tech action: winter 2011
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Tech Action: Winter 2011TRANSCRIPT
Tech ActionW i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Col. Carl Baswell inducted into Hall of Distinction. See pages 4-5.
John Ed Chambers III continues a family tradition of service to Arkansas Tech.See pages 4-5.
Director of Alumni Relations Angela DeWitt BondsCoordinator of Young Alumni Alison ParksCoordinator of Alumni Communications and Activities Kelly Thornton BostickAlumni Office Administrative Assistant Terry Holland-Finley
Tech Action is published quarterly by the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association, 1313 N. Arkansas Ave., Russellville, AR 72801. It is sent to alumni, parents, friends and faculty/staff of Arkansas Tech University. We welcome manuscripts and photographs from our readers. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like your originals returned. Parents, if your son or daughter attended Tech and is no longer living at this address, please notify our office of his or her new address. Address updates can be submitted to the Arkansas Tech Office of Alumni Services by calling (479) 968-0242 or by sending e-mail to [email protected].
Cover Photograph Steve NewbyContributing Photographers Steve Newby, Liz Chrisman, Felisha Weaver, Ashley Schurtz, Pam CooperE-mail address [email protected] site www.techties.atu.edu
Editorial Committee Angela DeWitt Bonds, Jayne Jones, Julie Nebben Morgan, Susie Nicholson, Sam Strasnerpublications/creative Services Felisha WeaverAsst. Director of New Media Carrie Harris Phillips
Philip Alexander ‘89 12/11
Doug Brown ‘06 12/11
Jimmy Cunningham ‘75 12/11
Robert Ford ‘86 12/11
Dixie Gossett ‘70 & ‘74 12/11
Tommy Johnston ‘91 12/11
President: Jim Murphy ‘71 President-Elect: Shirley Drewry Dodd ‘59
Raymond Molden ‘96 12/11
Cara Hammond Witherspoon ‘78 12/11
John Carter ‘02 12/12
Molly Fleming ‘09 12/12
Leslie Miller Harris ‘08 12/12
Ronda Hawkins ‘92 12/12
Ann Irwin ‘83 12/12
Steve Pfeifer ‘71 12/12
Kendall Tabor ‘89 & ‘92 12/12
Angie Wyatt ‘03 12/12
Katherine Nunn Bowden ‘54 12/13
Sue Chiolino ‘68 12/13
Brenda Metcalf Hipp ‘63 12/13
Steve Kesner ‘77 12/13
Tayler Melton ‘10 12/13
Todd Sweeden ‘76 12/13
Jim White ‘78 12/13
Vickie Yates ’79 & ‘89 12/13
Brian Bass, Ozark Campus Rep.
Tech Action, Volume 47, No. 1. Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association, Alumni House, Russellville, AR 72801
Alumni Association Board of Directorstech
catch up with an old friend today
www.techties.atu.edu
Tech Action
Hall of Distinction: Our best and brightestThis issue of Tech Action includes the announcement of
three new members of the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction
— James Bibler, Dr. Jack Hamm and Lyndall Stout.
Higher education is truly a life-changing experience,
and the achievements of these three individuals are
further proof of the opportunities that are available to
graduates of Arkansas Tech.
The Hall of Distinction, which inducted its first class in
1965, provides our university with a chance to recognize
excellence within the Tech Family. Upon the addition
of three new inductees this spring, there will be 168
members of the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction.
If you know someone whom you believe is a candidate
for the highest honor that Arkansas Tech can bestow
upon an alumnus, here are some guidelines to keep in
mind when preparing a nomination.
There are five categories for induction: Distinguished
Alumnus, Distinguished Service, Distinguished Alumni
Service, Outstanding Young Alumnus and Distinction in
Intercollegiate Athletics.
Nominations may be made by any graduate, any
current or former member of the faculty or administration
of Tech, any currently enrolled full-time student at Tech or
any member of the Hall of Distinction.
Nominations may not be made by a family member
of the nominee. No incumbent member of the Board
of Trustees, faculty, staff or administration is eligible for
nomination for any category of the Hall of Distinction.
Nominations must be made in writing and delivered to
the Office of Alumni Services of Arkansas Tech University
by Oct. 1 each year.
Hall of Distinction inductees are selected by the
Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees, and the induction
ceremony takes place at spring commencement each year.
For complete details and a nomination form, please
visit www.techties.atu.edu.
You will read more about Mr. Bibler, Dr. Hamm and
Ms. Stout in the spring 2011 edition of Tech Action. In the
meantime, enjoy this issue of the magazine, remember to
keep us updated when you have a change of address and
always feel free to drop by the Alumni House at 1313 N.
Arkansas Ave. in Russellville and say hello.
Angela DeWitt Bonds ‘95
Director of Alumni Relations
2 Tech Action
Alumni News
3Winter 2011
Arkansas Tech will add three new members to its
Hall of Distinction during spring 2011 commencement
ceremonies at Tucker Coliseum on Saturday, May 14.
James Bibler will be inducted under the
Distinguished Alumnus category, Dr. Jack Hamm will
be inducted under the Distinguished Alumni Service
category and Lyndall Stout will be inducted under the
Outstanding Young Alumnus category. Selection for the
Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction is the highest honor
that the university can bestow upon an alumnus.
James Bibler
After starting out as a lumber stacker, Bibler rose
through his family’s company and became president of
Bibler Brothers, Inc. in Russellville at the age of 33.
The company became a division of Great Northern
Nekoosa in 1973, but 13 years later Bibler purchased all
of the stock in Bibler Brothers, Inc. His action saved the
mill and the jobs of those who worked there.
From 1986-98, Bibler led major renovations of the
mill, brought state of the art equipment online and
oversaw the construction of a new office facility just
south of the mill on Arkansas Avenue in Russellville.
Bibler sold 90 percent of the company to Freeman
Brothers, Inc. in 1998, but he remains active in the
business.
Jack Hamm
Hamm graduated from Tech in 1964 with a Bachelor
of Science degree in mathematics and physics. He
went on to earn a Master of Science degree in applied
mathematics (1968) and a Ph.D. in mathematics (1972)
from the University of Missouri at Rolla.
Shortly after attaining his terminal degree, Hamm
joined the mathematics faculty at Arkansas Tech. He
remained for 36 years, rising to the rank of dean of
the School of Systems Science (1982-2001) and vice
president for academic affairs (2002-08).
Upon his retirement, Hamm became the first faculty
member in Arkansas Tech history to receive the title of
Distinguished Professor.
Lyndall Stout
Stout has been nominated for three Emmy awards
as a local television anchor and reporter during a
career that has included stops in Denison, Texas,
Little Rock and Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She was recognized
by the Arkansas Press Association for outstanding
documentary reporting.
Today, Stout is back in her native Oklahoma and
working as the host and senior producer for SUNUP, a
weekly agriculture television program that airs on public
broadcasting stations throughout the state.
Bibler, Hamm, Stout chosen for top honor
Lyndall Stout
Dr. Jack Hamm
James Bibler
4 Tech Action
Cover Story
A FAMILY TRADITIONChambers continues legacy of service to Tech
His family ties make him an
important link to Arkansas Tech
University history.
His business acumen and
knowledge of the area make him a
valuable leader for Arkansas Tech
today.
His position as chairman of the
Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees in
2011 will allow him to help shape the
future of an institution that has leaned
on his family for guidance for more
than eight decades.
When John Ed Chambers III was
appointed to the Tech Board of
Trustees in January 2007, it continued
a tradition that dates back to the
earliest days of Arkansas Tech.
The story began in 1925, about the
same time the school’s name changed
from the Second District Agricultural
School to Arkansas Polytechnic
College. That was when Judge John
Ed Chambers of Danville was first
appointed to the board of trustees.
He continued on the board until
1937, and Judge Chambers served on
the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees
again from 1939-53 and from 1955-63.
During those nearly four decades
of involvement, Judge Chambers
helped Arkansas Tech transition
from a small agricultural school to a
modern college.
