a PDF of the Spring/Summer 2012 Issue

Transcription

Today, SPRING/SUMMER 2012
1
2 Today, SPRING/SUMMER 2012
CONTENTS
Today
A Magazine for University of the Ozarks
Alumni and Friends.
Volume 31 g Number 1
Spring/Summer 2012
University Administration
Rick Niece, Ph.D.
President
Steve Edmisten, MA
Executive Vice President
Daniel Taddie, Ph.D.
Provost
Jeff Scaccia, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
Darrell Williams, BS
Business Manager
Sherrie Arey, MS
Dean of Residential and Campus Life
Production Staff
Larry Isch, MS
Director of University and Public Relations
Editor
Vinnie Tran, BA
Publications Coordinator
Design and Layout
Photo and editorial contributions by:
Don Lee, Cara Flinn and Josh Peppas
For more information, please contact the:
Office of University Advancement
University of the Ozarks
415 N. College Avenue
Clarksville, AR 72830-2880
(479) 979-1230; Fax (479) 979-1239
Website: www.ozarks.edu
University Directory
(479) Area Code
Academic Affairs
Admission
Advancement
Alumni Relations
Athletics
Business Office
Financial Aid
President’s Office
Public Relations
Registrar
Student Life
979-1431
979-1227
979-1230
979-1234
979-1483
979-1208
979-1221
979-1242
979-1433
979-1212
979-1321
The University of the Ozarks does not discriminate on the basis of religion, gender, color, national or ethnic origin, age, or physical handicap
in the administration of its educational policies,
programs or activities.
16
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24
6
PRESIDENT NIECE
TO STEP DOWN IN 2013
Search underway for
college’s 25th president.
9
OZARKS OUTDOORS
HELPING FRESHMEN
New program focuses on
helping students navigate
outdoors, college life.
13
IN SEARCH OF
LICHENS
Unique biology class
has students scouring
the Ozarks.
15
PLANNED GIVING
New on-line content
helps ease charitable
giving to Ozarks.
16
ROOMIES FROM AFAR
What happens when
roommates from different
countries and cultures get
together? Often, it’s a lifechanging event.
20
THE JONES LEARNING
CENTER TURNS 40!
For the past four decades
the JLC has made an
incredible impact.
24
LEADER FOR LIBERTY
Alumnus leads the way
as U.S. Army officer.
ON THE COVER:
For four consecutive nights
in February, the campus
community as well as visitors
from throughout the area
were captivated by a largescale production put on by the
University Theatre Department.
The University Cabaret, one of
the largest and most ambitious
productions in the history of
the theatre department, utilized
a variety of performances and
performers to entertain and
thrill sold-out audiences.
See Story, Page 10
1
2012 Graduation
118 earn diplomas during ceremony
Giving examples of people who
“walked to the beat of a different drummer,” Commencement Speaker Dr.
Brent Thomas ’91 told the members of
the University of the Ozarks Class of
2012 not to be afraid to go outside the
norm as they begin their life after college.
Thomas, chair of the Department of
Biological Sciences at
Emporia (Kan.) State
University, cited inventor Thomas Edison, children’s author
Dr. Seuss and entertainer Elvis Presley as
Thomas
people who took their
own paths to success.
“They decided to do things a different way and they were successful
because of it,” Thomas said. “Dr. Seuss,
for example, took a different approach
to writing children’s books and his first
book was rejected by 27 different publishers. But he stayed true to what he believed in. I encourage each of you to do
that. Remember, if you walk in someone
else’s tracks, you will never leave your
own footprint.”
Ozarks recognized 118 graduates
from the Class of 2012 during its May
12 ceremony that was attended by more
than 1,000 family and friends. Included
New graduate Taylor Jacks of Rowlette,
Texas, is congratulated by his aunt, Sherrie Arey, dean of residential and campus
life at Ozarks. Jacks earned a bachelor’s
of art degree in radio/television/video, accounting and marketing.
Zach Doty of Robinson, Texas, is surrounded by proud family members after graduating
with a degree in strategic communication and marketing.
in the Class of 2012 were 15 graduates
who received their diplomas during the
Fall Commencement in December.
Thomas, a native of nearby Denning, Ark., earned a degree in biology at
Ozarks before going on to earn a master’s degree in biology from Southwest
Missouri State University and a Ph.D.
in biological sciences from Mississippi
State University.
“This is the place where the foundation of my success in academics began,”
Thomas said. “I have many fond memories of Ozarks, and it’s great to be back.”
Alex Murcia, a management and
marketing major from Costa Rica, who
earned Summa Cum Laude honors, gave
remarks on behalf of the senior class.
“We have been blessed --- with this
university, with a wonderful education,
with great friends and with loving families,” Murcia said. “Over the past four
years we’ve had trials and challenges,
but we’ve been able to get through them
with the help of others. Today, the present is ours, and it’s looking pretty awesome.”
David Rawhouser, chair of the university’s board of trustees, and Sociology professor Dr. Jesse Weiss also addressed the graduates.
Among those graduates who were
recognized for earning Summa Cum
Laude (3.85 grade point average or higher) honors were: Grace Amador, Matt
Arant, Josh Booth, Michelle Canada,
Eric Chacon, Kimberly Corley, Andrea
Dankert, Yoselin Delgado, Chuong Do,
Brett Foster, Sabrina Goddard, Cinthya
Grillo, Andrea Lagos, Monica Linares,
Catherine Lopez, Lucia Luna, Shayla
Morrow, Andrea Muffuletto, Alex Murcia, Scharla Paryzek, Dahania Pimentel,
Brittany Puerto, Elisabeth Snoddy, Ashley Teague, Alison Villines, and April
Young.
Chuong Do (left) and his sister, Phuong
Do, both of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,
pose for photos after receiving their diplomas.
University of the Ozarks Class of 2012
Grace Amador, Honduras
Amanda Anthony, Mira, LA
Matthew Arant, Georgetown, TX
Nicole Ashley, West Memphis, AR
Greyson Baugh, Maumelle, AR
Joshua Booth, Elgin, TX
Kursty Boydston, Hartman, AR
Kendra Branson, Olathe, CO
Cory Bridges, Clarksville, AR
Michelle Canada, Scranton, AR
Eric Carles, Panama
Kayla Casey, Clarksville, AR
Nircia Cervantes, Honduras
Matthew Chalfant, Charleston, AR
Alexander Chandler, Little Rock, AR
Iván Chávez, Guatemala
Tristan Cooper, Clarksville, AR
Kimberly Corley, Booneville, AR
Jonathan Cox, Commerce, TX
Zachary Cremer, Coal Hill, AR
Andrea Dankert, Broken Arrow, OK
Yoselin Delgado, Mexico
Chuong Do, Vietnam
Phuong Do, Vietnam
Zachary Doty, Robinson, TX
Christopher Driedric, Little Rock, AR
Silvana Duarte, Nicaragua
Laura Duffey, Eau Claire, WI
Wesley Dunham, Weiner, AR
Samuel Emerson, Mena, AR
Richard Engelman, Fort Worth, TX
Brett Foster, Hindsville, AR
Kaci Foster, Decatur, AR
Ginny Gardner, Little Rock, AR
Tadera Garland, Cowell, AR
Alexander Glaub, Fayetteville, AR
Morgan Goates, Dover, AR
Sabrina Goddard, Stroud, OK
Cinthya Grillo, Nicaragua
Rebecca Groff, Prattville, AL
Natalie Grove, Huntsville, AR
Ethan Harbour, Booneville, AR
Andrew Heim, Arlington, TX
Nicholas Hernandez, Clarksville, AR
Alexa Holland, Lamar, AR
Tanner Holman, Mesquite, TX
Logan Hornback, Arlington, TX
Lindsey Humphries, Irving, TX
Taylor Jacks, Rowlette, TX
Justin James, Hartman, AR
Colin Johnson, Lexington, KY
Lindsey Kellaway, The Colony, TX
Brian Kenna, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Andrea Lagos, Honduras
Payton Lambe, Grand Prairie, TX
August Laue, Springdale, AR
Jacob Lee, Pottsville, AR
Robert Liddon IV, Memphis, TN
Monica Linares, El Salvador
Evan Lipschitz, Little Rock, AR
Catherine López, Honduras
Juliana Luna, El Salvador
Damario Lyons, Wynne, AR
Lacey Mainer, Branch, AR
Benjamin Martin, Hot Springs, AR
Khairunisa Mat Sani, Malaysia
Samuel McFall, White Hall, AR
Kelsey Mefford, Clarksville, AR
Megan Minniear, Clarksville, AR
Travis Morgan, Ozark, AR
Shayla Morrow, Hartman, AR
Andrea Muffuletto, Eudora, AR
Alex Murcia, Costa Rica
Travis Murnan, Tulsa, OK
Patrick Otto, Knoxville, AR
Scharla Paryzek, Pea Ridge, AR
Molly Patterson, Alma, AR
Andreina Perez, Venezuela
Lacey Phillips, Clarksville, AR
Dahania Pimentel, Mexico
Jeremy Provence, Mountainburg, AR
Michael Prusator, Ochelata, OK
Brittany Puerto, Honduras
Kayla Quertermous, Sullivan, MO
Shane Richardson, Omaha, AR
Christian Ridings, El Dorado, AR
Lyda Rodriguez, Panama
Ethan Rogers, Clarksville, AR
Luis Roldán, Mexico
Jessica Root, Whitehouse, TX
Kirk Ross, Benton, AR
Susan Rummel, Little Rock, AR
Colbey Russo, Dallardsville, TX
Guido Salas, Houston, TX
Brent Sanders, Jessieville, AR
Anthony Santoro III, Sugar Land, TX
Cassie Saorrono, Stockton, CA
Micah Scroggins, Oark, AR
Dristika Shrestha, Nepal
CharLee Sloan, Fayetteville, AR
Elizabeth Small, Van Buren, AR
Elisabeth Snoddy, Hot Springs, AR
Kelsey Stephens, Anna, TX
Eli Stone, Clarksville, AR
Ashley Teague, Lavaca, AR
Terri Thomas, Fayetteville, AR
Cass Thompson, Santa Fe, NM
Neil Thompson, Ovilla, TX
Emily Towe, Cabot, AR
Alison Villines, Kingston, AR
Bethany Walker, Ozark, AR
Rachel Watley, Sulphur Springs, TX
Randon Webb, Pea Ridge, AR
William Wheless, Shreveport, LA
Kaitlyn Williams, Clarksville, AR
Denise Wirth, Bentonville, AR
April Young, Deer, AR
Rey Zamorano, Clarksville, AR
3
Graduation photo album 2012
alumni.ozarks.edu/includes/images/albums/2012/Grad/fa11grad/index.html
5
CAMPUS NEWS
Dr. Niece announces retirement
Dr. Rick D. Niece, the third longest
serving president in University of the
Ozarks history, has announced he plans
to retire at the end of the 2012-2013 academic year.
Niece, who was named the university’s 24th president in 1997, will step
down on June 30, 2013, after 16 years of
dedicated service and leadership at the
helm of the Clarksville campus. Only the
presidencies of F.R. Earle (1858-1891)
and Dr. Wiley Lin Hurie (1923-1949)
lasted longer in the college’s 178-year
history.
“I have been blessed with a long,
productive, and distinguished career in
education,” Niece said. “Education is
magical. I began my professional life
as a high school English teacher, and I
now complete it as a university president. Every position in between those
career bookends has been meaningful.
Throughout the years, I have never been
heard to say, ‘I am going to work.’ I always say, ‘I am going to school.’ The
subtle, yet pronounced distinction between the statements speaks volumes.
Sherée and I are grateful to so many for
so much. These years at Ozarks gave
us more than we have given, taught us
more than we have taught, and honored
us more than we deserve.”
The University has announced
that its Board of Trustees has formed a
search committee composed of trustees,
alumni, faculty, staff and students to select Niece’s successor. The committee,
which is led by trustee Chris Allen of
Clarksville, will review candidates and
recommend finalists to the trustees. The
committee hopes to have the finalists on
campus by November and a new president chosen by January.
Under Niece’s leadership, Ozarks
has seen student enrollment increase 19
percent, the endowment grow by more
than 200 percent, and the number of fulltime faculty increase from 28 to 48. The
university has also added several new
Follow the search
for U of O’s 25th
president at
www.ozarks.edu
facilities, including four apartment-style
residence halls, the Walker Hall teacher
education and communications center,
the Rogers Conference Center and the
Mabee Student Fitness Center.
David Rawhouser, chair of the Board
of Trustees and an Ozarks alumnus, said
Ozarks has reached new heights under
Niece’s leadership.
“Over the past dozen years, I have
had the honor to work with Dr. Niece
through the board of trustees,” Rawhouser said. “Maintaining a high quality
college program in today’s ever changing educational world is a challenge.
Many positive changes have occurred
on campus. Facilities have been built to
meet the needs of today’s students, the
campus has never looked more beautiful, our endowment has grown, technology is growing to match that of the
world around us, and the education received by a student today remains at the
high standards established by our founders. Much of the credit for that must go
to Dr. Niece’s leadership of a highly engaged, dynamic faculty and staff.”
Niece’s tenure has been defined by
unparalleled fund-raising success. The
University has raised nearly $140 million over the past 15 years, including
the completion of two major campaigns
- the $60 million PRIDE & PROMISE
Campaign in 2003 and the $40 million
PROMISE OF EXCELLENCE Campaign in 2011. Ozarks has also been
ranked as a “top-tier” campus by U.S.
News & World Report for 13 consecutive
years and a “Best Value” by the magazine 12 times.
“Ozarks is a more respected and
vibrant institution of higher education
because of Rick Niece,” said former
Ozarks Board of Trustees Chair Judy
Borck of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.
“Through his participatory form of leadership, everyone feels more a part of the
University, especially the students.”
Other campus improvements under
Niece’s leadership include new building
and campus map signs, the Smith-King
Plaza, new campus entryway signage on
College Avenue, the Broyles Flag Plaza,
First Lady Park and additional campus
parking. Niece and his wife, First Lady
Sherée, have hosted more than 40,000
students, alumni, faculty, staff and University friends in the President’s Home
over the last 15 years in events that include alumni gatherings, freshmen and
senior dinners, movie nights, and Super
Bowl and Pumpkin Carving parties.
“Dr. Niece is among the most dynamic, engaging leaders our state has
seen,” said Rex Nelson, president of
the Arkansas Independent Colleges &
Universities. “I’m not talking about just
the University of the Ozarks. I’m talking about the entire state. All Arkansans
benefited when this Ohio native came
here in 1997. ”
~Larry Isch
CAMPUS NEWS
Class schedule changes announced
Tuesday and Thursday classes will
begin at 7:45 a.m. and the weekly chapel
service will move to Wednesdays as part
of a revamped class scheduling initiative
that will take place beginning in August
for the 2012 Fall Semester.
The changes, implemented by the
Office of Academic Affairs, were made
primarily to give the campus community
additional designated meeting times, according to Provost Dr. Daniel Taddie.
