Voices Magazine: Celebrating 100 Years

100 Years

100 Voices

Arkansas State University Centennial Celebration

Voices The ASU AlUmni ASSociATion celebRATion of ARkAnSAS STATe UniveRSiTy’S 100 yeARS

1909

What was the world like in 1909 when ASU was born?

U.S. President was William howard Taft (who succeeded Theodore Roosevelt) Postage stamps cost 2 cents

ford motor company's model T revolutionizes transportation U.S. navy created base at Pearl harbor, hawaii explorers reached north and South Pole nAAcP founded

construction began on RMS Titanic

nobel Prize to marconi for wireless telegraphy, later called 'radio' New York Times published first movie review: D.W. Griffith's Pippa Passes Death of Geronimo, which to many people marked the end of the 'old West' Top songs of 1909: By the Light of the Silvery Moon; I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now; Let Me Call YouSweetheart; Down by the Old Mill Stream; I'm Henry the Eighth in Jonesboro, main and Union streets were slated to be paved in 1910, a new street called Aggie Road would be paved in 1912 ‌ and the rest is history!

MY VOICE: GARY PUGH '68 As this commemorative issue of our alumni magazine goes to press, it is my pleasure to be serving as president of the Arkansas State University Alumni Association. What an honor it is to represent the alumni of our great university and I'd like to express my thanks for the opportunity to serve during this very special time in our history.

I've served on the ASU Alumni Association board of directors for more than 16 years, and for the vast majority of that time, an alumni center was a shared vision. Finally, thanks to generous donors and private contributions, it is a reality.

As the first person to earn a college degree on either side of my family, I am deeply appreciative of the opportunities, memories and lifelong friendships that I have been afforded through my association with ASU and our Alumni Association over the last 40 years. I am proud to have shared as well as been a part of our history when we became a university, when we first envisioned an alumni center, when we dedicated your Cooper Alumni Center and when we gave birth to the Red Wolves. Our rich heritage continues to grow in this, our Centennial year.

With the Centennial, there are wonderful opportunities to visit campus and celebrate our shared past. There are exciting events taking place through 2010, and our Centennial Homecomings in both 2009 and 2010 will be extra-special - something you won't want to miss. The best part of it is that we finally have a home on campus to call our own, the Cooper Alumni Center.

For the first time, alumni have a place on campus to gather together. With its elegant yet comfortable 'living room-style' atmosphere, there are both large meeting spaces for big groups and quiet corners to sit and reminisce.

I've often said that every great university has an alumni center as its centerpiece. In October, 2008, with the dedication of the Cooper Alumni Center, we joined those ranks.

From the first three young men and two young women who graduated in 1913, our alumni base today has grown to more than 63,000 alumni representing us around the world. Through class reunions, publications, the Distinguished Alumni program, Homecoming, and other special events, alumni remain intertwined with the university.

Speaking for the tens of thousands of ASU alumni, we join in celebrating the Centennial anniversary of our alma mater, and we look forward to being part of the next century.

Gary Pugh ’68 Gary Pugh '68 of Pocahontas is the current president of the ASU Alumni Association Board of Directors. This year he will hand the gavel over to president-elect Paul Rowton '98 of Harrisburg. The Board consists of alumni from various geographical districts, as well as those who represent various colleges and constituencies of the university. They meet several times each year and also serve as hosts at tailgates, special events and other alumni activities. More information about the Alumni Board is available on the Alumni Association website http://www.astatealumni.org

1

Going Global

What do Microsoft and Wal-Mart have in common? For starters, they are two of the greatest success stories in American history, they are both top money-earners, they are both household names, they both have founders who are known world-wide, and they are both the yardstick by which other business successes are measured. And by the way, they both have had an ASU alumnus in one of their top positions. matt Allen is a Certified Treasury Professional and is currently senior director of Global Treasury for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., having joined Wal-Mart in 2007. In this role, he is responsible for WalMart’s global treasury strategy and operations. Prior to joining Wal-Mart, he held various Treasury positions with IMG Worldwide Inc, IAC/InterActiveCorp, and the Microsoft Corporation.

His work has not gone unnoticed. In 2007, Treasury and Risk Management magazine recognized him as one of the "'40 Under 40' Up-and-Coming Young Finance Executives." He has also been recognized for earning an Alexander Hamilton Excellence in Treasury Management award-winning project. Since Hamilton has been called the father of the American economy since Revolutionary days, that's not bad company to be keeping.

Matt is happy to give credit where credit is due, financially speaking or otherwise.

"My years at Arkansas State University were crucial to my early development," he says. "ASU has provided for lifelong contacts with a network of friends and professors I have grown to rely on."

Matt Allen ’98

Voices

Internationally Distinguished

Dr. Anas Al-Rasheed of Kuwait City, Kuwait, is a College of Communications graduate who is currently a professor of journalism and media at Kuwait University.

He is respected worldwide for his leadership as former Minister of Information for Kuwait and member of the Kuwaiti cabinet.

As an ASU student, he was vice-president of the International Students Association, helping to recruit a number of international students to attend A-State, and personally contributing books and funding for the ASU Library. During his junior year, he joined the U. S. Army to help with the liberation of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm.

After graduating from ASU, he served on the faculty at Kuwait University, and was named media advisor to the Kuwait Minister of Education, a post previously held by individuals twice his age. Dr. Al-Rasheed has chaired numerous international conferences on media and ethics, both in Kuwait and throughout the world.

Under his direction, Kuwait passed a law making it the country with the greatest freedom of the press in the Middle East. Dr. Al-Rasheed was also instrumental in promoting a gift to the U.S. of over $500 million from the government of Kuwait to assist Americans affected by Hurricane Katrina.

In Kuwait, he and his wife munerah, who also attended ASU, often host visitors from Arkansas. They returned to campus in 2007, when he was named A-State's first international Distinguished Alumnus.

Though he is half a world away, in the words of Dr. Gil fowler '71, associate dean of the Honors College, "Dr. Al-Rasheed has continued his support and love for Arkansas State and will continue to bring recognition to ASU because of the part it has played in his life."

Anas Al-Rasheed ’91 MSMC ’95

2

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

Actively Involved

Angela barber Austin says that after being active as a student at Little Rock's McClellan High School, she made an important decision: "When I came to A-State, I felt the best way to get a good college experience is to be active and involved."

She certainly was. Angela was a senator for the Student Government Association, served on the Student Activities Board, and was the recipient of the Wilson Award for the year 2000, the first female AfricanAmerican winner. The Wilson Award, ASU’s most prestigious student award, is presented to the most outstanding graduating senior as determined by a committee of students, faculty, staff and former Wilson winners based upon character, determination, involvement and academic achievement as well as leadership in organizations and activities. Then, as now, Angela has all the above.

After attending graduate school in public administration, she remains active in the ASU Alumni Association and the Strong-Turner Alumni Chapter. She is a graduate of Leadership Pine Bluff, has served on the Arkansas Scholars committee of the Greater Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce, and in 2007, the Pine Bluff Commercial named Angela one of "Thirty Under 30." As a volunteer with Junior Achievement of Arkansas, she has taught young people about budgeting, credit cards and the importance of education in obtaining successful jobs. She is active in the Edward Coleman Leadership Institute sponsored by the STAND Foundation, and Delta Leadership Southwest sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

She is currently a representative for the Department of Veterans Affairs and personifies a favorite motto: "Aspire to inspire before you expire."

Angela Austin ’00 MPA ’03

Arkansas State University

A Towering Perspective

Today Jeff bailey serves as director of the Dean B. Ellis Library. Back in 1995, he was responsible for coordinating the move into its new addition, being trained to operate the carillon console in the bell tower.

When President Bill Clinton spoke at the Library dedication in 1995, Jeff was in the tower, above and behind both the President of the United States and the counter-snipers assigned to protect the leader of the free world. After a full background check and being escorted by the head of the Secret Service detail, Jeff's job was to ring the tower bells at the conclusion of the ceremony. The Secret Service agent recognized Jeff from a photo in the Jonesboro Sun the day before, which had described him as the “lone civilian” in the building. The agent advised Jeff to avoid the counter-snipers, as they tended to be “a little jumpy.” Jeff recalls, "I was also cautioned to keep at least a foot away from the windows and to not make any sudden moves, as a countersniper on another building would be watching while I was in view. I followed that advice very carefully."

From that high up in the tower, Jeff could not hear enough of the ceremony to know when to ring the bells. So he listened to the dedication on KASU radio. When he heard the words, “That concludes the formal dedication ceremonies…,” Jeff activated the bells and headed back downstairs, surrendering his unique perspective on a big day for ASU.

Jeff Bailey

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

3

Top of Her Class

Dr. Jahnae harper barnett was named the first female president in the 135-year history of William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, an internationally distinguished institution of higher education. A former faculty member and chair of business and economics at William Woods, she was selected to be the institution's 12th president in 1990. One of her first accomplishments was steering its transition to university status.

In 1995, she was honored as one of ASU's Distinguished Alumni, and she was named the 2009 Alumnus of the Year by the University of Mississippi's College of Education. She has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumna of the ASU College of Business and was featured as one of the region's 20 most influential women by Mid-Missouri Magazine. She has also been named First Lady of Education by the State of Missouri; included in Who’s Who in Mid-Missouri; received the Chief Executive Leadership Award by the Council for the Advancement & Support of Education, and named Woman of Achievement by National Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation Over her past two decades as president of William Woods, she has directed many of her efforts to expanding the university's academic program, including the creation of the College of Graduate and Adult Studies. But she also recalls her own time as an undergraduate: "I loved my years at ASU, and while I understood the value of the classroom in challenging my mind, I also understood the value of the many social, physical, and spiritual opportunities presented to me as well."