None of the decisions he made
more dramatically affected Arkansas
Tech than when he nominated and
championed Joseph W. Hull to become
the eighth president of Arkansas Tech
in 1932.
Judge Chambers had previously
been instrumental in bringing Hull
to Danville to teach agriculture, and
when Tech needed a new president
there was no doubt whom Chambers
wanted for the job.
“My grandfather saw the vision that
Dr. Hull had much beyond Danville,”
said John Ed Chambers III. “It was an
unbelievable step for him to go from
teaching agriculture in Danville to
serving as president at Arkansas Tech.
My grandfather had great belief in Dr.
Hull and his abilities. Dr. Hull was a
great man, a great promoter and I’m
very proud to have known him.
“I still remember little things
Dr. Hull would say, like ‘you build a
sidewalk where the students want
to cross. I don’t try to make them
go anywhere.’ He was a marketing
person, and I felt like he catered to
the needs of the students.”
Hull remained president at
Arkansas Tech until 1967. He is the
longest-serving president in the
history of the institution. He served
long enough, in fact, to work with the
second generation of the Chambers
family on the Tech Board of Trustees.
John Ed Chambers II was first
appointed to the board in 1965. He
served in that capacity until 1967, and
again from 1987-88.
The family tradition continued in
1994 when John Ed Chambers III was
suggested for a spot on the Arkansas
Tech Board of Trustees by Jim Pledger
and Gov. Jim Guy Tucker made the
appointment.
Chambers’ first term on the
Tech Board of Trustees was defined
by the Strategic Plan of 1995, a
document that called for Arkansas
Tech to utilize shared governance
between administration and faculty
and moderately selective admissions
standards to grow the university in a
thoughtful and deliberate way.
John Ed Chambers John Ed Chambers II John Ed Chambers III
5Winter 2011
Cover Story
As a result, enrollment at
Arkansas Tech increased 131
percent from 1997-2010.
Chambers also aided in the
planning of two landmark facilities
on the Arkansas Tech campus —
the Ross Pendergraft Library and
Technology Center and the Doc
Bryan Student Services Building.
Chambers’ term ended in 1999
and that could have been the end
of the story, but Gov. Mike Beebe
appealed to Chambers to consider
another appointment on the Tech
Board of Trustees in 2007.
Chambers, who serves as
chairman and chief executive officer
for Chambers Bancshares, Inc., was
unsure if his schedule would permit
such a commitment. Arkansas Tech
President Dr. Robert C. Brown was
able to help convince him.
“Everybody’s time is precious,
and when times are tough you have
less time,” said Chambers. “When I
was first appointed to the board this
time I told Dr. Brown I wasn’t sure if
I could give him the time he needed.
He told me, ‘Johnny, your county
needs you to help us. You know the
people and the banking industry,
and you can help us with that
knowledge.’ Being able to sit down
with him helped me understand how
these young people need our help to
make sure they have the resources
they need.
“I think it’s the same reason my
grandfather served and the same
reason my father served,” continued
Chambers. “Arkansas Tech was the
school for this area then, and I think
it still is today.”
Chambers is joined on the 2011
Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees
by Leigh Whiteside of Russellville,
Charles Blanchard of Russellville
and Tom Kennedy of Little Rock.
“The people who serve on the
board are generous with their time,
and they are people who care
about the future and the welfare
of Arkansas Tech,” said Chambers.
“They want the very best, and it’s
easy to work with people like that.
And when you have a leader like Dr.
Brown, it makes you want to work
to support his vision.
“Serving on the board is a lot like
being a coach — you’ve got to have
a good team,” continued Chambers.
“And you need a good quarterback.
Our quarterback is Dr. Brown, and
he really puts together a lot of great
people who are so easy to work
with.”
The Chambers family tradition
at Arkansas Tech also includes
a long track record of generous
financial support for the university.
That support has included gifts for
scholarships for students in the
Chambers family’s beloved Yell
County.
“The endowment was set up
such that we could send anywhere
from 10-15 kids each year to
Arkansas Tech,” said Chambers. “It
was set up for people who needed
it, and it was designed for people
who showed a desire to stay, fight it
out and graduate.”
The Chambers family’s
dedication of time and resources
to Arkansas Tech University was
immortalized in February 1966 when
Chambers Cafeteria was dedicated
on the Russellville campus.
Equally lasting on the Arkansas
Tech campus will be the example
of leadership set by the Chambers
family.
“I don’t see anything but good
things in the future for Arkansas
Tech,” said Chambers. “It will be
tougher, but the tough get tougher
when things are really bad. I think
the state will be more stressed
because of its budgets, so we will
have to work harder in getting
donations for scholarships and
other needs.
“I think with the vision that’s
been established, I don’t see why
Arkansas Tech won’t continue
to grow,” continued Chambers.
“Leaders are graduating from
Arkansas Tech University. It’s a
place you can love, respect and
want to help.”
Wilburn honored for service to boardDean Wilburn of Harrison, outgoing chairman of the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees,
was recognized by Tech President Dr. Robert C. Brown during the board’s regular monthly
meeting at the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center on Thursday, Jan. 20.
Wilburn (photographed, right) received a plaque in appreciation of his decade of service
to the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees. Brown also presented Wilburn and his wife, Kathy,
with lifetime passes to intercollegiate athletics events at Arkansas Tech. Mr. Wilburn served
on the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees from 2001-2011.
Alumni Feature
6 Tech Action
“This is Where My Roots Are”
Larry Brown rushed for a school-record 3,603 yards
as a member of the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys football
team from 1968-71.
His combination of power and speed made him a star
for the 1971 Wonder Boys, perhaps the greatest team in
Arkansas Tech football history.
But all of the rushing yards, the championships, the
adulation — none of it compared to one 30-yard walk
that Brown made on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010.
Four decades after his last game as a Wonder Boy, he
rose from his chair on the floor of Tucker Coliseum and
went to the podium to receive his Bachelor of Professional
Studies degree during fall commencement ceremonies at
Arkansas Tech.
They were the most meaningful 30 yards in a long and
improbable journey for the man known during his playing
days as the ‘Marianna Mauler.’
“I’m elated,” said Brown a few days before receiving his
degree. “I run with the alumni and I know all the alumni,
but I want to actually be a graduate of Arkansas Tech.
There are so many people who have been so supportive of
me, and they’ll be there at graduation. That’s what makes
you so proud. I’m 60 years old, but I still had the fortitude
to go ahead and do it. I think it’s a carry over from my
early days.”
The fact that Brown returned after four decades and
earned his degree is impressive. The fact that he is alive to
do so could be described as a miracle.
Brown suffered heart attacks in 1996 and 1999. After
his second heart attack, doctors had to replace the
femoral artery in his left leg.
By September 2002, Brown was back to his favorite
free-time activities of hunting and fishing.
He went out alone on a snake hunt one afternoon,
choosing to leave his cell phone behind because he only
intended to be gone for a few hours.
Three days later, he was found semiconscious under a
mesquite tree.
He had left his interior light in his truck on, which
drained his battery and left him stranded 30 miles
from civilization with no means of communication or
transportation.
Brown was airlifted to a hospital in time to save his
life, but he had no blood flow to his left leg. It had to be
amputated, and he was fit with an artificial leg.
It marked the third time in life that Brown had to learn
how to walk.
Brown was 7 years old when he dropped a bag of
marbles and ran into the road to retrieve them. He was
struck by a car. Multiple broken bones took his ability to
walk.
He not only recovered and walked again; he grew
strong enough to gain a football scholarship to Arkansas
Tech.
Four decades later,Brown earns degree
Alumni Feature
7Winter 2011
“I’m the oldest out of nine kids,” said Brown.
“Growing up, if the food ran out and I was still hungry,
my mom told me to get up and cook it. Because I had
to work so hard after I had the injury as a kid, I got so
strong physically and so mentally tough. I wanted to be
competitive, and I had to work to get there.”