The new schedule will have the
weekly chapel service, Ozarks@Worship, moving from 11 a.m. on Tuesdays
to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays. Under the
new schedule there will be designated
open periods at 11 a.m. on Mondays
and Fridays, meaning no classes will be
scheduled during those times. Currently,
11 a.m. on Thursday is the only open
period for campus meetings such as
committee meetings, discussion groups,
teaching forums and senate meetings.
“This is something we’ve been
thinking about and looking at for a few
years because we’ve always had an awful time trying to schedule committee
meetings and other campus meetings,”
Taddie said. “This is not only going to
give faculty and staff extra time periods
to meet, but it will give student organiza-
tions and groups another open period to
have meetings. Instead of having meetings in the evenings, they may be able to
move those to an open period.”
The schedule changes will mean
that the first classes on Tuesdays and
Thursdays will begin at 7:45 a.m. Those
classes will run until 9 a.m. The second
class will run from 9:10 a.m. to 10:25
a.m. and the third class on Tuesdays and
Thursdays will run from 10:35 a.m. to
11:50 a.m. All of the afternoon classes,
as well as the Monday, Wednesday, Friday class times, will remain the same.
Because of the changes, there will be 10
minutes between classes on Tuesdays
and Thursdays instead of 15 minutes.
“We are going to have the exact
same number of class periods, so we’re
not adding or losing any classes,” Taddie
said. “The only real change is the time
between classes, but we currently have
10 minutes between classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so this
change will actually make the schedule
more consistent. Now there will be 10
minutes between classes every day.”
Taddie said moving the start time of
Tuesday and Thursday classes to 7:45
a.m. was necessary in order not to disturb the afternoon class schedules.
Headed to Law Schools
148
Number of assists dished out by Lacey Phillips for the Lady
Eagles during the 2011-2012 season,
breaking the school-record of 139
held by Missy Boroughs in 1993-94.
Phillips, a 5-foot-9 senior forward
from Clarksville, led the American
Southwest Conference in assists per
game (5.7), which ranked 10th in
NCAA Division III.
20
Number of years in the past 24 years that the University’s Students
In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team has
won its regional competition and
advanced to the national competition.
The University’s 2011-2012 SIFE
team, which had 48 active members,
implemented 28 projects in 11 different countries over the past year. More
than 2,800 hours of community service that impacted more than 44,000
people were recorded by the student
organization.
120
Number of U of O student-athletes, coaches and staff
members who volunteered to work
the 2012 Arkansas Area 4 Special
Olympics Track & Field meet, held
April 26 at Clarksville High School.
With more than 400 participants, it
was the largest Special Olympics
meet ever hosted by Clarksville.
Number of students from Ozarks who took part in a mission trip sponsored by the student organization
Alpha & Omega to Belize in late
June. The group raised more than
$9,000 to help provide ministry, food
packages, text book repair and computer maintenance.
25
At least five graduates from the class of 2012 plan to attend law school in the fall. They
include (from left) Cory Bridges (University of Arkansas), Emily Towe (Albany Law
School), Ashley Teague (Southern Methodist University), Sam McFall (University of
Arkansas-Little Rock) and Sam Emerson (Samford University).
7
CAMPUS NEWS
Chaplain authors guide for Presbyterian Women
Rev. Nancy Benson-Nicol is a familiar sight here at U of O, with a smile
for everyone and uplifting chapel sermons. But there is another side to the
University Chaplain. She has spent the
past three years authoring a detailed
study guide for the General Epistles of
the New Testament and has embarked
on a series of trips throughout the summer and into the fall to promote and hold
workshops about the guide.
“Dispatches to God’s Household:
The General Epistles” will be published
through Horizons magazine, a publication of Presbyterian Women, which is
an independent organization within the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with more
than 300,000 members. The magazine is
published bi-monthly with, as BensonNicol put it, “a focus on various mission
partnerships and theological musings
of Presbyterian women throughout the
country and the world.” Once a year,
Horizons also publishes a Bible study,
nine lessons covering a different book of
the Bible or a specific theme each year.
“Dispatches to God’s Household:
The General Epistles covers portions
of scriptures from 1st and 2nd Peter, 1st
through 3rd John, and Jude,” she explained. “In it I used the overarching idea
of ‘family’ as the lens through which to
look at the nature of community as it’s
addressed in those letters. That was the
charge I was given by the Bible studies
selection committee three years ago.”
Benson-Nicol said she was encour-
aged to apply to author this latest study
because of her prior publication credits.
“I’d written other pieces,” she said,
“including a few short articles for some
publications, and a national liturgy published through Presbyterian Women.”
Benson-Nicol’s 16 trips began in the
spring and will continue through September, with a few here and there afterward. “In my visits I will acquaint the
participants with the study, walk them
through the lessons, and as much as I
can offer insights, helpful hints, for them
as they engage their circle with the Bible
study. I’m really excited to meet the different groups that are willing to study,
to hear their insights and gauge their responses, their personal beliefs and religious beliefs that are embedded in that
concept of ‘family.’ ”
Those interested in the study guide
may go to http://horizons.pcusa.org/bible.htm for further information.
~ Don Lee
Education Division sets sights on improving ACT scores
Thanks to a grant from the Arkansas
Department of Education, the University
of the Ozarks’ Pat Walker Teacher Education Program recently took on the task
of helping improve ACT scores for area
high school students.
The University’s teacher education
program was informed in November
that it had received a $24,182 grant from
ADE in a program to partner with school
districts at Clarksville, Lamar, Westside
and Scranton. The goal of the College
and Career Readiness Planning Program
(CCRPP) is to improve ACT scores of
students from the four partner school
districts.
The ADE had previously used individual school districts to coordinate ACT
training programs, but decided for 2012
to allow colleges and universities within the state to coordinate the programs.
With encouragement from several lo8 Today, SPRING/SUMMER 2012
cal school districts, Ozarks submitted
a proposal to ADE and was one of the
colleges chosen to coordinate a training
program.
“We had the superintendents from
Clarksville, Lamar, Scranton and Westside come to us and request us to be a
training site,” said Dr. Glenda Ezell,
chair of the University’s Walker Teacher
Education Program and author of the
grant proposal. “To have superintendents
come and ask you to partner with them
is a compliment to our teacher education
program and to the entire University.”
The training program at Ozarks was
coordinated by Dr. Michael McManus,
assistant professor of education. McManus will also serve as a reading instructor
in the program. U of O math instructor
Stacy Key will also be one of the program’s instructors, and Lisa Thomas,
office manager in education, will assist
with data collection. Other instructors
will come from the four partner schools.
Ezell said around 50 high school
students from the four school districts
took part in the training. The program
culminated with the students taking the
ACT on campus in June.
“The program is completely free for
the students, including lunch on campus,” said Ezell. “Even the (ACT) test is
paid for. The program is really set up to
benefit the students who take advantage
of it.”
CAMPUS NEWS
Ozarks Outdoors sets wilderness outing for freshmen
This year’s incoming freshmen at U
of O will have an exciting opportunity
this summer to get out of the house and
into the woods—and learn some valuable skills at the same time. From July
15-21, Ozarks Outdoors will offer an
intensive pre-orientation wilderness trip
which will include rock climbing, canoeing, camping, hiking, and skills training
in wilderness survival.
The Ozarks Outdoors program, entering its second year, is the University’s
outdoor recreation and education program. It combines outdoor and environmental experiences offered across academics, student life, and administration.
“This trip is for new students only,”
said Director of Outdoor and Environmental Experiences Jamie Lewis Hedges. “Any incoming freshman can sign
up for it. The cost of $150 covers all
the gear, the programming, food, everything. All they have to do is bring appropriate clothing.”
Hedges said the entire reason and
focus of the week-long trip is to teach
Author Visits Campus
Sister Helen Prejean, author of the
Pulitzer Prize-nominated “Dead Man
Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the
Death Penalty in the United States,”
signs autographs following her lecture
at Ozarks on Feb. 6. Sister Prejean
visited Ozarks as part of the 2011-2012
Walton Arts & Ideas Series.
Students cross a swinging foot bridge over the Mulberry River near Oark, Ark., during a
recent winter hike organized by Ozarks Outdoors.
skills that students need to make the
transition from high school to college;
specifically, organization skills, planning
skills, and goal-setting skills.
“The week will start off that Sunday when parents drop the students off
at Base Camp, our headquarters,” said
Hedges. “We’ll do some staging there,
then leave early Monday and drive out to
our destination. Our main goal that day
will involve team-building. On Tuesday
we’ll be canoeing, and the rock climbing
will take place on Wednesday. During
all that time we’ll be working on some
basic outdoor skills, like how to start a
fire, how to use a compass, how to read a
map, that sort of thing.”
The pinnacle of the trip will take
place on Thursday and Friday. “We will
have boxes with us that contain disorganized food, gear, a compass, a map,
and whatever else the students will need
to make some kind of backpacking trip
between where we are and White Rock
Mountain, which is to the north,” Hedges
said. “So on those two days we’ll bring
out those boxes, give them the map, give
them the gear, give them the compass,
and turn them loose. Where they go and
how far they go is totally up to them. We
will just be there for safety purposes.
This will give them the chance to work
through what they’ve been learning, and
afterward give us a chance to debrief
them on their planning, goal setting, and
organizing, the three focus points of the
trip.”
Hedges said his program staff has
been personally calling all pre-registered
freshmen since January to let them know
about the program and the upcoming
trip.
“That project has really proven
worthwhile, so we’re planning to continue to do that,” Hedges said. “We had
quite a few pre-admits express enthusiasm for the event, so it’ll be terrific to
see how many sign up. There is really a
double focus in trips like this, both recruiting students to the university and
program, and retaining those students
once they get here. The skills we’ll teach
on the trip will help them abundantly
once school starts in the fall. Plus it’s an
entry way into the Ozarks Outdoor program.”
~ Don Lee
9
CAMPUS NEWS
Cabaret showcases campus talents
In February the University Theatre
presented one of its most ambitious productions in the program’s history, and
judging from the long lines at the box office and the rave reviews, it was a smashing hit.
The University Cabaret: A Musical
Variety, under the direction of Ozarks
Theatre Professor Bruce B. Brown,
played to sold-out audiences on four consecutive nights. The show included everything from ballet and modern dance,
to musical solos and duets, to large-scale
production numbers. The cast was just
as diversified, ranging from students
majoring in a myriad of disciplines, to
faculty members and athletic coaches, to
people from the community.
“I wanted to create an event that
would bring people to the theatre again,”
Brown said. “I wanted something to excite the campus and local community.”
Brown said the idea of the University Cabaret stemmed from a desire to
do a musical.
“I always love to work on musicals
but teaching in a small program means
we do not typically get the opportunity
to do a large scale musical because of
the sheer amount of people required on
stage and behind the scenes,” he said.
“But, I still wanted to do something with
music; I had students who needed that
experience. So, I decided that I would
put out an open call for talent and see if
I could actually put together a company
of performers to do some big musical
numbers. I invited not only the campus
community, but also the local and surrounding communities as well. I realized during auditions that I had a very
talented and eclectic group of individuals
before me. I knew I could put together
something that would not only give my
majors experience working with musical
theatre, but would also be a bridge to the
community and the rest of the campus.”
The production, held in the cozy
Black Box Theatre in the Walton Fine
Students perform a scene from “Oklahoma” during The University Cabaret: A Musical
Variety, which sold out all four nights in February.
Arts Center, included comedy scenes,
musical solos and duets, and scenes from
large-scale productions such as “Oklahoma” and “Hair.” There was even an
aerial dance and a glow-stick routine,
“I tell people it was basically a talent
show on steroids,” said Jacqueline Jurcik, a senior theatre major from Russellville, Ark., who appeared in several of
the event’s productions. “The neat thing
about it was that it wasn’t just theatre
majors, but students from all over. It was
just a cool coming together of people to
have fun and entertain.”
Of the 24 people in the cast, only
four were theatre majors. Brown said he
knew from the early rehearsals that the
Cabaret was something special.
“After the first week of working
with the main acting company, I knew
we had the potential to have a really entertaining show,” he said. “The entire
company was thrilled with the public interest in our production.”
Brown said the entire company included 32 people, and the show utilized
more than 100 costumes. He believes it
was popular because of its variety and
because the audience members could see
that the cast was having fun.
“It was so much fun,” Brown said.
“There were lots of big showy musical
numbers with great costumes that made
the audience feel good; there were smaller scenes that touched their hearts and
caused them to laugh; there was beautiful dance in addition to emotional solo
performances and a powerhouse duet.
All parts of the cabaret from the performances, beautiful costumes and lighting,
to the feats of acrobatics were exciting,
thrilling, and dynamic. Having community members from Clarksville and
Russellville in the production as well as
students, faculty and staff from all areas
across campus—and even an alumnus of
the theatre program—was a recipe for
success.”
The show did have its mishaps, including an opening-night miscue when
two performers collided head-on in the
dark during a change-over on stage. One
had to be taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.
“The other cast members covered
for the missing performer” Brown said.
“I don’t believe anyone in the audience
even noticed. I was very proud of them.”
~Larry Isch
CAMPUS NEWS
Agreement reached with South Korean college
U of O has entered into a student- our students similar to our current Irishexchange agreement with Hannam Uni- American Scholars Program.”
versity in Daejeon, South Korea, accord- Like in the Irish-American Scholars
ing to Ozarks Provost Dr. Daniel Taddie. Program, students apply and are selected
The two universities are expected to to study for a semester or a full year in
South Korea. The agreement
begin exchanging students as
will include fall-spring stuearly as the 2012 Fall Semesdent study as well as summer
ter.
program study. Students pay
Like Ozarks, Hannam is
their regular tuition at their
a Presbyterian-affiliated unihome university, and must
versity. Established in 1956
pay for their travel, room and
by American missionaries,
board in the country they are
Hannam has approximately
visiting.
18,000 undergraduate stu
Eakin said one of the
dents, 1,500 graduate stucolleges at Hannam Unidents and 375 full-time facversity, The Linton Global
ulty members. The private
South Korea College, emphasizes global
university offers more than
communication and culture
2,000 courses per semester in
and
global
business, as well as general
its 49 departments. Daejeon, located in
the center of South Korea, has a popu- education and language courses. All of
lation of 1.5 million and is considered the courses in the Linton Global College
the science and technology capital of the are taught in English.
“It’s really a win-win situation for
country.
According to Dr. Bill Eakin, profes- our students,” Taddie said of the agreesor of philosophy and German and direc- ment. “The students from Ozarks who
tor of the Ozarks Abroad program, the travel to South Korea will have a wonagreement with Hannam was initiated derful opportunity to learn and experithrough the Association of Presbyterian ence a new country and take a number
of different courses that they wouldn’t
Colleges and Universities.
“They approached us to see if there be able to here. The students here will
was an interest, and it fell into place,” get the increased exposure of a diverse
said Eakin. “The program will work for culture from the Korean students.”