Jahnae Barnett ’66

Arkansas State University

Head of State

While today he is our state's popular and able chief executive, Gov. mike beebe proudly says that his journey to the statehouse was possible only through the education he received from Arkansas State University. "ASU gave me the basis on which to proceed. Whatever happens in my life from this point forward, I can never repay this institution for the opportunities," he said, returning to campus for the College of Business alumni breakfast in 2005.

His story is well-known. Born in a one-room cabin in Amagon and raised by a single mother who labored long hours as a waitress to support them, he worked several part-time jobs to earn money to stay in school at ASU. After graduating from A-State, he received a law degree in 1972; served on the ASU Board of Trustees 1974-9 (including two years as chair); was named 1982 'Outstanding Trial Lawyer' by the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association; was elected to the Arkansas Senate in 1982, and served for 20 years, ultimately as President Pro Tem; elected Arkansas Attorney General in 2002, and finally Governor in 2006.

He returns to campus often, taking the time for athletics and special events at his alma mater. His personal integrity and belief in education have made him one of the state's most popular governors and he serves as an example of excellence for our state and beyond. In announcing his candidacy for Governor in 2006, he said, "You can't come up the way I did and not believe that anything is possible." He proudly credits ASU with being part of his journey.

Mike Beebe ’68

4

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

earl holmes bell is one of history's most renowned pole vaulters and coaches, a three-time Olympian and five-time NCAA record holder. He set the world’s outdoor record in 1976, qualified for the Olympic Games in 1976, 1984 and 1988, and won the bronze medal at the 1984 Olympics. In a remarkable three-decade athletic achievement, he was the U.S. national champion in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s.

After founding Bell Athletics in Jonesboro in 1991, he was named 1998 National Olympic Coach of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee. In 2004, Bell Athletics produced half of the U.S. Olympic pole vault team that went to Athens, and sent two out of three men's pole vaulters to Beijing in 2008. At least one athlete from Bell Athletics has made all U. S. Olympic teams since 1996.

Yet with all his global exposure he says, "I'm a hometown boy. Jonesboro High School and Arkansas State University." Training at ASU under coach Guy kochel, Bell set the world record for men’s pole vault in 1976, the same year he qualified for the Olympics at Montreal. The U.S. government barred American athletes from the 1980 games in Moscow after the Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan but at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, Bell won the bronze medal. He barely missed another Olympic medal by taking fourth place at Seoul in 1988. The plaque at ASU's Olympic Drive bears his name along with fellow A-State Olympians Dr. Thomas hill '72 and Al Joyner. And today? "I still vault a little," says Bell. "These days, I mostly play golf."

Vaulting to Victory

bill bergey was a true football star. In his senior year, Arkansas State captured its first Southland Conference championship plus an appearance in the Pecan Bowl.

Bergey was named All-American, setting five school records: best tackle average in a season, most fumble recoveries in a season, and most tackles in a game, season and career. In 1976 he was voted Top Player in ASU History by a poll of fans.

After graduating from ASU in 1969 with a degree in physical education and a commission in the Army reserves, Bergey was a second-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1969 and became NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 1974 he was acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for two first-round draft picks. With the Eagles through 1980, he was named All-Pro four times, and set an NFL record for most interceptions by a linebacker. At age 33, he was the highest paid defensive player in pro football. His last game was Super Bowl XV in 1981, where he played with loose bone chips in his knee and bone spurs on both shoulders.

Bergey has been inducted into A-State's ROTC Hall of Heroes, and in 1987, ASU retired his Number 66 jersey. Today a businessman in the Philadelphia area, Bergey has not forgotten his alma mater, returning to campus for such events as a recent recognition for coach bill Templeton. At the time of his retirement in 1981, Bergey said he wanted to be remembered as "a linebacker who lined up on every single play and gave it everything I had."

Football Hero

Earl Bell ’86

Voices

Bill Bergey ’69

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

5

So Proudly He Served

In 2004, a visible reminder of Jerry bookout's service to ASU rose over campus.

The Bookout Flag Plaza, flying the flags of our nation, state and university at the Caraway Road entrance to campus, was constructed as a gift to ASU honoring the Bookout family. Often, directions to an event on campus begin with the words, "Turn in at Bookout Plaza."

No doubt Jerry Bookout, who passed away in 2006, would have liked that. It has been said that he was responsible, directly or in part, for every classroom, library and administrative facility built on the ASU campus for the past 30 years. The first in his family to attend college, he was SGA vice president and ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate in 1955. After active duty, he served for 30 years in the Arkansas National Guard, retiring as a colonel with numerous military recognitions.

In 1966, he was elected to the Arkansas General Assembly, serving in both the House and Senate for 30 years. During his legislative career he was floor leader for several Governors, was elected President Pro Tem, and served as Majority Leader, re-entering public service in 2003 as state senator from Craighead County.

Jerry Bookout was inducted into the ROTC Hall of Heroes, and was named an ASU Distinguished Alumnus in 1997. He was married to loretta langford bookout '73 mSe '80, emeritus professor of elementary education, and they are the parents of Jill bookout Rogers '92 and State Sen. Paul bookout '85. Speaking of her late husband, Loretta says simply, "I feel him with me every day."

Jerry Bookout ’55

Voices

Commanding Presence

col. Jerry W. bowen of Newport graduated with a degree in agriculture education and an Army commission in the Infantry. An ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate, he was also active in the SGA, Deputy Commander of the ROTC Cadet Corps, and Commander of the ROTC Drill Team. He is a graduate of the Army War College and the Army's Command & General Staff College.

During his 26-year military career, he served three combat tours: the Dominican Republic in 1965 with the 82nd Airborne Division, then two tours in Vietnam. Other duty assignments include Professor of Military Science at ASU 198184, and three Pentagon positions including Chief of the Army Protocol Office. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Ranger Tab and Senior Parachutist Badge.

Col. Bowen retired from the Army in 1989 and returned to Arkansas where he was active in the production of organic rice and soybeans. He returned to Washington D.C. in 1993 serving as Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs until May 1998. Upon returning to Arkansas once again, he became active in the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and was elected to several leadership positions at the local, state and national level. He was also instrumental in the formation of the Craighead County Veterans Monument Foundation, Inc. in 2000.

Named an ASU Distinguished Alumnus in 1997, he said, "I pledge that I will do my utmost to prove worthy of the ASU Alumni Association's confidence in me and that I will continue to be an ambassador for the University." Mission accomplished.

Jerry Bowen ’64 MBA ’73

6

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

Cheerleader-in-Chief

Regina bowman, who was the sports information voice of ASU for 33 years, now speaks for the entire university as Director of Media Relations.

With a degree in journalism, she was hired in the ASU sports information department beginning in 1976. She became assistant athletic director for media relations and acquired further responsibilities as the department’s senior woman administrator.

In addition to attending virtually every game and traveling extensively with the ASU teams, she served on numerous committees, including the first NCAA Certification Committee for Gender Equity, Minority Issues, and Student-Athlete Welfare in 1995. In addition, she was a committee member for the Sun Belt Conference track & field division and football division, as well as the NCAA post-graduate division and NCAA scholarship groups.

A winner of the 2001 Quarter Century of Service Award from the Sun Belt Conference, she also received an Outstanding Service Award from ASU in 1998. She is a voting member of the College Sports Information Directors of America, and holds memberships in the Female Athletic Media Relations Executives organization.

She belongs to the Basketball Writers of America, and is one of the few females in the Football Writers Association of America.

She has also worked as a sportswriter for the Arkansas Democrat and the Pine Bluff Commercial. But it's Arkansas State University that holds her love and loyalty. She says, "I've been on just about every college campus in the country, and I can honestly say that none is more beautiful than Arkansas State."

Gina Bowman ’76

Arkansas State University

Legislative Superhero

Like mild-mannered Clark Kent, Sen. Shane broadway of Bryant works conscientiously during the week in communications, marketing and economic development. But at the State Capitol he becomes a whirlwind, sought after so often he can barely take a few steps between questions. At this year's Centennial reenactment of Act 100 creating the school that became ASU, on his way to the Rotunda he was repeatedly approached by colleagues and the public, tugging on his invisible cape.

Currently a State Senator, he’s also been a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, where he was the youngest Speaker of the House in state history. At the 2001 session of the General Assembly, leaders of both the House and Senate were ASU graduates, with Shane in the House sharing the honors along with his fellow alumnus in the Senate, mike beebe '68.

As a 1994 graduate, his memories of campus are still fresh. He says he entered ASU on academic probation, intending to major in communications and become a sports announcer. "I had not applied myself in high school and ASU gave me the chance to do better," he says. Switching to political science, he served as president of the Student Government Association and received the Wilson Award, ASU's highest student honor. "There are a number of people on campus and in the Jonesboro community that I will be forever grateful to for their help along the way," he says.

Since one of his main legislative priorities is education, ASU's Shane Broadway is today helping countless others to fly.

Shane Broadway ’94

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

7

Football’s ‘Grand Old Man’

Called "the NFL's Grand Old Man" by The Sporting News, ASU's leonard Ray brown Jr. continues to astound. From his playing days at A-State (1981-1985) through his retirement as the NFL's oldest offensive lineman in 2006, he defied the conventional wisdom that the average pro career for a player at his position is less than four years. He still has skills and wisdom to share: the Redskins kept him as an assistant coach, and in 2008, he was hired as an assistant offensive line coach by the Buffalo Bills.

During his pro career, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions before returning to Washington in 2004. He announced his retirement after twenty seasons in 2006, the same day he was in the starting lineup for the Redskins' playoff game.

