered attending college until he met U of O Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment Reggie Hill who visited the Bahamas. “I made pretty good grades in high school, but I never saw myself in college because I didn’t think my family could afford it,” he said. “Mr. Hill showed me it was possible and got me excited about going to college. Before attending Ozarks, I never thought much about my future. Now, I wish to set an example for my family like the little engine who could.

I wish to keep going toward a Ph.D. Hopefully, that will inspire my family and friends back home even more.”

Ny’Trell Dean SENIOR, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION Arlington, Texas

Growing up, Ny’Trell said college was never emphasized by his family. “We knew that people went to college and that it was a good thing, but nobody ever said that I should go,” he said.

“I feel like I’ve already accomplished so much by just attending college. I imagine almost every day walking across that stage, grabbing that degree and shaking President Dunsworth’s hand while my family chants my name. I cry at 16 /// TODAY, FA L L 2 0 1 8

the thought of it. I can make my family proud. I will be setting an example for all of my nieces and nephews and little cousins. Hopefully they see what I do and it inspires them to do more.”

Aye Aye SOPHOMORE, ELEMENTARY EDUCATION Clarksville, Arkansas

The Myanmar-born Aye was part of the Karen ethnic minority group that suffered persecution from her country’s dictatorship, forcing her to spend many years of her childhood in a refugee camp in Thailand before moving to Clarksville as a 17-year-old in 2015. “Even though no one in my family had attended college, my parents encouraged me to make good grades and to go to college,” she said. “I saw how hard my dad worked and he wanted me to attend college and to get a better job than him. I have two younger sisters and I want to show them that it’s possible.”

Sydney Key JUNIOR, HEALTH SCIENCE Lamar, Arkansas

A standout softball player for the Eagles, Sydney plans to pursue a career as an athletic trainer. She said that even though college was always encouraged by her family, they didn’t always know how to help her. “Since I’m the first to go to

college, there are things that my family couldn’t really help me with because they didn’t go through it,” she said. “A lot of other students’ parents can help them out with things like homework, advice, paperwork, how to handle stress and how to balance everything. There’s a lot of things we have to figure out as we go, but I know it’s going to be all worth it when I receive that diploma.”

Eleazar Coronado SENIOR, THEATRE Jonesboro, Arkansas

Eleazar grew up knowing that college was his ticket to achieving his career goal of becoming a professional scenic/ lighting designer for theatre, but it was masonry work by his father that made it possible. “My family is very hard working, but I wanted to go to college because I did not want to work in masonry for the rest of my life,” he said. “My realization that masonry was not for me was my main inspiration of going to college, but I appreciate so much what my father has done for me and the opportunities I have because of the work he’s done. Going to college was my choice, but my family was incredibly supportive. Ozarks and the theatre program here have shown me so much about what is possible and have given me the foundation that I can build my career on.”

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Falon Hanson

Tanner Young

Falon Hanson SENIOR, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Fayetteville, Arkansas

Pursuing a career in marketing or public relations, Falon has successfully balanced the rigors of being a studentathlete as a member of the women’s soccer team. She said Ozarks has opened her eyes to what an education is all about. “Because I had never truly known the importance of higher education, school used to just be a daily routine that I would blindly go through the motions to make all A’s,” she said. “That was until I came to Ozarks and realized that there is so much in the world that I do not know, and have not experienced.

At Ozarks, I have acquired so much knowledge and insight about different cultures, the business industry, the political sphere, the way our country runs, and the importance of understanding the change in interpretations, technology and society. All of this was information that my parents and basic high school education never seemed to contribute.”

Tanner Young JUNIOR, PSYCHOLOGY Euless, Texas

Tanner said it was soccer that first inspired him to attend college but that at Ozarks he quickly found a passion for learning. He plans to pursue higher education beyond an undergraduate degree. “I will never stop testifying to the hospitality and the difference Ozarks has made in my life,” he said. “When I arrived I was shown that I was truly appreciated

Hailey Weathers

by my peers, professors, coaches and staff. That inspired me to want to give my best in the classroom and pursue a career in academia so that I can guide students like myself, who at one time had no understanding of what they wanted to do with their life, or how to reach academic and personal success. I want to inspire in others a love for academics and knowledge that was given to me.”

Hailey Weathers JUNIOR, BIOLOGY/PRE-VETERINARIAN MEDICINE Coal Hill, Arkansas

Growing up on a small farm in rural Arkansas, Hailey said her parents encouraged her to make good grades and pursue college. She said finances have been one of her biggest hurdles.

“To be able to go to college, I had to obtain as many scholarships as I could,” she said. “I applied to everything I could possibly apply to. I was determined not to take out any loans. Luckily, I obtained enough scholarships to cover everything plus some in college. Now, as a junior, money is still a hurdle, but I am doing well and still able to pursue my dreams of getting a college degree … I cannot wait to walk across that stage and obtain my bachelor’s degree. My entire family is so proud of me and let me know every week.

This degree will be a huge turning point in my life and for my family.”

Ethan Lubera JUNIOR, THEATRE Siloam Springs, Arkansas

Ethan, who plans to pursue a master’s

Ethan Lubera

Brenda Sandoval

of art in teaching after graduating from Ozarks, spent the summer of 2018 serving a theatre internship at the Kingsley Pines Camp in Raymond, Maine.

“During my first two years at Ozarks, I was always worried about what would come next,” he said. “I am a planner, and being someone who plans every ounce of the next few years is something that both gives me relief and stresses me out.

Though being alone in a new situation is scary, Ozarks has always been there to comfort me and at the same time push me outside of my comfort zone.

Working at the summer camp was a wonderful experience and something I really needed. Without the support and encouragement from my professors, I wouldn’t have had that great experience.”

Brenda Sandoval SENIOR, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND HISTORY Guatemala City, Guatemala

Even though her parents hadn’t gone to college, they saw a curiosity and love of learning in their daughter that inspired them to encourage college for Brenda.

“My parents were very supportive and I wanted to do something that no one in my family had done before due to the lack of opportunities,” she said. “When I think about walking across the stage and receiving my degree, the first thing that comes to my mind is that I will make my parents proud. I will be extremely happy and blessed to be the first one to graduate from college in my family, but more than earning a college degree, I want to motivate others to do the same.”

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LESSONS LEARNED FROM A Growing up in the Delta, Jae Lynn Huckaba ’18 had rarely traveled outside Arkansas, much less the United States, before enrolling at U of O. Four years and several study abroad trips later, Huckaba has collected unforgettable moments, life-changing experiences and an overnight bag worth of lessons that include patience, persistency, love for humanity, networking and investing in others.

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STU D ENT /// EXPER IEN C ES

World Traveler Written by Jae Lynn Huckaba

“Ozarks Abroad: Pilgrimage to Israel-Palestine,” read the email that first sparked my interest in international travel. I recall the few weeks I spent pondering over the “what if’s” of capitalizing on this opportunity. As a devout Southern Baptist from the Arkansas Delta, my thoughts of walking the same grounds as Jesus Christ were highly idealized, and I could not have dreamed an experience better suited for me than a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Unfortunately… fortunately — however you wish to view the circumstances — my greatly sought pilgrimage to the Holy Land was shot down with news that the conflict between Israel and Palestine made it impossible for the University to sponsor a study abroad to that area. I, of course, was disappointed.

Before, I would have never considered studying abroad. I always thought, “Why would anyone want to leave America? It’s the greatest country in the world,” mirroring my narrow mindset. Nevertheless, the opportunity to grow closer to God allured me, and I now felt committed to something that would not occur.

However, after a brief meeting with two professors in the sitting area on the second level of the Walton Fine Arts building, I learned the trip would still happen, but with a new destination.

Eastern Europe Dr. David Daily and Rev. Elizabeth Gabbard announced that the new destination would be eastern Europe. The countries included Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. At first, I was not excited by the news. Again, I did not really have any desire to study abroad or to leave the country at all. It can be asserted, in fact, I was largely

Editor’s Note: Jae Lynn Huckaba is a firstgeneration college student from Forrest City, Ark., who graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors in May. The English and Spanish double major plans to attend law school and pursue a career either in immigration law or education.

opposed to international travel in general. I was also discouraged when my first college best friend opted out of participating in the trip because of the change.

But, regardless of her decision, I still felt committed.

Accordingly, I stuck it out. I agreed to go on the trip.

To my own surprise, I really enjoyed the course, which was centered on Jewish ethics, religion and culture. I do not know why I was so shocked that the course appealed to me. Before attending college, I was very active in my church, attending a minimum of three services per week and always volunteering for mission trips and working church-related events. One of my primary hobbies was studying the Bible — for fun. Additionally, my little brother and I had always been super interested in history. I knew everything about Hitler and World War II from the emergence of the Third Reich to the final torpedo shot from a U.S submarine against a fleet of Japanese ships. Still, at first, I hated the course.

The class challenged me. This seemed to be the root of any hatred I had for particular courses. As a freshman, I was accustomed to being the top of my TODAY, FA LL 2018 /// 19

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Because of the delay in Little Rock, we missed our second flight to Amsterdam and had to stay the night in Atlanta. This meant we would lose 24 hours of our trip, or in other words, one day of our tours in Hungary. After arriving in Atlanta, we were tired, irritable, frustrated. From this, however, came my first lesson: Patience.

Eventually, after a very unfortunate change in itinerary, which scheduled us to fly from Rome, Italy, rather than Amsterdam (tragic), we finally arrived in Budapest. Our time in Budapest was limited due to the delay; however, our first adventure left an impression. We took a cruise and toured the major buildings in the city. The buildings, especially the capitol, were stunning. They were so well lit that the water reflected them perfectly. I remember this as my “first” international experience. The memory never disappoints; however, my memories of the trip are dominated primarily by other sites, such as Auschwitz, Birkenau and Schindler’s factory. Having received the accreditation of “Hitler buff” from several of my friends, it can be asserted that visiting these famous World War II sites was my favorite part of the trip. Even so, learning bits of the languages and immersing myself in a different culture were the main highlights of my first adventure. class. In high school, making less than an “A” on anything was always the “teacher’s fault” because there was no way I had anymore to learn. If there was, I might as well just give up. After all, my intelligence was set. Accordingly, when I received my first “F” in the course, I did not believe there was anything I could do. My professors (still grateful) were kind enough to grant me an opportunity to complete an alternative assignment for a higher grade. Even so, I felt stuck because I did not know “how” to do better than I had done before. Using the feedback from my professors, however, I was able to successfully complete the alternative assignment. From then on I was more open to their critiques because I knew I had to be in order to do well in the course.

Still, my focus was the “A” on my transcript.

Nevertheless, despite my mindset, I continued to succeed in the course. As I began to participate more actively and gain exposure to other points of view, I saw my own perspectives begin to change. The final assignment had a reflective component that required me to consider how my perspectives had changed as a result of the course. I did not realize how much my background influenced my previous dispositions, but more importantly, I was not aware how much my perspectives had actually changed. I would like to say the first lesson I gained from study abroad was a new mindset, but this would not come until later.

In May of 2015, my classmates and I flew from Little Rock to Atlanta, Georgia. Our first flight was significantly delayed.