Third Party Comments for Higher Learning Commission
University of the Ozarks is seeking comments from the public about the University in preparation
for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. The University will host a visit October 22-24, 2012, with a team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central
Association. University of the Ozarks has been accredited by the Commission since 1965. The
team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation. The public is invited to submit comments regarding the University to:
Public Comment on University of the Ozarks
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
The public may also submit comments on the Commission’s web site at www.ncahlc.org
Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic
programs. Comments must be in writing.
All comments must be received by Sept. 22, 2012
Hurie Award
Sabrina Goddard, a biology major from
Stroud, Okla., is the recipient of the
Hurie Award as the outstanding member of the 2012 senior class at Ozarks.
The award is named for Dr. Wiley
Lin Hurie, who served as president of
Ozarks from 1923 to 1949. Given by
the faculty, it is the highest honor an
Ozarks student can receive. The faculty
members choose a graduate who has
been an exemplary scholar, a campus
leader, and a person of outstanding
character. Goddard has excelled both
in the classroom and on the basketball
court since arriving at Ozarks in 2008.
She has been named to the University’s
academic honor roll each semester she
has attended Ozarks and graduated
with Summa Cum Laude honors. She
is the historian of the Ozarks Biological Society, a member of the Tri Beta
National Biological Honor Society
and the Ozarks Alchemists. As a fouryear starter and team captain on the
women’s basketball team, Goddard finished her career ranked sixth in points
(1,350), seventh in rebounding (683)
and recorded 197 blocked shots. She
was a three-time all-conference performer and was named the University’s
Female Athlete of the Year in 2011
and 2012. She plans to attend medical
school at the University of Oklahoma
in the fall.
11
CAMPUS NEWS
Hull, Pridgin selected to lead university programs
U of O has announced that Brian
Hull has been named director of admission and Reba Pridgin has been named
interim director of development. Both
changes became effective July 1.
The announcements follow the recent resignations of Brandy Cox as director of development and Chad Cox as
director of admission to pursue other opportunities.
Hull has worked in the University’s
Student Life Office since graduating
from Ozarks in 2002. He most recently
served as director of student activities.
He will continue to coach the University’s cross country teams, which he has
done since 2008. Hull earned a master’s
degree in college student personnel from
Arkansas Tech University in 2007.
Pridgin, a 1981 Ozarks graduate,
has served in numerous roles in the Advancement Office since 2001, including
director of alumni relations, development and planned giving.
Brandy (Rhodes) Cox, a 1999 Ozarks
graduate, will assume her new duties in
late July as senior director of development for university programs at Oklahoma State University. She started in the
Advancement Office in 2005. Chad Cox,
also a 1999 alumnus, has worked in the
Admission Office since 2006.
Also, the university recently announced that Stacy Key, math instructor and coordinator of academic assessment, will become chair of the Division
of Sciences and Mathematics on Jan. 1.
He will replace Dr. Frank Knight, who is
going back to full-time teaching.
Athletic Standouts
Jeremy Provence capped a stellar cross
country career at Ozarks by being named
to the 2011 Capital One Academic AllDistrict First team. The Mountainburg,
Ark., native finished second at the 2011
American Southwest Conference Championships and 11th at the NCAA III
Regional Championships. He set a school
record in the 8K (25:54.19) and was a
three-time ASC All-Academic honoree.
Kaitlyn Williams, a defender from Clarksville, Ark., was a four-year starter for the
Lady Eagles soccer program. The reliable
defensive standout played in 72 matches
in her career, with 68 starts. The strategic
communication major was also a threetime Academic All-Conference performer
and served as a student-worker on the
University’s sports information staff as a
writer and photographer.
A defensive standout in center field for
the Eagles, the sure-handed and speedy
Chris Driedric posted a remarkable .984
career fielding percentage as a four-year
starter and had two seasons without an
error. The Little Rock native finished
his career ranked sixth in games played
(145), fifth in at-bats (515), eighth in stolen bases (18) and tenth in hits (149). He
was a two-time all-conference selection.
CAMPUS NEWS
Unique Course examines little-known organisms
Looking for Lichens
When you take a look at the academic programs at Ozarks, you’ll find a
number of courses that are pretty unique.
But there is one course that offers students a truly one-of-a-kind college experience, at least for students in the state of
Arkansas—BIO 4234, Lichenology.
The lichenology course is an upper
level applied botany course that investigates the anatomy, physiology, and taxonomy of lichens. “This is the only lichenology class in the state of Arkansas,
and one of the few in the entire region,”
said Dr. Doug Jeffries, who teaches the
course. “Because lichens have very little
commercial value (which is good for
them) they don’t get a lot of exposure.”
For those who don’t know what lichens are, Jeffries offers this explanation.
“Lichens are a composite organism,” he
said, “which survive through a special
type of symbiosis.” Symbiosis is a term
that refers to an interaction between two
organisms that live in close association, an interaction that normally offers
a survival advantage to both organisms.
“Lichens were the first symbiotic organisms discovered that were an association
between a fungus and an algae,” he said.
“The fungus and algae are actually distinct species, but through the symbiotic
relationship the fungus actually changes
shape, and even the chemicals the lichen
makes are unique.”
Jeffries said that lichens are divided
into three groups based on their shape
and growth patterns. The foliose (leaflike) lichens are commonly found growing on tree trunks or on rocks. These are
the flattened, often circular growths one
might find adorning the facade of an old
stone building, or on older gravestones.
A second group, the fruticose (shrublike) lichens, looks more like a plant.
Common examples of fruticose lichens
Students from Dr. Doug
Jeffries’ Lichenology
course search for lichens
during a February field
trip to the Ozark
Mountains.
in Arkansas are the reindeer moss found
growing in rounded clumps in the forest,
and old man’s beard, which resembles
the Spanish moss found growing in the
deep south. A third group of lichens,
the crustose lichens, are found growing
closely adhered to, or even inside, rocks.
But while lichens are an interesting
and unique group of organisms, Jeffries
said the course wasn’t created just to
teach students about lichens. “This class is a different kind of
science class than all the other students
take,” he said, “because it’s a taxonomy
class. It gives them experience in that
area, because taxonomy is so very different from experimental biology.” He said
that this class teaches students a number of skills and techniques that will be
useful in later studies or even for those
working in the field of wildlife biology,
such as how to use taxonomic keys. Because the class is a taxonomy class, it
consists primarily of field and lab work,
with very little lecture.
The course is required for students
majoring in biology on the ecology and
wildlife biology track, but Jeffries said it
is open to any student who has an interest in learning these special field and lab
techniques, and who has completed the
prerequisites for the course.
“I generally teach the class every
two years,” he said. “The class is taught
in the spring so we can do our field trips
in January and February, because that’s
when the lichens are active. Lichens are
not like most plants. Most plants have an
optimum temperature in the upper 60s
or lower 70s. For lichens, the optimum
temperature is about 50 degrees.”
For these field trips, Jeffries takes
the students to four or five different locations to collect specimens.
“Lichens like acid conditions,” he
said, “so they like acid soils, and acid
rocks. There are some rocky outcrops
found in the forests where trees can’t
grow and those are called ‘glades.’ Sandstone glades are one of the best locations
to find lichens.”
While there are around 15,000 lichen species found world-wide, Jeffries
said that only two or three hundred are
found in Arkansas. However, he is quick
to point out that students don’t have
to know any lichen species by sight in
order to take the class, since the whole
point is to teach them the identification
techniques.”
~Cara Flinn
13
Executive VP Edmisten to take on new role
Steve Edmisten, executive vicepresident at University of the Ozarks,
stepped back from his administrative
duties on June 30, 2012. He has been
named executive vice president emeritus and will continue to work with supporters of the University to maintain and
build philanthropic support.
In 15 years as the University’s chief
advancement officer, Edmisten directed
two comprehensive fundraising campaigns for Ozarks. Over that same period, nearly $140 million was committed
to the University for endowments, scholarships, faculty and staff positions, new
and renovated buildings, and equipment.
“What a privilege it has been to
work with so many people who want to
do good things for other people,” said
Edmisten, who added, “I am really happy to be able to continue doing that.”
“
What a privilege it has
been to work with so many
people who want to do
good things for other
people. I am really
happy to be able to
continue doing that.
Steve Edmisten
”
He said that another highlight of
his career of leading the Advancement
program was the ability to work with “a
truly amazing team of people possessed
of a tremendous can-do attitude.”
U of O President Dr. Rick Niece
said Edmisten was the first person he
hired when he was selected to lead the
University in 1997.
“I had not raised a dime as a university administrator and was nervous
about my fund-raising potential,” Niece
said. “I was greatly impressed—and relieved—by Steve’s knowledge, drive,
and vision. I knew that he could teach
me the finer points of fund-raising, and
that he was the leader we needed for
our fund-raising initiatives. The results
speak for themselves.”
Niece said the University surpassed
all expectations through two comprehensive campaigns and 15 successful annual
scholarship campaigns.
“Much of our success at Ozarks is
because of Steve Edmisten, and we owe
him a great deal of gratitude,” Niece
said.
President’s
Above and Beyond
Award Endowment
University President Dr. Rick Niece (left)
and First Lady Sherée (right) recently
established the President’s Above and
Beyond Award Endowment to help fund
the annual award that recognizes service
by an Ozarks employee that is “above
what is expected and that is appreciated more than can be expressed.” The
2012 Above and Beyond Award went to
Executive Vice President Steve Edmisten
(center). Past recipients of the award are
Dr. Doug Jeffries in 2010 and Bonnie
Starkey in 2011.
Regions Bank recently donated $11,000 to the University of the Ozarks’ Annual Scholarship Fund. Those at the check presentation included (from left) Jared Wood, Regions
Bank city president for Russellville and Clarksville; U of O President Dr. Rick Niece;
U of O Executive Vice President Steve Edmisten; and Leonel Cantu, Regions Bank
branch manager for Clarksville. Cantu, a 1999 graduate of Ozarks, was named manager of the Clarksville branch in March. He previously worked in the banking business
in New York, Texas and Conway, Ark. The Annual Scholarship Fund supports student
scholarships and campus operations at U of O. For more information on the Annual
Scholarship Fund, please contact the Advancement Office at 479-979-1230.
Make your gift count ... Twice!
Your giving makes a difference
everyday in the lives of Ozarks students, but did you know that your gift
may make twice the impact? If you or
your spouse work for a company with
a matching gifts program, you may be
able to double your support to Ozarks
this year just by filling out a form.
Since 1954, when Philip Reed, then
chair of General Electric’s board of directors, introduced the first matching
gift program, corporate matches have
provided billions of dollars to education
and other nonprofits. A recent article
from the Council for Advancement and
Support of Education (CASE) discussed
how matching gift programs today are
essential to many corporate cultures as
a very democratic way of giving. These
matching gift programs offer employees
some control regarding which nonprofits receive their corporation’s support.
Here is a list of companies University of the Ozarks received matching gifts
from in the 2012 fiscal year:
According to the Voluntary Support
of Education (VSE) survey conducted
each year, higher education institutions
reported receiving over $141 million in
corporate matching gifts in 2010.
The VSE survey also reported the
average matching gift was just over
$500. At University of the Ozarks, we
have received matching gifts ranging
from $25 to $7,500 from various companies with matching gift programs. These
gifts may support the Annual Scholarship Fund or assist alumni and friends in
setting up an endowed scholarship.
Arkansas Best Corporation
Bank of America Foundation
Chevron Texaco Matching Grants Program
ConocoPhillips Company
Deloitte Foundation
Eli Lilly and Company Foundation
Entergy Corporation
ExxonMobil Foundation
IBM International Foundation
Occidental Petroleum Charitable Foundation
Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program
Prudential Foundation Matching Gifts
Program
Regions Financial Corporation Foundation
State Farm Companies Foundation
To learn more about how you can
participate, contact your employer about
matching gift opportunities and call the
University of the Ozarks’ Advancement
Office at 479-979-1222.
New on-line presence makes planned giving easier
Individuals who are interested in
making charitable gifts to Ozarks now
have access to an extensive library of
online resources and tools to help them
learn more about the types of gift options
available and how different types of gifts
may impact their estate and tax planning.
The University’s Advancement Office, in partnership with The Stelter
Company, has added a comprehensive
“planned giving” section to the university web site (www.ozarks.edu) which
contains a wealth of information about
charitable giving. In this new section,
visitors will find content that explains
the various types of gifts, with information about the advantages offered by
each gift type. They will also have access to resources that will help answer
many questions about charitable giving,
including a number of eBrochures, indepth articles about charitable giving,
commonly used giving forms and IRS
publications, along with links to other
giving resources on the web.
According to Reba Pridgin, Ozarks’
director of planned and major giving,
the new content can help visitors see the
many ways they can help make a difference for Ozarks’ students.
“I’ve talked to people who didn’t
know that during their lifetime they
could set up a scholarship with the criteria they want—to choose the type of
student they want to help—but not have
to fund that scholarship until they pass
away,” Pridgin said. This type of giving opportunity is just one of the options Pridgin said people can learn about
through the new web content.
Pridgin said the site can also help
people understand both the immediate
and long-lasting impacts that a planned
gift can have. “We recently set up a gift
with a gentleman and his wife to fund
a scholarship endowment that will come
from their estate.” Through this type of
gift, Pridgin said that the couple was
able to establish the terms of their gift.
“Their intentions are on paper…we’ve
already prepared a gift agreement that
specifies that students that meet specific
criteria have an opportunity to receive
this scholarship,” she explained.
To learn more about these new resources, visit the planned giving section
on the web, at http://www.ozarks.edu/
benefits4U or contact Reba Pridgin by
email at rpridgin@ozarks.edu or by telephone at 479-979-1413.
15
By Andrea Dankert ’12
At Ozarks, students from Central America are routinely roomed with
American students, often leading to an enriching and rewarding
experience as the author, Andrea Dankert (far left), found out.
our years ago this August, I was getting ready to start a whole
new chapter of my life. I was packing up my things and saying
goodbye to my family and friends as I headed to University
of the Ozarks to start my college education in a place where
I knew absolutely no one. Like many other freshmen, I had gone “potluck,” meaning that I had allowed the university to choose my roommate. Little did I know that I would be paired with a girl from another
country who would soon become not only my roommate but a best
friend and sister as well.
F
Roomies from Afar
Through a series of extraordinary events, our friendship actually began in Panama City, Panama, the summer
before our freshman year. At the last minute, I had accepted
an internship position at a cultural arts center in a small town
in Panama. I had never been to Panama before, but when the
opportunity arose, I could not resist. While there, University
of the Ozarks officials notified me that my roommate would
be Lyda Rodriguez from Panama City, Panama. I was in
shock. What were the odds that when I found out that I would
have an international roommate that I would be staying less
than two hours away from her house? Right away, I looked
her up on Facebook, and just a few days later, we met for the
first time. Over the next few weeks, Lyda introduced me to
her friends and family and way of life. The bond that began
that summer day continues today, even following our recent
graduation from Ozarks.