He still considers Arkansas home and loyally returns to ASU to honor former coaches and players. While he was selected for the Pro Bowl and was named an NFL All-Pro, he says one of his greatest accomplishments was being inducted into the Hall of Honor at ASU. It was well deserved: he was an All-Southland Conference selection at Arkansas State, where he was the first player in conference history to be named First-Team All-Conference at two different positions in the same season (offensive lineman and tight end). Active in the Special Olympics program, he opened a community center in his hometown of Marion during the 2004 offseason. Not bad for someone who said that as an ASU student, "I never dreamed of becoming a professional athlete."

Ray Brown

Arkansas State University

Voice of Distinction

At the 2004 Hollywood premier of the highly-anticipated SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, strolling the red carpet along with James Earl Jones and David Hasselhoff was ASU alumnus Rodger bumpass, voice of Squidward Tentacles on the TV show, SpongeBob SquarePants. The show first aired in 1999, quickly becoming one of the highest-rated television cartoons.

He became interested in performing while growing up in Little Rock, choosing ASU's renowned Radio-TV program because his voice deepened and he had what he calls an "announcer sound." He majored in RadioTV, minoring in theatre. One day, an A-State drama professor told Rodger, "I look forward to seeing you in professional theatre." Says Rodger, "That casual statement changed my life."

After graduation, Rodger’s next move was New York, later settling in Los Angeles.

He recalls, “There I was in L.A. with no agent, no job and in tears. Fortunately, with time, things did manage to get better.”

He’s appeared in movies like Escape from New York as well as TV shows such as Hart to Hart and Silk Stalkings. But it’s that versatile voice which has landed him several pages of credits for movies like Tarzan and Hercules, along with such television series as Rugrats, Batman, The Fairly OddParents, and ultimately SpongeBob SquarePants.

He recalls that day at ASU when the dream was planted, the chance to be in show business professionally. “After all, if you look at TV and films, it’s not all big name stars. It’s a bunch of regular working folks who may not be millionaires but still make a living." At ASU, he says, "My path was set.”

Rodger Bumpass ’75

8

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

bobby caldwell of Wynne changed his college major from business to Radio-TV, not only ensuring his success in broadcasting but also creating a radio network for ASU that is second to none.

Caldwell is owner and CEO of East Arkansas Broadcasters, which currently operates radio stations that are heard around the state, in Mississippi and Tennessee, and from the Missouri border down to Louisiana. For the first time in A-State history, listeners can hear all ASU football and baseball games live, as well as men’s and women’s basketball on an FM station. ASU is now the only Division I school in the state to broadcast all baseball games on an FM station, and one of a small number of schools nationally to broadcast all women’s basketball games. He acquired several Jonesboro stations from media giant Clear Channel, and even merits a mention on Wikipedia.

He has served his alma mater in many ways, including by supporting a scholarship honoring charles Rasberry ’56 and helping endow the annual RTV scholarship. He also serves on the board of directors of the prestigious National Association of Broadcasters.

He's a strong believer in education, a great supporter of Arkansas State University and is especially proud to provide the ASU sports network, saying, "I believe in education - that's what we're there for - but sports is a big part of college life and we deserve a network that's as good as any." He's got folks humming along with great music and cheering for the Red Wolves. For ASU's Bobby Caldwell, it adds up to the sweet sound of success.

Sweet Sound of Success

James W. callaway of Dallas has had an outstanding career in the communications industry for more than four decades. In another aspect of his achievements, he was inducted into ASU's Athletic Hall of Honor, having been an AllSLC baseball player as a student letterman affectionately called "Jimbo Callaway" and dubbed one of the "Terrific Trio" in A-State's infield.

After graduating with a degree in business administration, he began his career with what was then called Southwestern Bell in 1968. In 2005, he led the merger integration efforts of SBC’s acquisition of AT&T, and held the same position the next year for AT&T's BellSouth acquisition. He is currently senior executive vice president for executive operations, responsible for executive support, merger integration, flight operations and AT&T’s operations in Alaska.

In 2007, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the university. He was one of the first to step forward with a gift to enable the construction of the Cooper Alumni Center, and has also donated for its grounds a number of Bigtooth Maples, which survived the Ice Age and exist today only in isolated spots, including Callaway's Texas ranch.

Callaway said, "I am really proud of my experience at ASU. It provided a solid foundation for my business career and enabled many lifelong friendships. On trips back to campus over the years, it has been fun visiting with old friends and the Cooper Alumni Center will certainly enhance those visits in the future. The location of the center is really special, as the rear patio area is the site of the old pavilion which has a sentimental meaning to many alums including my wife Paula and me."

Communications Skills

Bobby Caldwell ’70

Voices

Jim Callaway ’68

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

9

Celebrities on Campus A-State is no stranger to celebrities!

Just a few of the stars who have appeared on our campus are:

NotableNames

The Association b. b. king barry manilow bob hope cheech & chong chicago colonel Sanders Dionne Warwick Dolly Parton emmy lou harris first edition with kenny Rogers The Gaithers Garth brooks George Strait Geraldo Rivera Glenn miller orchestra hank Williams Jr. harlem Globetrotters Jeff foxworthy Jerry lee lewis Jimmy buffet Johnny cash and the carter family Johnny Rivers larry the cable Guy lynard Skynyrd nancy Reagan Peter frampton Peter, Paul and mary The Rascals Reba mcentire Rodney Dangerfield Ronnie milsap Sam and Dave Stevie Wonder The Temptations Tim mcGraw and faith hill vincent Price Waylon Jennings Willie nelson

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of Arkansas State University

ASU Board of Trustees The ASU Board of Trustees consists of five members appointed by the Governor.

Those who have served our university and their years of service are: Johnny Allison Lou Mixon Angelo Henry Banks W. L. Banks H. K Barwick Mike Beebe Richard Bell J. J. Bellamy J. A. Blackford Maurice Block Charlotte Bradbury Larry Brewer Joe Brooks C. E. Bush J. Orville Cheney Elijah Coleman J. L. Conner H. M. Cooley W. S. Danner Pearle Davis Rogers Ford Mike Gibson W. P. Gulley Jr. J. P. Hammerschmidt A. W. Hall O. N. Hammett Wayne Hartsfield James Heath Richard Herget James A. Horne Phillip Hout Roland Hughes J. C. Johnson Darrell Johnson Gordon Lamb Stanley Langley

1979-83 1973-82 1943-45 1909-46 1948 1974-79 1997-2005 1909-12 1914-21 1933-45 1989-98 1971-76 1967-72 1909-11 1947-52 1970-75 1914-17 1911-14 1913-33 1925-48 1981-86 2004-present 1968-73 1999-2004 1917 1912 1985-95 1953-57 1975-85 1915 1972-1977 1953-58 1938-43 1988-92 1946-51 1977-82

J. C. Leggett J. B. Lewis Will Mack Hasselle McCain Ben McGee Mike Medlock Florine Tousant Milligan Russell Owens Harold Perrin Russell Phillips William R. Phillips Fred Pickens James Pickens Max Poe R. S. Rainwater Ron Rhodes Velmar Richmond Larry Ross Bonnie Shaver Howard Slinkard Clay Sloan J. H. Smith Van Smith William Stuck Dorothy Stuck Austin Temple Harold Thomas Jerry Watkins A. B. Whitfield Richard Whitaker R. E. Lee Wilson R. E. Lee Wilson Jr. Dallas Wood William H. Wyatt Dennis Zolper 11

1912-14 1909-13 1938-47 1984-88 1976-81 2000-present 2001-present 1951-71 1995-2000 1945-49 1993-97 1949-53 1998-2001, 2005-07 1955-70 1950-55 2008-present 1996-01 1986-95 1983-87 2007-present 1913 1957-67 1958-68 1945-50 1970 1969-74 1992-96 1982-87 1952 1912-1938 1912-33 1933-38 2001-08 1949-69 1987-92

The Business of Education

linual cameron graduated from A-State in 1936 with a degree in social science.

Though he taught for two years, it was his expertise in business and finance that ensured success for A-State.

As one of the first people hired by incoming president carl Reng in August, 1951, Cameron served as A-State's vice president of business and finance, responsible for payroll, purchasing, bookstore, cafeteria, farm, dairy, and the Wigwam, along with assisting Reng in preparing and presenting the overall college budget. Cameron worked for legislative change from 'lock-step' funding (in which all four agricultural schools were funded equally) to 'formula funding' based on the number of students, which ultimately allowed A-State to grow and prosper.

After 20 years in a demanding job, Cameron retired in 1971, but his influence lives on. The Linual Cameron Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually by the StrongTurner Alumni Chapter to a deserving student in his name. As his grandson James Scurlock ii '95 says, "He just cared about people."

Perhaps he also recalled a kindness shown to him during the Depression. Cameron ran out of money in November of his freshman year at A-State and could not find a job, so he went to see harry ‘cap’ eldridge, registrar and commander of the National Guard unit on campus, to let Eldridge know he was withdrawing from school. Eldridge dug into his pocket and gave Cameron enough money to finish the semester. Cameron ultimately graduated and went on to become a great part of ASU's success, still "paying it forward" to students like himself.

Linual Cameron ’36

Voices

Sincerely Our Friend

hattie Wyatt caraway of Jonesboro was the first woman elected to the U. S. Senate, holding office from 1932 to 1945. Though she was one of the most visible women in America, she never forgot the people who elected her and she never forgot her hometown college - Arkansas State.

She and A-State president v. c. kays maintained a long and cordial friendship, and she did everything she could for the school. At some points she and Kays corresponded daily, especially concerning funding from federal agencies as she tirelessly lobbied on A-State's behalf. During her time in office, an astounding nine buildings were constructed on campus during the Depression when money was scarce. Four are still heavily used today - can you name them?