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Maya Mundo Linguistics and cultural immersion — as well as persistence from both Dr. Kim Van Scoy and Dr. William Clary — decided my next international experience. Maya Mundo was a two-week trip to southern Mexico and northern Guatemala that consisted of visits to approximately 12 Mayan ruins, as well as a guided tour of the Lacandon Rainforest. It was rough. I hated bugs. I hated the “feel of the outside.” I hated social interaction. I hated almost everything that characterized this trip. But I loved Spanish, and I loved history. At this point, I would have done anything to be better at Spanish. Aside from a Literary Theory course that almost persuaded me to elect a major in Chemistry, Spanish was the only freshman “B” plaguing my transcript. The course expanded my knowledge of the Ancient Mayan civilization and introduced me to environmental studies.

As I stated, I was not a fan of nature, and I certainly did not have much interest in saving the environment. My only effort at conservation was not buying Styrofoam plates anymore because my freshman roommate, who was an environmental studies major, said they were bad for the environment and preferred paper plates instead. From then on, I paid my extra 20 cents for paper plates and went on happy with my minor contribution to saving the planet. However, after seeing how indigenous people depended on the natural environment and ecosystems for their own sustainability, I became more consciously aware of how my own actions and decisions affected the environment. The effects of deforestation, which

STU D ENT /// EXPER IEN C ES

were especially evident as we entered Dos Pilas, contributed to my new perspective on conservation. This was my next lesson: Environmental awareness.

Since participating in what I have often deemed my most “life-changing” study abroad, when making decisions, I try to consider how my choices will impact the environment. I keep the indigenous people of Mexico and Guatemala in my mind as I make these decisions, and I hope that even my miniscule effort to eliminate Styrofoam from my life will ensure them a better quality of life over longer periods of time. The indigenous people, however, taught me more than just environmental awareness. Through interactions with various people from both Mexico and Guatemala, whether indigenous or not, I also developed more of a passion for people. This contrasted with my previous hatred for people or anything that warranted social interaction. International lesson numero tres: Love for humanity.

I am still not a big fan of social interaction, but now, my favorite part of studying abroad is talking to the people.

This is especially true in Spanish-speaking countries.

Maya Mundo helped me realize this passion. Shortly after returning to the United States, I met with Dr. Van Scoy.

She was not my advisor, but she was the only person available in the middle of the summer, and I could not wait. I knew I loved literature and did not want to drop my degree in English, especially after being so deep into the program; however, I was no longer satisfied with Spanish being such a minor part of my life. After meeting with Dr. Van Scoy and mapping out the courses I still needed for my current degree plan, I was feeling discouraged. The Spanish degree program did not seem to fit. Nevertheless, somehow, after two years, I graduated in May with a BA in English and a BA in Spanish, as well as a minor in history and a licensure in secondary education. This leads to study abroad lesson number four: Persistency—I wanted it, so despite challenges, I got it.

Learning and Culture in Europe Persistence granted me the opportunity to study abroad every year during my time at the University of the Ozarks.

A major part of the study abroad experience is cultural exchange, and though I tend to find more joy in sharing conversations in Spanish, some of my best conversations regarding culture occurred in Europe. As I approached my junior year, I knew I was required to complete an immersion experience for the Spanish major. But, of course, Dr. Allison Freed was very convincing (not that I am too hard to persuade) when presenting her “Learning and Culture in Europe” course. Financially, deciding to go on this trip was a terrible idea. Juggling a course load composed of upper-level literature and Spanish courses plus two part-time jobs made junior year a little hectic.

However, it was impossible to tell myself “no.” Due to a year-long internship for secondary education, I did not know if there would be any possibility of studying abroad my senior year (I knew I would, but I needed an excuse), so this was my rationale for joining Dr. Freed.

This trip was different because the course actually took place while we were abroad. I did not receive credit for this course. I took it for fun. Looking back now, I did that a lot at Ozarks. This type of fun was a little different than reading Virgil’s Aeneid because Latin was my equivalent to solving word searches and crossword puzzles, though.

Even though I was not technically required to complete the assignments, completing them helped me prepare for a future career in education. I have used lesson plans for this course and adapted them for both my educational portfolio, as well as in my practicum placement. However, a course held in a classroom does not have the same effect on learning as actually going and experiencing the culture. While abroad, we studied the educational systems in the Netherlands and Germany. In addition to the lesson plans, I have also used anticipatory sets and instructional techniques that I adopted from my classroom observations and collaborative conversations with teachers within the schools we visited while abroad. My biggest gain from this trip (aside from visiting the Nazi Documentation Center, of course) was a rubric and grading scale that an English teacher from St. George’s International School gave me for evaluating writing assignments. The rubric is objectivebased, emphasizes the main components of writing and analyzation, and clearly outlines expectations for students.

Plus, it is more efficient for both me and my students. The trip was three-weeks. After comparing the school systems and networking with other teachers and future teachers, I was ready to spend some time relaxing. Study abroad lesson five: World travelers get no days off.

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AMAUTA Spanish School Only two weeks separated Dr. Freed’s Learning in Culture and Europe from my Spanish immersion. Those two weeks consisted of extra shifts at the local Harps grocery store and preparations for my next trip. While my Spanish had improved dramatically, especially for a student who entered the program without any knowledge of the language, I knew learning a new language was a continual process. I was scared. I doubted my language skills were “good enough” for me to be alone in a Spanish-speaking country for six weeks. I contemplated dropping Spanish back to a minor. It would have saved me money and stress. But… I could not tell Dr. Clary. My advisor had invested too much into me, so for my immersion, I chose to attend the AMAUTA Spanish School in Cuzco, Peru.

This Peruvian Spanish program enabled me to improve my Spanish grammar and language acquisition skills through various courses, excursions and one on one encounters with native Spanish-speaking professors. The opportunity exceeded merely completing requirements. Instead, rather, it was a chance for me to further explore my growing passion for humanities and interact with a diverse group of people.

One major component of the program, which provided me with an advantage in my Spanish education, was the homestay living accommodation. The homestay guaranteed communication with native speakers of the Spanish language outside of the classroom setting on a daily basis.

My host mom made the homestay feel like a second home.

Her grandson, who was two years old and learning to talk, proved to be my best resource for holding conversations. In addition to practicing the language, however, the homestay

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also allowed me to learn more about Peruvian culture through participating in cooking meals at home, as well as other cultural practices with my host family. Some highlights from my trip included learning Peruvian weaving, studying Quechua and eating guinea pig. To this, of course, I owe my students’ perception of me as a monster. These experiences, as well as the great amount of diversity in Peru, were the main reasons I selected the AMAUTA program.

The six and a half weeks I spent in Cusco gave me more confidence, taught me how to navigate and opened more opportunities for me to continue traveling. I now have friends in Peru, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, Brazil, Finland and other parts of the United States.

Most of which have opened their homes to me in case I ever decide to travel to their country. Combining the connections I made in all four study abroad brings me to study abroad lesson number six: Networking.

Machu Picchu/Bolivian Amazon Networking has its benefits in the professional world, but I did not have to wait too long before relationships built from previous trips began to advance my educational career, as well. With study abroad now established as such a prominent characteristic of my career at Ozarks, opting out of a final opportunity to travel abroad my senior year would not seem fitting. I was one of the first people on board for Dr. Van Scoy and Dr. Clary’s Machu Picchu/Bolivian Amazon course offered in the Fall 2017 Semester. Trying to complete internship II while saving money to study abroad would have put a strain on my final semester. Plus, study abroad courses withhold your grade until after the trip is completed, and being that one student who checks the portal after finals to see if the registrar accidentally forgot to hide final grades again in order to sneak a peek, waiting for my grades after graduating would have made me a little too antsy. This trip, however, took place in January. It was meant to be, really.

As with all of my trips, I took it upon myself to personally persuade other people to sign up for the course, as well. I have developed sort of a reputation for convincing people to study abroad. My professors worked hard to develop and propose these opportunities, so they would be available to students. This was true for all of my abroad courses.

Because of this, I wanted people to be involved. I really wanted these trips to occur whether I was participating or not. With a heading that includes one of the Seven New Wonders of the World and the Amazon, though, it does not take much convincing to recruit. Machu Picchu was amazing. Obviously, I did not expect any less. A luxurious train ride and an alpaca dinner to follow were far from disappointing. However, the beauty of this trip was manifested on a simpler scale.

STU D ENT /// EXPER IEN C ES

I say simpler, but of course, everything is bigger and better in the Amazon. Madidi National Park, a place I had never even heard about before the course, was the most memorable place I had ever visited. Our eco-lodge, Berraco del Madidi, and program guides made the Amazon the highlight of my second visit to South America. I can still smell the boa that lurked near our hiking trail as the first day came to an end. I can feel the fresh air, which I used to hate — at least in the United States. And I can only hope to be able to sleep as well as I did in my tent under a thatched-roofed pavilion, listening to the animals and the steady downpour.

The Bolivian Amazon capsulated my transition from hating the outside to sporting an “I’d rather be in Madidi…” t-shirt and googling with a desperate aspiration that maybe… just maybe… plane tickets to South America will drop from $1,400 to a reasonable price range. Study abroad lesson number seven: It is cheaper to fly on Tuesday.

Joking aside, the real lesson from Madidi is to enjoy simplicity. Berraco del Madidi was established and ran by indigenous people from San Jose de Uchupiamonas, an indigenous community located in the Bolivian Amazon. The program allowed us to visit their community. We experienced much of their culture while staying in the eco lodge, but the community visit gave us further insight into the lifestyles of a community almost completely shut off from the rest of the world. We toured the community hospital, church, townhall, prison and even enjoyed a meal prepared for us by a local family. One woman thanked us for taking the time to come to visit her because she lived alone. She had a vegetable garden large enough to provide her with a means of sustainability, and to the excitement of many of my classmates, she also had puppies. The conversation with her was one of many that stood out to me during the trip. It was a simple conversation in a simple community that had such a large impact on me. Study abroad lesson number eight: Life gets complicated; enjoy the simplicity.

While persistence may have been the key to these experiences, my studying abroad would not have been possible without my professors investing in me. I have mentioned a few names already, but others were more indirectly involved. Dr. Brian Hardman, my English advisor, always helped me and supported me in every way whether it was signing study abroad applications three years in a row or generously donating to my Spanish immersion. His investment continues even further through the courses and the literature he taught that always challenged my perspectives and made me think about deeper issues, especially relating to nature and society. Study abroad lesson number nine: Investment — others have invested in you, so invest in others.

Capitulating challenges that changed my perspectives, brings us to Dr. David Strain. Romantic Poetry was one

of those courses that really “burst my bubble” to say.

Though I would like to be able to say my first study abroad marked the development of a new mindset, it was not until this course (and a small book club that would follow the year after) with Dr. Strain that I finally realized I was capable of improving and not defined by a grade placed on a transcript. Study abroad gave me confidence and contributed to the development of a new mindset, but it was Dr. Strain’s investment and efforts to instill in me a new way of thinking that enabled me to fully immerse myself into the opportunities presented to me through international travel. Failing in a country on my own was “OK” because I would learn from it; this meant I did not have to give up.

Otherwise, I would not be graduating with a Spanish major or benefited from my most recent study abroad in the same way. The final study abroad lesson: Growth mindset — I do not believe the grass is always greener on the other side, but I do think that in order to change our view of the world, sometimes we have to change our location.

A growth mindset demands that as individuals, we grow to be better than before. Henry David Thoreau famously stated “we should come home from adventures, and perils, and discoveries every day with new experience and character.”

During my time at the University of the Ozarks, I have had the opportunity to study abroad in a total of 11 countries.