“I was uncertain of what to expect when coming to
Ozarks. There were so many uncertainties about moving to a
place that I had never been to before, but being able to meet
Andrea and spend time with her really made me feel so much
more comfortable about the whole transition,” said Lyda.
Dr. Rickey Casey, the executive director of International
Studies at Ozarks, is in charge of pairing the international
students with their roommates. “In so many cases, the Central
American and the American will make a bond that lasts a
lifetime. They develop a really good friendship where they
can give each other insight about each others’ cultures,” said
Casey.
Over time, many Ozarks students have had the chance to
live with a student of another culture. This past fall, freshmen
Brianny Chamorro and Megan Wallace became roommates.
The two girls come from completely different backgrounds.
Brianny is from Managua, Nicaragua, which is a city of more
than two million inhabitants. Megan is from Malvern, a small
town of less than 10,000 people in South Arkansas. Megan
grew up on a cattle farm at home in Malvern, and Brianny is
an amateur model in her native country, who has done both
runway and print modeling. Despite their differences, they
have become close friends over the course of the school year.
Brianny described their first encounter as somewhat
awkward. “I tried to give her a kiss on the cheek, because
that’s how friends greet each other in Central America, but
she wasn’t used to that, so I just pretended that I was trying to
give her a hug.” Cultural mishaps like that are bound to happen, but both girls are learning to embrace the differences and
the awkward moments that can sometimes occur.
For Megan and Brianny, every day presents the opportunity to learn something new. “[Megan] is always trying to
teach me how Americans communicate, their specific phrases
and stuff,” said Brianny. For Megan, this experience has
helped her to step outside of her comfort zone. “This opportunity has made me become more sociable,” she said.
Carlos Bethancourt (center) of Panama was a roommate at
Ozarks with Mark Smith (left) of North Little Rock, Ark., in
the early 2000s and the two remain close today. Also pictured is
Smith’s brother, Chad.
Megan has introduced Brianny to a number of U.S. customs. “I went to her house over fall break. It was a weekend
full of ‘firsts’—my first bonfire, my first s’mores, even a
hayride,” said Brianny. She went on to describe their experience as roommates as “better than I ever expected.” The two
girls plan to stay together as roommates and friends. “This is
the beginning of a lifelong friendship,” said Megan.
Of the roommates who are together freshmen year, few
last all four years together, but like Lyda and myself, Alex
Murcia of Costa Rica and Ethan Harbour of Booneville, Ark.,
are an exception.
“It’s been a real eye opener of different customs and
traditions,” said Ethan. “I think both of us have become more
understanding of other cultures just by experiencing them,”
said Alex.
Alex has spent numerous holidays with Ethan and his
family in Booneville, and in the summer of 2011 Ethan went
to Costa Rica to spend the summer with Alex. “I finally got
to put real faces with people that I had spoken with on the
phone and Skype, like Alex’s mom and sister. I finally got the
chance to really meet them. Living under one roof as a family
member instead of as a guest really made the trip worthwhile
and seemed to make the time fly,” said Ethan.
This has been a major learning experience for both.
Besides teaching each other about their respective cultures
and languages, both Alex and Ethan have learned much about
themselves through rooming together for four years.
“We were raised very differently. He’s an only child, and
I was raised with five siblings. He had never had to share
before in his life, and all of a sudden he had to share with me.
It was difficult for him, but I had to learn my boundaries as
well,” said Alex.
Continued on Page 18
17
Roomies from Afar
Ethan and Alex have made the most of their college experience together. “We’ve gone on so many crazy road trips,
just going here and there and everywhere around Arkansas,”
said Ethan. “College is supposed to be about education, but
it’s also about fun and adventure, and we’ve balanced that
really well,” said Alex.
Over the past four years, Alex said that he and Ethan
have become “like brothers,” and they plan to continue their
friendship for the rest of their lives.
Some roommates are fortunate enough to have built a
bond strong enough to last beyond graduation even when
separated by thousands of miles.
Carlos Bethancourt, a native of Panama, graduated from
Ozarks in 2005. While at Ozarks, Carlos roomed with Jack
Grimes and Mark Smith, both of whom he stays in contact
with even today.
“For four years, I shared with them, and sometimes their
families, special moments such as birthdays, Thanksgiving
breaks, Christmas, among others,” he said.
Carlos continues to have an especially close relationship
with Mark and his family, whom he considers a part of his
own family. “It is so special to have them all as part of my
life and the experiences that have built my personality and
that I will cherish as memories,” said Carlos.
I hope that Lyda and I will someday have similar stories.
A lot has changed over the past four years, but I am glad to
say that she and I have remained roommates and friends,
there for each other every step of the way. “Over time we
have helped teach each other all kinds of valuable life lessons, not only about each other’s cultures, but about our
Andrea Dankert of Broken
Arrow, Okla., and Lyda
Rodriguez of Panama City,
Panama, became fast friends
despite their different
backgrounds.
personalities and really just life in general,” said Lyda.
Life with Lyda is always an adventure. We have our disagreements and misunderstandings, but at the end of the day,
we still love each other. As diverse as we may be, there is no
one else with whom I would have rather shared my college
experience.
Our freshman year, two cultures collided on that third
floor of King Hall, and neither of us will ever be the same.
Living with someone of another culture has been a lifechanging experience, one that took time and effort to cultivate, but I would not change a thing. At University of the
Ozarks, students spend four years studying a wide range of
subjects, but for the students who take the time to learn about
the other cultures around them, some of the most valuable
learning experiences occur outside of the classroom through
interactions with people from all over the world.
How American and international students become roommates
Shortly after Dr. Rickey Casey became the director of the Walton International Scholarship Program (WISP) at Ozarks
in 1987, one of the first things he did was meet with the WISP directors at Harding University and John Brown University
to develop a set of guidelines for the new program. And, one of the first guidelines they implemented was that the Walton
Scholars would be required to room with an American, at least for their first semester.
“We felt like that requirement would help the Central American students improve their
English quicker and also help them adapt to their new culture better,” Casey said. “It also
would benefit the American student who was open to learning a new culture and meeting
somebody from a different country.”
The process goes like this: After being accepted at U of O, incoming freshmen from the
United States are asked to complete a short questionnaire about their living and study habits.
They are asked a number of questions regarding their sleeping schedules, music preferences,
and cleaning tendencies, among other things. They are also asked whether or not they would
be open to sharing a room with an international student. The applications of the American
students who are interested in rooming with an international roommate are then sent to the International Office where they
are matched with an international student based upon their responses to the questionnaires.
Students are generally allowed to change roommates after one semester if things do not work out. “I’d say more than
70 percent of the Central Americans end up staying with American roommates all four years, and many of those form lifelong friendships,” Casey said.
Dr. Elissa Heil, associate academic
dean and professor of English and
Spanish, has been selected to participate in a year-long Senior Leadership
Academy through the Council of
Independent Colleges and the American Academic Leadership Institute.
Individuals chosen for the program
are mid-level administrators in higher
education who aspire to senior leadership positions in independent colleges
and universities. Dr. Heil will participate in a mentoring program, experiential learning projects and a series of
readings and case studies.
Morgan O’Neil, a
senior environmental
studies major from Marion,
Ill., was elected Student
Government Association
president for 2012-13 during campus elections held in April.
In other SGA results, Mark Pearson
was elected vice president, Rosa
Daniela Ruiz was elected treasurer
and Naima Lopez was chosen as
secretary. Other positions decided in
the elections included, Katie Kloepfer
as Campus Activities Board president,
Tess Montgomery as Residential Hall
Association president and Clayton
Crouch as Peer Judicial Board chair.
The campus celebrated the 70th birthday
of Library Technician Janice Blackard
on March 26. Blackard retired in May
after working in the University’s library
for the past 36 years.
Elodie Adams, a senior education major from Belgium, attended the National
Science Teachers Association’s (NSTA)
national meeting in Indianapolis in
March. Adams won a competitive grant
to attend the conference by writing an
essay on her teaching practicum experience at Westside High School. NSTA is
an organization that promotes the excelSeveral faculty and staff were honored
lence and innovation in science teaching
during the annual Board of Trustees
and learning.
Awards Dinner, held April 27 in the Rogers
Monica Frizzell, assistant registrar,
graduated from the Leadership Johnson
County Class of 2011-12 in May. The
program, sponsored by the Johnson
County-Clarksville Chamber of Commerce, is a development program that
has been designed to inform, motivate
and challenge selected participants
through education and interaction with
community, county and state leaders.
During the Spring Board of Trustees meeting in April, several faculty
members were promoted to the rank of
professor, including Dr. Sean Coleman,
professor of biology; Dr. Dave Daily,
professor of religion; Dr. Glenda Ezell,
chair and professor of education; and
Dr. Steve Oatis, professor of history.
For the second time in five years, U of
O head athletic trainer Chad Floyd was
voted the American Southwest Conference East Division Athletic Trainer of
the Year. Floyd, along with the athletic
training staff was honored on Dec. 12
during the annual ASC Athletic Trainers
Meeting in Dallas. Floyd also won the
award for the 2007-08 academic year.
The ASC Athletic Training Staff of the
Year award is presented by the Conference following voting by the membership’s athletic training staffs.
Three long-time employees announced
their retirement this summer. Janice
Blackard (left photo) is retiring after 36
years as a library technician, Controller
Linda White retired from the Business
Office after 25 years and Jones Learning Center Assistant Geanne Newman
is retiring after 22 years.
Conference Center. Among those honored
were (from left) Business Office Administrative Assistant Heather Dickerson with
the Sims Outstanding Support Staff Award;
Assistant Professor of Health and Physical
Education Dr. Brett Stone and Associate
Professor of Sociology and Environmental
Studies Dr. Jesse Weiss, both winning the
Bagwell Outstanding Faculty Awards; and
Jeannett Willis, manager of safety, grounds
and custodial, with the Broyles Outstanding Professional Staff Award.
University President Dr. Rick Niece’s
book, Side-Yard Superhero, was chosen
as the reading selection for the 2012
One Book, One Community program
at the University of Arkansas Community College in Morrilton during the
spring. Side-Yard Superhero is the first
volume by Niece in the Fanfare for a
Hometown series. His second book, The
Band Plays On, was released this summer. Celebrating the soul of America’s
heartland, The Band Plays On is Niece’s
heartfelt tribute to friendship, community, and, most importantly, his father,
Lewis Niece.
Ryan Smith, a sophomore English major
from Springdale, Ark., was selected to
serve as an Arkansas student representative at the 220th General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church (USA) in early July
in Pittsburgh.
19
For the past four decades, the Jones Learning Center has been
helping students with learning disabilities realize their dreams.
W
hen C.J. Netting ’02 came to Ozarks, he was
unsure whether he could handle the academic
rigors of college because of a learning disability. Ten years after graduating from Ozarks,
he has a master’s degree, a law degree and is working with
drug addicted teens for the Juvenile Drug Court in Fort Worth,
Texas. “Everything I’ve done since leaving Ozarks has been
because of the foundation that I received at the Jones Learning
Center,” Netting said. “I used the same skills I learned in the
JLC to get through graduate school, law school and, hopefully,
to further places I’ve yet to dream of.”
Steve Sisk ’94 was 35 years old with dyslexia and thought
he had no chances of a college education when he entered
Ozarks in the late 1980s. Today, he is a successful and respected teacher and assistant basketball coach who, this past season,
helped Clarksville High School win its second consecutive
boy’s state basketball championship and its fourth state title
since Sisk has been a part of the program. “Finding Ozarks and
the Jones Learning Center changed my life,” Sisk said. “I was
able to achieve my dream of becoming a coach, which I never
thought was possible after graduating high school.”
Lauren Black ’09 enrolled at Ozarks as a shy and timid
student, ashamed of her learning disability. Today she is a
confident and outgoing church youth director and high school
swim coach in Texas. “Through the Jones Learning Center,
I became more outgoing and comfortable with myself,” she
said. “Now I tell kids about my learning disability and I try to
encourage them that they can overcome anything.”
The testimonials of Netting, Sisk and Black are just a few
of the hundreds of success stories that have come out of the
Jones Learning Center since it opened its doors in the fall of
1971 as the first college-affiliated program in the nation to help
students with learning disabilities.
The JLC celebrated its 40th anniversary during the past
year, and an estimated 1,100 students have gone through the
program since its inception.
“To hear the stories of our alumni and how the JLC changes their lives is pretty amazing,” said Julia Frost, who has been
the director of the JLC since 1995. “It has provided opportunities for them that they never would have had without the
support of the JLC. Most of them could never have completed
college without this type of comprehensive support, no matter
how high their intelligence. As a result, many of them are now
able to succeed in jobs that they love—jobs that emphasize
their strengths and their passions. Without a college degree,
many of them would never even have been considered for
these positions.”
Twenty years before the passing of the Americans with
Disabilities Act that required colleges to provide services for
students with disabilities, Ozarks became a trendsetter in the
nation by starting just such a program. The program came
about under the leadership of then University President Dr.
Don Davis and the vision of Dr. Ben D. Caudle, the late Tulsa
dentist and Ozarks Board of Trustee member who championed
its establishment.
The Ben D. Caudle Learning Center first opened its doors
on the third floor of Hurie Hall in the fall of 1971 with three
students and a full-time staff of one. In 1989, the learning center moved from Hurie Hall to a new building, the Jones Learning Center, built and maintained from donations by Springdale
philanthropists Harvey and Bernice Jones.
Today, a staff of 18 full-time members help more than 60
students with learning disabilities. And while there are close
to 100 comprehensive learning centers in the country, Ozarks’
program is still considered among the best.
Alumni (from left) Kimberly Penick ’09, Courtney Taylor ’09 and
Lissa Malcolm ’10 (right) visit with former coordinator Helen
Hoeffer during the JLC’s 40th Anniversary celebration in April.
“Because Ozarks established the first program of its kind in
the country for college students with learning disabilities and
continues to provide comprehensive support and hope to college students with learning disabilities and attention deficit
disorder, it is well-respected nationally,” Frost said. “National
experts in the field often tell me that our program is the most
comprehensive one in the country for these students. Parents
and educators are impressed with the fact that we have so little
turnover in staff so that the students know that once a connection is made, that person will be with them until they graduate.
This consistency and stability is impressive in an educational
arena where programs come and go and change in other colleges across the country.”
New program to assist students with autism spectrum disorder
The Jones Learning Center will begin a new program
for high functioning students with autism spectrum disorder
(ASD) in the Fall 2012 Semester.
The new program will be called the Living and Learning Community (LLC) and will include social and life skills
training and support. The students will receive academic support through the JLC.
“The Living and Learning Community will provide a social thinking approach to support students with autism spectrum disorder on the U of O campus,” said JLC Director Julia
Frost said. “The goal is for these students to have a successful transition to college.”
University officials said they would like to have between
3-5 students enrolled in the LLC program for the first year.
The University typically has between 60-80 students enrolled
in its learning center, which opened in 1971 as the first of its
kind in the nation.