She was instrumental in establishing the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at A-State in 1936. When America entered World War II in 1941, she aided the school's dwindling enrollment by lobbying for the Army College Training Detachment that was established on campus. In all things, she shared credit with others and avoided the spotlight for herself.

The A-State students who dedicated the 1937 yearbook to Caraway recognized that, stating, "Her good work has not been done for political purposes, but because she has the best interests of the institution in her heart. Most of her work has been done out of the public view."

In 1934, she received A-State's first honorary degree, and later served as Alumni Association president. Though it is now closed on campus, Caraway Road was named for her and her late husband, Sen. Thaddeus Caraway. She often signed her letters to Kays, "Sincerely your friend." Where A-State was concerned, she truly was a friend indeed.

Hattie Caraway ’34

12

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

“Get Carter!”

In reviews of his book, Get Carter: Backstage in History from JFK's Assassination to The Rolling Stones, most reviewers compared ASU alumnus bill carter to Forrest Gump.

Actually, the only thing they have in common is that they are both small-town Southern boys who saw history happen wherever they went.

The book's title, Get Carter, is what famous people say when they need something done right and in a hurry. It started in 1962, as Carter entered the Kennedy White House after being recruited as a Secret Service agent. The path also led to JFK's funeral; in photos of Kennedy's body being brought to the Capitol, Bill Carter is seen at the top of the steps as Jacqueline Kennedy and the family entered the Rotunda.

After resigning from Secret Service, he passed the bar and set up a law practice in Little Rock. His path crossed those of the power brokers of the day, including a contact that led to Carter touring the U. S. three times as attorney to legendary rock group, the Rolling Stones.

Carter's path then veered to Nashville, representing musicians such as Tanya Tucker and Reba McEntire. He was instrumental in producing the landmark Elvis Presley TV program, He Touched Me. Carter still produces projects for legendary gospel group, the Gaithers, and is producing a documentary on the life of Johnny Cash. He is a founding member of the Rector High School Helping Hands foundation, and as a fundraiser, recently auctioned off a guitar donated by a friend, the Stones' Keith Richards. And he still hears the familiar words, "Get Carter!"

Bill Carter ’61

Arkansas State University

Big Mo

In the lightning-fast world of professional football, a team might suddenly gain the momentum of the game, taking advantage of the precious 'Big Mo.' For ASU's maurice carthon, he not only holds the nickname but has been part of the momentum of several NFL teams, both as a player and as a coach. Today he is assistant head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, and has served as running backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals and offensive coordinator for both the Cleveland Browns and the Dallas Cowboys.

His breadth of experience was honed at A-State from 1979-82, where he was a two-time All-Southland Conference selection, served as team captain and led the team in rushing yards. He was recruited by the New Jersey Generals in 1983, then played seven seasons as a fullback for the New York Giants.

He acquired two Super Bowl rings with the Giants following the 1986 and 1990 seasons, but took time between Super Bowl appearances to earn something that meant even more to him. After Super Bowl XXI when the Giants won, he received a phone call that night from Dr. Wilbert Gaines at ASU. Carthon recalls, "The first thing he said to me was, 'Make sure you come back to school and get your degree.' And I did."

In 1989, Maurice Carthon graduated from ASU with a degree in physical education.

And it became more than a piece of paper. "I keep my degree in my living room. I say I don't care what you do in life, get one of these." That's the kind of momentum that goes a long way.

Maurice Carthon ’89

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

13

Ahead of Her Time

How could someone born in the year 1900 influence agriculture, science, food safety and healthcare into the next century? How could an Arkansas farm wife stimulate cutting-edge research in agricultural biotechnology, environmental biology, and biofuel research?

The late esther hill chapin did. She looked beyond her time and place, caring about generations she would never live to see, and places she would never visit. The Judd Hill Plantation in Poinsett County is renowned as a leading cotton producer. Esther Hill Chapin and her husband Sam received the land from Mrs. Chapin's father, Judd Hill, as a wedding gift in 1933. Fifty years later, Mrs. Chapin formed the Judd Hill Foundation to promote research, education, experimentation and conservation in agriculture. Upon her death in 1991, Mrs. Chapin left her entire estate to the Judd Hill Foundation, so that its work would benefit our state and the world after her death.

Her generosity led to the creation of ASU's Judd Hill Chair in Environmental Biology to research effective conservation. This was followed by the endowment of the Judd Hill Chair in Agricultural Biotechnology, to determine how farm products could be used to cure disease world-wide. Through the Foundation, scholarships are awarded to deserving students. Foundation-funded research in biofuels from farm waste could lead to less dependence on foreign oil and be a monumental boost to Arkansas's economy.

These things are due to the vision and generosity of Esther Hill Chapin, so that her beloved Judd Hill Plantation could continue to benefit people into the next century.

She was truly ahead of her time.

Esther Hill Chapin

Arkansas State University

Delta Blues Man

For two decades, ASU's Delta Blues Symposium has created a mix of folklore, traditional music and folk art as rich and vivid as the Delta itself. The events, which are free and open to the public, emphasize the performance, preservation and perpetuation of the traditional folk arts of the Delta region. While the membership of the symposium's planning committee changes, year after year the person most closely associated with the Delta Blues Symposium from its inception has been Dr. William clements, ASU professor of English for more than 35 years.

He is a noted author of nine books and is considered a national expert on folklore, but is probably best known as the prime mover in the creation and phenomenal growth of the Delta Blues Symposium, whose fame has spread around the world. He has played a major role in defining the folkways of the blues, and showing how, in turn, the blues defined our state's Delta region.

Each year since 1994, the three-day Delta Blues Symposium has presented speakers, performers, folklorists and artists who provide creative ways to interpret the Delta through its culture. Under Clements' guidance, it has brought together scholars, students, folklorists, artists, performers - and especially blues fans - to highlight the folklife of this mystical region.

Clements' leadership has spotlighted the folk arts of the Delta and created a forum where they can be studied, preserved and appreciated. The Delta Blues Symposium at ASU has grown into a world-renowned event, and William Clements has been its guiding force.

Dr. William Clements

14

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

isabel belk cochran of Piggott was born in 1906, making her upwards of 102 in ASU's Centennial year, one of our oldest living graduates. Like so many teachers educated at A-State, Mrs. Cochran could only take classes during the summers.

She always wanted to be a teacher and taught sixth grade in Hoxie beginning in the 1920s. "While I had a license to teach, they insisted I get a degree," she says. "Luckily I had a husband who agreed to my doing that. I had an old car, and five of us teachers rode together, three other women and one man. We all had to arrange classes to get out at noon as I had to get home for my husband and two children, so we had to leave home at 6 a.m. Some of the roads were paved with gravel, but most were unpaved. During World War II, they were using synthetic rubber and we always had a flat with the heat of the summer, every single trip to A-State. Every day, the man teacher and I would get out and change the tire. Every trip!"

She loved school, but says, "A big part of education is meeting other people; I missed that part taking only summer classes at A-State." It took about ten years, but she finished, walking proudly at graduation in 1951 wearing her cap and gown.

"Graduation was held outside in those days, at Kays Field," she recalls. "A big old cloud came up and we thought it would rain but it didn’t." No raining on this dedicated lady's parade.

Senior Class

In 2003, the ASU Alumni Association received a $2 million gift from Darrell cooper '64 and charlotte Pugh cooper '64 of Clarkston, Michigan, toward the construction of an alumni center at Arkansas State University. The Coopers' gift started the fundraising for the privately-funded facility, named the Cooper Alumni Center in recognition of their gift.

Charlotte Cooper said, "The educational foundation we received at ASU has allowed us to flourish and become successful in our lives. We strongly believe that we have a responsibility to give back."

Said her husband Darrell, chairman of Fernco, Inc., a manufacturer of flexible connectors for pipe, “While attending ASU, I not only had what I consider a quality educational experience, but also I met professors and friends who profoundly influenced my life. I met my wife and my inspiration of 40 years, Charlotte Pugh. I am grateful for the opportunity and education that attending ASU has afforded me.

These opportunities do not exist solely because of some legislative stroke of the pen, but are due in a large part to private donors. Many of the buildings and programs at ASU bear the names of these donors. These are people who I never knew, and they never knew me. Yet, they contributed to help make an educational opportunity for me and others. I believe that it is fitting that I put something back into the system that has not only allowed me to succeed, but has contributed to my success."

Giving Back

Isabel Cochran ’51

Voices

Darrell Cooper ’64 and Charlotte Pugh Cooper ’64

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

15

For ASU alumnus harold crye, the yard signs saying 'Crye-Leike' represent a field of dreams that have come true. Crye-Leike, a full-service real estate company, is the nation's 6th largest real estate firm, with more than 130 offices across an eight-state southern U.S. region. In 2008, Crye-Leike attained a sales volume in excess of $4.2 billion with 25,871 homes sold.

But there is another figure, one from his childhood, that stands out in Harold Crye’s mind. It’s not billions but a simpler amount: $1,000. He says, “I can remember my mother secretly showing me the savings balance in our family’s bank passbook. She was so proud that we had $1,000 in the bank and that Dad had saved that much.”

Fast forward to 1976, when Harold Crye and his business partner Dick Leike began their real estate company. Within three years, Crye-Leike was the largest in Memphis.

Today, Crye still works an average of 60-70 hours a week. Based in Nashville, he currently serves as board chair of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE), a global network of the top independently owned real estate firms. In 2009, he was honored as Master Entrepreneur by the Society of Entrepreneurs for qualities including determination, creativity, leadership and integrity.