These opportunities have allowed me to experience a wide array of cultural diversity around the world. My international experiences, as Thoreau would suggest, did indeed impact my character and alter my personal perspectives regarding the world and humanity. My desire to travel and learn more about others, as well as myself, has grown since attending University of the Ozarks. I have developed an appreciation for differences, and I love to embrace these differences as a chance to learn and grow as a human being with a social responsibility. Classroom instruction is highly beneficial to an individual’s education, but book knowledge must always be supplemented with actual experience. I am thankful for these opportunities, the King Scholarship Fund, and the people who have invested in me throughout my educational career at University of the Ozarks.

TODAY, FA LL 2018 /// 23

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

Gifts Support Education Scholarships

The Pattersons U of O alumna Edna Elkins Patterson ’67 and her husband, John, have created a new scholarship endowment at Ozarks to assist elementary education students from Johnson County.

The long-time Clarksville residents established The Edna Elkins Patterson and John S. Patterson Education Scholarship in the spring with a gift commitment of $100,000. The first preference for the scholarship is to assist students from Johnson County who are majoring in elementary education.

After graduating from Ozarks in 1967 with a degree in elementary education, Edna served more than 35 years as a teacher and media specialist, including 32 years in Clarksville elementary schools. She also taught in Van Buren, Ark., and Springdale, Ark. Edna, whose family moved to Clarksville when she was 5, said that while she was a student at Clarksville High School she served as an aide to school librarian Lois Smith, wife of long-time Ozarks biology professor T.L. “Prof” Smith. Lois Smith encouraged Edna to attend then College of the Ozarks.

“Since there was no library degree available at C of O, I majored in elementary education,” she said. “Children’s literature, taught by Ruby Villines, was a class I especially enjoyed. She instilled in me a desire to teach. This gift is an expression of appreciation for all the wonderful teachers I had at C of O, now University of the Ozarks.”

Edna said attending Ozarks was an ideal decision.

“My dad had been diagnosed with cancer so I knew I wanted to go college as close as possible so that I could be there with him,” she said. “I lived on campus for three 24 /// TODAY, FA L L 2 0 1 8

John and Edna Patterson years and had so much fun and met so many wonderful friends. My father died during my senior year, so I always felt blessed that I could be close to him in his final years and also receive a great education.”

The Pattersons celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June.

The Allens With a $50,000 commitment in June, Chris and Martha Allen of Clarksville have created the Chris and Martha Allen Scholarship Endowment for Teacher Education. The scholarship will be awarded to education majors at U of O with financial need, with a preference given to those from Johnson County.

Martha Allen spent more than 36 years teaching kindergarten through fourth grade in four states — South Carolina, North Carolina, New Mexico and Arkansas. The last 22 years were spent teaching fourth grade in the Clarksville School District.

PH ILA N TH R OPY /// N EW S

“We wanted to create a scholarship to help students at the University and education seemed like the logical choice,” Martha said. “The University does a wonderful job of preparing teachers and this was a way for us to help some of those future teachers pay for their education.”

Chris Allen, a retired plant manager at HanesBrand in Clarksville who has served on the U of O Board of Trustees for 17 years, said they were able to create the endowment through an IRA charitable rollover. The Allens will use their IRA’s required minimum distribution to fund the endowment.

The Allens celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary in April.

Chris and Martha Allen

The University will be hosting a Donor Appreciation Reception from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, The CLIMB HIGHER: A CAMPAIGN FOR STUDENTS was launched in 2014 and will run through Dec. 31, 2020. The $55 million campaign will fund new scholarships, enhance facilities and equip our students with the tools they need to reach their full potential and succeed. Here is an update on the campaign:

$42,155,071.23 Amount raised to date 3,271 Number of Donors 1,229 Number of Alumni Donors 151 Number of Employee Donors $25,991,051 Amount Raised for

Conference Center for alumni and friends who have supported Ozarks during the CLIMB HIGHER Campaign.

AMOUNT RAISED BY YEAR

Scholarships

2014

$7,436,455.42

$10,000,000 Largest Gift (Walton Family

2015

$7,076,743.47

$1 Smallest Gift $100 Most Popular Gift Amount $50 Median Gift Amount

2016

$18,081,909.89

2017

$6,269,762.23

2018

$3,290,200.22

Foundation for Frontier Scholarships)

Nov. 17, in the Rogers

For more information or to RSVP, please contact the Advancement Office at 479-979-1230.

There is still time for you to be a part of the CLIMB HIGHER CAMPAIGN and make a difference in the lives of U of O students. Please contact the University’s Advancement Office at 479.979.1230 or visit www.ozarks.edu TODAY, FA LL 2018 /// 25

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

DUAL-SPORT

DYNAMO J

ust days after losing in the NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships in March, Nathan Rankin had a strange, yet revealing, request of U of O Sports Information Director Josh Peppas. Rankin wanted Peppas to send him a photo of Rankin getting pinned at the NCAA Championships.

“I wanted to put it as the background on my phone so that it was a constant reminder,” Rankin said. “Seeing that photo on a daily basis reminds me that there are wrestlers out there who can pin me without breaking a sweat and that motivates me to get better every single day.”

It’s hard to imagine Rankin having a better year than his freshman campaign last year. The multi-sport standout from Plano, Texas, put together one of the most impressive athletic seasons in school history by winning the American Southwest Conference cross country championships in November and following it up five months later by qualifying for and competing in the national wrestling tournament in Cleveland.

Nathan Rankin

is ready to provide an electrifying encore to a sensational freshman campaign

Walking around campus, the 5-foot-4, 125-pound bespectacled Rankin looks more like the honors student he is than one of the top dual-sport athletes in all of NCAA Division III. Eagles Wrestling Coach LeRoy Gardner said Rankin’s mental toughness and competitive nature set him apart from other student-athletes.

“Nathan is an intense competitor as any I’ve known. He leaves 100 percent of his heart and effort on the mat, every time” said Gardner. “He will out-compete most people.

He holds himself to a very high standard in everything he does. He hates losing but he isn’t afraid of failing – rather he’s afraid of not giving his all.”

Rankin, whose father ran track and cross country at Texas State University, flashed on the collegiate cross country scene in an impressive way last November at the ASC cross country championships in Round Rock, Texas. Despite having just the eighth fastest time in the conference heading into the meet, Rankin made his move with two miles to go in the 8K race and held on to become the first runner from Ozarks to win the individual title since the University joined the league more than 20 years ago.

“I made my move early on and was worried that I went too early,” Rankin said. “I actually ran my two fastest miles at the end. I really expected someone to catch me and was pretty surprised that no one did.”

Rankin’s time of 26:41.6 was a personal best as he became the first freshman to win the conference since 2009. Even more astounding was the fact that it was the first varsity race Rankin had ever won.

“I made it to the Texas state championships all four years in high school but the state is so competitive that I never won a varsity race,” Rankin said. “The summer before my freshman year at Ozarks I had wrestled all summer, so I wasn’t in cross country shape when I started

26 /// TODAY, FA L L 2 0 1 8

OZAR K S /// ATH LETIC S

Rankin would go on to compete at the NCAA III South/Southeast Regional in Virginia, where he set another personal best and school record in the 8K (25:25.1) and finished 29th overall.

Like cross country, Rankin’s wrestling season started off slowly but quickly gained momentum.

“I didn’t step on a mat during all of cross country season, so I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Rankin said. “I could tell I was getting better each time out and that’s what I wanted.”

While he normally wrestled in the 125-pound weight class, Rankin lost a wrestle-off with senior teammate Devon Jackson to determine who would wrestle at that weight in the regional meet. Rankin moved up a weight class and won the 133-pound division at regionals as both he and Jackson became the first national qualifiers in the program’s five-year history.

“I had never wrestled at 133 so I was surprised how well I did,” he said. “I definitely think my cardio from cross country helped me in my wrestling. My strategy was to go as hard as I could for seven straight minutes, until my competitors wore down, and that seemed to happen.”

At the national championships, Rankin competed against wrestlers from the nation’s top programs, going 1-2 with his only victory via forfeit.

“The quality of wrestlers was definitely an eye-opener and it showed me what I have to do to compete on that level,” Rankin said. “It’s a whole different level and I realized that I’m not there yet, but it’s motivated me even more to get back there.”

Gardner said Rankin’s sports of choice complement each other.

“I believe cross country provides a ‘big motor’ endurance where athletes are able to keep coming,” Gardner said. “Running also requires toughness mentally and physically in a different way than wrestling, but definitely complementary. Nathan loves a fight, loves a battle, whether it’s powering through the last bit of a race, or up a hill or on the mat.”

Rankin’s goals are as grand as his competitive spirt. He wants to compete in the Olympics in either wrestling or running—or perhaps both.

“One of the reasons I came to Ozarks is that the coaches here not only supported me competing in multiple sports, but they encouraged that,” Rankin said. “I love the competition and the mental toughness it takes to compete in multiple sports. My goals are to win NCAA championships and compete in the Olympics. I want to take these two sports as far as I can.”

NATHAN RANKIN

the season. But the weeks leading up to the championships I was setting PR’s each week, so I knew I was peaking at the right time.”

TODAY, FA LL 2018 /// 27

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

EAGLES ATHLETICS

Williams to Lead Women’s Basketball Former women’s basketball assistant coach Kourtni Williams was promoted to head coach of the program in February after Carl Ramsey announced his retirement following the 2017-18 season. Williams served as an assistant coach for the Eagles from 2014-17 and was an admission counselor for Ozarks in 2017.

“I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to lead these young women as the next head coach,” said Williams.

“I am excited for the future of the program. University of the Ozarks is a special place and has a great future.”

A native of Fayetteville, Ark., Williams was an All-America player at Mid-America Christian University (Okla.) in 2011-2012. That season, she led the conference in scoring (17.2) and ranked third in rebounding (8.2). Williams was a member of the Daktronics NAIA Academic Team. She was an All-State player at Fayetteville High School.

She received her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Mid-America Christian University in 2013. She is pursuing her master’s degree in sport administration.

28 /// TODAY, FA L L 2 0 1 8

Brown, Proctor Win National Clay Titles The University’s clay target team won two individual national championships at the Association of College Unions International Collegiate (ACUI) National Championships in San Antonio in April.

Seniors Jeff Proctor and Grace Brown each brought home national championship titles. Proctor, from Hector, Ark., won the national championship in international bunker trap. Brown, from Booneville, Ark., captured the international trap title. It is the second national championship for Brown.

Smith, Rankin Earn Top Athletic Honors Junior Hannah Smith and freshman Nathan Rankin were named 2017-18 University of the Ozarks athletes of the year during the athletic department’s second annual OZZY awards ceremony in April.

Smith, a member of the cross country and track team, won three American Southwest Conference individual championships in track. She owns the program 5K cross country record (19:52) at Ozarks and set the new conference track championship record (18:47) in the 5000-meter race. She was named the 2018 ASC Female Track Athlete of the Year. Rankin, a member of the cross country, wrestling and track teams, was the ASC Champion in cross country and South East Conference Champion in wrestling. Rankin was one of two Eagle wrestlers to qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships.

New Coaches Hired For XC and Softball The University’s men’s and women’s cross country and track teams as well as the women’s softball team welcomed new head coaches in May. Veteran NCAA Division III coach Heidi Pinkerton (left) was named cross country and track coach and former Illinois Wesleyan University assistant Denise Prather was named the softball coach.

Pinkerton was the head cross country and track coach at Transylvania University from 2011-17 and was also the cross country coach and assistant track coach at Guilford College.

Prather, who coached at IWU the past three seasons, helped the Titans to the NCAA Division III national championship game in May. Prior to that she coached at Lake Land College.