After playing as a freshman on the 1968 Arkansas
Intercollegiate Conference champion Wonder Boys,
Brown rushed for a team-leading 1,118 yards in 1969.
He averaged 5.8 yards per carry the following season
and led the 1970 AIC champion Wonder Boys with 1,192
rushing yards.
In 1971, Brown’s team-high 990 rushing yards
helped the Wonder Boys finish with an overall record of
12-1 and reach the NAIA national championship game.
Arkansas Tech won the AIC title for the third time
during Brown’s four-year career.
Brown entered the U.S. Marines after completing his
football eligibility with the Wonder Boys. He returned
to Arizona, where he had spent time as a youth, and
began working in the copper mines.
He moved on to a career with the Arizona
Department of Corrections. He worked in that field for
more than two decades and eventually attained the
positions of unit captain and chief of security.
For most, the hunting accident would have been too
much to overcome.
Surviving 108 degree heat for three days with no
shelter and little water was difficult. The physical
therapy and emotional struggles that followed the
amputation of his left leg were even more trying; so
much so that they caused him to consider ending his
life.
But just as was the case 40 years earlier, Arkansas
Tech and Russellville provided Brown with a safe haven.
He returned to Russellville, and surrounded by the
support of friends and former teammates such as Jim
Murphy, Brown started a new life.
He began enrolling in the courses necessary to
complete his degree at Arkansas Tech in 2008.
“It was a lot easier the second time around based
on what my attitude is and what my focus is,” said
Brown. “I was a young kid back then with an ability to
play football. Those memories brought me back here.
There are a lot of traditions at this school, and I hope
we can keep those instilled in people. I felt it the first
time I came here as a junior in high school. That’s what
compelled me to come here.”
And it was that same love for Arkansas Tech and for
the Arkansas River Valley that drew Brown back there.
“I knew before the accident with my leg that I
wanted to retire in Russellville,” said Brown. “The
people here in this community have always been
supportive, and it’s always been heartfelt. I still have a
lot of great friends that have supported me, and I talked
to (Arkansas Tech President) Dr. (Robert C.) Brown
about coming back to school.
“I had taken some classes at a university in Arizona
while I lived out there and I could have finished up
there, but it was so much more meaningful to graduate
from Tech because this is where my roots are and this is
where I wanted to be.”
Alumni News
8 Tech Action
Alumni Board welcomes eight new membersEight individuals have been elected to serve a three-
year term on the Arkansas Tech University Alumni
Association Board of Directors.
Those elected in voting via the fall 2010 edition of
Tech Action magazine will serve on the alumni board from
January 2011 through December 2013.
The newest members of the alumni board are:
*Katherine Nunn Bowden of Russellville, Class of 1954
*Sue Chiolino of Russellville, Class of 1968
*Brenda Metcalf Hipp of Little Rock, Class of 1963
*Steve Kesner of Fort Smith, Class of 1977
*Tayler Melton of Yellville, Class of 2010
*Todd Sweeden of Russellville, Class of 1976
*Jim White of Rogers, Class of 1978
*Vickie Yates of Pottsville, Class of 1979 and 1989
The Arkansas Tech Alumni Association Board of
Directors consists of 25 non-compensated members
representing both the Russellville campus and the Ozark
campus.
Major responsibilities for alumni board members
include supporting the mission of the Tech Alumni
Association and the university, aiding in the cultivation of
private donations to the university and attending between
three and four meetings per year.
Jim Murphy of Russellville is president of the Arkansas
Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors for 2011, while
Shirley Drewry Dodd of Russellville is the president-elect.
For information about nominating an alumnus for
service on the alumni board, call (479) 968-0242 or send
an e-mail to [email protected].
Jones to chair Cattlemen’s Beef BoardArkansas Tech University alumnus
Tom Jones was elected 2011 national
chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef
Board during the Cattle Industry
Annual Convention and Trade Show in
Denver, Colo., Feb. 2-5.
A third generation farmer, Jones
earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
agriculture business from
Arkansas Tech in 1982.
He and his family produce cattle
and hay in Pottsville.
As chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, Jones
will lead a group of 106 committee members appointed
by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and responsible for
overseeing the organization’s $80 million annual beef
checkoff program.
“My goal without any equivocation is for people to
have more than enough confidence in this checkoff so
that when this industry makes a decision to make the
checkoff better, producers will know it’s a valid program
that they can support,” said Jones in a news release from
the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.
According to the Cattlemen’s Beef
Board, the beef checkoff program
was established as part of the 1985
Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1
per head on the sale of live domestic
and imported cattle, in addition to a
comparable assessment on imported
beef and beef products.
Funds are used to increase demand
for beef through promotion, research,
consumer information, industry
information, foreign marketing and
producer communications.
The Cattlemen’s Beef Board is perhaps best known for
the “Beef, It’s What’s For Dinner” advertising campaign
that it launched in 1992.
In addition to his work with the Cattlemen’s Beef
Board, Jones is also in his second term as secretary/
treasurer for the Arkansas Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
He has served on the AFB board for eight years.
Jones’ service to his alma mater has included a term as
president of the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association Board
of Directors.
Today’s Tech
9Winter 2011
Arkansas Tech University President Dr. Robert C.
Brown is under contract to maintain the position he has
held since 1993 through June 30, 2013, following action
by the Tech Board of Trustees on Thursday,
Dec. 16, 2010.
The board voted unanimously to extend Brown’s
contract by one year upon completion of its annual
evaluation of his performance as president.
Arkansas Tech has added 45 academic programs
of study, made a $180 million investment in its
infrastructure and awarded more than 17,000 degrees
under Brown’s leadership.
Enrollment at Arkansas Tech has increased by
131 percent since 1997 to its current figure of 9,814
students, and Tech has posted a school record
enrollment in each of the past 12 years.
“Every board member was 100 percent positive in
their comments about Dr. Brown,” said Dean Wilburn,
who served on the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees from
2001-2011. “We’ve got the best university and college
president in Arkansas. All you have to do is look at
where this university started 17 years ago and where it is
today to see that we have the right person for the job.”
Brown’s tenure has also seen the addition of a
satellite campus in Ozark and the move to NCAA
Division II athletics.
“I am very gratified and appreciative of the
confidence the Board of Trustees has placed in me and
my administration,” said Brown. “The good results we
have achieved are the result of collaboration by the
outstanding faculty, administration, staff and student
body at Tech. We are all convinced that the best days of
our university are in the future.”
Trustees extend president’s contract
Two veterans of the Arkansas Tech University faculty
were appointed to leadership positions within the
university in recent months.
Dr. Hanna Norton, associate professor of journalism
at Arkansas Tech, was promoted to assistant vice
president for academic affairs.
Norton had previously served as head of the
Department of Speech, Theatre and Journalism. In her
new role, she will oversee expanded distance learning
initiatives at Arkansas Tech.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jeffrey Woods was named head of the
Tech Department of History and Political Science.
Woods, associate professor of history at Arkansas
Tech, served as interim head of the department during
the 2010 spring and fall semesters.
Both of their appointments followed a nationwide
search.
Norton holds three degrees from the University of
Georgia. She earned her Ph.D. in 2001 and joined the
Tech faculty as an assistant professor later that year.
The student body selected Norton as Arkansas Tech
professor of the year in 2006-07. She was promoted to
associate professor that spring.
Norton served as president of the faculty senate in
2008-09. At spring commencement in 2009, she was
presented with a Faculty Award of Excellence in the
teaching category.
Woods joined the Arkansas Tech faculty in 2000 as
an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate
professor and granted tenure in 2006, and in 2009 he
received the Arkansas Tech Faculty Award of Excellence
in the scholarship category.
Founder and director of the Arkansas Digital History
Institute, Woods has authored two books: “Richard
Russell, Southern Nationalism and American Foreign
Policy,” which was published in 2007; and “Black
Struggle, Red Scare: Segregation and Anticommunism
in the South, 1948-68,” which was published in 2004.
Woods holds a bachelor’s degree from the University
of Kansas (1992), a master’s degree from the University
of Arkansas (1994) and a Ph.D. from Ohio University
(2000).