Harold Crye was named Distinguished Alumnus of the ASU College of Business in 1986, and returned to his alma mater in 2001 to serve as ASU’s commencement speaker. He still recalls his college days in Jonesboro: “Perfect size for a college town - it felt safe without too many temptations.”

The Real Deal

Harold Crye ’67

Voices

“The Dew Book”

In the decades since 1968, questions concerning A-State history have been resolved by going to the indispensible source, a red volume titled The ASU Story: A History of Arkansas State University 1909-1967 but generally known simply as "The Dew Book."

Dr. lee Dew was a young professor of history at A-State in 1966 when president carl Reng commissioned a study on the role and scope of Arkansas State College for a report to the Legislature. Dew was asked to write a brief historical statement about the school's development since its founding. He soon discovered there was so much of interest that it merited a complete book. With funding for release time and clerical assistance, Dew scoured sources including past yearbooks, The Herald, the general catalog for each year, and local newspapers from 1910 through the '60s.

He sought information and personal recollections from long-time members of the A-State community and virtually took up residence in the Dean B. Ellis Library. He also recalls, "bob kern '56 and the staff of the Division of Printing who spent long hours producing the finished book.… And great thanks go to my wife who served as chief typist, head critic, editor-in-chief and general inspiration during the months of writing and re-writing." In the days before desktop publishing, the typewritten book with the red cover became a landmark. It has served, with 1984's Voices From State, compiled by Drs. ball and clements during ASU's 75th anniversary, as an indispensable look at our past and a guidepost for the future.

Lee Dew

16

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

col. Stephen Dozier received an AAS degree in law enforcement from ASU in 1993, followed by a bachelor’s degree in criminology in 1997. He's also a graduate of the FBI Academy in Quantico. In 2004, he was named to the top spot with the Arkansas State Police. Upon his appointment, Dozier was widely praised in newspaper editorials as a law enforcement administrator.

In 2007, he became Vice President of Corporate Services for Wal-Mart, overseeing much of the company's security operations. At that time, Gov. mike beebe '68 said, "He was one of the first agency directors I decided to keep from the previous administration. Steve's leadership and wise counsel will be missed."

The Governor might also miss his alertness and quick thinking. Being installed as State Police director, Dozier noted an item from his past, saying, “Probably, until today, that was the most noteworthy thing I’d done.”

“That” was a hot August day in 1977 when Dozier was working for Emerson Ambulance in Jonesboro. He had just transported a patient to Baptist Hospital in Memphis when another ambulance screeched to a halt at the emergency entrance.

Paramedics were trying desperately to resuscitate the patient. Even under those conditions, Dozier recognized the patient: Elvis Presley. A hasty call to his employer, Billy Joe Emerson, led Emerson to phone the Jonesboro newspaper, followed by calls to the Associated Press office in Little Rock and the AP correspondent in Memphis who confirmed the story and broke Steve Dozier's story to the world: Elvis was dead.

Law Man

Steve Dozier ’93

Arkansas State University

The Art of Winning

A former quarterback for Tulane, bennie ellender served as A-State's head coach from 1963 through 1970, one of the most successful eras for ASU football. Winning 52 games, his record of victories is second only to Larry Lacewell, and at .711, Ellender's percentage of wins is still the highest in school history.

He took the team to three Southland Conference championships and three consecutive Pecan Bowls in 1968, 1969 and 1970, winning two out of three. With an undefeated record of 11-0 in 1970, ASU was named the NCAA Small College Division (now Division II) national champion. After the 1970 undefeated season, he was recruited to return to his alma mater Tulane, returning to Louisiana with his wife bette and serving as their head coach from 1971-75.

While at ASU, they often entertained their neighbors who lived in faculty housing on campus, frequently making homemade ice cream on their front porch. They collected artworks by friends among the faculty, including evan lindquist and Dan howard. After moving to Tulane, they kept in touch with ASU and expressed the wish that someday the artwork could return home to A-State.

In June of 2008, the Ellenders were honored on campus for the gift of the artwork which they had donated in 2007. Appropriately, one of the artworks was an oil painting of a football team by Howard called, 'That Wonderful Game.' It currently has a place of honor at the Cooper Alumni Center with the ASU Stadium as a backdrop

Bennie Ellender

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

17

History Maker

Born in 1894, Dean b. ellis watched Jonesboro grow from a tiny village and saw ASU become its crowning achievement, with the library that bears his name standing sentinel over the town. He saw history happen all around him, and was part of making history himself.

As a young man, he served as an apprentice engineer for the fledgling American Telephone and Telegraph Company in New York City, but left during World War I to serve as an officer in the new U.S. Army Air Corps. In 1926, he joined the A-State faculty as an instructor in mathematics and physics. War intervened once more; during World War II he held three federal appointments, including being the first inspector of ground school instruction at the Civilian Pilot Training Division at Washington, D.C. He rejoined the A-State faculty in 1943 and did not retire until 1965, two years after ASU's new library was dedicated in his name to honor him as the longest-serving faculty member. He served as head of the mathematics and physics department, and was named professor emeritus of mathematics. He passed away at age 76 in 1971, having gone from the horse and buggy era to the space age he helped pioneer through aviation.

Dr. Dale morris '70, who acted as a caregiver after Ellis had a stroke, says, "I recall sitting in their den in 1969 when the first man landed on the moon. I'm so glad the library was named for him, and proud to have had the chance to know the man, not just a name on a building."

Dean B. Ellis

Arkansas State University

Big Man on Campus

“I was just a kid from Brooklyn, wasn’t really going to college, and then ASU gave me an opportunity for a scholarship that allowed me to play football and get an education,” says New York's frank farella. He not only played, he excelled as a fouryear letterman from 1954-57. A team captain, Farella was recognized by the NCAA, NAIA, and Associated Press as an All-American at the guard position in both 1956 and 1957.

After graduation, Farella served in the Army and became a real estate developer. He is widely respected for his restoration of the historic Cobble Hill Towers in Brooklyn, New York. A New York Times article commended him for keeping rents at Cobble Hill reasonable, giving “regular folks a chance to live in an area they would otherwise be unable to afford.”

He has not forgotten the folks at ASU, either, making donations to the athletics department that are some of the larger gifts in its history. He makes the thousand-mile trip back to campus for Homecoming, organizing reunions for his former teammates.

“In some way I am trying to pay back, if I can, my earlier life and wanted to help out the school," he says. "One thing I’ve learned in business is everyone is always underfinanced, even schools. I think there are three phases of life: you become educated, you learn and acquire, and then you serve,” said Farella. “I’m in the final stage of serving and I want to serve my college, my family, and my friends for the rest of my life.”

Frank Farella ’58

18

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

Dr. Robert ferralasco, one of the most beloved figures on campus for seven decades, came to us by an unlikely route. The New Jersey native served in the Coast Guard during World War II, and heard stories after the war about a college in Jonesboro, Arkansas, from his friend harold linderberry who had taken his Army Air Corps training there. "Harold fell in love with Arkansas State," says Ferralasco, and that enthusiasm convinced Ferralasco and several friends to make the long trip south.

Arriving at A-State and experiencing his first tornado, Ferralasco became active on campus, serving as football team manager. After graduation in 1949, he earned his masters and doctoral degrees in business education, returning to the A-State faculty. By the time he retired in 1989 after 37 years of service to ASU, he was a professor of administrative service and chair of Computer Information Services, a field unknown when he entered A-State in 1946.

Ferralasco was active with the Sigma Pi fraternity chapter chartered at A-State in 1948, serving later as its faculty advisor. He was honored in 1973 with a bench in the center of campus recognizing his quarter century of service to the organization.

In 1974, he recruited the first female African-American faculty member, Adena Williams loston. He assisted the development of several graduate level programs, funded a fully endowed scholarship, was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the university in 2000, and was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Honor in September, 2008.

Near the historic Arch, symbol of our campus, the Ferralasco Bench honors our living history.

University Benchmark

Dr. Gilbert l. fowler Jr. graduated from ASU in 1971 with a degree in journalism and a commission in the field artillery through A-State's ROTC program. In his military career, he rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel, serving the U.S. Army Reserve in such positions as Commander, 138th Military Intelligence Detachment; Commander, 343rd Public Affairs Detachment, and Public Affairs Officer for both the 122nd ARCOM and the 90th Regional Support Command.

After earning his masters and doctoral degrees, he joined the ASU faculty in 1978, rising to professor in the Department of Journalism in 1984.

He has served as director of graduate studies for the College of Communications, as president of the ASU Faculty Association, and chair of the Faculty Senate, being awarded ASU's Outstanding Teaching award along the way.

Fowler has also served as editor of scholarly journals, a reviewer for major national publishers, and a consultant for national news media including the Chicago Sun Times.

As a scholar, his work led to his being named the first educator to address the American Newspaper Publishers Association. He has published and presented over 100 articles and served as president of the Southwest Education Council for Journalism and Mass Communication.

He is currently associate dean of The Honors College, and has shepherded the new Honors Living-Learning community, seeing it rise from a vision to a reality under his watch. He says, "I've seen many different aspects of ASU, both as a student and now professionally, and if it's not too corny, I'd just like to say it's been an 'honor.'"