OZAR K S /// ATH LETIC S

ACE

OF A TENNIS CENTER

New Alexander-Boreham Facility Among Best in Region The University of the Ozarks athletics program unveiled one of the top tennis facilities in the region this summer with the opening of the new Alexander-Boreham Tennis Center for its men’s and women’s intercollegiate tennis teams.

The multi-million dollar center includes eight LED lighted courts and PlaySight’s renowned smart court teaching technology on its two championship courts. A building housing restrooms, concessions and storage is at the center’s welcoming entrance.

The facility was made possible through a gift from Dr. Judy AlexanderBoreham of Fort Smith, Ark., a former provost at the University who also previously served as chair of the University’s Board of Trustees.

“Dr. Boreham’s gift is transformative for our tennis program and our community,” said Athletics Director Jimmy Clark. “It is one of the finest tennis facilities in Arkansas and in all

“It is one of the top facilities in the of NCAA Division III. It is an amazing region to train and compete on.” asset for recruiting and it opens up The tennis center is part of the opportunities to host championshipUniversity’s $55 million Climb Higher type competitions.”

“With PlaySight, the tennis center campaign announced in 2017. One has the only smart court technology of the priorities of the campaign is to in the state,” said Clark. “Players enhance athletic facilities. have the ability to analyze their game “I am so thankful for the new tennis and receive immediate feedback. facility on campus,” said U of O tennis The technology will enhance the player Karlee Hart, a junior from Van development of our student-athletes in Buren. “With all of the new technology, a tremendous way.” we can accomplish so much more With eight courts painted in Ozarks’ and grow as tennis players. I believe purple-and-gray school colors, “It is one of the finest tennis facilities in drinking fountains, Arkansas and in all of NCAA Division scoreboards, III. It is an amazing asset for recruiting spectator viewing and it opens up opportunities to host areas, an athletic championship-type competitions.” training space, live video streaming capabilities and the we will be able to reach a new level of Eagles’ branding throughout, the performance.” new center is a major upgrade from A formal dedication of the Tennis Ozarks’ former facility.

Center will be held on Saturday, “I think it will help grow tennis in the October 27, during Homecoming region,” said head coach Jeff Kutac.

2018.

TODAY, FA LL 2018 /// 29

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

30 30 /// /// TODAY, TODAY, FA FA L LL L 2 20 01 18 8

ALU MN I /// FEATU R E

With the help of Ozarks and her faith, Dr. Jeannie Oliver overcame shyness and a speech impediment as a young girl to become a positive and inspiring role model, mentor, educator and evangelist.

TODAY, TODAY, FA FA LL LL 2018 2018 /// /// 31 31

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

Dr. Jeannie Oliver

Since graduating from Ozarks in 1992 Since graduating from Ozarks in 1992 with a degree in mass communications, Dr. JEANNIE OLIVER has embarked full-throttle on a career as an educator, mentor and evangelist. A native of Little Rock, Ark., she currently lives in Horn Lake, Miss., and serves as a professional academic advisor in the College of Education & Behavioral Science (COEBS) at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She also teaches online classes in speech communication at A-State and Arkansas Tech University. Describing herself as a life-long learner, the Little Rock native has earned a master’s degree in speech communication from A-State, an educational specialist degree from the University of Arkansas and a Ed.D. in higher education leadership from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She has taught at various universities and community colleges in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee and served as campus dean at Strayer University in Memphis and as academic advising coordinator for A-State Mid-South Community College in West Memphis. In the early 2000s, she started the non-profit ministry, Women Without Walls International Ministries.

What started as a small ministry to empower women through God’s scripture has spread to an international initiative that assists men, women and children around the world.

’92

32 /// TODAY, FA L L 2 0 1 8

How did a self-proclaimed shy girl with a speech impediment end up teaching speech communication and leading a ministry?

The Holy Spirit increased my self-confidence through my professors at University of the Ozarks and this led me to a career teaching speech communications. The Lord called me to preach the word at an early age and this led me to preach the Gospel at various local churches. That experience led me to start Women Without Walls International Ministry in the state of Mississippi and I’ve had as many as 25 speaking engagements within a year.

ALU MN I /// FEATU R E

What do you find most fulfilling about your career and working with students?

I really enjoy working with my students, whether it’s teaching, academic advising, mentoring or guiding the students to make better choices or decisions. I enjoy teaching speech communication because students need to learn how to communicate for various reasons, including self-confidence, how to work within a group and how to communicate in a relationship. I also enjoy advising because students need someone to guide them to make better decisions regarding careers and graduate schools.

The most rewarding part to me is to see a student walk across the stage to receive a degree and say, “I did it!”

What advice would you give a college-age student regarding choosing a career?

I normally will ask a student what is his or her passion? In other words, what is your dream? I tell students to follow your passion and practice your purpose. Also, there is nothing wrong with having a plan B and C. When I attended University of the Ozarks, I always wanted to become a news reporter for a local television station in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Yes, Channel 11 contacted me before I graduated. However, I decided to teach public speaking in higher education.

Again, it’s good to have a back-up plan.

Explain what Women Without Walls International Ministries is about and how it came to be?

Women Without Walls National Conference started in the early 2000s when God gave a vision to me to assist the women in the local communities. The ministry became a non-profit organization in June of 2007 and later became Women Without Walls International Ministries. The ministry has several outreaches, such as jail ministry, care home ministry, women’s shelter ministry, etc. The ministry sponsors workshops to teach people how to be disciples of Christ at several churches in the states of Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia and others. I am the director and founder and God has taken the ministry to a different level by inviting well known speakers and facilitators to speak and preach the Good News to audiences from different cities and states. Women Without Walls International Ministries not only assists women, but men, boys, and girls.

How has the ministry evolved over the years and what do you see for the future of the ministry?

The ministry has grown and is still growing tremendously. I am facilitating workshops at the women’s jail in Hernando.

I provide the tools (Bibles), but I want the ladies to learn

how to use it. I conduct Bible studies at the care home in Memphis and a local women’s Bible study in Southaven.

I travel and preach the Gospel to many women in the communities and also local churches as well. God has elevated me and this ministry to a different level. He has called me to help other local churches without a pastor to lead and guide members while the search committees are seeking a pastor. My new title is interim pastor.

How do you think getting an education at Ozarks changed your life?

Diversity was and still is the key to success. I met and became friends with so many international and other students from so many ethnic backgrounds. I do believe in diversity and we should learn how to work together. Yes, we have our disagreements, but we should learn how to respect each other. Of course, I learned this from Ozarks.

Looking back, what would you say was the most beneficial part of your Ozarks education regarding your career?

My communication skills. I learned a lot from Ms. Virginia Glover, my former speech professor. Ms. Glover was an inspiration, along with Dr. Winnie Kinsey. Ms. Glover was the one who motivated me to teach in higher education.

Dr. Pat Farmer, my former voice and diction professor, really loved my voice and he tried to get me to switch my major from mass communication to theatre, but I loved public speaking. I have learned a lot from these professors and their wisdom. God had prepared me through these professors for my ministry. Dr. Holly Mitchell, my former religion professor, really prepared me for the ministry through classes such as The Book of Revelation, Book of Psalms, the life of Apostle Paul, and others. Dr. Mitchell was a great man of God! TODAY, FA LL 2018 /// 33

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

H MECOMING Alumni Awards Ceremony An Alumni Weekend October 25-28

Recipients of the 2018 Alumni Awards will be honored during the Alumni Awards Ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26, in the Rogers Conference.

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased online at www.ozarks.edu/ homecoming or by calling 479-979-1234.

Young Alumni

Service Award

Alumni weekend, family weekend and homecoming have all been special events over the years at University of the Ozarks, and now we’ve combined all three of these gatherings for one giant, iconic event — HOMECOMING 2018, scheduled for October 25-28. HOMECOMING 2018 is a weekend for alumni and current students, as well as their families, to share and

Fidel Samour ‘08 Fidel Samour ’08 serves as the director of community clinical programs at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, where he has worked since 2008. He manages statewide mobile dental clinics that reach underserved children in Arkansas and is also leading a telemedicine pilot program in several Arkansas schools. Samour, who earned an MBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2014, serves as board president of Reach Out and Read Arkansas, an early literacy program that works with pediatricians across the state to encourage reading in children under the age of five. He is also a board member for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma, an organization that focuses on improving the health and well-being of children and their families.

Young Alumni

celebrate the special bond

Achievement Award

that exists between members of the Ozarks family. We invite you to reconnect with former classmates and professors and meet other alumni and current students by taking part in the wide-array of activities and events planned for this festive weekend.

Maria Denise Duarte ‘08 Maria Denise Duarte ’08 is the country manager in her home country of Nicaragua for Agora Partnerships, a non-profit organization that helps entrepreneurs throughout Latin America access the resources they need to grow. She leads a team of consultants in projects to assist women entrepreneurs through both traditional and innovate programs. The former Walton Scholar at Ozarks graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors in accounting, marketing and management and went on to earn an MBA from the Hult International Business School in San Francisco. She also worked as a financial auditor at PwC Nicaragua and PwC Panama from 2008-12. She and her husband, Alvaro Artiles, have a young son.

34 /// TODAY, FA L L 2 0 1 8

CONTINUED ON PAGE 36...

ALU MNI /// H OMEC OMIN G

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Taste of Arkansas: BBQ, Blues & Brews Thursday, October 25, 2018

6 p.m. ������������ Alumni Social — Rogers Conference Center

7 p.m. ������������ Walton Arts & Ideas Series featuring Jen Owen, 3D Technology — Rogers Conference Center

Friday, October 26, 2018

8 a.m. ������������ *Alumni Golf Tournament — Clarksville Country Club

11 a.m. ����������� *50-Year Club Luncheon — Rogers Conference Center

2 p.m. ������������ Raku Pottery Workshop — Walton Fine Arts Center

2:15 p.m. ��������More Than a Paycheck: Professions with A Purpose panel — Walker Hall

3 p.m. ��������������Campus/Residence Hall Tours — Meet in Seay Student Center

5 p.m. ��������������Art Reception for Ink: The Art of Permanence — Walton Fine Arts Center, Stephens Gallery

6 p.m. ��������������*Alumni Awards Ceremony — Rogers Conference Center

8 p.m. ��������������Class Reunions 1970s, 80s, 90s, 00s — Various Locations

8:30 p.m. ��������Bonfire — Ozarks Nature Preserve

This inaugural event will feature live music, Arkansascrafted beers and appetizers from local restaurants, all under the stars on the lawn of the President’s Home.

We invite you to bring your former classmates and join in the festivities as we celebrate the local sounds and flavors of the Ozarks.

(Cost is $5 if you pre-register or $10 at the door.)