Norton, Woods accept new leadership roles
Today’s Tech
10 Tech Action
Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, chancellor of Arkansas Tech-Ozark
Campus, has been honored by the Girl Scouts-Diamonds
of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas for her contributions to
the field of education.
Blondin was one of four individuals recognized at the
organization’s Women of Distinction 2011 gala on Jan. 27
in Fort Smith.
According to the Girl Scouts-Diamonds of Arkansas,
Oklahoma and Texas organization, the Women of
Distinction awards are designed to “honor outstanding
women for their contributions to their communities and
who inspire girls to live life to the fullest and to make the
world a better place.”
Blondin joined the Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus
administration in 2004. She was elevated to the position of
chancellor in 2006.
Enrollment at Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus has
increased by 435 percent since Blondin joined the staff
in 2004. Her leadership has allowed Arkansas Tech-Ozark
Campus to develop new academic programs that meet the
specific needs of the area that it serves.
Blondin volunteers with the United Way of the Fort
Smith Area board, the St. Edward Mercy Hospital Board of
Advisors, the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas
River Valley Area Council (ARVAC) and Keep Van Buren
Beautiful.
Girl Scouts pick Blondin for annual award
As Arkansas Tech University concludes its
centennial celebration, the 100th anniversary
of the school’s first academic year will be
recognized at the Centennial Convocation on
Friday, April 29.
The convocation will begin at 10 a.m. in
Tucker Coliseum. The public is invited and
encouraged to attend.
Arkansas Tech held its first day of classes
on Oct. 26, 1910, and the first academic year
in school history came to an end in spring
1911.
The convocation will be a celebration of the first 100
years of Arkansas Tech and a time to look forward to the
century to come.
Other events scheduled for that weekend include
baseball games between Arkansas Tech and Harding
at Tech Field in Russellville, softball games between
Arkansas Tech and Christian Brothers at the Chartwells
Women’s Sports Complex and a combined band and
choir concert.
The concert, which is scheduled for Sunday, May 1,
will include the premiere of two commissioned pieces in
recognition of the Arkansas Tech Centennial.
The choral piece, “Doors of Daring,” was composed by
Andrea Ramsey, a member of the Arkansas Tech Class of
2000. “Celebration” was written for band by Philip Parker,
who serves as associate professor of music at Arkansas
Tech.
Alumni and friends are also reminded about the
centennial time capsule that is being planned this spring.
“Students, faculty, staff, alumni and university friends
are asked to submit suggestions for items to be included
in the time capsule,” said Julie Morgan, on-campus
coordinator for the Tech Centennial.
For more information about the closing events of the
Arkansas Tech Centennial, contact Morgan at
[email protected] or (479) 968-0332.
Centennial Convocation set for April 29
Today’s Tech
11Winter 2011
The longest-serving faculty member in the history of
Arkansas Tech University is returning to the classroom
on a full-time basis.
Dr. Richard Cohoon, who has served on the Arkansas
Tech faculty since 1960, will step down as dean of the
Arkansas Tech College of Natural and Health Sciences
on June 30, 2011, and return to duties as professor of
geology beginning July 1, 2011.
Cohoon has been dean of what is now known as the
College of Natural and Health Sciences for 23 years.
He submitted the request for his change of
assignment to Arkansas Tech Vice President for
Academic Affairs Dr. John Watson on Dec. 3, 2010,
and it was approved by the Tech Board of Trustees on
Thursday, Dec. 16.
“It has been my privilege to serve as dean of the
School of Physical and Life Sciences and later the
College of Natural and Health Sciences for a total
of 23 years,” wrote Cohoon in his memo to Watson.
“One of the most pleasant aspects of this service has
been working closely with the senior administrators
of the university, my fellow deans, several excellent
department heads and many of the faculty.
“I look forward to focusing more of my energy,
professional knowledge and abilities on the study and
teaching of geology,” continued Cohoon. “I especially
look forward to teaching classes in mineralogy and
petrology during the 2011-12 academic year.”
Watson said that a national search for a new dean
of the Arkansas Tech College of Natural and Health
Sciences will begin during the spring 2011 semester.
Cohoon stepping down as dean, will teach
Dr. Georgena Duncan,
professor of history at Arkansas
Tech University, was honored
for her 35-year career at
Arkansas Tech University with
a retirement reception at
Witherspoon Hall on Tuesday,
Dec. 7, 2010.
“We’ve been colleagues
for a long time,” said Dr. John
W. Watson, vice president for
academic affairs, following
the presentation of a plaque
to Duncan. “I’ve enjoyed my collaborations with you
and enjoyed working with you. I wish you the best in
retirement.”
Duncan joined the Arkansas Tech faculty in 1975.
She served as dean of the Arkansas Tech College of Arts
and Humanities (then known as the School of Liberal
and Fine Arts) from 1996-2009.
“There are so many of us who are here because
Georgena hired us,” said Dr. Micheal Tarver, dean of the
Arkansas Tech College of Arts and Humanities. “I am
very appreciative of the guidance you have given us.”
A professor of history
at Arkansas Tech, Duncan
returned to the classroom
in July 2009 following her
resignation as dean.
She also accepted a special
assignment with the Office of
Academic Affairs in conjunction
with the English as a Second
Language Academy at Tech at
that time.
“Georgena has meant a lot to
me,” said Dr. Jeff Woods, associate professor of history
and head of the Department of History and Political
Science at Arkansas Tech. “She was the second person
I met when I came to Tech, and she has always been
warm and welcoming. I am very indebted to her.”
Although she is retiring from full-time teaching,
Duncan will continue to assist Arkansas Tech in its ESL
Academy.
Duncan holds a baccalaureate degree from the
University of Arkansas and a doctorate from the
University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.
Colleagues bid Duncan a happy retirement
Today’s Tech
12 Tech Action
What would you say to a group of young people who
made a decision to give of themselves, give of their time
and give of their energy just because they wanted to?
Families in need in the Arkansas River Valley had a
simple yet heartfelt two-word response to that question
during the 2010 holiday season — thank you.
Arkansas Tech University students donated 400 food
kits to help the less fortunate during the fourth annual
Helping Halls program.
Resident directors from the Arkansas Tech Office of
Residence Life helped distribute the food to those in need
at the Salvation Army location on Weir Road in Russellville
on Monday, Nov. 22.
“We all wanted to cry when the food came in,” said Lt.
Ashley Robinett of the Salvation Army. “A week and a half
ago our food pantry was empty. Now we have enough to
feed the people counting on this food for Thanksgiving
and Christmas.”
At $11 per kit, the gift represents a $4,400 donation
from the pockets of Arkansas Tech students to the
community.
The kits include many of the staples of a holiday meal
— turkey gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing,
boxes of mashed potatoes, canned cranberries, pie filling,
pie crust and marshmallows.
Every residence hall on campus met or exceeded its
goal for the program. Jones Residence Hall, which had a
goal of 19 food kits and collected 80 food kits, was the
winner of a competition to see which hall could donate
the most.
“I was shocked by the amount of food we collected,”
said Melanie Skocy, a graduate assistant from Channahon,
Ill., who helped oversee Helping Halls 2010 for the
Arkansas Tech Office of Residence Life. “I think it shows
how much pride Arkansas Tech students have in the
Russellville community and how willing they are to help
the community. It was amazing to watch students take $20
bills out of their pockets and give them to this effort.”
Staff members from the Salvation Army collect turkey,
ham and chicken to complete each set.
“It is a blessing to be able to provide this food to
those who need it,” said Lt. Josh Robinett of the Salvation
Army. “I came back from a board meeting and food was
everywhere. It was great to see the kids from Arkansas
Tech do that for our community.”
The Helping Halls program began in 2007 with a
donation of 123 food kits. That number grew steadily in
2008 (176 food kits) and 2009 (235 food kits).
The goal for 2010 was to collect at least 200 food kits
and attempt to match the 2009 total.