With Honors

Bob Ferralasco ’49

Voices

Gil Fowler ’74

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

19

NotableNames

of Arkansas State University

First Faculty and Staff on June 1, 1909, victor c. kays was officially hired as principal of the first District Agricultural School. Within two weeks, the first employees he hiredwere clyde and lucile bailes Warr. They and the other faculty and staff serving the 189 students who entered on oct. 3, 1910, were: v. c. kays, principal nira beck, literature and vocal music W. h. black, animal husbandry lillian cooley, instrumental music m. f. Dickson, math instructor and head of extension Dora elliot, clerk henry ness, biology elizabeth nowell, household economics f. T. Parks, mathematics and engineering clyde v. Warr, farm superintendent lucile Warr, matron of dormitories

20

Alumni Association Presidents

Through the years, many dedicated alumni have served on the ASU Alumni Association board of directors. This list includes Alumni Association presidents and their graduation year: carl Alexander '77 Whit barton '76 bob blackwood '53 laudies brantley '69 ben bush '72 hattie caraway '34 hazel coleman Dickey '61 Susan Doty Dudley '71 bob earwood '80 Roy fogle '57 Jamie frakes '90 Tom franzen '70 Jeff hankins '87 Wayne hartsfield '56 Jim kersey '82 June Disinger lacy Judith Sanford long '61 Tom manning '58 Rick mcbride '68 Steve mcferron '71 John mcmullan '55 Rick miles '78 h. T. moore '69 harold Perrin '69 Dan Pierce '72 Gary Pugh '68 Steve Reynolds '68 Gale Rodgers '37 Paul Rowton ii '98

21

Artistic Expression

Dr. Paul frets, emeritus professor of art at Virginia's Radford University, was born in Rector and became interested in art "probably around age eight or so," he says.

"My grandmother gave me my first set of oil paints and that started me on my art career."

He continues, "When I started school at Arkansas State, I had a teacher named Ned Griner in art. I also played college baseball. ike Tomlinson, the athletic director and baseball coach, was a strong mentor on behavior, teaching us how to get along with people and life lessons. He was a pretty important person to me."

In 1957 Frets signed a minor league baseball contract but was drafted into the Army that same year. After a severe knee injury, Frets was given an honorable discharge and re-entered ASU. After graduation, he earned a Doctor of Arts degree, worked as an assistant to world-renowned artists such as de Kooning, and became a professor of art at Radford University. He also established a popular studio in downtown Radford and has had showings of his work nationwide.

He still returns to northeast Arkansas, and has donated artwork for worthy causes such as Rector's Helping Hands Foundation to provide financial assistance for disadvantaged students. A building in Rector was converted into a gallery by ASU's 2006 Distinguished Alumnus Sherland hamilton '61, president of the Helping Hands board, and a special painting by Frets was auctioned to raise money for the Foundation. Frets was happy to reconnect with former classmates as well as "memories of growing up there, going to school there and playing basketball and baseball there."

Paul Frets ’60

Voices

Dramatically Different

Ever hear of the Sundance Film Festival? Bob Fosse? Hill Street Blues? Laverne and Shirley? If you've been attuned to popular culture anywhere between Ode to Billy Joe in 1976 and Disney's Minutemen in 2008, you've seen ASU alumnus Terrence Goodman who has worked with them all.

Goodman, who gave a memorable portrayal of Stanley Kowalski in Streetcar Named Desire while still an ASU student, was also awarded the 1972 Meritorious Achievement Award for Direction from the American College Theater Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington D. C. Shortly after graduation from A-State, he was filming Ode to Billy Joe, a major Hollywood movie which has become a cult classic. Soon he was appearing on TV's Newhart, The Fall Guy, Three's Company, The Young and the Restless, All My Children and Days of Our Lives. He embarked on touring productions of Broadway shows, directed regional productions, and taught for several years at Iowa State University.

He currently serves as artistic director of the Egyptian Theatre in Park City, Utah, home of the Sundance Film Festival. The theatre hosts hundreds of major players in the movie industry each year who come for the event founded by Robert Redford.

Goodman says he has warm feelings for ASU, where he also played football and ran track. The feeling is mutual. Susan briner, ASU database manager, recalls, "I was working in the Drama Department at the time, and got to know some of the students who were most active. Of course, Terry was in everything. I felt at the time that he was a 'natural' actor. When he became successful in Hollywood, there were many people here who said, 'I knew he would.' I am gratified that I was one of them."

Terence Goodman ’73

22

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

General Medicine

maj. Gen. elder Granger of Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, has had a career that combined his commitment to the military with a love for medicine. Recently retired as deputy director of the Department of Defense's TRICARE Management, the healthcare provider for the military, he directed a staff of more than 1,800 people and an annual budget of more than $20 billion with responsibility for providing health care for 9.2 million Americans worldwide.

The West Memphis native distinguished himself at ASU as Superior Freshman Cadet, Military History Award winner, Distinguished Military Graduate and being named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

While some students link their college years with parties and fun, Granger says, "My favorite memory of ASU was being with a group of like-minded students who shared the same dream and passion for going into the healthcare field. I will never forget the long hours of study in the lab, the library and in our dorms together."

After earning his Doctor of Medicine degree from UAMS in 1980, he was commissioned as an officer in the Army and has held leadership positions around the world including Commander, Task Force 44th Medical Command and Command Surgeon for Multinational Corps-Iraq in Baghdad.

He has been inducted into ASU's ROTC Hall of Heroes, and when notified that he was also named an ASU Distinguished Alumnus in 2008, he said, "I felt blessed, humbled, elated and extremely grateful that among the many exceptional graduates who have gone through the doors of ASU, they saw fit to nominate and select me."

Elder Granger ’76

Arkansas State University

Outstanding in His Field

The year 1951 was a major turning point for A-State with Dr. carl Reng's arrival as president and his selection of those who would lead the institution to its next level.

Ray hall, one of Reng's former graduate students at the University of Arkansas, was tapped to become director of field services, and be the 'face of A-State' for the outside world.

During his quarter century at A-State, Hall drove innumerable miles, meeting with countless people all over the state, including high school students whom he hoped to recruit. At the end of their college days, he served as placement director, helping to secure jobs for students after graduation. In between, he was the public relations director for the college, often serving as the face and voice of A-State.

His efforts helped lead the college into a tremendous period of growth. By 1959, the stage was set to seek university status. Roy fogle '57, manager of the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce that year recalls working with Hall, Reng, and others to set the plan into motion.

The 1959 effort was not successful, but led the way for obtaining university status in 1967. Hall's son Dr. Ray hall Jr. '67 was SGA president at that time and recalls those heady days: "My dad, Dr. eugene Smith '52, and Woody haynes put in a lot of miles in the car for years before that vote, going around the state trying to drum up support. I recall being in the car driving down to Little Rock for the Senate vote with Dad and coaches bennie ellender and ike Tomlinson. It was pretty exciting for a student!"

Ray Hall

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

23

Successful Operation

Dr. Ray hall, Jr. was Student Government Association president at A-State in the fateful year of 1967. In that year's pursuit to gain university status, he worked closely with members of A-State's top administration. Luckily, he had 24-hour access to an important one: his father Ray hall Sr., director of field services.

Ray Hall Jr. recognized the significance of the quest for university status, not only for A-State but for all higher education in Arkansas: "It was a really big thing. I don’t think young people today realize how big it was," he says. "But those at A-State were trailblazers back then. Other colleges followed suit including our 'sister schools' who were founded the same year as us."

He went on to medical school and within ten years, he became not only a physician but a founder of what is today's NEA Clinic in Jonesboro, employing hundreds of doctors and staff members who provide healthcare for more than 300,000 area residents each year.

He was named an ASU Distinguished Alumnus in 1994, and has supported the university through scholarship donations and helping improve science facilities. But those who recall 1967 remember young Ray Hall Jr. campaigning for SGA president with the platform, 'University Reform.' Through his efforts, he was helping reform the university system throughout the state. A scrapbook he maintained contains historical items, newspaper articles, bumper stickers, photos and other memorabilia spotlighting the excitement of the time. For the SGA president turned physician, that operation can truly be called a success.

Ray Hall, Jr. ’67

Arkansas State University

A native of Rector, Sherland hamilton has continued to serve A-State and northeast Arkansas throughout his life. He has been active in many civic organizations and serves as the first president and a founding member of the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation, a group of local residents who help disadvantaged young people in Rector schools.

Sherland was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the university in 2006. One of his greatest gifts to the university, the region, and the world of literature came in 1997.

Through the leadership of Hamilton and that of his wife barbara Wilbourn hamilton '62, the purchase of the property which became ASU's Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott became a reality.

They not only contributed the financial support to make the purchase possible but also, through a matching funds challenge, encouraged others to join this historic undertaking. Today, ASU's Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum serves as an official visitor center for the Crowley's Ridge Parkway, a state and national scenic byway. It provides a living laboratory for ASU faculty and students, allowing scholars and visitors from around the world to experience a place where world-renowned author Ernest 'Papa' Hemingway wrote portions of his classic works.

Visitors can go back in time to the 1930s when Hemingway visited with his wife Pauline Pfeiffer, whose family lived in Piggott. To give Hemingway privacy for writing, their barn was converted to a studio where portions of one of his most famous novels, A Farewell to Arms, and several short stories were written. Thanks to Sherland and Barbara Hamilton, Hemingway's world is now open to ours.

Bringing Papa to Piggott

Sherland Hamilton ’61

24

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

This year, during ASU's Centennial, another anniversary is being celebrated. It's the 25th birthday of Arkansas Business, respected statewide for covering the commerce of the state and its relation to the global economy. At its helm is president and publisher Jeff hankins, who also oversees a growing array of websites and television partnerships as well as the Arkansas Business Publishing Group with 16 separate entities including Jonesboro's Occasions magazine, the annual Arkansas Bride, and the website Arkansas Sports 360.com.

In his publisher's letter welcoming readers to the 25th anniversary issue of Arkansas Business in March, 2009, Jeff looked back a quarter century when he was at ASU as an "idealistic college student studying journalism and dreaming of becoming editor of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Philadelphia Inquirer." He arrived at Arkansas Business in 1993, assuming it would be a temporary rung on his career ladder.