Saturday, October 27, 2018

8 a.m. ��������������Alumni & Friends Fun Run/Walk — Mabee Gymnasium Parking Lot

9 a.m. ��������������Morning Yoga on the Mall — Fountain

9 a.m. ��������������*Breakfast with the President — Rogers Conference Center

9 a.m. ��������������*Family Breakfast — Rogers Conference Center

9 a.m. ��������������Homecoming Shoot with the Shooting Sports Team — U of O Shooting Range

10 a.m. ������������Black Alumni Reunion — Mabee Gymnasium, Aerie Club Room

10 a.m. ������������Campus/Residence Hall Tours — Meet in Seay Student Center

10:30 a.m. ������Community Service Project — Campus Mall

10:30 a.m. ������Alumni Choir Rehearsal — Munger-Wilson Chapel

10:30 a.m. ������Tennis Ribbon Cutting — Alexander-Boreham Tennis Center

10:45 a.m. ������Alumni Tennis Match — Alexander-Boreham Tennis Center

All Hallows Eve Concert

10:45 a.m. ������Wrestling Open Practice — Mabee Gymnasium

12:30 p.m. ������Homecoming Tailgate & Family Carnival — Hurie Soccer Field

1 p.m. ��������������Women’s Soccer Match featuring Senior Day — Hurie Soccer Field

3 p.m. ��������������Homecoming Ambassador Presentation — Hurie Soccer Field

3:15 p.m. ��������Youth Cheer Camp — Hurie Soccer Field

3:30 p.m. ��������Men’s Soccer Game featuring Senior Day — Hurie Soccer Field

6 p.m. ��������������Fall Festival — Campus Mall

6 p.m. ��������������*Taste of Arkansas at the President’s House: BBQ, Blues & Brews — President’s Home

7:30 p.m. ��������All Hallows Eve Concert featuring Ozarks Music Ensembles — Munger-Wilson Chapel

Sunday, October 28, 2018

9 a.m. ��������������Founders Day Brunch — Rogers Conference Center

11 a.m. ������������Memorial Chapel Service — Munger-Wilson Chapel

In its 18th year, this annual late-October concert is one of the University’s most unique and popular traditions.

Featuring organist Dr. Sharon Gorman and the University’s music ensembles, led by Dr. Jonathan Ledger, this concert features traditional as well as pop culture pieces ranging from Harry Potter to Phantom of the Opera. Come in your favorite costume and bring the entire family for this funfilled evening.

*Denotes an admission fee

Visit www.ozarks.edu/Homecoming or call to get more information on the events and to register.

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Alumni

Achievement Award Kent Cecil ‘80

Kent Cecil ’80 is president and CEO of Cecil Hardware in Clarksville, a business that has been a staple in downtown Clarksville since his parents, Jack and Katie Cecil, purchased the former Rice Hardware business in 1960. A business major at Ozarks, Kent has been working at Cecil Hardware since he graduated from college and began managing it in 2006 when Jack passed away. Known for their customer service and civicmindedness, Cecil Hardware remains a true family business.

Katie is still involved in the business, as are Kent’s wife, Terri; children, Chase Cecil and Amber (Johnson) Cecil; and daughter-in-law, Derenda (Landry) Cecil.

Kent and Terri have been married for 39 years.

Alumni

Merit Award Kaye Person ’77

Kaye (Bagsby) Person ’77 recently retired after 39 years as a teacher and educator, including 32 years teaching music in Tuckerman, Ark. She began her teaching career in 1977 as a teacher/director of the Taylor Street Child Development Center in Clarksville before spending the next five years teaching in Wynne (Ark.) schools. A native of Clarksville who graduated from high school at age 16, Person earned a bachelor’s degree from Ozarks in 1977 in applied voice and music education. In 1974, she became the first person of color to win the Miss College of the Ozarks Pageant and went on to become the first black woman to finish as high as second runner-up in the Miss Arkansas pageant. She went on to earn a master’s degree in elementary education from Arkansas State University. She and her husband, Paul Person ’78, have one child.

Alumni

Legacy Award The Thames Family The Thames family has been associated with Ozarks for almost 70 years, dating back to when the late Rev. Jimmie Thames ’52 and Laura Anne (Self) Thames ’52 met at then C of O in the early 1950s. Jimmie and Laura were married for 26 years before she died in 1978. Jimmie, who served as a Presbyterian minister for 42 years, passed away in 2015. Three of Jimmie and Laura’s four children — Alan Thames ’80, Jeff Thames ’85 and Elizabeth (Thames) Allcon ’91 — all graduated from Ozarks. The other child, Richard Thames, went into the United States Air Force out of high school. Both Alan and Jeff met their spouses at Ozarks — Alan’s wife, Judy (Cordle) ’81, and Jeff’s wife, Angela (Phelps) Thames ’86. In addition, family cousin Paul Beard ’83 also graduated from Ozarks. In keeping with the family tradition, Elizabeth’s daughter, Laura Allcon, is a freshman at Ozarks this semester.

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MARK SIMPSON ’79, (seated, center) mayor of Clarksville, signed a proclamation with University officials declaring Homecoming Week in the city of Clarksville during a Paint the Town Purple event in October. More than 75 students took part in the ceremony, which included painting and decorating downtown businesses to promote Eagles spirit throughout the community.

A large crowd turned out to hear alumni (seated, from left) ZYANYA SANCHEZ ’10, ERIC MCGEHEARTY ‘01 AND TISH PENNINGTON HAWKINS ’04 during the annual More than a Paycheck: Professions with a Purpose Panel discussion. The annual event was held in Baldor Auditorium in the Boreham Businsss Building.

Former classmates (from left) TRISTAN COOPER ’12, ANDREA MUFFULETTO COOPER ’12 AND DENISE WIRTH ’12 point out their personalized bricks in the Alumni Plaza Walkway. In one of the newest traditions of Homecoming, alumni can purchase bricks in support of the Ozarks Annual Fund and place them in the walkway during the brick ceremony.

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A Look Back

The duo of Wade Beck (left) and ANDREW BECK ’16 edged out the team of CALEB HILTON ’06 and Jacob Hilton (right) in the annual Alumni Golf Tournament, held at the Clarksville County Club. Both teams shot an 11-under 61 but the Becks took first place thanks to a card playoff tiebreaker. A total of 32 golfers and 16 teams took part in the event.

LINDY (SWATZELL) MANTOOTH ’05, (from left) DON KESSLER ’70, GEORGE LOSS ’54 AND STEVE HIGGINS ’79 were inducted into the University’s Sports Hall of Fame during the Alumni Awards Ceremony. Mantooth was a soccer standout for the Eagles, Kessler is an accomplished collegiate athletic trainer, Loss was a hall of fame high school football coach in Arkansas and Higgins was a baseball standout for Ozarks.

2017 Alumni Award recipients included, (seated, from left) LEVADA QUALLS ’56, LONNIE QUALLS ’56, LAUREN RAY ’13, BETTY (HODGES) EHREN ’53, RALPH EHREN ’55, (standing, from left) RAY HOBBS ’77, PETER VAN DYKE ’87, AND IAN BRYAN ’13. They were recognized by the Alumni Association for their professional achievements and their support of Ozarks.

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CLASSNOTES Mike Bogue ’78 of Ozark, Ark., recently wrote and published a book titled, “Apocalypse Then: American and Japanese Atomic Cinema, 1951-1967.” According to Bogue, the book explores the atomic anxiety of the 1950s and 1960s as embodied in that age’s science fiction films, ranging from “Them!” to “Dr. Strangelove.”

The book is published by McFarland books.

Bogue is the coordinator of student success at Arkansas Tech University Ozark Campus ••••• Donna (Brown) Stillwell ’82 of Clarksville was awarded the 2018 Arkansas Junior High Business Teacher of the Year at the annual Arkansas Business Education Association conference in Hot Springs, Ark. She was also named the 2018 Arkansas Outstanding Middle School FBLA Adviser of the Year. Stillwell has been an educator for 36 years and currently teaches at Ozark (Ark.) Junior High School.

••••• Dr. John Lloyd Hinsley ’85 completed requirements for an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., in April. His dissertation was “Teacher Perception of Professional Development on Classroom Teaching Skills and Student Academic Performance.” Hinsley is an assistant professor at Southwest Baptist University.

Coral (Yandell) Gould ’91 of Clarksville was named senior vice president for Arvest Bank in the spring. Gould has 25 years of industry experience and has held several roles at Arvest. She currently serves as a credit administrator, providing leadership and day-to-day overall direction and administration of the lending operation functions of the bank. She has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Central Arkansas and is also a graduate of the Barret School of Banking.

••••• Mary E. (Wilson) Zunick ’92 of Hot Springs, Ark., was appointed by the government of Japan as an honorary consul of Japan in February. She will assist the consulategeneral of Japan in Nashville, Tenn., in promoting positive Japan-U.S. relations in Arkansas. Zunick is the cultural affairs manager of Visit Hot Springs. She has worked to promote cultural exchange between the U.S. and Japan for years.

••••• Brenda (Garcia) Munzo ’97 is living in Tomball, Texas, where she is working as a substitute teacher.

••••• Dr. Geoffrey Jensen ’00 and Beth (Carpenter) Jensen ’00 are living in Prescott, Ariz., where he is an associate professor of history at the Embry-Riddle

Basketball Legend Ramsey ‘80 Retires from U of O Carl Ramsey ’80 retired in April as the head women’s basketball coach at Ozarks after a stellar coaching career that spanned almost four decades. He served as the coach at Ozarks from 2009-2018 and also coached 29 years at nearby Lamar High School. He won a combined 730 games at Ozarks and Lamar and was named the American Southwest Conference East Division Coach of the Year following the 2010-11 season.

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Aeronautical University’s College of Security and Intelligence. The Jensens have a young daughter.

••••• Jamey Pritchett ’07 was named the executive director of the Warehouse Living Arts Theatre in Corsicana, Texas, in April.

He previously served as a reading tutor and speech and debate teacher.

John Burgess ’06 and his wife, Brittany, and their three daughters moved to Budapest in July where John is serving as a teacher in the International Christian School of Budapest for the TeachBeyond mission organization. He will also assist with the Érd Baseball and Softball Association in Érd, Hungary. Established 15 years ago by Operation Mobilization, it was Hungary’s first baseball association and is an outreach ministry for Hungary’s youth.

••••• Daniel Gallegos ’10 has joined the University of New Mexico as an assistant communications director. He previously served as sports information director at Southern Arkansas University. Gallegos earned his master’s degree in sports administration from Henderson State in 2013.

He and his wife, Kylie, have a daughter.

••••• Brett Wood ’10 and Nicole Wood ’18 of Clarksville welcomed their first child, Sophie Diana, to the family on April 30, 2018.

••••• Samantha Hoing ’11 and Montana Hoing ’13 of Coal Hill, Ark., became parents on Aug. 26, 2018,, with the birth of their son, Carson. Samantha is an academic support coordinator for the Jones Learning Center.

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Dr. Jian Peng “J.P.” Teoh ’11 recently completed his Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from Georgia Regents University and has begun a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California-Davis.

••••• Jeremy Provence ’12 competed in the 2018 Boston Marathon in April and finished with a time of 2:41.47, good for 182nd place overall out of more than 26,000 runners.

Provence, who had served as the head men’s and women’s cross country and track coach at Ozarks since 2014, accepted the cross country head coaching position at NCAA Division I University of North Alabama in May. ••••• Kirk Ross ’12 was recently named the membership director of the American Sportfishing Association, based in Alexandria, Va. He previously served as the membership director with the Arkansas Cattleman’s Association and as a legislative assistant with the Association of Arkansas Counties. “I jumped at the opportunity to join the American Sportfishing Association’s staff,” said Ross. “I’m a lifelong angler and I want to make sure that fishing remains relevant to future generations. To do this it is imperative that the sportfishing industry remain robust as we work to advance our collective interest.”

••••• Paul Morgan ’13 received his medical degree from I-Shou University in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in July. He will complete a two-year clerkship in Belize on his way to becoming a physician.