“It seems each year that we think we will not be able to
top the previous year’s total, especially after an awesome
year in 2009 with 235 food kits,” said Kevin Solomon,
assistant director of housing at Arkansas Tech. “To gather
400 sets is truly amazing. Helping distribute the food is a
great way to end Helping Halls because our student staff
members get great satisfaction from delivering the food
and receiving personal thanks from the people who really
need this gift.”
COMPASSION WITHOUT LIMITSTech students far exceed goal for ‘Helping Halls’ program
13Winter 2011
Today’s Tech
Nutt Hall at Arkansas Tech University has been named
the 2009-10 residence hall of the year in its region by the
National Association of College and University Residence
Halls (NACURH).
Residence halls on college and university campuses in
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and the country of
Mexico were eligible to win the award.
Nutt Hall at Arkansas Tech was selected based upon its
residents’ involvement in their building, their campus and
their community during the 2009-10 academic year.
“I believe that it was the philanthropy shown by the
residents and the number and quality of the programs
offered by the resident assistants that distinguished Nutt
Hall from the other nominees,” said Gwen Young, area
coordinator in the Arkansas Tech Office of Residence Life.
BEST IN REGIONTech’s Nutt Hall earns honor
Nutt Hall provides on-campus housing for 338
Arkansas Tech students each semester. Originally
known as Summit Hall and constructed in 2002, it
was re-named in honor of Arkansas Tech benefactors
John W. Nutt and Joie Thompson Nutt in 2007.
Arkansas Tech University physical education
students were recognized at the Arkansas Association
for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
(ArkAHPERD) Conference in Little Rock in November
2010 for organizing the most successful collegiate
Hoops for Heart program in the state.
The Hoops for Heart event at Arkansas Tech last
spring raised the most money of any such program on
any college campus in Arkansas during the 2009-10
academic year. Approximately 5,000 schools participate
in Hoops for Heart to benefit the American Heart
Association on an annual basis.
Tech Hoops for Heart program tops in state
Development Corner
14 Tech Action
1960. The year when John F. Kennedy won the
Presidency, the laser and a heart pacemaker were invented,
Cassius Clay won his first match, OPEC was formed, and
the United States announced that 3,500 American soldiers
were going to be sent to Vietnam.
That was the world into which the graduating Class of
1960 entered, and in many cases, their journey after Tech
was defined by the Vietnam War.
With that in mind, the Class of 1960 memorialized
fellow classmate Jim Cartwright with a reunion gift to
the Arkansas Tech Foundation when they gathered to
celebrate the Class’ 50th anniversary at Tech’s 2010
Homecoming.
Jim Cartwright of Mountainburg, a business
administration major at Tech, served as Cadet Major
of the ROTC Brigade during his senior year, and was
commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army
upon graduation.
Capt. Cartwright made the ultimate sacrifice for our
country when his duty took him to Vietnam. A combat
fatality, Captain Cartwright was the only graduate from the
ROTC program at Tech to die in Vietnam.
“The Jim Cartwright Memorial Fund will help ease the
hardships of veterans of current wars in establishing new
lives through education,” said Class of 1960 member Bill
Harmon. “It will provide temporary loan assistance for
those who have applied for Veteran Educational Benefits to
attend Tech but are awaiting those benefits to begin.”
Members of the Class of 1960 were recognized at
Homecoming as “Alumni Gold” and were presented a
certificate and gold letter opener from Arkansas Tech
President Dr. Robert C. Brown, as well as a notebook of
class information and memorabilia.
The Class Reunion committee of Major General (Ret.)
Bill Harmon, Dr. Hilda Turner, and Dr. Robert Edwards
planned reunion activities with the Alumni Office.
Class of 1960 remembers a fallen friend
IN MEMORY/HONOR OF (October 1, 2010 through January 31, 2011)The following individuals made gifts to Tech in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one
In Honor of Bill Abernathy Faye Abernathy
In Memory of Heartsill and Polly BartlettBill and Suzanne Harmon
In Honor of Kenneth Bowden Bill and Suzanne Harmon
In Memory of Firman Bynum Travis and Lou Adams Bill and Suzanne Harmon
In Honor of Sarah CottonDavid and Dana Moseley
In Memory of Joyce DempseyTravis and Lou AdamsAgnes AlfordMarshall and Betty ColeBetty LienhartJohnny and Julie MorganDavid and Dana Moseley
In Memory of Nona DirksmeyerCarol Martin
In Memory of Michael DuranFabricio and Karen Duran
In Memory of Samantha Hale Mike and Shauna Donnell
In Honor of Bill and Suzanne HarmonJohnny and Julie Morgan
In Memory of Sam Hindsman Ferne Shinn Anderson
In Memory of Jim Ed McGeeJohnnie and Carolee Hamilton
In Memory of Sandra Hodges James Collins John Gilbreath Ernest and Jamie HodgesCarol MartinRobert and Dorothy NorthupBob and Judy TaylorJames and Lea Witt
In Memory of Harlan McMillanRichard and Mary CohoonDavid GarrettJohnnie and Carolee HamiltonBill Pullen
In Memory of Lena RexingerDolores Beene
In Memory of Selma Smith Bill and Suzanne Harmon
In Memory of Elgin Spence Johnny and Julie Morgan David and Dana Moseley
In Memory of Christina Stinnett Joann Hays Bobby and Linda Rush
In Memory of Audrie Stonecipher Johnny and Julie Morgan
In Memory of Thomas Tate Barbara Tate
In Memory of Roy and Mary Taylor Mary “Doy” Branch
In Memory of Mike “Bear” Womack Nelda Womack
Jim Cartwright
Arkansas Tech Class of 1960
Development Corner
15Winter 2011
The Class of 2011 Gift Committee has officially
kicked off its spring campaign.
The mission of the Class of 2011 Campaign is to
heighten students’ awareness of the Tech Loyalty Fund
prior to their graduation.
The Class Gift Campaigns, established in 2005,
encourage students to reflect on what the generosity
of others has meant to them. The hope is that today’s
Tech students will begin a tradition of giving so
tomorrow’s Tech students can enjoy the same benefits
they have received.
The Class of 2010 raised more than $1,800, the
largest gift in the five-year history of the program. To
date, the senior class program has raised $7,000 for the
Arkansas Tech Foundation.
Class of 2011 Committee members were selected
in early September and spent last fall developing an
educational campaign on philanthropy and the Tech
Loyalty Fund. This year, the committee chose “Invest in
the Now” as its the slogan.
Members are asking their classmates to make
their first gift of $20.11 to Tech. High participation by
the class rather than a specific dollar amount is the
principal goal of the campaign.
Photographed are the following members of the
Class of 2011 Tech Loyalty Fund Committee: (back row,
from left) Lydia Grate, Keyvan Sierra, Gentry Tubbs and
Tesa Murray; (front row, from left) Travis Flowers, Dana
Florian, Brad Gwatney and Danielle Jolie.
Also part of the committee but not photographed
are: Laura Beth Anderson, Lade Lamina and Jenny
Vining.
For more information about participating in the Tech
Loyalty Fund, visit www.atu.edu/givetotech or call
(479) 968-0405.
Class of 2011 collecting for gift to Tech
The Arkansas Tech University Alumni and Friends
Travel Group has planned four trips for 2011.
The travel group is open to any alumnus or friend
of Arkansas Tech. For more information about how to
become involved, call Dana Moseley, director of gift
planning, at (479) 964-0532.
The Tech Tourists will begin their travels on April 1
by staying close to home for a tour of Garvan Woodland
Gardens in Hot Springs.
The group will head to London and Paris for an eight-
day trip beginning April 7.
Just as the weather starts to heat up at home, the
Tech Travel Group will seek cooler temperatures during
the “Northern National Parks” tour July 29-Aug. 5
(photographed). Stops will include Yellowstone National
Park, Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park.
The 2011 travel season will conclude Sept. 25-Oct. 4
with a tour of Spain. The adventure will include visits to
Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.