Through his leadership, today AB is one of the most successful operations anywhere, while the Inquirer sadly has filed for bankruptcy. Under Jeff's guidance, the business news of the state is being delivered via all manner of current technology as well as looking to what Jeff calls "'the next big thing' that we haven’t heard of yet."

He was involved in many activities as a student, which earned him ASU's Distinguished Service Award, one of the university's top honors for graduating seniors. Today he devotes that energy and service to chronicling the ups and downs that affect us all. After all, that's his business.

Arkansas Business Man

One ASU alumnus has stars like Tom Cruise and Van Halen looking up to him, along with almost 500 million fans around the world. As one of the very few pilots named to the Navy's elite Blue Angels flying team, capt. clint harris credits an A-State professor with the push that led him to the skies. He attended ASU as an engineering major and recalls, "When I finally decided to pursue manufacturing technology, Dr. Perry isbell '57 helped me to achieve that, despite my very apparent lack of motivation. He also supported my decision to join the Marines and recommended me for the officer program. For that, I am forever in his debt."

In 1997, Clint was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia. He earned his gold wings in 2000. After deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan, Capt. Harris was selected to join the elite six-member Blue Angels in 2006. The team demonstrates the ultimate in precision flying, performing highly dangerous maneuvers. Their popularity increased with the Tom Cruise movie Top Gun and rock group Van Halen used footage of the Blue Angels in the video for their hit song 'Dreams.'

The sticker price of the basic F/A-18 Hornet that Capt. Harris flies to work starts at $21 million. It approaches twice the speed of sound, climbs 30,000 feet per minute, is carrier-capable and can be combat-ready in 72 hours. Capt. Harris and the team must practice constantly. Not only exemplifying 'the few, the proud, the Marines,' Clint Harris is one of ASU's most high-flying alumni.

Flying High

Jeff Hankins ’87

Voices

Clint Harris ’96

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

25

Driving Force

During ASU's Centennial, many people have contributed to our 100th birthday celebration. Some point to the success of ASU's 75th anniversary in 1984 for guidance.

Fortunately for ASU, the driving force behind the 75th also directs its 100th - Dr. Ruth hawkins.

She has spent more than three decades at ASU, originally serving as vice president for institutional advancement and directing memorable events such as the 1984 campus visit from President Bill Clinton to dedicate the Library.

Most recently, organizing a Centennial celebration throughout 2009-10 is just part of her agenda. She is director of ASU's System Initiatives for Technical and Educational Support (SITES), which includes responsibilities for the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum at Tyronza, Lakeport Plantation in Lake Village, and the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center at Piggott. She is also executive director of Arkansas Delta Byways, a 15county tourism association that promotes Eastern Arkansas and its two national scenic byways: Crowley's Ridge Parkway and the Great River Road.

She serves as a technical advisor to the Mississippi River Parkway Commission of Arkansas, board member for Mississippi River Trail, Inc., and member of the Arkansas Women’s Forum. Dr. Hawkins is the recipient of numerous awards, including being named Tourism Person of the Year in 2005.

While recognizing the role of A-State in the world of the 21st century, she feels a strong connection to the region and its history, saying, "When ASU was founded in 1909, it was the First District Agricultural School, founded to serve the needs of the region. Over time we have grown, but we still have a special role in the Delta." Thanks to Ruth Hawkins, it's a role that's played very well.

Ruth Hawkins ’82

Voices

Arkansas Roots

In 1958, Woodrow haynes moved his family to Jonesboro to become farm superintendent at A-State. Like president carl Reng, he came from the northwestern corner of the state, Reng via Fayetteville and Haynes from Charleston, in Franklin County.

During the 1967 move for university status, Woody Haynes became even more valuable to A-State. Dr. John hall '83 mRc '85, currently professor of psychology at ASU, says: "Mr. Haynes was politically connected with just about every Arkansas state senator and representative. He had a remarkable memory, and exceptional interpersonal and political skills," adding, "Due to the efforts of individuals like Mr. Haynes, ASC became Arkansas State University."

Apart from that achievement, Woody Haynes has been praised by many others including former U. S. Sen. Dale Bumpers who credits his skills in a previous career to far-reaching social change. Before coming to A-State, Haynes was superintendent of schools in Charleston, Arkansas. Quoted by the Associated Press, Bumpers credits Haynes for the smooth and successful process of integrating the Charleston schools in 1954, years ahead of other, more publicized locales. Charleston was the first school district in the former Confederate states to integrate all 12 grades, and for doing so, was named a National Commemorative Site by the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service.

Woody Haynes remained in Jonesboro until his death in 1991. His son Woodrow W. haynes ii is currently employed in Facilities Management at ASU. Whether standing at the forefront of social change or bringing a regional college to university status, Woody Haynes could look back with great pride in his ability to make things grow.

Woody Haynes

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Energy to Spare

As an A-State student, howard J. hicks was a whirlwind of activity, a leader in all corners of campus life including The Herald. As if that weren't time-consuming enough, he convinced President v. c. kays that even during the hard times of Depression, he and two fellow students could edit, print, and publish a first-class, self-supporting annual for the college. Hicks became the first editor of the Indian yearbook, which continued into the next century.

Mr. Hicks, who passed away in 2007, would have loved ASU's Centennial celebration. After all, he was part of its very first anniversary, the Silver Jubilee on its 25th birthday in 1934. Representing the student body, he was involved in all aspects, including helping to write and produce a dramatization of A-State's history to that point.

He worked his way through college by working nights as a linotype operator for the Jonesboro Sun, later becoming its sports editor. After earning his degree in English, he moved to Texas as state editor of the Beaumont Journal, became administrative aide to Texas State Representative Talmadge Heflin, and was so active in the civic affairs of his hometown of Alief, Texas, that the town dubbed him "Mr. Alief," even naming an elementary school in his honor.

In 1998, he was named an ASU Distinguished Alumnus. Well into his eighties, he continued to be involved in all aspects of his community including the Alief Chamber of Commerce, even chairing the town's 130th anniversary celebration. After all, he had a good bit of experience in such festivities at A-State back in 1934.

Howard Hicks ’37

Arkansas State University

“High Hurdling Hill”

Dr. Thomas lionel hill, currently vice president for student affairs at Iowa State University, was ASU's first Olympic athlete, earning the bronze medal for the 110meter high hurdles at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.

That same year, he graduated from A-State as Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned in the U. S. Army Adjutant General Corps. He put his military, educational and athletic skills to work by serving as coach at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, assistant director of athletics at the University of Oklahoma and Tulane University, and dean of student services at the University of Florida. He was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, and was twice named Arkansas Amateur Athlete of the Year.

Dr. Hill was named an ASU Distinguished Alumnus in 1989, and has been inducted into A-State's ROTC Hall of Heroes. The native of New Orleans had joined ROTC when he entered A-State and soon excelled not only in the military field but also across campus in track and field.

Training under coach Thad Talley, his exploits in high hurdles soon earned him the nicknames "The Amazing Thomas Hill," "Super Chief," and "High Hurdling Hill."

In 1970, he was rated the top hurdler in the world but disaster struck in 1971 when he injured his knee in a meet at Monroe, Louisiana. Losing an entire year, he put himself through rigorous rehabilitation. Under coach Guy kochel, he overcame that hurdle, swept the Olympic trials and went on to a high-flying triumph at the Olympics.

Thomas Hill ’72

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

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From the Beginning

When marilyn mccracken hummelstein received her bachelor's degree in education, she was the third generation of her family to become an alumnus of Arkansas State and the fourth generation with ties to the university, going back to its very beginning.

When Jonesboro was confirmed as the site of the new agricultural school in early 1910, v. c. kays and the first Board of Trustees voted to purchase the Warner-Krewson farm east of Jonesboro and to hire Marilyn's great-grandparents, clyde and lucile bailes Warr. Clyde would be farm superintendent, with Mrs. Warr named matron of the dormitories. Thereafter, she was almost always affectionately called "Mother Warr." Marilyn's grandmother, margaret Warr, was in the college's first four-year class, which graduated in 1932.

Marilyn herself was named a Distinguished Alumna of the university in 2006. She has given back to her alma mater and the community in innumerable ways, including service on the ASU Foundation, the ASU Community Development Board, College of Business Advisory Council, Legacy Society, President's Partners, several scholarships, and support for the Cooper Alumni Center, the home for all alumni, not just those who go back four generations.

Marilyn says, "ASU is a part of me; I can't imagine not being a part of ASU. I was a part of the university long before I went to school there. When I was young, we lived on campus with my mother's family. It was always a part of my life. I loved my college days, loved dorm life, loved it all. But ASU was a part of me long before that. It's responsible for the person I am today."

Marilyn Hummelstein ’74

Arkansas State University

Banking on Success

marlin Jackson was born in 1934 near Buffalo Island and attended Dixie High School, where he was valedictorian. Graduating from A-State in 1958 with a BSA in agriculture economics, he was first in his class, an honor graduate and was named a Student of Distinction.

In a banking career which spanned 35 years, he led various financial institutions until being named by Gov. Bill Clinton to serve as Arkansas' state banking commissioner, the office he held from 1983 to 1987. During that time, he was widely praised for averting a banking crisis in 1985.

He served as chairman of the ASU Foundation Board of Directors and President of the ASU Alumni Association. He was named Jaycees Outstanding Man of the Year in 1969 and was a member of the Advisory Council for Winrock International, treasurer of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Paragould Chamber of Commerce. He was Justice of the Peace in Greene County for 23 years and served on the State Board of Higher Education for ten years. In 1985, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Arkansas State University.