••••• Taylor Parker ’15 has joined Levi Hospital in Hot Springs, Ark., as a physical therapist in the outpatient rehabilitation therapy department. Parker recently graduated from Regis University in Denver, Col., with a doctorate in physical therapy. He and his wife, Jonna ’15, have a son, Isaac Scott.

••••• Gabrielle Pena ’15 is working as a protocol and communications officer for the Atlantida Financial Group in Honduras. She recently completed a master’s degree in project management and also works part-time as an actress and model for television, short films and movies in Honduras.

Black Alumni Reunion

The University hosted a Black Alumni Reunion in the spring. Among those who attended were (from left) University President Richard Dunsworth, Irene J. Gillespie ’70, Jackie (Lawrence) Hampton ’68, Marie (Brown) McNeal ’70, Dr. Jeannie Oliver ’92, Charlay Oliver, Patsy (Day) Benson ’65, and Sylvester Benson ’67.

Chie Ishii ‘86 makes return performance Accomplished classical pianist Chie Ishii ’86 of Berlin, German, returned to campus to perform a concert in the University’s Munger-Wilson Chapel on Nov. 9, 2017. Among the classmates who attended the performance were (pictured, from left) Scarlett (Winfrey) Morris ’86, David Morris ’83, Ishii, Ikuko (Nakamura) Sato ’87, Bruce Carroll ’87, Philip Taylor ’85 and Carol (Terry) Morgan ’86.

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Hole In the Wall Gang Reunion There will be a Hole in the Wall Gang reunion Nov. 2-3 in Clarksville. For more information, contact David “Joe Bell” Lasater at 479-214-0763 (cell) or 479-754-2550 (office).

Megan Wallace ’17 has been accepted into the University of Arkansas’ Clinton School of Public Service where she will pursue a master of public service degree.

Wallace, who graduated from Ozarks with a degree in mathematics, is an AmeriCorps member and worked at Joseph Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp. Her public service interests include educational systems, environmental protection and health care.

Sarah Scroggins ’17 (center) graduated from Ozarks in December, joining her two older sisters, Micah Scoggins ’12 (left) and Rachel Scroggins Turner ’13, as Ozarks graduates.

Sarah is an admission counselor at Ozarks.

Mollie Howell ’17 accepted a 5th grade teaching position at Kerr Elementary in Tulsa, Okla. Howell worked on cheer stunt routines with students of another alumnus, Lance Pillstrom ‘91, coach of the Memorial High School cheer team in Tulsa during the summer.

••••• Karlee Henson ’18 has been hired by the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce as administrative manager and marketer

Two U of O graduates and retired coaches at Clarksville High School were honored by the school district in January for their long-time contributions to Panther athletics.

Jerry Miller ’79 (left) coached basketball and football for 18 years at CHS and Jake Hudson ’84 served as a baseball and football coach at the school for 29 years.

Franqua Q Bedell ’99 coached the Tallahassee Community College women's basketball team to the 2018 NJCAA national championship in March. It was the first national championship for the Eagles, who went into the tournament as the 11th-seed. Bedell is in his fifth season as the head coach of the program. He previously held assistant coaching positions at Virginia Commonwealth, Mississippi State and Southeast Missouri State. Over the summer, the Fort Smith, Ark., native released his first book, “From Chumps to Champs: The Journey of Building a Winning Program.”

Retirement Ceremony Honors Bartlett ‘95 A retirement reception was held for Kathy Bartlett ’95 (center) at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark in June. Bartlett retired after working the past 14 years as an administrative specialist for the college. Among the U of O alumni family and friends who were there to honor Bartlett were (from left) her daughter, Melissa Bartlett Griffith ’95; her sister, Kim Vogt ’92, Dr. Rickey Casey ’79; Lisa (Estep) Casey ’10; Debra (Bartlett) Wofford ’77; and Robert Wofford ’79.

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WEDDINGS Brandon Carlson ’10 married Taylor Crouch at the Mayan Ranch in Bandera, Texas, on Nov. 11, 2017. The couple live in College Station, Texas, where Brandon is coordinator of residence life at Texas A&M.

Marcus Bobb ’14 and Hope Clifford ’15 were married on Dec. 1, 2017, in Garrison Gardens in Texarkana, Ark. The couple live in Cleburne, Texas, where Marcus is an assistant store manager at Walmart. Hope recently completed a master’s degree in art therapy and counseling from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, N.M.

Stephanie Alderson ’18 married Greg Noles on Aug. 4, 2018, in MungerWilson Chapel on the U of O campus.

She is teaching first grade at Oark, Ark.

Bobby Ketterer ’18 and Roseanna Ezell ’18 were married Sept. 8, 2018, in Munger-Wilson Chapel on the U of O campus. The Ketterers live in Bentonville, Ark. Fernando Salazar ’15 and Sarah Hill ’12 were married on July 28, 2018, at Mount Nebo State Park in Dardanelle, Ark. The Salazars live in Monterrey, Mexico.

Tessa Mesplay ’15 married Tanner Franklin on April 7, 2018, at the Mildred B. Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista. The couple lives in Elkins, Ark., and Tessa is a 6th grade math teacher at West Fork (Ark.) Middle School.

Ricky Scott ’17 and Claudia Porras Chacon ’17 were married on June 9, 2018, at the Zephyr Palace in Jaco, Costa Rica. Among the attendees and guests from U of O were Aaron England ’16, Nicole Justice ’18, Allison Lacayo ’17, Alejandra Arreaga’17, Alejandro Cordoba ’17, Justin Byrd ’17, Badria Mryyan ’17, Daniel Valencia ’17 and John and Julia Frost.

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IN MEMORIAM The Rev. Duane Farris ’43 of Mountain Home, Ark., died April 30, 2017, at the age of 97. Rev. Farris served churches in California and Texas before retiring from active ministry in 1986 from Mission Presbytery.

Mary Frances Damour ’45 of Little Rock, Ark., died Aug. 17, 2017, at the age of 93. Throughout her life, she maintained leadership roles in various organizations, including United Methodist Women, Girl Scout Council, Nursing Home Administration, Grand Prairie Arts Council and UAMS Women's Auxiliary.

Dr. John W. Warren ’45 of Clarksville, died on Sept. 17, 2017, at the age of 90. Warren earned a Ph.D. in English and philosophy from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and was a retired college professor and administrator, including 25 years at Tennessee Tech University.

Raymond “Ray” C. Conatser, Jr., ’46 of Nashville, Tenn., died on Jan. 22, 2018, at the age of 93. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served as a school psychologist in San Bernardino, Calif., and Nashville for more than 30 years.

Belma Lea (Gill) Jaggers ’50 of Ozark, Ark., died May 18, 2018, at the age of 90. She was the owner and bookkeeper of Ozark Cablevision. She and husband worked together to bring cable television service to Ozark and surrounding communities in the 1960s and 70s and was involved in several other business ventures.

Calvin V. Shahan ’50 of Tulsa, Okla., died Dec. 7, 2017, at the age of 92. He was a U.S. Marine veteran who saw action in World War II and received a citation for bravery and a Purple Heart. He worked for many years for Fox Vliet Drug Company in Tulsa and was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Martha Ann “Marty” Smith ’51.

Dr. Ben Marshall Smoot, Jr., ’50 of Beebe, Ark., died July 22, 2017, at the age of 99. He was an Army veteran and graduate of the pharmacy school at Ozarks.

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Smoot worked as a pharmacist in the drug stores around Arkansas before accepting a position with the Veterans Administration hospital in Montgomery, Alabama from 1951-1959.

He then transferred to the Veterans Administration hospital in Poplar Bluff, Mo., as chief pharmacist from 1959-76.

Lloyd “Sammy” Wish ’50 of Clarksville died Jan. 7, 2018, at the age of 91. He was a rural carrier in Clarksville and a member of First United Methodist Church in Clarksville.

Dr. Michael L. Giamboy ’51 of Boothwyn, Pa., died on April 4, 2018. A veteran of World War II, Giamboy was a graduate of the college’s pharmacy school and went on to serve as a pharmacist in Pennsylvania until his retirement.

Robert A. Brewer ’52 of Tulsa, Okla., died on Dec. 9, 2017, at the age of 88.

John Carlton Dunlap, Sr. ’52 of Hideaway, Texas, died on July 17, 2018, at the age of 87. He was retired from a career in the brick industry in Ohio, Michigan and Texas.

Henry D. Bishop ’53 of Washington, D.C., died Jan. 12, 2018, at the age of 86. He served in the U.S. Army and later with the United States Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

Capt. Baker L. Peebles ’52 (left) off Hermitage, Ark., died on July 7, 2018, at the age of 88. A graduate of the pharmacy school, Peebles spent his career as a commander in the United States Navy with 26 years of service. He commanded Naval bases in the Barbados British West Indies, the Bahamas and the Naval Reserve Station in Camden, N.J.. He also served in the Pentagon in Washington D.C., working with the Joints Chief of Staff.

Georgia Ruth (White) Johnston ’53 of Gladewater, Texas, died on May 18, 2018, at the age of 88. She was a retired medical technician and teacher, who taught reading in Gladewater for more than 10 years.

Dr. Betty Ruth (Gammill) Morris ’58 (left) of Fort Smith, Ark., died on Aug. 30, 2018, at the age of 91.

She was a retired educator and journalist and the former director of the Adult Education Center for the Fort Smith Public Schools.

Dr. Russell Albright ’56 (left) of New Orleans, La., died Oct. 29, 2017, at the age of 83. He was a retired radiologist and avid photography collector. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and owned his own radiology practice in New Orleans.

Betty Jo (Dickerson) Foulke ’56 of Texarkana, Ark., died March 28, 2018, at the age of 83. She was a retired coach and teacher in Texarkana and later ran a business with her husband.

Delores Ann (Blackard) Wagoner ’56 of Clarksville, died Feb. 21, 2018, at the age of 84.She was a retired teacher and owner of Hilltop Fashions. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Wagoner ’58.

Warren Ernest Adams ’58 of Alma, Ark., and formerly of Salinas, Calif., died on Jan. 30, 2018, at the age of 84. He was a long-time school administrator in Oklahoma and also taught inmates at the Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, Calif., for many years.

Betty (Resimont) Simms ’59 of Clarksville, died on Sept. 9, 2017, at the age of 86. She was a former teacher at Lamar schools and nurse in the surgery clinic in Johnson County.

Lt. Col. Claude L. "Don" Donaldson ’60 died July 16, 2017, in Houston, Texas, at

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the age of 87. He was an Army veteran in military intelligence and worked with the Social Security Administration.

Paul David “P.D.” DuVall ’62 of Van Buren, Ark., died on May 14, 2018, at the age of 77. He was a retired teacher and lieutenant colonel in the National Guard.

William “Bill” Owen Hadley ’62 of Ponca City, Okla., died Feb. 2, 2018, at the age of 78. He worked as a supervisor of central records for Conoco-Phillips until his retirement. He was also an avid musician, travelling and singing with the musical group Forgiven, and at the Gospel Jubilee, as well as singing in and directing the church choir for many years.

Patricia “Pat” Fern (Thomas) Hull ’64 of Sunnyside, Wash., passed away on Sept.

4, 2017, at the age of 76. She worked as a teacher in the Sunnyside School District for 37 years.

Forrest “Frosty” Melvin Hoeffer ’65 of Clarksville died on April 8, 2018, at the age of 74 in Fort Smith, Ark. He was retired from Tyson Foods, where he worked as the complex safety manager.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Helen Mary (Groskopf) Hoeffer ’81.