“Ozarks has the reputation for being on the cutting edge
of higher education,” said University President Dr. Rick
Niece. “We are a leader in historic firsts, including the Jones
Learning Center, which was the first program in the country
designed specifically for college students with learning dis-
abilities. Our new program for students with autistic spectrum disorder is another example of our leadership and commitment to students with special needs. The growing number
of young people diagnosed with ASD is alarming, and I am
proud that we are stepping forward to help them.”
Betty R. Stockton has been hired as coordinator of autism spectrum disorder services to oversee the new program.
Stockton has served as the regional consultant for behavior
interventions for the Arkansas Department of Education at
the Crowley’s Ridge Education Co-Operative in Harrisburg,
Ark., since 1986.
“Betty has been at the forefront of working with students
on the autism spectrum and with the counselors and teachers who work with these students,” said U of O Provost Dr.
Daniel Taddie.
One of the main aspects of the new program is a residential life component for the first year. Students in the program
will live in a designated residence hall during their freshman
year and then move to more integrated housing during their
sophomore year. Students in the program will meet daily
with the LLC coordinator in their first year and weekly in
future years for continued social and life skills work.
21
Ryan ’01 and Holly
(McNair) ’98 Evans
R
yan and Holly (McNair) Evans’ story reads like a modernday fairy tale: They met at Ozarks as
students in 1997, married in Munger
Chapel in 2001, are raising two
beautiful daughters and have successful, rewarding careers.
The couple lives in Houston,
Texas, where Ryan is a project
manager for AliTek Consulting and
Holly is a kindergarten teacher. Despite having attention deficit disorder
and struggling through high school,
they both earned college degrees at
Ozarks with the help of the Jones
Learning Center.
“We definitely owe a great
deal of gratitude to the JLC and to
Ozarks,” said Ryan, whose job it is
to assist companies and countries
with critical infrastructure security.
Holly said knowing that she is
making a difference in a child’s life
is the most enjoyable part of her job.
“There’s no greater feeling
to watch a student who doesn’t
know how to read or write progress
throughout the school year and eventually leave my class with the ability
to do so,” she said.
Said Ryan, “The JLC facilities
and offerings are excellent and this
is due in part to the entire JLC staff.
It is hard to find a group that can
encourage and support a student as
much as the JLC team does. It was
always nice to walk through the JLC
doors and feel welcomed.”
Amanda Stang ’08
T
here’s an adage that says music
can heal the mind, body and soul,
and Amanda Stang has made it her
life’s calling to prove it.
Stang, who graduated with a
degree in music from Ozarks before
earning a degree in music therapy
from the University of the Pacific in
California, is currently in a six-month
music therapy internship at the San
Antonio State Hospital. She works
with patients ranging from adolescents to adults to Geriatrics.
“I lead both therapeutic music therapy treatment sessions and
simple music sing-alongs,” she said.
“Music is my first love; plus I love
interacting, developing meaningful
relationships and helping people. I
love getting to know my clients and
experiencing the challenge of designing effective therapeutic treatments
to help in their healing and stabilizing process using the power of music
therapy. It’s an absolutely incredible field and I leave sessions with
a smile on my face and my head in
the clouds. I truly experience such an
amazing sense of bliss after working
with my clients. Being able to observe
and experience real changes in people
first-hand is absolutely incredible.”
Of the JLC, Stang said, “I believe
Ozarks is one of the most academically challenging schools in the South,
and I don’t know if I would have
made it without the JLC. The guidance I received was amazing.”
Dr. John Milwee ’97
s a staff psychologist at the VA
Hospital in North Little Rock,
Dr. John Milwee considers it an
honor and privilege to work with this
country’s war veterans.
“First and foremost I enjoy the
diverse population that comprises the
patient base of the VA system,” Milwee said. “Veterans are a heterogeneous set from many different walks
of life. It is a privilege and pleasure
to serve our veterans. I have learned
a lot about the sacrifices that military
personnel make, both as combatants
and peacetime soldiers.”
Milwee, also a medical school
faculty member who trains psychiatry residents in cognitive behavioral
therapy, mainly works with the outpatient population in the VA Hospital’s Mental Health Clinic.
After graduating from Ozarks,
he went on to earn his doctorate in
clinical psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006. Milwee credits the JLC
for giving him the skills and confidence to succeed in his post-graduate
studies.
“The JLC taught me the skills
necessary to be a successful student,
and it’s a skill-set that has also proven invaluable to me in areas outside
of academia,” he said. “Specifically,
the JLC encouraged the development
of attention skills, organization and
prioritization of assignments, and
identification of obstacles.”
A
James Wilborn ’90
W
hen James Wilborn shows
up in the morning for work in
his job as assistant superintendent of
Lake Ouachita State Park in south Arkansas, he has no idea what his duties
might be that day. And, he wouldn’t
want it any other way.
“Some days I’m a plumber, some
days I’m an accountant, and other
days I might be a firefighter or police
officer. Sometimes I’m all of these
things in a single day,” said Wilborn.
“I love the diversity.”
Wilborn began working part time
with the state department of parks and
tourism as a student at Ozarks and
soon discovered it was his calling.
He served as a park interpreter for 16
years before being promoted. He has
been at Lake Ouachita since 2008. As
an assistant park superintendent, he
helps oversee park operations.”
“I oversee work schedules, major
construction projects, and general
personnel issues and reports,” Wilborn said. “But I occasionally get out
and do normal ranger duties: patrolling campgrounds, search and rescue,
fire management, all the cool things
you think of when you think of a park
ranger. I absolutely love what I do.”
Wilborn was able to achieve his
dream of a career in the park service
thanks to the help of the JLC.
“Without the assistance of the
Learning Center, I would not have
been able to attend college and later
go on to a successful career,” he said.
Penn Thomas ’83
P
enn Thomas went from a
struggling college student to a
successful business owner and certified public accountant, thanks to the
Jones Learning Center.
Thomas has owned and operated a CPA firm in Corpus Christi,
Texas, for the past 20 years. His firm
provides income tax preparation for
businesses and individuals as well as
IRS examinations and bookkeeping
services. He is also a broker between
buyers and sellers of businesses.
“I enjoy helping people with
their financial responsibilities,” said
Thomas. “It’s a great feeling to know
that when you go to work in the
morning, you’re going to spend the
day helping people.”
In the 1990s Thomas served on
the University’s Board of Trustees,
becoming one of the first former JLC
students to receive that honor. He
credits the JLC for helping achieve
many of his professional and personal goals.
“The JLC gave me the tools
to turn my lemons into lemonade,”
Thomas said. “The coordinators
coached me through each class at
Ozarks and I wouldn’t have made it
without them. They taught me how
to organize and manage my time—
skills that I still utilize today. The
JLC provided me with the opportunity to pursue a higher education
despite my learning disability.”
Christie (Campbell)
Halijan ’00
s a licensed certified social
worker, Christie (Campbell)
Halijan works with children in foster
care who have emotional, mental or
behavioral issues.
“I enjoy working with extremely
challenging children to help them
realize their potential and reach their
goals,” said Halijan, who is a clinical coordinator for the Centers for
Youth and Families in Jacksonville,
Ark. “I enjoy watching them grow
and improve with positive support and
encouragement. I like knowing that I
have made even the smallest difference in their lives.”
Halijan completes assessments,
identifies treatment recommendations,
and develops and provides individualized treatment for each child.
Halijan earned a marketing
degree from Ozarks before finding her
passion in social work and going on
to get a master’s degree in social work
from the University of Arkansas-Little
Rock. She said the JLC paved the way
for the success she has achieved in her
career.
“I believe that my path in life
would have been much different
without the JLC,” she said. “I learned
great study habits and organizational
skills that continue to help me on a
daily basis. The support and encouragement that I received from JLC was
priceless in helping me identify and
reach my goals.”
A
23
Lt. Col. Jeffery Howard ’93
commands a U.S. Army squadron
of more than 500 soldiers on the
frontlines of the War in
Afghanistan
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jeffery Howard ’93 is currently serving in
Afghanistan, his fourth deployment to a war zone since 9-11.
As commander in the 4th Squadron, 73rd Calvary Regiment
in the 82nd Airborne’s 4th Brigade Combat Team, Howard
has more than 500 troops under his command. A native of
Clarksville, Howard’s almost 20-year military career has had
him serving at Army stations in Fort Knox, Ky; Fort Hood,
Texas; Fort Polk, La.; Shreveport, La.; Fort Leavenworth,
Kan.; and Fort Bragg, N.C. He met his wife, Donita (Willis)
’93, at Ozarks and they were married in Munger Chapel on
July 20, 1991. They have three sons: Ryan, 13, Garrett, 10,
and Carson, 6. Before his most recent deployment in February, he took time to talk about his military career, his time at
Ozarks and the traits of strong leadership.
Your father, Morgan Howard, was a retired Air Force non-commissioned officer. How did your military career get started?
I got started in the military through Reserve
Officer Training Corp (ROTC) at U of O. I had been interested in the military since my last year of
high school. My dad convinced me to attend a minimum of
one year of college. I entered Ozarks in the Fall of 1989 and
ROTC was one of my classes. With ROTC I met students
who were serious about college but also training for the Army
while rock climbing and rappelling. Through ROTC, I went
to Airborne School in the summer of 1990. I later earned a
ROTC scholarship and completed my bachelor’s degree at
Ozarks and received my commission into the Army through
University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
Describe your duties and general responsibilities as a squadron commander of 4th Squadron, 73rd
Calvary Regiment in the 82nd Airborne.
It is an honor to lead such quality individuals. It is always great to walk into a gas station and be greeted by soldiers within my squadron. My general duties and responsibilities as the commander are varied and
sometimes difficult to communicate. I have several quality
officers and noncommissioned officers whom I work closely
with to train and prepare the troopers for real world missions. In addition, I strive to know as many of the soldiers as
possible and to meet their familie,s encouraging them to be
involved and strive for excellence. I mentor young officers
and strive to inspire them to mentor those soldiers who work
for them.
On Nov. 4, 2010, in a Change of Command Cere-
mony at Fort Bragg, you took command of the 4th Squadron. What was that experience like?
I was inspired and awed that I would be serving with and leading the paratroopers standing on the parade field. I was both honored and humbled
to become part of such an incredible unit. I am still amazed
at God’s generosity to me as I remember the day and try to
communicate the experience. As I watched the paratroopers
march with my wife, sons, mom, dad, mother-in-law, brother,
sister-in-law, niece, pastor, and many friends behind me, I
was excited to begin what I had dreamed of for many years.
At the completion of the ceremony, I stood with my wife and
three sons greeting soldiers and family members who had
attended. It was amazing to stand with my family in the rain
and have so many shake our hands, welcome us, congratulate
us, and wish us well. So often, we are tempted to minimize
ceremonies because of the many demands placed upon us;
yet, I hope to never forget how proud I was to be a small part
of history that day. My sons were given unit coins and my
wife was given flowers as the unit recognized that they too
would be an integral part of the 4-73 Cavalry Family. I was
grateful for the presence of my parents, Donita’s mom, and
my brother and his family. They helped with the Change of
Command Reception as they had done twice at the troop level
in Louisiana. They blessed me and so many others as they
too seemed part of a snapshot within my dream. The day was
full of ceremony, tradition, family, friends, and patriotism.
What is a typical day like during a deployment period?
A typical day down-range is challenging for many reasons. There are times of long hours, focused planning, and execution of missions. Sometimes
those missions are chaotic, physically and mentally challenging with lives at risk. Other times the long hours of focus are
on political relationships and building goodwill. The biggest difference with being a soldier and leader down-range
versus other times is that there is truly no time to be off-duty.
Although there will be times of camaraderie with meals and
activities, challenge can come at any time and the unit must
be ready. The last two deployments I was fortunate to work
closely with my commander. First at the squadron level as
the squadron executive officer and then at the brigade level
as the brigade executive officer was good training for this
Jeffery and Donita met in a freshmen orientation class at Ozarks,
were married July 20, 1991, in Munger Chapel and both graduated from Ozarks in 1993. They have three sons, Ryan, Garrett
and Carson.
Lt. Col. Jeffery Howard (right) talks with visitors during his
recent deployment to Iraq.
upcoming challenge. I saw first-hand the devotion required
from the commander. This deployment holds a lot more
personal responsibility for me. As the squadron commander,
I will be involved both in combat planning and execution
and also in political relationship building. I believe that every soldier and soldier’s family deserves a commander who
cares for them, encouraging and challenging them to grow
professionally and personally. I also believe that the success
within Afghanistan is directly dependent on partnering with
the Afghan people and helping the country to govern and
protect itself. Therefore, it is imperative that I stay focused
on our unit’s missions and inspire other leaders to keep soldiers at every level at their best.
What do you enjoy the most about a military
career? What do you enjoy the least?
I have enjoyed most of the last 18 years in the military. I enjoy the opportunity to have great
adventures like jumping from airplanes and
shooting some pretty amazing weapons. In addition, traveling to parts of the world and helping to make things better
for people is great. For example, while previously in Iraq,
I was privileged to help with a burn clinic that helped local
people. The Army has also given me multiple opportunities
to further my education. I am grateful that I have completed
my master’s degree. Additionally, the training in leadership
and planning is consistently challenging and rewarding. The
aspect of the military that I enjoy the least is time away from
my family. I also miss the ability to put down roots and
build solid traditions with my wife and kids in the location
of my choice. I appreciate the time and energy that both my
parents and Donita’s parents spend to maintain close relationships with my boys; yet, I wish we could all spend more
time together.
25
What would you say are the most important
characteristics of leadership and why?
I believe the most import characteristic of being
a leader is the ability to build a solid team and be a team player. Leaders foster team-work and camaraderie with all of those that they work with and for. Leaders
need to discourage too much competition among those who
work for them as this will discourage teamwork. I would
encourage them to compete as a team for excellence. People
are vital to the success of any task. Treating people as a vital
resource instead of a commodity is key.
Howard, shown visiting
with Iraqi leaders, said
relationship-building is a
big part of his responsibilities as a commander
in the U.S. Army.
What advice would you give to current college students in preparing for their careers?
What are some of your favorite memories of your time at Ozarks?
Learn as much as possible about being a critical thinker. At the end of the day the ability to think Some of my favorite memories of my time at and a person’s attitude is what will be important.
Ozarks include spending time with friends like
Brian and Becky Evans and Donita. I also enjoyed Everything else can be learned, but what you bring to the
table is attitude. Having a winning attitude as a team player
working as a tour guide for potential Learning Center stusounds easy, but when the chips are down and times are
dents through the work study program. I enjoyed the challenging coursework with professors like Mr. Robert Wofford, tough this will be tested and the person with moral courage
Dr. French, and the Hiltons. Being challenged to learn about and intestinal fortitude will be the person I want on my team.