Tech Tourists making plans for busy 2011
Class Notes
16 Tech Action
Marriages
Brandon Keith Holland (BIOL ’07) and Sarah Nicole
Freeman (NURS ’09) were married Dec. 18, 2010.
Elizabeth Lopez (ECED ’09) and Maverick Dunn
(ALUM) were married Oct. 2, 2010.
Christopher Martin West (MGMT/MKTG ’09) and
Megan Rebecca Middlekauff were married July 24, 2010.
They live in Conway.
Chance Kendall Wright (NURS ’09) and Kalie Laine
Knight were married Oct. 16, 2010. Chance is employed
at Northwest Medical Center. They live in Fayetteville.
Births
Matt Pinkerton (COMP SCI ’96) and Briana Rich
Pinkerton (COMP SCI ’97), a son, Mattix Christopher,
Nov. 7, 2010.
J.W. Stratton (ECON ’01) and Christa Stratton (ECED
’02), a daughter, Ruth Ann, Jan. 18, 2011. Ruth Ann has
two siblings: Eli (6) and Mary Margaret (4). They live in
Russellville.
Stephen Banning (HEPE ’02) and Maranda Banning
(ALUM), a son, Ryan Clark, Aug. 18, 2010. Ryan has
one sister, Paige (4). Stephen is a health and physical
education teacher and coach at Clarksville Junior
High School. He recently earned a master’s degree in
educational leadership from Harding University.
John Carter (ECON ’02) and his wife, Erin, a son, Jayce
Cole, Nov. 23, 2010.
Melissa McMinn Freeman (ACCT ’03) and her
husband, Jeffrey, a son, Aaron Jeffrey, Nov. 15, 2010.
They live in Dover.
Stephanie Parker Duffield (INST ’05) and Luke
Duffield (ALUM), twin daughters, Stella Jane and
Audrey Claire, June 28, 2010.
Jeremy Ragland (HIST ’05) and his wife, Laura, a son,
Trenton Charles, June 25, 2010.
Lori Gray Kirtley (ECED ’06 & M.Ed. ’08) and her
husband, Carl, a son, Keaton Gray, Jan. 15, 2011.
Keaton has a brother, Cale (2).
Cassie Cothren White (HEPE ’06) and her husband,
Nick, a daughter, Alexandra Brooklyn, May 6, 2010.
Alexandra has one sister, Jennifer Nicole.
James “Mike” Wilkins (AGBU ’06) and Whitney Heflin
Wilkins (ECED ’07), a daughter, Emily Ann, Dec. 5,
2010. They live in Russellville.
Joshua S. Brown (HEPE ’07) and his wife, Robin, a son,
Tucker Carlton, Nov. 8, 2010. Joshua is a coach and
teacher at Star City High School.
Kim Dyer McCormick (MLED ’07) and her husband,
Rustin, a son, Remington Shane, Jan. 21, 2011.
Ian Nelson (’08) and his wife, Joanie, a son, Reid Henry,
Dec. 3, 2010. Reid has a brother, John (6).
Stefanie Poole Turner (ECED ’08) and Kyle Turner
(ALUM), a daughter, Tinley Paige, Dec. 27, 2010. They
live in Pottsville.
Nathan McElhaney (MECH ENGR ’09), a daughter, Ella
Claire, Dec. 29, 2009.
1940s
Martha Spillers Newton (’40) celebrated her 90th
birthday with a reception at the Russellville Depot on
Jan. 29, 2011.
Frances Bollinger Burleson (HOME EC ’41) and Clay
Burleson (ENGR ’42) celebrated their 65th wedding
anniversary at their home in Kerrville, Texas, on Jan. 19,
2011.
1950s
Patsy Marshall Kerley (BUED ’59) has volunteered with
Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, Kan., for 17
years.
Elbert “Tom” Townsend (POL SCI ’59) is retired from
the U.S. Air Force and from teaching. He and his wife,
Margrette, celebrated their wedding anniversary on Dec.
18, 2010.
1960s
David Snellings (MATH/PHYS SCI ’62) and Betty
Niemeyer Snellings (ART EDU ’62) celebrated their
50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 5, 2010. David is
retired from Arkansas Nuclear One and the Arkansas
Department of Health. Betty is a retired school teacher.
Class Notes
17Winter 2011
Jack Wood (MUED ’63) has become an amateur civil
war historian since retiring in 2001. Jack volunteers at
the Mariners Museum in Newport News, Va.
Delvin Williams (HIST ’64) is retired from the U.S.
Marines and Sundstrand Aerospace. He buys and
restores classic automobiles, some of which he
sells and some of which he keeps for his personal
collection.
John Gibson (ACCT ’66) is president and chief
executive officer of the Morrilton Area Chamber
of Commerce and the Conway County Economic
Development Corporation.
Richard Petronis (BUS & ECON ’66) was selected
as Kappa Delta Rho fraternity advisor of the year for
2010. Richard is a professor of business at Tarleton
State University (Texas), where he teaches business,
employment, and international business law at the
graduate and undergraduate levels.
1970s
Roger Wattam (MUS ’70) has become an
accomplished amateur tennis player during his
retirement years. Roger is a member of two local
tennis teams that have advanced to regional play in
Hilton Head, S.C., and Mobile, Ala., this spring. He
also aids his wife, Pat “Prissy” Wattam (MUED ’73) in
her real estate business.
Leo Knoernschild (FISH/WLDLF ’71) retired Nov. 1,
2010, following a 39-year career with the Arkansas
Game and Fish Commission as a field biologist in
the Piney Creek Wildlife Management Area in Pope,
Johnson and Newton counties.
David Toward (HEPE ’71) retired from the
Hillsborough County School System (Fla.) after 34
years as a teacher, coach and administrator. He
and his wife, Cindy, live in Tampa, Fla. They have a
daughter, Sherry, and a grandson, Dylan.
Class Notes
18 Tech Action
Bob Sivils (MUED ’72) and Glenna “Dee” Daniels
Sivils (ELED ’72) retired in Sallisaw, Okla., after 38
years of teaching. They celebrated the birth of their fifth
grandchild on Dec. 18, 2010.
Pat “Prissy” Jones Wattam (MUED ’73) was selected
to receive the lifetime achievement award from RE/
MAX International during the real estate company’s
convention in Las Vegas in March 2011.
John Clark (RPA ’74) is chief executive officer and
general manager of the Philmont Scout Ranch near
Cimarron, N.M. He also serves as national director of
the Boy Scouts of America High Adventure program.
His wife, Janice Clark (’72), works with the Philmont
Staff Association and helps with their four grandkids.
David Shinn (PSY ’75) is dean of transfer education at
John Wood Community College in Quincy, Ill.
John Peacock (HEPE ’77) is assistant superintendent of
the Whitehouse Independent School District (Texas). He
is married with four grandchildren.
Leila Alston (MED TECH ’79) was elected president
of The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas for 2011. She
lives in Little Rock.
1980s
Jerry Evans (RPA ’81) joined the sales team at Cogswell
Motors in Russellville. He has previously worked in sales
and management during an 18-year career at Cogswell
Motors. His wife, Jeania Standridge Evans (ELED
’83), has taught at Center Valley Elementary School in
Russellville for 29 years.
Deborah Qualls Lewis (BIOL ’81) received the 2010
Olav Smedal Conservation Award in recognition of her
work as curator of the Ada Hayden Herbarium at Iowa
State University and her expertise in the flora of Iowa.
Mary Jean Thompson Daniel (ELED ’82) was promoted
to head start director for Community Services, Inc., in
Garland County.
Susan Byler Antonetti (MUED ’83) was appointed wind
ensemble coordinator and instructor of flute for the
University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Her husband, John
Antonetti (BIOL ’84), is an educational consultant for
Colleagues on Call.
Mary Bane Lackie (JOUR ’84) relocated to Islamabad,
Pakistan, where she serves as chief of party for a
USAID-funded higher education project.