Guy Cecil Cox ’65 of Conway, Ark., passed away Sept. 10, 2017, at the age of 74. He was a supervisor at Sara Lee/ Hanes and a member of New Life Church.

The Rev. Dr. William Joseph “Will” Carl Jr., ’66 of Bartlesville, Okla., died on Jan. 31, 2018, at the age of 94. He was a World War II veteran, serving in Europe in the Battle of the Bulge for the United States Army. He served churches in Broken Arrow, Hominy, Bartlesville and Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the founding pastor of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Bartlesville, serving there from 1955 until 1990.

Jerry Dean (Hodges) Gould ’67 of Clarksville died Feb. 26, 2018. After graduating from Ozarks, she earned a master's degree from the University of Central Arkansas and served as a high school teacher for 30 years.

Harold L. “Al” Polsgrove ’68 of Russellville, Ark., died Jan. 19, 2018, at the age of 73. He was a retired coach

and administrator at Lincoln, Alma and Bryant school districts in Arkansas.

Jane Ann (Telaar) Anderson ’70 of Dowagiac, Mich., died on May 21, 2018, at the age of 69. She was a retired teacher’s aide for many years at Patrick Hamilton Elementary in Dowagiac.

Beverly JoAnne (Morris) Brent ’70 of Stronghurst, Ill., died March 23, 2018, at the age of 74. She was a retired teacher who taught second and third grade for 32 years in Stronghurst.

Dr. Johnny L. Dillard ’70 of Lowell, Ark., died on March 14, 2018, at the age of 69. He was a Marine Corp. veteran; a former teacher, administrator and coach; and CEO and founder of Central Research, Inc., in Lowell. He was a former member of the University’s Alumni Association Board.

Donita Jean (Willis) Howard ’93 of Clarksville, died on Aug. 31, 2018, at the age of 48. She was a school teacher in Oark, Ark., and is survived by her husband of 27 years, Jeff Howard ’93.

Oscar Navarrete Maltez ’97 of Managua, Nicaragua, died on Sept. 13, 2017, at the age of 41.

Nelson Kellerman Peatross ’97 of Memphis, Tenn., died on May 11, 2018, at the age of 45. He was employed by the Shelby County Juvenile Court.

Josh Underwood ’04 of Fort Smith, Ark., passed away on Dec. 31, 2017, at the age of 48. He was a senior therapeutic pharmaceutical consultant for Gilead Sciences, Inc., and volunteered at Immaculate Conception Schools.

Martha A. Devenas ’71 passed away on Aug. 4, 2017, in Ohio at the age of 67.

She was a retired art teacher.

Anna Jane (Taylor) Warren ’71 of Clarksville, died on May 22, 2018, at the age of 90. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, where she was an organist for many years and active in UMW. Gary Lee Garner ’73 of Van Buren, Ark., died June 27, 2018, at the age of 67. He was a retired educator and a member of the Masonic Lodge and the teacher’s associations.

Kenneth “Randy” Matthews ’73 of Lafayette, La., died Jan. 14, 2018, at the age of 67. He was a former coach, teacher and car salesman and was a proud member of the “Hole in the Wall Gang.”

Guadalupe Carmen Castorena ’16 (above) of Bentonville, Ark., died Feb. 10, 2018, at the age of 25 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. An accomplished artist and photographer, she worked as a sales associate for Crystal Bridges Museum.

Winnie Kinsey, who taught at Ozarks for 17 years in the 1980s and 90s, died on Oct. 4, 2017, in Russellville, Ark., at the age of 73.

The Rev. Buddy Dee Monahan ’88 (right) of Albuquerque, N.M., died March 27, 2018, at the age of 52 in Odessa, Texas.

A graduate of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, Monahan served as a Presbyterian minister for the PC (USA) for 26 years. He served as pastor for the Native American Ministry Project in Los Angeles, Calif., chaplain at Menaul School and pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Odessa.

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MEMORIALS AND HONORARIA July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018

MEMORIALS Russell H. Albright ’56 Galatoire’s Restaurant Roy Horne ’57 Jo Kathryn Mitchell Charles and Dorothy Angell Mary Ellen Waychoff ’78 John Eugene Armstrong ’59 John T. Armstrong Trust Bettye Masterson Aydelott ’55 Vernon McDaniel ’55 Martha Holden Bagley ’57 Jo Ann Dunn Choate ’57 and

Thomas Choate Richard and Katherene Bagwell Bagwell Foundation Rick Bagwell Barbee Bagwell Vickburg Huie Bird Doris Bird Willene Bogard Robert K. Bennett William Borland Sheila Doss ’80 David Morris ’83 and

Scarlett Winfrey Morris ’86 Beverly J. Brent ’70 Lonnie Qualls ’55 and

Levada Mathis Qualls ’55 John F. Bridgman Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85 Erin Cagle Bill and Pam Cagle Bartlesville Community Foundation Marian Riddell Cargile ’64 John W. Cargile ’61 The Rev. Dr. William Carl ’66 Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull Frances L. Carlton Kimberly Spicer ’98 Guadalupe Del Carmen Castorena ’16 Sarah Eklund ’16 Larry and Cindy Isch John Barnes Coleman Sean and Jennifer Coleman John Coppic ’49 Alice M. Coppic Alvin and Vivian Davis Robert K. Bennett R. Louis Dewett ’57 Jo Ann Dunn Choate ’57 and

Thomas Choate Mary Holloway Dewett ’58 Johnny Dillard ’70 Shannon Carlisle Huggins ’91 and

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Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71 Rena Sue Laster ’70 Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and

Shawn Spencer Gaye Strong Taylor ’53 Claude L. Donaldson ’60 Kathleen and Ralph D’Alelio Robert Jenkins Donald and MaryAnn Neblock Elizabeth Neblock Phyllis Patterson David Pridgin ’71 and

Reba Geels Pridgin ’81 Janice Selden Hilda Turner Melanie Watterson Brenda and Richard Watts Kody Eakin Jeremy Jacobs Kari Jones Scott and Michelle Loving Relf Efurd ’53 Martha Dollar Efurd ’56 Fritz Ehren ’53 Bill Crowder ’56 Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71 Robert Ehren ’55 Bill Crowder ’56 Andrea Fancher ’07 Taylor Emanuelson Rogers ’08 and

Nathan Rogers Michael Farrell David Morris ’83 and

Scarlett Winfrey Morris ’86 Anice Fleming ’47 Phyllis Waller Jim Forkner ’54 Joyce Graf Forkner ’57 Ed Harrington ’56 and

Janet Graf Harrington ’58 Betty Jo Dickerson Foulke ’56 Roy Horne ’57 Stan and Liz Martin Cabot School District Nurses Lonnie Qualls ’55 and

Levada Mathis Qualls ’55 Jerry Dean Gould ’67 Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71 David Pridgin ’71 and

Reba Geels Pridgin ’81 Ruby Grubbs Sammy Manning ’71 and

Virginia Figliulo Manning ’74 Melvin Gullion ’65 Cleta Gullion Bobbie Head Hamill ’66 Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66 Billy Helms U of O Alumni Association Steve and Dorinda Edmisten Brittney Flinn ’08

Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71 William Shrigley, Jr. ’69 and

Mary Jo Shrigley Madell Levenia Hice Kimberly Spicer ’98 Virginia Hicks Shannon McBee ’89 and Lori McBee Bessie Joyce Lamb Higgs ’49 Donna Higgs‑Jones Dylan Hill ’15 Brian Bell ’15 Maegan Bell ’13 Win and Lynn Bell Duane and Sharon Birdsong Catholic Foundation Marc, Sherry and Taylor Gargano Matthew Kripke Steve Ronnel Forrest (Frosty) Hoeffer ’65 Connie and Michael Booty Donnie and Karla Harkreader Irma Guzman Horne ’57 Roy Horne ’57 Frank Ingram ’48 and Marie Ingram ’33 C. Philip Collins ’65 and

Anna Schwegler Collins ’63 Linda R. Johnson ’65 George and Sharon Carder William and Kathleen Jaycox Elizabeth A. Johnson James Johnson ’57 Rebecca and John Lester Steven and Cheryl Miller Jay and Sarah Patterson Jack Patterson ’65 and Lisa Carlton Don Pennington ’68 Mary Lee Pulley J.T. and Kathryn Swindle Dick and Nancy Trammel Mary Ragon Johnson ’37 C. Philip Collins ’65 and

Anna Schwegler Collins ’63 Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull Kaye Ragon Nevins ’63 and

William Nevins, Jr. Georgia Ruth White Johnston ’53 Dickinson College Department of English Claire and Cotten Seiler Elisabet Wahlquist‑Levy Dickie Jones ’72 Clarksville Country Club Tournament Committee Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71 Faye Williams Raible ’72 and Gary Raible William Shrigley, Jr. ’69 and

Mary Jo Shrigley Lawrence and Ethelda Kauffeld Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66

MEMORIALS /// H ON OR A R IA

Fred A. and Ophelia Jacobs Kauffeld Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66 Janet Wilson Kessler ’76 Bradley Kessler ’76 Michael Zoller ’77 and

Janice Forkner Zoller ’78 Willie Kimbrell Len Bradley Randall Curtis Vincent and Nancy Langdon Harve Taylor, III and

Loyce Ann Bean Taylor ’72 Billie King ’40 Elizabeth Rowland Anderson ’72 and

King Anderson Robert “Bob” King ’67 Jim Trone ’70 and

Marilyn Houston Trone ’66 Shelli Stewart Lamberson Debbie Stallings Mooney ’82 and

Charles Mooney Robert Manley Jonathan and Donna Manley Wolfe Dallas Maples ’59 John Maples

Thomas James McConville Sammy Manning ’71 and

Virginia Figliulo Manning ’74 Mackie McElree Charlene McMillan Watson ’44 Garry Metcalf ’73 Cordia Person Metcalf ’73 Truman and Bonnie Moore Robert K. Bennett Oscar Navarrete Maltez ’97 Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull Isobel Odel Mary Boyer Tommy E. Owens ’70 Glenda Dennis Owens ’71 and

Steve Owens Edward Myron Parker Tommy and Judy Parker J. T. Patterson ’38 and Lucile Sanders Patterson Beth Patterson DuVall ’65 Ann Patterson ’75 and Max Snowden Nelson Peatross ’97 Mark Anis ’00 Samantha Snyder Carpenter ’97 and

Jeff Carpenter Paul Clower ’97 Hannah Cunningham ’98 Heidi Garrison Darter ’94 and

Adrian Darter Stewart and Nadine Dippel Angela Elizandro‑Howard ’97 and

Scott Howard Ryan Evans ’01 and

Holly McNair Evans ’98 Nate Fincher ’99 Angela Gale ’97 Michael Howard ’98 Kristy Wood LaMonda ’96 Michael McDaniel ’98 Jeffrey Mixon ’97 Jacqueline Presley ’00 and

Spencer Presley Kris McConohy Scott ’97 and Andy Scott Anneke Stagg ’99 Shari Bauser Standridge ’97 and

Brian Standridge

CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

TODAY, FA LL 2018 /// 45

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

Susie Maude Pittman ’39 Anonymous Billy Dickerson, II ’77 and

Marion Dickerson Steve and Dorinda Edmisten Ann and Michael Lafferty Richard Laumann Richard and Sondra McKelvey David Morris ’83 and

Scarlett Winfrey Morris ’86 Jack T. Patterson ’65 and Lisa Carlton Don Pennington ’68 Denton Tumbleson ’74 and

Jane Tumbleson Lonnie Dean Pitts ’68 C. Philip Collins ’65 and Anna

Schwegler Collins ’63 Absolom Ragon ’27 C. Philip Collins ’65 and

Anna Schwegler Collins ’63 Kaye Ragon Nevins ’63 and

William Nevins, Jr. James Ring Sheila Doss ’80 John Rotenberry ’62 C. Philip Collins ’65 and

Anna Schwegler Collins ’63 William Shipman ’50 Beth Shipman Curtis Lee Spence Lance Spence ’91 and Virginia Spence Luann Spence Robert Dennis Spurlock ’65 Carl Miller ’64 and Madge Miller Marjorie Swearingen Sammy Manning ’71 and

Virginia Figliulo Manning ’74 John Talley ’43 Sarah C. Talley Nancy Tamuty ’59 Donald L. Tamuty Wanda Black Teague Connie and Michael Booty Jake Tull ’10 Wendy Brandon Timothy W. Grooms Jack and Patricia Overholt Steve Quattlebaum Mary Ellen Richards Sue Tull Keith Tyrrell Sammy Manning ’71 and

Virginia Figliulo Manning ’74 Marjean Van Eman E. K. Van Eman

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.