I would encourage every university student to find a career
new subjects and discuss it with others has proven to have
that challenges them, energizes them, and makes them want
been training ground for working with leaders from diverse
to go to work every day.
backgrounds and ideology in the Army. I also enjoyed various cultural activities while at Ozarks through art shows,
How important has it been in your career to have theatre performances, choir performances, etc. This caused
a supportive wife and family?
me to be more open to other cultures and their values.
How do you believe Ozarks helped prepare you for your career successes?
Ozarks helped prepare me in many ways. First,
I learned that having quality people on the team is important. I don’t have to be the expert in every
area; rather, I need to invite others who excel in areas where I
am not as strong to be a key part of the team. Success is not
made by one person alone. Being able to work with diverse
people is imperative. Professors at Ozarks challenged me to
think in new ways and consider information from different
perspectives. In addition, through various courses and a lot of
time I developed the ability to communicate through writing.
More than anything, Ozarks helped teach me the value of
learning and the necessity of continuously challenging myself. Through professors, mentors, friends, and coursework I
learned I could reach for my dreams. My time at Ozarks was
very rewarding. I entered college in 1989 unfocused, unsure
of what I wanted professionally and personally. I graduated in
1993 with honors, focused and energized to enter the Army as
an officer. In many ways, college was a launching pad.
I met my wife, Donita, during freshmen
orientation at Ozarks. She was a sophomore and a student orientation leader and I was an entering
freshman. I switched groups so that I was in her group to get
to know her better. She and I had a history class together,
and by Thanksgiving we had begun to study together some
and she attended the ROTC Military Ball with me. The Ball
was our first official date. ... Donita works every day to keep
our family healthy and to help wives and families of soldiers.
Her contributions to our family are enormous. Without her
constant love and support, my story would be much different over the last several years. She has home schooled our
sons, enabling me to spend more time with them and provide
a consistent education environment for them. She maintains
our home, providing a place to rest and reenergize for the
demands of the job. She entertains and plans events, helping
family members feel welcome and realize their importance to
the unit. She attends meetings and training to better communicate the opportunities available for soldiers’ spouses and
their children. We have been married now for twenty years;
I am blessed to have someone who cares so much for people
both within her biological family and for all she meets.
Johnny Dillard ’70, president of
Central Research, Inc., in Lowell, Ark.,
has been selected to participate in the
AT&T Operations Hand Salute program, a national 12-month education
and mentoring program for servicedisabled veteran owned business leaders
and CEOs. In addition, Central Research, Inc., was named the winner of
the Veteran Small Business Champion
for Arkansas in 2012 by the U.S. Small
Business Administration.
Ronnie Coots ’72 of Batesville,
Ark., retired this summer after a 40-year
career in education. Ronnie most recently served as director of business and
information for the Batesville School
District. He earned a master’s degree in
education from Arkansas State University and received his administrator’s
license in 1976. He served as principal
at Batesville High School from 1986
until 2004 when he moved to the district
office. His wife, Connie (Lovelady)
’72, retired last year after a 39-year career in education. “Forty years is a long
time to do anything,” Ronnie said. “I’ve
always worked on a 12-month contract,
so I’ve never really taken a vacation.
I’m looking forward to working around
Alumni Golf Tournament
Scheduled for Oct. 26
The Alumni Association will be
hosting a fall golf tournament at the
Clarksville Country Club on Friday,
Oct. 26, 2012. Online registration
will be available, and be sure to
watch your mailbox for registration
information. For more information,
please contact the Alumni Office
479-979-1234 or alumnioffice@
ozarks.edu.
The award winners at the annual Alumni Weekend Awards Banquet included (front
row, from left) Loyce Ann (Bean) Brooke (Alumni Merit Award) ’75 , Susan Edens ’92
(Faculty Enrichment Award), Dr. Heather McFarland (Faculty Enrichment Award),
Sharon (Jones) Bean ’78 (Alumni Merit Award), Kerri Hughes ’04 (Young Alumni Service Award), Levada (Mathis) Qualls ’55 (Citation of Appreciation), (back row, from left)
Paul Hiemke ’02 (Young Alumni Service Award), Arvid Bean ’78 (Alumni Merit Award),
Jerry Glidewell ’79 (Alumni Achievement Award) and Ann Patterson ’75 (Alumni
Achievement Award).
the house and perhaps doing some
traveling. We’re in the early stages of
talking about a cruise to Alaska, maybe
this year or next.” The Coots have two
children, Amy and Ike.
Cleda (Jamieson) Curtis-Neal ’74
recently had her artwork exhibited at
Campbellsville University. An accomplished portrait artist, Cleda has lived
and traveled extensively in the U.S.,
Canada, Europe, Africa and the Middle
East, where she has executed many
commissioned portraits. In 1988 she became internationally known through the
publication of her instructional book,
Portrait Painting Simplified. After
receiving a degree in art from Ozarks,
she attended graduate school at Portland
State University in Portland, Ore. She
then studied with many portrait painters
around the country, including Daniel
Greene and John Howard Sanden.
Through her studies in museums, universities and private workshops taught
by the nation’s leading artists, Cleda has
become a well-known teacher.
Jeanie (Wiesner) O’Brien ’83 was
inducted into the Harrison (Ark.) High
School Goblins Hall of Fame in January. Jeanie was a standout track and
basketball athlete for HHS.
Yvonne (Rinke) Case ’85 was
hired in November as the Division of
County Operations training manager
for the Arkansas Department of Human
Services. Her responsibilities include
the development and coordination of
training programs for more than 1,600
employees in 83 DHS county offices.
Yvonne, who has an MBA from the
University of Central Arkansas, most
recently served as Franklin County
administrator. She has worked for the
state of Arkansas since 1987. She and
her husband, Jerry, have four children.
Mida (Figliulo) Milligan ’85 is
living in Rowlett, Texas, where she is
the principal at Kimberlin Academy
for Excellence, a K-5 gifted and talContinued on Page 28
27
ented elementary magnet school. Mida,
who earned a doctorate in educational
administration, and her husband have
two sons, Chad and Coleman, and a
daughter-in-law, Elise.
Karen (Vance) Hammond ’88
recently published her first book titled,
Shoe Marks, which is described as paranormal fiction inspired by true events.
Karen and her family live in Houston,
Texas, where she is busy writing other
novels. More information on her books
can be found at karenvancehammond.
com. On her web site, she credits
Ozarks, the Jones Learning Center and
her JLC counselors for her success. “I
owe my reading and writing abilities to
the ones that helped me. Never a day
goes by that I don’t think about Julie
Jones, James McCain, Georgina Schott,
Helen Hoeffer, Diana McCormick and
Betty Robinson and the University of
the Ozarks.”
Dr. Evelinn Borrayo ’93, a professor of psychology at the University
of Colorado at Denver, was recently
appointed to direct the Latino Research
and Policy Center (LRPC) at the Colorado School of Public Health.
Liz Esch ’93 is the director of
special events at the Botanical Garden
of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, Ark., a
position she has held since 2010.
Willroy Grant ’93 is the peacebuilding coordinator for collaboration at
World Vision International, one of the
largest international relief and development non-governmental organizations
in the world. Based in Costa Rica, Willroy has, since 1995, worked in Latin
America as a family conflict mediator,
counselor, consultant, and trainer on
conflict resolution issues. He recently
was a consultant for the Inter-American
Development Bank and for the Foundation for Peace and Democracy as a
senior conflict resolution trainer on protected land issues in Costa Rica. Willroy
earned a master’s degree in conflict
transformation from Eastern Mennonite
University.
Steve Sisk ’94 has been an assistant
basketball coach for Clarksville High
School since 1994. He helped lead the
Patterson ’75 honored for her work helping others
Whether it’s in the areas of substance addiction, mental health problems, childhood issues or disabilities,
Ann Patterson has helped improve the
lives of thousands of Arkansans over
the past three decades.
Patterson, a 1975 graduate who
received the Alumni Association’s
Achievement Award during Alumni
Weekend in April, has been an educator, senior administrator and public policy advocate in Arkansas in the areas of
early childhood, behavioral health, disabilities, health care and mental health
care for more than 30 years.
Last year she was named director
of the Arkansas Access to Recovery
program, which followed a 10-year
stint as state director of Arkansas Head
Start. She has also led mental health
care agencies, hospice programs and
health care programs throughout the
state during her career.
She received the Alumni Achievement Award for years of dedicated service in her profession.
“I am truly honored to be receiving
this award,” said Patterson, who earned
a degree in business administration
at Ozarks and who is a member of the
Alumni Association Board of Directors.
“It means a great deal to me to be recognized by the Alumni Association, knowing that I am following in the footsteps
of so many prestigious alumni who have
been honored over time.”
In her position as director of Arkansas Access to Recovery, Patterson oversees a staff of six professional staff and a
provider network of approximately 100,
including care coordinators and direct
service treatment and recovery support
providers. Over one-third of the providers are faith-based organizations.
“A major goal of mine is to expand
and enhance non-traditional recovery
support services for persons struggling
with addiction disorders, with a focus on
families with children, pregnant women
and returning veterans,” she said.
Patterson, the daughter of long-time
college business manager J.T. Patterson,
said she basically grew up on the Ozarks
campus.
Ann Patterson ’75 is presented the 2012
Alumni Achievement Award by Alumni
Association President Gary Rollins ’78.
“I have fond memories of my undergraduate time at Ozarks, from Phi
Beta Lambda events, to playing dominoes with the senior citizens through
Released Time in Community Service,
from the great dances we enjoyed, to
the basketball games, and memorable
times with the Hole in the Wall Gang,”
she said. “I also treasure so many memories of growing up on campus.”
Panthers to their second consecutive
state basketball championship in 2012.
He also helped coach the 1997 and 1998
state champion teams.
Sam Tyler ’97 led the El Dorado
(Ark.) High School baseball team to
a 24-6 record and the Class 6A state
championship in May. Tyler, who
coached previously at Greers Ferry
(Ark.) Westside, is in his first year as
the head baseball coach at El Dorado.
Jeff Inness ’98 and Lisa GrubenInness ’93 recently moved to Clarskville from Alma, Ark. Lisa is in her
second year as the office manager for
the Jones Learning Center after 20 years
in the performing arts industry. Jeff is
enjoying his new job with the UA Fruit
Research Station near Clarksville.
Travis Acord ’01 and his wife,
Jennifer, are living near St. Louis,
where they recently hosted the second
annual Driving for the Upside of Downs
golf tournament. The Acords started
the golf tournament in 2011 to benefit
Whitson Retires
Dr. Caroline Whitson, who spent 22 years
at Ozarks as a professor and administrator,
retired as president of Columbia College
in South Carolina on July 1. Whitson held
numerous positions at Ozarks, including
provost, before leaving in 2001 to become
the 17th president at Columbia College.
parents who are expecting a child with
Down Syndrome. The Acord’s daughter, Kylee, was diagnosed with Down
Syndrome before her birth in 2008.
“Kylee has positively touched the lives
of so many, and has changed commonly
held perceptions of those with special
needs,” Travis said. “It is our goal to
raise money and awareness to help
educate those parents expecting a child
with Downs and to help those with
special needs.” Last year’s tournament
raised $18,000 for the Down Syndrome
Association of Greater St. Louis.
Eric Hipp ’01 was named the
Arkansas Association of Educational
Administrator’s (AAEA) Middle Level
Assistant Principal of the Year in April.
Hipp has served as assistant principal at
J.O. Kelly Middle School in Springdale,
Ark., for the past five years.
Holly Houser ’02 was honored
in Little Rock on March 9 with the
National Association of Interpreters Region IV Multi-Media Award. Presented
by the Arkansas Museum Association,
the award is given to the creator of the
exhibit selected as the best in a museum
in Arkansas. Holly is an historical park
interpreter at the Prairie Grove Battlefield in Prairie Grove, Ark. She said the
award-winning exhibit took two years
to create—one year of design work and
one year of construction.
Michael Sparkes ’03 is stationed
at Fort Hood, Texas, where he is an
Ordnance Army Officer. He and his
wife, Kristine, have a 2-year-old daughter, Paisley. He writes, “I could not be
Johnny Robinson ’97 (right) who has
served as ARAMARK Food Services
Director at Ozarks since 2004, was
recognized at a reception in March for
his years of service to Ozarks. Robinson recently took a similar position at
Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark. Robinson had worked in the
cafeteria since he was a student in the
mid-1990s. Among those who praised
Robinson was Darrell Williams ’76
(left), business manager at Ozarks.
where I am today without my valuable
marketing degree from Ozarks. I use
those skills and knowledge on a daily
basis in the Army.”
Megan (Martin) St. Peters ’04
is an assistant professor of psychology
at Ferrum College in Vermont. Megan
earned her Ph.D. from Northern Illinois
University.
Amanda Alders ’05 recently defended her dissertation in the art therapy
Ph.D. program at Florida State University. Amanda has been hired on as the
clinical art therapist for the Miami Dade
County Public Schools in Florida.
Katy Crane ’05 is a licensed psychological examiner for Vista Health in
Barling, Ark. As part of her duties, she
is the mental health counselor for the
Paris (Ark.) School District.
Vincent France ’07 and Monica
(Rios) France ’07 are living in Little
Rock, Ark., with Sophia and Anna. Vincent works as an attorney for RainwaContinued on Page 30
29
ter Holt and Sexton. He specializes in
social security law and personal injury
law. Sophia was born Sept. 27, 2011,
and Anna turned 4 in December.
Tabitha (Reed) Leeds ’07 and her
husband, A.J., recently adopted two
children, Nicholas and Cheyanne. The
Leeds live in Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Curt Dixon ’08 was recently
named the head coach of the Brazos
Valley Bombers, a summer baseball
team in Texas made up of college allstars. Dixon is also the pitching coach at
Eastern Oklahoma State University.
Taylor Emanuelson ’08 married Nathan Rogers on July 7, 2012, in
Siloam Springs, Ark. Taylor is a marketing specialist at Arvest Bank.
Kate Schoenhals ’08 recently
graduated from The College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University. She also recently co-authored an
academic paper, Flaxseed Supplementation Decreases Methanogenic Gene
Abundance in the Rumen of Dairy
Cows.
Joel Chan ’09 and Anna (Yong)
Chan ’10 are living in Pittsburgh,
Penn., where Joel is in graduate school
at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing
a graduate degree in psychology. He
recently participated in an invited sym-
50-Year Club
Members of the University’s 50-Year Club pose for a group photo following the 50-Year
Luncheon, held in April during Alumni Weekend 2012.
posium in the Netherlands on research
methods for studying creativity in engineering design. He also had a research
paper accepted for publication in the
journal Memory and Cognition, on the
problem solving processes of scientists
and engineers on the Mars Exploration
Rover (MER) mission.
Carmen Chinchilla ’09 and Josué
Gutierrez ’09 were married June 23,
2012. Carmen is working as the director
of development for Hillside Health Care
International in Little Rock, Ark.