Class Notes
19Winter 2011
Sarah Martin Bankhead (ELED ’85) was nominated
as a spotlight employee by the staff at Lyon Magnet
Elementary School in Waukegan, Ill. Sarah is in her
third year as assistant to the principal at the school.
Previously, she was a classroom teacher for 22 years.
Karen Hayre Brown (PSY ’85 & HIST EDU ’04) and
Kenny Brown (ECON ’88) celebrated their 25th
wedding anniversary on Sept. 25, 2010. They have
two children: Katelyn and Kendall.
Cara Kinzey (ECON ’89) is an information technology
supervisor for Home Depot in Atlanta, Ga.
1990s
David Kemp (’90) retired from the Russellville Police
Department after more than 20 years of service. He
accepted a position with Hewlett-Packard in Conway.
Marcilla Smith Croslin (ELED ’91) and her husband,
Mike, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on
Oct. 19, 2010.
Dr. Linda Kondrick (M.Ed ’92) was president of the
Mid-South Educational Research Association in 2010.
Burke Larkin (JOUR ’94) was elected to the Russellville
City Council. Burke works as vice president for real
estate development firm Real Practices, Inc.
Staci Carroll Lucius (PSY/REHAB SCI ’94) was named
director of physician practice management for 12
hospitals by Health Management Associates.
Katie Davidson Raines (BUAD ’97) was hired by
Friendship Community Care in Russellville as vice
president of adult services. She and her husband,
James, have two children: Hanna (12) and Zac (8).
Tosha Belford Bradley (BIOL ’99) accepted a
position on the information systems faculty at the
University of Arkansas Community College at Hope.
Amber Brady (MGMT/MKTG ’99 & ACCT ’04)
became senior accountant for P.A.M. Transport in
Tontitown in November.
Cynthia Smithson (ELED ’99 & M.Ed. ELED ’06) was
named assistant principal for the Booneville School
District in grades kindergarten through sixth grade.
Jamie Teal (ENGL ’99) and her family moved to Taif,
Saudi Arabia.
2000s
Josh Jones (HEPE ’01), head football coach at Magazine
High School, and D.J. Crane (HEPE ’01), head football
coach at Danville High School, met in the 2010 Class
2A state championship game. Magazine won 48-20 to
capture its first state title.
Barry Reed (HIST EDU ’01) was named director of the
Ashdown campus for Cossatot Community College.
Geron O. Morgan (ACCT ’03) was promoted to manager
for BKD LLP in Houston, Texas.
Ryan Ritchie (ECON & MGMT/MKTG ’03) began a new
career opportunity as a management consultant with
alt.Consulting in December 2010.
Brad Burl (ART ’04) will serve as the first principal of
the Pine Bluff Lighthouse Charter School.
Eli Drinkwitz (HIST EDU ’04) served as an assistant
coach for the Auburn University football team that
captured the Bowl Championship Series national
championship on Jan. 10, 2011.
Brad Wear (’04) was named 2010 Dardanelle Chamber
of Commerce citizen of the year. He completed his
service as Yell County Judge last year.
Doug Brown (EAM ’06 & M.S. EMHS ’09) was honored
by the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management
for his support of the Pine Bluff Arsenal and the
Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program.
Stephen Rogers (M.S. CSP ’07) began his new duties
as assistant director of residence life at Southern
Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, in January 2011.
Cathryn Gaines (HEPE ’08) was named 2010 dance
teacher of the year by the Arkansas Association for
Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Jeremy Ashcraft (MGMT/MKTG ’09) signed a contract
to play for the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League.
Amanda Woods (ART ’09) is employed by Northwest
Arkansas Community College.
Obituaries
20 Tech Action
tech Friends We’ll MissPaul F. Hogan (AGRI ’38) died Jan. 22, 2011. A veteran of
the U.S. Army, Paul served in World War II and earned the
Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the
European-African Middle-Eastern Theatre Ribbon with
five bronze campaign stars. He retired from the service
in 1962 and entered the private sector. He was director
of personnel services for Tyson Foods at his retirement.
Paul lived in Russellville. He was 93.
George Deane Holderby (ENGR ’40) died Dec. 7, 2010.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, George established Holderby
Engineering, Inc., in 1961. The consulting firm remained
in operation until 2006. George lived in Annapolis, Md.
He was 91.
William Hashbarger (‘50) died Jan. 30, 2011. He served
in World War II with the U.S. Army and was awarded the
Purple Heart Medal. Bill worked for the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers for 30 years. He was resident engineer
for operations and maintenance of the Arkansas River
Navigation System from Little Rock to the Oklahoma
state line for 18 years. Bill was also a past mayor of
Russellville, where he lived. Bill was 86.
Bob Miller (’51) died Jan. 25, 2011. Bob served in World
War II and the Korean War. Between his time as a medic
in the U.S. Navy and his years in the U.S. Army Reserves,
Bob gave 42 years of military service to his country. He
retired at the rank of Colonel. He was also a coach,
teacher and principal for the public school system in
Memphis, Tenn., for 30 years. Bob lived in Hernando,
Miss. He was 82.
Thomas J. Davidson (’56) died Dec. 25, 2010. Tommy
served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War
and co-founded Tommy Davidson Trucking Company
in 1956. He co-owned the company until 1994. Tommy
lived in Russellville. He was 79.
Carrol Lynch Ward (’58) died Dec. 9, 2010. Carrol began
his career as a teacher and basketball coach at Timbo
High School. Later, he was a corporal with the Arkansas
State Police from 1964-88 and sheriff of Van Buren County
from 1988-92. Gov. Beebe appointed him to serve on the
State of Arkansas Criminal Detention Facilities Review
Committee. Carrol lived in Clinton. He was 74.
Jimmy Baskin (’59) died Nov. 7, 2010. He served as a
military police officer for 20 years and then performed
security inspections of chemical, nuclear and biological
warfare installations on behalf of the U.S. Department of
Defense for an additional 20 years. Jimmy retired in 1999.
He lived in Atlanta, Ga. Jimmy was 76.
Raymond Hershel Mackey (BUAD/MKTG ’59) died Jan.
16, 2011. He was a teacher from 1959-91. The final 28
years of his career were invested as a middle school
science teacher for the Wentzville School District (Mo.).
Raymond served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean
War. He lived in Shiloh, Ill. Raymond was 80.
Merlin Bee Bullock (’61) died Nov. 1, 2010. He was a
long-time field representative for the Arkansas County
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. He
was lead singer for a band named Merlin Bee and the
Stingers that played together for 25 years. Merlin lived in
Stuttgart. He was 74.
Nadine D. Hicks Simmons (ELED ’61) died Dec. 18,
2010. Nadine taught third grade at Dwight Elementary
School in Russellville from 1961-85. She lived in
Russellville. Nadine was 85.
Dr. Joyce Micklewright Dempsey (’62/FMR FACULTY)
died Nov. 21, 2010. Joyce taught English at Arkansas Tech
from 1964-97. She lived in Russellville. Joyce was 75.
Reginald Walker Talley (BIOL ’70) died Feb. 6, 2011.
Reggie served in the U.S. Navy and had a career as a
county extension agent. He lived in Hazen. Reggie was
69.
Linda “Bird” Bacon Chancellor (ELED ’72) died Oct.
19, 2010. She was a primary school teacher, counselor,
assistant principal and principal during a 30-year career
in education in Russellville, Cedarville, Gentry and North
Little Rock. Linda lived in Santa Monica, Calif. She was
66.
Carolyn Jean Carter Doyel (ELED ’73) died Nov. 15,
2010. Carolyn was a teacher and center director for the
Arch Ford Educational Service Cooperative in Plumerville.
She lived in Little Rock. Carolyn was 59.
Obituaries
21Winter 2011
Lake Allan Lewis (FISH/WLDLF ‘74) died Jan. 23,
2011. Lake began his career with the Arkansas State
Parks Department and the Arkansas Game and Fish
Commission. For the past 20 years, he worked for the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service at Felsenthal
National Wildlife Refuge. Lake lived in Hamburg. He was
59.