46 /// TODAY, FA L L 2 0 1 8

Delores Wagoner ’56 Connie and Michael Booty Linda Bradbury Virginia Castleman Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull Connie Ford Hamilton ’60 Lisa Hampton Doug and Jan Hardgrave Karen Qualls Hilton ’80 and

Pat Hilton ’74 Roy Horne ’57 Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71 Janice Palmer Gilbert Parks, Jr. and Susan Burden ’67 Don Pennington ’68 Lonnie Qualls ’55 and

Levada Mathis Qualls ’55 Phillip Sanders ’57 and

Wanda Sanders ’60 Robert Wofford ’79 and

Debra Bartlett Wofford ’77 Jerry Wagoner ’58 Connie and Michael Booty Donald Kessler ’70 Anna Jane Cline Warren ’71 and John Warren ’45 Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull B.J. Webb ’63 Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66 Don Gene White Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66 Linda Kauffeld White ’67 Guy and Freda Kauffeld Willett ’52 Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66 Deborah D. Williams ’81 Felicia Atkinson ’03 and Steve Atkinson Lauren K. Black ’09 Marvin and Leila Bower Melanie Cowell Christopher Draggs ’89 and Rita Draggs Callie Edwards ’13 Thomas Foley ’86 David and Jean Frazier John Frost ’89 and Julia Frost Elissa Heil Kyler Lanier John and Harriet Mack Grace Lou Murphy Barry and Glenda Owen Blake Owen ’06 Glenda Dennis Owens ’71 and

Steve Owens Jack Patterson ’65 and Lisa Carlton Clark Sanford, Jr. ’87 and

Denise Griffin Sanford ’86 Jeffrey Scaccia and Amy Scaccia ’09 Betty and Wes Stockton Courtney Taylor ’09 Carolyn Tipton Thomas Werner ’75 Case White ’08 Bill and Dixie White Darrell Williams ’76 Tom Wilson ’42 Pat Voeller Laster ’64

July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018

HONORARIA 2017-2018 Alumni Board

Bill D. Ballard ’56 Stephen Adams ’13

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85 Bill J. Alexander ’55 and Linda Alexander

Ray and Orvalene Holbrook Vickie Alston ’86

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85 Arvid Bean ’78 and Sharon Jones Bean

Bradley Kessler ’76 Judith Boreham

Colby, Courtney, Caroline, and

Benjamin Beland

Jeanette Falkner

Janie Goins

Ann and Rick Haggard

Liza Holman

Frances Morreale

Shareen Pruitt

Sally Simon

Deborah Southerland

Glenda Weigand

Janice Wisdom Mary Boyer

Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull Bruce Brown

Sean Riordan ’06 Lewis Brown

Robert Wofford ’79 and

Debra Bartlett Wofford ’77 Nalisa Brown

Chris Scott ’96 and Mr. Jamie Scott Catherine Rogers Bumpers ’47

Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull Debbie Carlton

Robert and Becky Neighbors Patricia Cogan

Leslie Carter Sean Coleman, PhD

Victoria Sayarath Seaton ’06 and

Dustin Seaton Betty Lewis Coombs

Bradley Kessler ’76 Krista Denné

Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull Garrett Donnell

Hugh and Pat Donnell Leroy Douglas ’60

Bill Ballard ’56 James Duff ’63 and Sue Kauffeld Duff ’63

Linda Kauffeld White ’67 Jerry Duncan ’58 and Dorothy Duncan ’58

Bill Holder ’52 and

Jane Wilson Holder ’55 Dawn J.M. Dvoracek

Leslie Carter Keith Edwards ’09

Randall and Nancy Edwards Kevin Edwards ’07

Randall and Nancy Edwards

MEMORIALS /// H ON OR A R IA

Dr. Ralph Ehren ’55 and Mrs. Betty Ehren ’53

Bill Crowder ’56 Cara Flinn ’85

Reggie Hill James C. Goodson ’65

Linda Kauffeld White ’67 Betty Curtis Hardin ’58

John and Chris May Karla Harkreader

Leslie Carter Wilma Harris

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85 Brett Hays ’06

Harold and Pam Hays Reggie Hill

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85 Randy Hilton ’75

Bradley Kessler ’76 Robert Hilton ’81

Bradley Kessler ’76 Jane Wilson Holder ’55

Bettye LaBorn Joseph Hughes ’10

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85 Hunter Jackson ’03

Leslie Carter Dr. Russ Jones

Robert K. Bennett Don Kessler ’70

Bradley Kessler ’76 Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66

Linda Kauffeld White ’67 Cindy Lanphear ’87

Bradley Kessler ’76

Dr. Jonathan Ledger and Matthew Eubanks

Pat Farmer Eric Ledieu ’18

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85 Rebecca Lester

Leslie Carter George E. Loss ’54 and Kay A. Loss

Bill Crowder ’56 Michelle Loving

Leslie Carter Greta Rowbotham Marlow ’84

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85 Lori McBee

Leslie Carter Holly Mitchell

Robert K. Bennett Shayla Morrow Montelongo ’12

EmmaLee and Brian Morrow Clint Morrow ’15

EmmaLee and Brian Morrow Gilbert Parks

Jason Small ’04 Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada Mathis Qualls ’55

Bill Crowder ’56

Larry and Cindy Isch

Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71 William Ragon ’53

Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull Ruby Steuart Reynolds ’48

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85 Wanda Kauffeld Shively ’54

Linda Kauffeld White ’67

Ryan Skelly ’07 and Callie Williams Skelly ’07

James and Virginia Skelly Wirt and Torpy Skinner

Thomas and Linda Skinner Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98

Darrel Wheeler, Jr. ’75 and

Sharon Goza Wheeler Mary Jane Spillers

Leslie Carter Greg Stone

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85 David Strain

Eric Steinmiller ’02 and

Jaclyn Steinmiller Gaye Strong Taylor ’53

Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull Harve Taylor and Loyce Ann Taylor ’72

Pat Farmer Loyce Ann Bean Taylor ’72

Bradley Kessler ’76 Eleanor Thomas

Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull Bruce Williams ’43

Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull Kourtni Williams

Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85 Frances Wilson

Dawn J. M. Dvoracek and Frank Schull

Donnie and Karla Harkreader Brett Wood ’10

Leslie Carter

Show your

OZARKS

PRIDE with a U of O License Plate!

Official University of the Ozarks license plates are available for Arkansas residents from the Office of Motor Vehicle, which is a part of the Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration. License plates, which feature the University’s arch logo are available at most revenue offices throughout the state. The specialty plates cost an additional $35 over the normal plate fees. The University’s Alumni Association will receive $25 for every plate sold. We hope that alumni, family and friends from across the state will show their pride in Ozarks through this distinctive plate.

For more information please contact the Office of Alumni Relations.

415 North College Avenue 479.979.1234

Clarksville, Arkansas 72830

alumnioffice@ozarks.edu

ozarks.edu

TODAY, FA LL 2018 /// 47

A FINAL WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT A UNIVERSITY OF FIRSTS I remember well the day I realized that being a first generation college student was more than simply a statement about the education levels of my family. It was early fall of my freshman year at Colorado State University. I was living in a residence hall with a population larger than my hometown and taking classes with enrollments greater than my entire high school. I called home one Sunday evening and tried to explain to my mother how I felt as though I was missing the key or navigation map. It felt that in nearly every situation, others knew the subtext and the nuance and I was constantly playing catchup — almost like living for the first time in an environment where I wasn’t a native language speaker. I didn’t understand the rules, and my mother referred me to the student handbook and syllabi. Needless to say, “the rules of the game” were not in the student handbook or the syllabi. It was assumed that everyone knew the rules, or would pick them up quickly from simply playing the game. The first year was difficult, never quite feeling like I belonged.

There are multiple ways of describing the impact of being a first generation college student.

It could be likened to the imposter syndrome: “A psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud.”

Questions that were often inside my head in the early days of college included: • Am I capable of doing this?

• Will getting a degree separate me from those I love?

• Will I be able to return home and be gainfully employed, or will I be forced to move away?

I don’t know that the questions were ever really resolved. Faculty and staff came into my life and offered me support and guidance. I came to appreciate that I could be successful in college and proud of my blue collar roots, that it was an illusory choice to pick one or the other. I respect that I am the first in my immediate family to graduate college. It was pointed out to me recently that I was the first man in my family to graduate high school, and a few decades later I find myself leading an amazing institution that serves students from around the world, many of whom have similar stories to mine.

Ozarks is known for its firsts — the first college in the Arkansas-Oklahoma territory, first to admit women, first to confer a degree upon an African-American, first to integrate athletics and first to build a center for students with learning disabilities. Maybe Ozarks’ next “first” is to be known as the destination for first generation students — something we have been doing since the beginning. I know we do amazing work with these students who are stepping into the role of firsts, and I hope you enjoyed and appreciated the journeys detailed in the preceding pages. My first generation journey brought me to a very unexpected place. One of my great joys comes from seeing our students go places they never dreamed of before Ozarks.

Sincerely,

Richard Dunsworth University President

LEAVE YOUR LEGACY And Pave the Way for Current and Future Students By purchasing a personalized brick in the Alumni Plaza for yourself or a classmate, you’re not only leaving a legacy at Ozarks, but you’re also helping support current students through the Ozarks Annual Fund (OAF). With a gift of $300 or more to OAF, you can add your name or the name of a friend or loved one to the Alumni Plaza. This is a wonderful way to honor or memorialize a friend or loved one who attended Ozarks.

You can go to www.ozarks.edu/alumniplaza or call the Alumni Office at 479-979-1234 to order your brick today.

Synergy: WHEN ARTS AND SCIENCE COLLIDE OCT

25

NOV

15

FEB

07

MAR

07

APR

11

Jen Owen, 3D Technology Founder of enablingthefuture.org and designer of 3D-printed hands and arms

Finding the Cures, Panel of Doctors, Researchers Panelists discuss the research and treatment of major diseases, including cancer

Tom Clynes, National Geographic Author & Photographer Journalist who has travelled the world covering the adventurous side of science

Morgan Dameron, Award-Winning Filmmaker Upcoming film writer, director and producer discusses her career

Dr. Amanda (Alders) Pike ’05, Art Therapist Alumna discusses healing through the arts

Walton Arts & Ideas Series 2018-19 Presented by the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation

Dr. Amanda Pike ’05