Joey Curtis ’09 led the Waldron
School named in honor of Sosebee ’60
The Johnson County (Ark.) Westside School
District in May dedicated its new elementary
school in honor of the late David Sosebee ’60,
a long-time teacher and principal in the school
district. Sosebee began his teaching career in
1961 as a sixth grade teacher for Coal Hill,
Ark., before moving to nearby Hartman in
1966. In 1981 he was named principal of Hartman High School and took over as elementary
school principal at the newly formed Westside
consolidated school district from 1983 until his
retirement in 1993. The David Sosebee Elementary School will house fourth through sixth
grades. Sosebee died in 1996.
(Ark.) High School boys’ basketball
team to the state playoffs in his first
season as the head coach. Curtis was
promoted to head coach after serving as
an assistant coach and head junior high
coach the past two years.
Jeff Earnshaw ’09 is living in the
Dallas area where he works for Clear
Channel Communications as a radio
producer and board operator in the fifth
largest radio market in the U.S.
Ashley Senter ’09 is living in
Clarksville where she works as a technology services field representative for
Hewlett-Packard. She works closely
with Wal-Mart, providing knowledge
and detail on their services contracts.
In 2011 she was named Technology
Services Sales Rep of the Year.
Candice Patterson ’10 married
Mark Martin on June 16, 2012.
Pablo Rivera ’10 has been admit-
University of the Ozarks
Alumni
Class of 1962 Inducted
into 50-Year Club
Members of the Class of 1962 received
their 50-Year pins during Alumni Weekend
by University President Dr. Rick Niece and
First Lady Sherée Niece (right). Those
who attended the event from the Class of
1962 included (front row) John Rottenberry, (back row, from left) Joe Dorman,
Mary (Head) Dorman, Ed Laster and
Susan (Smith) Epperson.
ted to the University of Queensland in
Australia where he will pursue a master’s degree in strategic project management.
Sean Atkins ’11 was recently
awarded the Vanderbilt University Chancellor’s Scholarship, worth
$110,000, to attend Vanderbilt Law
School in the fall. Atkins credits his
professors at Ozarks in helping him
land the prestigious award. “One of the
main things that made my application
stand out was having a great resume,”
Atkins said. “And the reason mine was
so strong was that I worked closely with
my professors at Ozarks to get it that
way. Dr. Stewart Dippel, Dr. Gilbert
Parks, Dr. David Strain, and Dr. Jesse
Weiss, among others, contributed to my
knowledge in the classroom, but they
also helped me get the real experience
that you need to build a strong resume.”
Katie Clinton ’11 married Evan
Kersey on Dec. 3, 2011, in Subiaco,
Ark. Katie works at the Dayspring Behavioral Health Service in Lamar, Ark.
Lori Langman ’11 married Allan
Levada Qualls honored for service
Levada (Mathis) Qualls ’55, who
taught physical education and health
and nutrition classes at Ozarks for 34
years, was honored by the Alumni Association with a special citation of appreciation during Alumni Weekend
2012 in April.
Qualls, who retired in 1996, was
lauded for her teaching and mentoring
efforts as well as her role in promoting
women’s sports. “As a powerful champion for women’s athletics, you helped
pave the way for equality in collegiate
sports—at Ozarks and beyond,” the citation read. “Your trend-setting efforts
with the Women’s Recreation Association and the women’s basketball program have ensured your legacy on this
campus.”
Qualls’ husband, Lonnie, is also an
alumnus of Ozarks as well as a longtime coach and instructor at the University.
“When Lonnie and I were first
asked to come back to Ozarks as faculty, The Board of National Missions of
the Presbyterian Church was the main
supporter of the college, and we were
listed as missionaries,” she said. “The
main focus was to provide a Christian
education for students who would not
be able to get a college degree any other way. It was such a rewarding job to
see those first generation graduates go
on to careers in professions that literSleeper on Oct. 9, 2011, in San Antonio, Texas. The couple is living in San
Antonio, where Lori is a lab technician
for Southwest Research Institute.
J.P. Teoh ’11 has been accepted
into the Ph.D. program in biomedicine
at Georgia Health Sciences University
in Augusta, Ga.
Zach Doty ’12 is working in Houston, Texas, as a search engine optimization (SEO) specialist for Forthea, an
Levada Qualls (center) visits with former
students Judith (Vandennieuwenhof)
Owens ’73 (left) and Loretta (Figliulo)
Salazar ’78 during Alumni Weekend.
ally were world changers. We truly felt
we were doing God’s work.”
She said she was blessed to have
found a profession that was as rewarding and fulfilling as being an educator.
“There is no greater blessing in life
than to find a profession you love and
people you love to share it with,” she
said. “The rewards of teaching come
from observing the successes of your
students. There are literally hundreds,
if not thousands, of students that I have
loved watching grow into such wonderful productive members of society.”
internet marketing company.
Scott Frederickson ’11 is enrolled
in the physical therapy tech program at
Texas Health School in Houston.
Payton Lambe ’12 is living in
Grand Prairie, Texas, where he is training to become an EMT and firefighter.
Scharla Paryzek ’12 was awarded
a Graduate Teaching Scholarship from
the University of Kansas. Scharla plans
to pursue a master’s degree in history.
Today, SPRING/SUMMER 2012 31
Verna (Harris) Pennington ’31
Verna (Harris) Pennington ’31 of Clarksville died May 30,
2012, at the age of 103. She was a retired teacher.
Florence (Smith) Norris ’35
Florence (Smith) Norris ’35 of Searcy, Ark., died March 7,
Louise (Poynor) Spanke ’36
Louise (Poynor) Spanke ’36 of Clarksville passed away on
Jan. 14, 2012, at the age of 96. A long-time resident of Wheaton, Ill., she was an historian.
Erla (Hardgrave) Everitt ’41
Erla (Hardgrave) Everitt ’41 of Tucson, Ariz., died July 7,
2012, at the age of 93. She was a retired school teacher.
Maggie Jewel (Wright) Holtz ’45
Maggie Jewel (Wright) Holtz ’45 of Fort Worth, Texas, died
Feb. 21, 2012, at the age of 89. She was a former music
teacher.
Irene (Walton) Keeling ’45
Irene (Walton) Keeling ’45 of Daphne, Ala., died Sept. 16,
2011, at the age of 88. She was a homemaker.
Wilbur Davenport ’47
Wilbur Davenport ’47 of Pryor, Okla., passed away on Dec.
12, 2011, at the age of 90. He was a veteran of World War II.
Rex Yerby
Dr. Kermit Smith
Ruth Steuart Young
Leon “Lonnie” Hardgrave ’50
Leon “Lonnie” Hardgrave ’50 of Riverside, Calif., died
March 28, 2012, at the age of 86. He was a retired teacher,
coach and principal in Arkansas, New Mexico and California.
John E. Howell ’50
John E. Howell ’50 of Clarksville died March 3, 2012, at the
age of 86. He was a World War II veteran and a retired barber.
Dr. William “Bill” Arthur Jones ’50
Dr. William “Bill” Arthur Jones ’50 of Batesville, Ark., died
Nov. 8, 2011, at the age of 84. A veteran of World War II, he
was a retired pharmacist who ran City Drug Store in Batesville until he was 70.
Kermit Edwin James ’52
Ruth (Steuart) Young ’48
Kermit Edwin James ’52 of Harlingen, Texas, died Jan. 8,
2012, at the age of 85. He was retired from the Department of
Defense.
Mildred E. (Phillips) Seawright ’49
Clinton G.B. Carr ’56 of Lyons, Neb., died March 12, 2012,
at the age of 79. He was a retired teacher and administrator.
Dr. Kermit Smith ’49
James Donald Mooney ’57 of Searcy, Ark., died Nov. 20,
2011, at the age of 76. He was a gospel musician and minister
of music.
Ruth (Steuart) Young ’48 of Conway, Ark., died March 6,
2012, at the age of 86. She was a retired educator and the
1966 recipient of the university’s Alumni Merit Award.
Mildred E. (Phillips) Seawright ’49 of Phoenix, Ariz., died
July 10, 2011, at the age of 83. She was a retired teacher.
Dr. Kermit Smith ’49 of Pulaski, Tenn., passed away on Feb.
12, 2012, at the age of 90. He served as a coach, instructor
and athletic director at Martin Methodist College in Tennessee from 1950 to 1986. He is a member of the Tennessee
Sports Hall of Fame and the Martin Methodist College Sports
Hall of Fame.
Jimmie Wade Dewberry ’50
Jimmie Wade Dewberry ’50 of Oark, Ark., died May 14,
2012, at the age of 83. He was a retired college instructor and
administrator.
Pauline (Morris) Dickerson ’50
Pauline (Morris) Dickerson ’50 of Clarksville died Oct. 13,
Clinton G.B. Carr ’56
James Donald Mooney ’57
Rex Yerby ’57
Rex Yerby ’57 of Van Buren, Ark., died on Feb. 4, 2012, at
the age of 80. He was a Korean War veteran and served as a
high school coach, athletic director and administrator for 30
years. He is a member of the Ozarks Sports Hall of Fame.
Norma Lou (Timmons) Young ’57
Norma Lou (Timmons) Young ’57 of Clarksville died May 1,
2012, at the age of 77. She was a retired employee of Oklahoma Tire and Supply Company and Young’s Furniture.
James H. Willis ’58
James H. Willis ’58 of Russellville, Ark., died Dec. 13, 2011,
at the age of 79. He was a college professor.
Pennington passes away at 103
Charlie Spoonhour
Linda Haltom
Garry Lee Metcalf
Peggy Anita (North) Mason ’59
Peggy Anita (North) Mason ’59 of Clarksville died March
1, 2012, at the age of 74. She was employed by ThermoTile
for 37 years and served as Sunday School teacher and church
pianist.
James “Dutch” Houston ’60
James “Dutch” Houston ’60 of Clarksville, Ark., died Nov.
20, 2011, at the age of 72. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and
long-time mechanic and service manager at Whitson-Morgan
Motor Company.
Joe J. Oberste ’61
Joe J. Oberste ’61 of Clarksville died April 5, 2012, at the age
of 73. He was a retired member of the National Guard and a
long-time U.S. Postal Service employee.
Ellis Presley ’61
Ellis Presley ’61 of Lumberton, Texas, died on Feb. 2, 2012,
at the age of 71. He was a retired instructor and navigator for
the U.S. Air Force.
Charlie Spoonhour ’61
Charlie Spoonhour ’61 of Las Vegas, Nev., died Feb. 1, 2012,
at the age of 72. He was a long-time college men’s basketball
coach, compiling a career record of 373-202 at Missouri State
University (1983-1992), Saint Louis University (1992-1999)
and University of Nevada-Las Vegas (2001-2004). He is a
member of the Ozarks Sports Hall of Fame.
Roy Howard Mosher ’65
Roy Howard Mosher ’65 of Van Buren, Ark., died Feb. 27,
2012, at the age of 68. He was a retired manager for Bell
South in Atlanta.
Linda Joyce (Davis) Haltom ’73
Linda Joyce (Davis) Haltom ’73 of Russellville, Ark., died
March 14, 2012, at the age of 63. She was a long-time teacher
at Lamar, Ark.
Miriam Anne “Missie” (Raymond) Mattax ’73
Miriam Anne “Missie” (Raymond) Mattax ’73 of Little Rock
died Dec. 7, 2011, at the age of 60. She worked in elementary
education for 35 years.
Garry Lee “Coach” Metcalf ’73
Garry Lee “Coach” Metcalf ’73 of Texarkana, Ark., died Dec.
11, 2011, at the age of 60. He was a coach, teacher and educator for 37 years.
Ozarks lost one of its oldest known living alumni on May
30, 2012, when Verna (Harris) Pennington ’31 of Clarksville passed away. Verna celebrated her 103rd birthday
on April 2 with a gathering of family and friends. Verna
taught school for 40 years before retiring in 1973. Her late
husband, John P. Pennington, was a 1930 Ozarks graduate. Verna is shown recently with her two sons, Johnny
(right), a 1966 Ozarks graduate who is a retired pharmaceutical sales representative, and Don, a 1968 Ozarks
graduate who is a retired family physician and church
organist. The picture on the right is from the 1930 Aerie
yearbook and shows Verna as “Miss Ozarks.” Memorials
made to the University in honor of Verna will be published
in the Fall/Winter edition of the Today magazine.
Phillip Bennett ’77
Phillip Bennett ’77 of Greenwood, Ark., died May 22, 2012,
at the age of 55. He was a retired employee at Whirlpool in
Fort Smith, Ark.
Johanna (Brown) Kenner ’78
Johanna (Brown) Kenner ’78 of Knoxville, Ark., died Feb.
18, 2012, at the age of 55. She was a teacher and principal in
the Lamar (Ark.) Public Schools for 34 years.
Sally Mae (Bradley) Ladd ’79
Sally Mae (Bradley) Ladd ’79 of Lamar, Ark., died June 11,
2012, at the age of 89. She was a retired Assemblies of God
minister and elementary school teacher.
Nola E. (Nally) Titsworth ’81
Nola E. (Nally) Titsworth ’81 of Fort Smith, Ark., died May
1, 2012, at the age of 76. She was a retired teacher.
Jerry Breedlove ’85
Jerry Breedlove ’85 of Clarksville died Sept. 4, 2011, at the
age of 60. He was a retired supervisor at Hanes Brand.
Ray Donald Hatchett ’96
Ray Donald Hatchett ’96 of Clarksville died Nov. 9, 2011, at
the age of 68. He was a retired injection molder.
33
35
Alumni Notes
Class of 1973 Reunion
Plans are in the works for a 40-year reunion for the Class
of 1973 during Alumni Weekend 2013, scheduled for April
18-20 in Clarksville. For more information on the reunion,
please contact Gary Hickox ’73 at ghickox@premierlight.com
or the U of O Alumni Office at 479-979-1234.
Sports Hall of Fame Nominations
Nominations are currently being accepted for inclusion
into the Ozarks Sports Hall of Fame. The deadline to submit a
nomination is August of 2012. The next induction ceremony
will be held on Feb. 9, 2013. Nominations can be sent to
Sports Information Director Josh Peppas at jpeppas@ozarks.
edu.
Phonathon
During the months of July and August, phones will be
ringing from Maine to Alaska as the annual Ozarks Phonathon takes place. The callers want to make sure your information in our database is correct as well as give you an opportunity to make your gift to the Annual Scholarship Fund (ASF).
Three out of four Ozarks students depend on the ASF to help
achieve their educational dreams. So when the phone rings—
answer the call and take the opportunity to make a difference
for an Ozarks student.
Find Our Magazines
ON THE WEB
Look for archived copies of the University of the Ozarks’
alumni magazine, Today, at:
http//www.ozarks.edu/newsevents/todaymag
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming events for alumni & friends
August 9: August 12: Sept. 20:
Sept. 30:
Oct. 14:
Oct. 16:
Oct. 20:
Oct. 26
Dec. 6:
Feb. 9:
April 18-20:
April 20:
April 20:
Austin, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Fort Smith, Ark.
Springdale, Ark.