Becky Tucker (’81) died Nov. 1, 2010. Becky worked in
the laboratory at Millard-Henry Clinic in Russellville for
the past 10 years. She lived in Russellville. Becky was
50.
Marshall Karnes Hoge (HIST EDU ’97) died Nov.
4, 2010. Marshall was an all-conference offensive
lineman for the 1994 Arkansas Tech University football
team, which won the final Arkansas Intercollegiate
Conference championship. His professional career
saw him serve in education, shipping and real estate
appraisal. Marshall lived in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. He was
36.
Dr. Martha Nann Clark Dowell (FMR FACULTY) died
Dec. 24, 2010. She served on the physical education
faculty at Arkansas Tech University from 1968-2000.
Martha served as president of the Dames Club at
Arkansas Tech, and she sponsored the Phi Mu sorority
chapter at Tech. Martha lived in Maumelle. She was 77.
Dr. David H. Long (FMR FACULTY) died Dec. 25,
2010. He was a member of the psychology faculty at
Arkansas Tech University from 1974-99 and served as
head of the Department of Behavioral Sciences. David
lived in Loveland, Colo. He was 78.
Dr. Harlan Luther McMillan (FMR FACULTY) died
Jan. 10, 2011. Harlan served on the biology faculty
at Arkansas Tech from 1969-92. He was instrumental
in the creation of the university’s nursing program
during his time as dean of the School of Arts and
Sciences from 1972-78. Harlan held the title professor
emeritus of biology from Arkansas Tech. Harlan lived in
Russellville. He was 84.
Marilyn Bocksnick (ALUM/FMR STAFF) died Dec. 13,
2010. Marilyn worked in the Arkansas Tech Department
of Physical and Life Science for 26 years. She earned
a master’s degree from Tech while working at the
university. Marilyn lived in Atkins. She was 68.
Eldon Franklin Coffman Sr. (ALUM) died Nov.
29, 2010. Eldon was twice appointed an Arkansas
Supreme Court Special Justice. He was chairman of
the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission
from 1996-2003. He was a partner at Daily, West, Core,
Coffman and Canfield in Fort Smith, where he lived.
Eldon was 82.
Tech Athletics
22 Tech Action
The new NCAA Division II athletics conference that
Arkansas Tech University and eight other institutions
will form in 2011 will be known as the Great American
Conference.
The name of the new conference was announced via
press release on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010.
Arkansas Tech University, the University of Arkansas
at Monticello, East Central University, Harding University,
Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University,
Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southern
Arkansas University and Southwestern Oklahoma State
University will be the charter members of the Great
American Conference.
According to a joint statement from the member
institutions’ presidents and chancellors, the name was
chosen to “reflect the diversity of the league’s geographic
regions, from the Mississippi Delta of southeast Arkansas
to the plains of western Oklahoma.”
The Great American Conference will begin competition
in fall 2011. All sports are scheduled to compete for a
conference title during the 2011-12 academic year and
teams will be eligible for NCAA postseason play.
The chief executive officers of the nine member
institutions announced on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, that
they intended to apply to the National Collegiate Athletic
Association for permission to create a new NCAA Division
II conference.
“The intent of the conference is to group together
similar institutions in terms of budgets and goals,” said the
presidents, chancellors and directors of athletics from the
nine institutions in a joint statement in July. “Furthermore,
the conference is intended to be made up of universities
that field an intercollegiate football program. Our most
important goals in this new endeavor are to limit time away
from class and limit our travel costs.”
Will Prewitt, who previously served as the associate
commissioner of the NCAA Division II West Virginia
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, has been hired
to serve as the Great American Conference’s first
commissioner.
“I grew up around small college athletics,” said Prewitt
in a radio interview with KWKK 100.9 FM in late October
2010. “It’s something that I’ve been around virtually since
I was big enough to walk. Small college athletics can be so
important in a place like Russellville, Ark., Magnolia, Ark.,
or Ada, Okla. I can’t imagine a more exciting professional
opportunity than this one.”
Great American Conference to debut in 2011-12
Sarah Von Lienen has become the fourth All-American
in Arkansas Tech University volleyball history.
Von Lienen was named to the 2010 American Volleyball
Coaches Association NCAA Division II All-America team
as an honorable mention selection.
She joins Stacy Burnett-Mallett (1991), Dong Mei Cui
(1997) and Ningning Liu (2002) as the only All-America
volleyball players from Arkansas Tech.
The award capped one of the greatest seasons in Tech
volleyball history.
Arkansas Tech completed the 2010 campaign with an
overall record of 31-5 and a GSC mark of 11-1. It was the
sixth 30-win volleyball season in Tech history.
Von Lienen, a 6-foot-2 senior middle blocker from
Lakeland, Tenn., finished her senior season with 406 kills
and 91 blocks. Her .341 hitting percentage ranked third in
the Gulf South Conference. She was also third in the GSC
in kills per game (3.76).
The Golden Suns are coached by Kristy Bayer, who
became Tech’s all-time leader in career volleyball
coaching wins during the 2010 season.
Von Lienen named volleyball All-America
Alumni Office
23Winter 2011
Name_________________________________________________ Tech major and year ___________________________________
(include maiden name if applicable) Graduated or attended (circle one)
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Please make checks payable to the Arkansas Tech Foundation and write Alumni Scholarship in the memo field of the check.
Donations may be mailed to the Arkansas Tech Foundation, 8820 Tech Lane, Russellville, AR 72801
let
us
hear
from
you
mail class notes to Tech Alumni Office, 1313 N. Arkansas Ave., Russellville, AR 72801 or e-mail to [email protected].
You Might Ask Yourself: What are these?Have you seen one of these on publications and wondered
“what’s this?”
The images you see to the right are QR (or quick response)
codes. Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader
software can scan the image of the QR code causing the phone’s
browser to launch and redirect to the programmed URL.
The Alumni Association is leveraging this technology on
publications to quickly connect alumni and friends to our TechTies
home page and to our Facebook page for further information about
the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association and events.
Different smartphones and carriers have different applications to
read QR codes.
A list of applications/software is available at:
http://www.mobile-barcodes.com/qr-code-software/
For IPhone users, some popular Free QR apps are RedLaser,
Qrafter and Pic2shop.
TECH TIES CODE
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Tech ActionArkansas Tech UniversityAlumni AssociationAlumni House1313 North Arkansas Ave.Russellville, AR 72801
Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association
Volume 47 No. 1
Back to School:Alumni pitch in
during final examsWhen you’re having a tough week, an encouraging
word and a donut can go a long way.
That’s the philosophy behind the Arkansas Tech
Alumni Association’s ongoing project to provide
refreshments to Tech students during final exams week
at the end of each semester.
The following alumni and friends turned out to help
during final exams for the fall 2010 semester: Chareen
Austin, B.J. Bayer, Larry Brown, Mark Burns, Cass
Capen-Housley, Linda Clarke, Kelly Davis, Shirley Drewry
Dodd, June Drain, Wayne Drain, B.J. Dunn, Claire Dunn,
Bill Eaton, Courtney Farris, Baldy Faulkner, Melissa
Hall, Bill Harmon, Linda Boggs Higgins, Dan Lovelady,
Donna Mixon, Jim Murphy, Steve Pfeifer, Sherry Nordin
Polsgrove, Lindsey Martin Riedmeuller, Howard Ritchie,
Linda Edwards Rush, Blair Sipes, Kendall Tabor, Shanna
Turney, Meagan Votteler, Johnna Bradley Walker, Patricia
Wood and Angela Wyatt.
For information about how to volunteer for the
alumni donuts program, call the Arkansas Tech Alumni
Office at (479) 968-0242 or send e-mail to
Kelly Davis, Howard Ritchie
Shirley Drewry Dodd
Bill Eaton Shanna Turney, Courtney Farris Steve Pfeifer, Blair Sipes
Johnna Bradley Walker, Kendall Tabor Claire Dunn, B.J. Dunn
Lindsey Martin Riedmeuller, Linda Boggs Higgins
Linda
Edwards
Rush