Alumni Baseball & Softball Games
(U of O campus)
Little Rock, Ark.
Alumni Basketball Games (U of O Campus)
Alumni Association Golf Tournament
(Clarksville Country Club)
Tulsa, Okla.
Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (U of O campus)
Alumni Weekend 2013 (U of O campus)
Alumni Soccer Matches (U of O campus)
Tribute Dinner for the Nieces
(U of O campus)
For more information on these or other events, please
contact the University of the Ozarks Alumni Office at 479979-1234 or via e-mail at alumnioffice@ozarks.edu.
Sept. 20, 2011 through
May 15, 2012
Gearldean Andreas
Arvid Bean ’78 and Sharon Jones
Bean ’78
Charles Angell
Mary Ellen Waychoff ’78
Deborah Batson ’86
Lee Batson
Jane and Brent Cater
Raymond Bean and Lorena Bean ’41
Bean ’78
Donald Blackburn ’56 and Wanda
Brundage Blackburn ’54
Evelyn Peters Kelly ’55
John E. Bock ’49
W. C. Jetton
Bob Bolding
Rick and Sherée Niece
Edna Ralston Bowman ’28
Leonard and Annemarie Ralston
Vanguard Charitable Endowment
James T. Brian
James Murray ’75 and Debra Murray
Selby Brown ’49
Verna Brown Kness ’43
Larry Burnham ’57
Harold Johnson ’60 and Rachel
Johnson
Joe Dan Calvin
Elizabeth Garrett
Marian Riddell Cargile ’64
John W. Cargile ’61
Matthew Carroll
Robert and Leslie Carroll
Betty Emery Carter ’52
Georgia White Johnston ’53 and O.G. Johnston
Elmo H. Cater
Willie M. Cater
Ben Caudle
Betty Caudle
Joan Chapman
Dawn J. M. Scarborough
Earl and Xenya Coats
Thomas Richardson ’69 and Linda Richardson ’61
Frank Cole ’50
Bill Ballard ’56 and Juanita Ballard
Bean ’78
Henry and Donna Hayden
John Barnes Coleman
Sean and Jennifer Coleman
Harlan and Bertha Conger
Nancy and Ronald Bateman
Audrey Penrod Core ’45
Berta Steele Ownbey ’50
Ruth Martin Dillaha
Bill and Kody Eakin
Larry and Cindy Isch
David Pridgin ’71 and Reba
Pridgin ’81
Helen Turner Donaldson
Claude Donaldson ’60
Hilda Turner
Lewis Dunn ’64
Daugherty & Lowe
James Hatchett ’64 and Johnatha
Needham Hatchett ’65
Joyce Mack
Michael Shannon McBee ’89 and
Lori McBee
Hilda Turner
Kermit Eggensperger ’41
Maxine Manuel Eggensperger ’41
Elizabeth Eisenmayer ’00
John Frost ’89 and Julia Frost
Edith McChesney
Beatrice Elkins
Judy Elkins
Janelle Flake
Helen Rader Fulton ’40
Katherine Rader Garrett ’39
Melissa Goodner James ’00
Don Pennington ’68
Ron and Kerry Dillaha Taylor
Mitchell and Esther Epperson
Susan Smith Epperson ’62 and Jon
Epperson
H. Ray Evans ’44
Janice McMannis
LaVerne Walton Evans ’44
Janice McMannis
Jeanne Figliulo
Sammy Manning ’71 and Virginia Figliulo Manning ’74
Marge Figliulo
Barbara Beery
Deloitte Foundation
Anna Figliulo Dunker ’87 and
Curt Dunker
Mary Figliulo
Maura Figliulo Howerton ’80 and Bradley Howerton
Mida Figliulo Milligan ’85 and Billy Milligan
Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada
Mathis Qualls ’55
Loretta Figliulo Salazar ’78 and
Felix Salazar
Jim Forkner ’54
Michael Zoller ’77 and Janice Forkner Zoller ’78
Noah Flaude Gammill ’21 and Myrtle V.
Kolb Gammill ’23
James Gammill
Tom Gammill
Lyn Gammill Walker
George Washington and Elizabeth
Dennis Garrett
Elizabeth Garrett
Leonard Jefferson and Elizabeth
Dunnivan Garrett
Elizabeth Garrett
Wesley and Elizabeth Cobb Garrett
Elizabeth Garrett
37
William Cobb and Lucinda Dennis
Garrett
Elizabeth Garrett
William Cobb and Martha Jane Lemons
Garrett
Elizabeth Garrett
Wilson Madison and Katurah Dennis
Garrett
Elizabeth Garrett
Marlon Gatling
Marta Gonzalez
Fred Romo ’68 and Andrea Anderson Romo ’68
Ann Davidson Goza ’69
Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer
Sarah Carlin Graves ’85
Shari Caywood
Roland Green ’50
Elaine Burton Green ’51
Bill Holder ’52 and Jane Wilson Holder ’55
Ruben Johnson, Sr. ’52 and Charlotte Newsom Johnson ’52
Linda Davis Haltom ’73
Lori McBee
Lonnie Hardgrave ’50
James M. Kolb, Jr.
John Warren ’45 and Anna Jane
Taylor Warren ’71
Catherine Black High
Elissa Heil
O. D. Hightower ’49
W. C. Jetton
Richard “Dick” Holmes ’53
Armeda Evans Holmes ’68
Maggie Jewell Holtz ’45
Delane Angelini
Charlene McMillan Watson ’44
Robert Hudson ’69
Mary Lou Hyde ’75
Marie Hervy Ingram ’33
Mira Ann Ingram Leister ’63 and
Marvin C. Leister, Jr.
Barbara J. Jetton
W. C. Jetton
Don Johnson
Bean ’78
Dickie Jones ’72
Pamela Shrigley Jones ’71
Faye Williams Raible ’72 and Gary Raible
William Shrigley, Jr. ’69
Betty Jo Julian
Lawrence Wayne Kauffeld
Sylvia Kauffeld Kinnear ’66
Fred A. and Ophelia Jacobs Kauffeld
Wanda Kauffeld Shively ’54
Irene Walton Keeling ’45
Janice McMannis
Jennie Lucinda Kennedy
Keith Kennedy Trust
Burley King ’40
Billie Burnett King ’40
W. E. King, Sr.
Roger Bost ’43 and Kathryn King
Bost ’43
James Koontz
Epperson
Shelli Stewart Lamberson
John Frost ’89 and Julia Frost
Tina and Bryan McCain
Debbie Stallings Mooney ’82 and Charles Mooney
Dody and Jeremy Pelts
Bessie Langdon
Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85
Herman Lienhart
She Ze and Chen Wei Lu
Joseph Baker ’69 and Marge Baker
William Lytle
Epperson
Jo Maugh
Ruth Bost May ’51
Roger Bost ’43 and Kathryn King
Bost ’43
Margaret Bost Douglass ’41
Mackie McElree
Charlene McMillan Watson ’44
Helen Marie Smith Moncrief ’35
Linda Moncrief
Mark Moorer
Lonnie Qualls ’55 and Levada
Mathis Qualls ’55
Robert C. Mullaly
Lena Lucas Murphy ’28
Bonnie Nichols Jordan
Bill and Kody Eakin
Lori McBee
Pridgin ’81
Florence Smith Norris ’35
Linda Moncrief
Helen Louise Overbey
Tommy E. Owens ’70
Robert Gibson ’76 and Glenda Gibson
Glenda Dennis Owens ’71 and Steve Owens
Edward Myron Parker
Tommy and Judy Parker
J. T. Patterson ’38 and Lucile Sanders
Patterson
J. T. Patterson ’38
Paul DuVall ’62
Tom Douthit Patterson ’57
Clarksville High School Class of 1953
Steve and Dorinda Edmisten
Sue Patterson Pine ’57 and Bob Pine
Gaye Strong Taylor ’53
Philip Pittman ’41 and Susie Maude
Pittman ’39
Susie Maude Pittman ’39
Beta Sigma Phi
Nancy S. Plunkett
Imogene Ragon
William Ragon, Jr. ’53 and Marnette Ragon
Michael A. Rail ’80
Georgia White Johnston ’53 and O.G. Johnston
Mary Sue Phillips Powers ’60 and Jimmy Powers
F. Willard Ralston ’29
Lily Hulse Ralston ’29
Verna Rawhouser
Bean ’78
Maddox Cruz Redman
Scott and Michelle Loving
Jay Rosenthal
Elissa Heil
David Scarborough ’49
Cynthia and C.A. Kuykendall
Mildred Phillips Seawright ’49
Ruth Wyatt Kaundart ’50
Donald Sevier
William Shipman ’50
Beth Shipman
T.L. and Lois Smith
Epperson
Wilma Stokes Smith ’54
John Rotenberry ’62 and Arlie
Stokes Rotenberry ’61
Louise Poynor Spanke ’36
Sue Patterson Pine ’57 and Bob Pine
O.D. and Irene Spanke Treadway,
Louise Spanke Kihm and Mary Spanke Donnell
Curtis Lee Spence
Dody and Jeremy Pelts
Lance Spence ’91 and Virginia
Spence
Luann Spence
Bettie Beasley Stephenson ’48
Wayma Workman Rowe ’49
James Struthers
Bean ’78
Lori McBee and Shannon McBee ’89
Barbara Sherer
Harve Taylor, III and Loyce Ann
Bean Taylor ’72
Cecil L. Suitt
Euna Lowe Suitt
Mary Agnes Taggart Fischer
John Talley ’43
Sarah C. Talley
Wiltz Talton
Nancy and Ronald Bateman
Nancy Tamuty ’59
Donald L. Tamuty
Ashley Thomas
Jake Tull ’10
Timothy W. Grooms
Jack and Patricia Overholt
John and Martha Tull
Mary Opal Turner
Claude Donaldson ’60
Hilda Turner
Marjean Van Eman
E. K. Van Eman
Evelyn Wallick
Connie and Michael Booty
James and Ann Bruning
Bill and Kody Eakin
Sue Frueauff
Katherine Rader Garrett ’39
Elissa Heil
Lori McBee
William Rail ’52 and Maxine
Phillips Rail ’52
Wayne Workman ’44 and Betty
Bush Workman
Glenn Warren
B.J. Webb ’63
Dennis D. Wheeler, Sr.
Angela Wheeler Spencer ’98 and Shawn Spencer
Guy and Freda Kauffeld Willett ’52
Virginia Laster Williams ’43
Bruce H. Williams ’43 and Tracy
Williams
James Willis ’58
Wilson and Barbara Pearson
William and Cecilia Rothert
Almeta Blackard Yerby ’53
Georgia White Johnston ’53 and
O.G. Johnston
Rex Yerby ’57
Anna Blackard Dorman ’58
Jerry Duncan ’58 and Dorothy Boyd Duncan ’58
Fritz Ehren ’53 and Juanita
Blackard Ehren ’71
Bill Holder ’52 and Jane Wilson Holder ’55
Ruben Johnson, Sr. ’52 and Charlotte Newsom Johnson ’52
Delores Blackard Wagoner ’56
Ruth Steuart Young ’48
Pridgin ’81
Sept. 20, 2011 through
May 15, 2012
The Advancement Team
Mark Anis ’00
Mohammed and Elizabeth Anis
ExxonMobil Foundation
Sherrie Arey
Kim Myrick and Daniel Hinkle
Jeff and Amy Scaccia ’09
Darrell Williams ’76 and Debbie
Tipton Williams ’81
John Eugene Armstrong ’59
John T. Armstrong Trust
Kursty Boydston ’12
Pridgin ’81
Carolyn Walker
Catherine Rogers Bumpers ’47
Kayla Casey ’12
Rickey Casey ’79 and Lisa Casey ’10
Pridgin ’81
Carolyn Walker
Andrea Dankert ’12
Carolyn Walker
Yoselin Arlette Delgado Alvarez ’12
Mike and Fran Smith
Phuong Do ’12
Carolyn Walker
Daniel and Ann Taddie
Carolyn Walker
Steve Edmisten
Sherrie Arey
Kimberly and Reynold Behrend
Doug and Marty Black
James and Ann Bruning
Chad Cox ’98 and Brandy Rhodes
Cox ’99
Sue Frueauff
John and Sally King
Susan and Kent Pinson
Pridgin ’81
William Rail ’52 and Maxine
Phillips Rail ’52
David Rawhouser ’69 and Jill
Rawhouser
Denton Tumbleson ’74 and Jane Tumbleson
Carolyn Walker
Fritz Ehren ’53 and Juanita Blackard
Ehren ’71
39
Faculty and Academic Staff
Richard and Barbara Fulton
Bo Funderburk ’00 and Kelly Bennet
Funderburk ’05
Deborah Sisson
Alexander Glaub ’12
Carolyn Walker
Danny and Brenda Hale
Ethan Harbour ’12
Carolyn Walker
Elissa Heil
Carolyn Walker
William Lee Holder ’52 and Jane Wilson
Holder ’55
Chandlor Hughes
Scott and Michelle Loving
Taylor Jacks ’12
Carolyn Walker
John and Sally King
Advancement Team
Catherine Yamileth Lopez Madrid ’12
Mike and Fran Smith
Juliana Luna Reyes ’12
Mike and Fran Smith
Samuel McFall ’12
Carolyn Walker
Megan Lashay Minniear ’12
Ed Harris, II ’75 and Wilma Kimbrell Harris ’06
Carolyn Walker
Wesley Moody
Mira Ann Ingram Leister ’63 and
Marvin C. Leister, Jr.
Alex Murcia ’12
Carolyn Walker
Kim Myrick and Danny Hinkle
Kim Myrick
Sherrie Arey
Cara Rowbotham Flinn ’85
Bill Alexander ’55 and Linda
Alexander
Carolyn Walker
Michael Zoller ’77 and Janice Forkner Zoller ’78
Rick Niece
Sherrie Arey
Molly Beth Patterson ’11
Mary Patterson
Verna Harris Pennington ’31
John Pennington, Jr. ’66 and
Jan Pennington
Lacey Phillips ’12
Pridgin ’81
David Pridgin ’71 and Reba Geels
Pridgin ’81
Hilda Turner
David Ross ’60 and Claudine Ross’ 50th
Anniversary
Pridgin ’81
Kirk Ross ’11
Pridgin ’81
Jeff Scaccia
Sherrie Arey
Harmony Presbyterian Church
Ryan Skelly ’07 and Callie Williams
Skelly ’07
James and Virginia Skelly
Edward Smith
Amanda Stang ’08
Gerrie Gallegos
Student Life
Carolyn Walker
Daniel Taddie
Sherrie Arey
Eleanor Thomas’ 95th Birthday
Emily Towe ’12
Carolyn Walker
Delores Wagoner ’56
Bethany Walker ’12
Carolyn Walker
Darrell Williams ’76 and Debbie Tipton
Williams ’81
Darrell Williams ’76
Sherrie Arey
Kaitlyn Williams ’12
Robert Wofford ’79
Carolyn Walker
Ann Woolley
41

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