Marlin Jackson passed away in 1998 at age 64, survived by a loving family who made a gift in his honor to the Cooper Alumni Center for a room dedicated to ASU history. Today it is called the Marlin Jackson History Room.

Despite his many achievements, Marlin Jackson always embraced his rural roots in agriculture and called himself a "farmer at heart" and a "country banker."

Marlin Jackson ’58

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As director of the Arkansas Department of Education 2004-09, Dr. ken James handled the job so well that one legislator said, "I don’t think you can name another era where we've made more progress in school improvements in Arkansas."

Ken James’ early days of playing baseball in Batesville served him well, as he was offered a baseball scholarship from A-State. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at ASU," he says."I felt that the campus environment was challenging, stimulating and supportive. I always felt at home.”

He especially remembers John hosinski of the HPESS faculty and coach bill Davidson.

After graduation from ASU with a degree in education, he became a school principal like his father in California, where his family had lived during his childhood.

He was later named superintendent of schools in Batesville, then led the state’s largest school system in Little Rock. Ultimately, he served as director of the Arkansas Department of Education under Governors Huckabee and Beebe.

While in office, he said that the state was “at a pivotal point in time for education in Arkansas.” Always on call, he also fulfilled numerous speaking engagements across Arkansas and around the nation, one of ASU's best ambassadors.

Today James is executive vice president and CEO of America's Choice, which is based in Washington D.C.,and helps public schools improve their academic performance. When he left office for the private sector in June, 2009, State Sen. Shane broadway '94 noted that James did not have one day off from the big job, and Governor mike beebe '68 said, "He's been at the helm through some difficult times."

Directing Education

Dr. Jane m. Jamison is director of federal programs and testing for Jonesboro Public Schools, with more than four decades of service in education as a high school English teacher, library media specialist and district-level administrator.

In May, 1995, she received the university's first doctoral degree through the College of Education, thirty years after she first enrolled as a summer school student at A-State. She notes that President Emeritus Dr. eugene Smith '52, whose vision contributed to the doctoral degree program, had returned as ASU's interim president that year and conferred her degree.

Along the way toward her two other ASU degrees, a master's in English in 1972 as that program was launched and an Ed.S. in Secondary Principalship, she completed certification as a school librarian and an adult education instructor. After receiving her doctorate, she returned to campus for several years, teaching evening classes in statistics and research as a means of giving back to ASU. Today she says, “Educational administrators in northeast Arkansas are fortunate to have access to ASU's doctoral program in educational leadership. It provides an opportunity for personal and professional growth with support from both colleagues in the cohort groups and the faculty."

At a recent School Board meeting, JPS Superintendent Dr. kim bridger Wilbanks '84 mSe '86 recognized Jamison's efforts, adding, "Dr. Jamison is a highly effective educator who has been a tremendous asset to the Jonesboro School District. Her preparation at Arkansas State provided her the expertise to secure numerous grants for JPS. We are extremely fortunate to have an educator with the dedication and vision of Dr. Jane Jamison in our district."

Educational Trail Blazer

Kenneth James ’72

Voices

Jane Jamison ’72 Ed.S. ’86 Ed.D. ’95

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

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First Graduating Class

in may of 1913, students in the first graduating class of the first District Agricultural School received their high school diplomas. The three men and two women were: ezell Agnew king banks lela bryant earl elliott frank farley

NotableNames

of Arkansas State University

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Hall of Heroes The ASU military Science department honors those who have given outstanding service to our country by naming them to its hall of heroes. As of this centennial year, the members and their year of graduation are: LTC James L. Beard '65 Bill Bergey '69 Thomas E. Blagg '56 COL Jerry P. Bookout '55 COL Jerry W. Bowen '64 CPT Ron Carmack '63 1LT Joseph L. Chambers '63 COL Ray Clardy '42 1LT Neauman D. Coleman '68 COL Thomas J. Davis '61 COL Russell H. Dowden Jr. '65 LTC Gilbert L. Fowler, Ph. D. '71 MG Elder Granger '76 LTC Dave Grossman 1LT Noel A. Harris Jr. '63 Thomas L. Hill, Ph. D. '72

BG Lynn C. Hooper '62 John Horn '38 SSG Oal L. Hutchison '43 COL Glynda W. Lucas, MD '75 CPT Stephen W. Lynch '69 LTC Bobby Martin '75 1LT Michael J. McCarty '02 CPT Earl Ray Michles '62 MAJ Ron M. Miller '59 COL Douglas E. Moore '59 COL James W. Pardew '66 MG Bobby B. Porter '65 LTC Thomas A. Rice '53 CPT Winston T. Robinson COL Scott W. Rowell '71 MAJ James L. Sanders '69

CPT Felix Paul Settlemire '41 1LT John R. Shell, MD '41 MG James E. Simmons '74 1LT George Kenton Sisler '64 LTC Barney G. Smith '74 Dr. Eugene W. Smith '52 LTC Harold T. Smith '43 COL Jessie E Stewart '57 MG Eugene L. Stillions Jr. '56 MG Alfred F. Thompson '74 BG Frank J. Toney '72 LTC Fredrick C. Turner Jr. '60 BG Ernest R. Webster '66 MAJ Preston Williams '64 BG Bobby G. Wood '53 LTC Dallas C. Wood '60

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Nashville Star

On May 3, 2003, millions were watching the USA network's Nashville Star TV show.

More than 8,000 musicians had auditioned for the premier season of the show, similar to American Idol for country music. Only 12 were ultimately selected to perform on the air.

During the process, a 41-year-old singer from northeast Arkansas was asked to compete as a wild card contestant.

Edging out then-unknown Miranda Lambert, who called it a "nine-week audition for everyone in the music industry," the winner was former ASU football player buddy Jewell.

His journey to the winner's circle started with an academic scholarship to ASU in 1980. He played football as a walk-on under linebackers coach mike malham, who referred to him as "my little Jewell." Despite college dreams of a pro football career, he entered a talent contest sponsored by TKE fraternity, coming in second and being smitten by the sound of applause.

Jewell got married in his junior year, leaving his Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity brothers in Delta Hall and joining a band that toured more than 300 days a year for four years.

He won several episodes of Star Search hosted by Ed McMahon, and after being urged by a friend to audition, signed up to be a contestant on a new TV show, Nashville Star.

After winning, he released several top-five hits and ultimately formed his own record label to accompany his songwriting My Little Jewell Music. He continues to tour and hosts an annual fan club party in Tennessee, also supporting St. Jude's and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This Jewell continues to shine.

Buddy Jewell

Voices

Rock Doc

How would you like going to work each day if you might rub elbows with people like Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bette Midler, Aerosmith, the Eagles, Gladys Knight, Justin Timberlake, Garth Brooks and the Miss America pageant contestants? Because of the confidential doctor-patient relationship, it cannot be stated for the record that these celebrities have been treated by ASU alumnus Dr. Joe W. Johnson, but a physician does not earn the title 'Rock Doc of Las Vegas' without treating the superstars who perform the big concerts on the Strip.

Arriving at ASU from McCrory, he met Dr. Robert Ricks of the biology department, and recalls: "I originally had planned to return to the family farm but Dr. Ricks inspired me, along with many others, to attend medical school and even helped us gain admission."

After med school and the Air Force where he worked with the famed Thunderbirds, Johnson opened his medical practice in Las Vegas, "in August 1977, the day Elvis died," he says. "In the 1980s, demand began for medical services to the many touring acts who flocked to Las Vegas at the time. At the Aladdin, I began administering to the old rockers, and somehow got anointed 'Rock Doc of Vegas.' Over the years I have seen just about everyone who has come through Las Vegas."

In a previous brush with fame, part of Joe Johnson's ASU experience included being part of an iconic moment. In 1967, Arkansas State College attained university status and on that snowy day - in Johnson's words - "I'm the fat guy with black frames hoisting the ASU sign on the billboard." Rock on.

Joe Johnson ’70

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Triple Threat

Al Joyner was a track and field star at ASU who went on to win the gold medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles for the triple jump, the first American in eight decades to win the event and the first African-American. He also married track legend Florence Griffith, who came to be known as “Flo Jo” after her marriage to Joyner.

Training together as youngsters, Al's sister Jackie Joyner Kersee also went on to fame, winning six Olympic medals in track and field, including three gold.

At ASU, Al was coached by Guy kochel in track and field. His younger sister, Deborah Joyner, also attended ASU, where she played basketball.

While at ASU, Joyner was affectionately nicknamed “Sweetwater” by his fellow athletes due to a newspaper article which described how he was a lifeguard one summer during high school and saved a girl from drowning at the pool. The girl told a reporter that she would not be alive if it were not for that “sweet boy by the water.”

Joyner won the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award in 1984, given every four years to honor the person named the best American competitor in a field event at the Olympic Games. That year, he and Jackie became the first brother-sister American teammates to win medals at the same games.

Joyner returned to ASU as an assistant track and field coach. He later moved to California, joining his brother-in-law, Bob Kersee, as an assistant coach at UCLA. Fondly recalled by ASU fans and currently our most recent Olympic medalist, at present he directs the Flo Jo Community Empowerment Foundation and is an Olympic track trainer.

Al Joyner

Arkansas State University

Founding Father

No look at ASU could be complete without its founding father, victor cicero kays. At its creation, he was named principal of the new First District Agricultural School at age 28, not much older than some of his charges.

He was hired on June 1, 1910, before the school even had a site. He guided the process of purchasing land, constructing buildings, hiring faculty and staff, printing a catalog, attracting students, arranging their lodging, setting class schedules, buying livestock and paying the bills.

But it is the smaller, human moments that bring V. C. Kays to life and underscore his achievements. He seemed to be everywhere at once, day or night, showing work details how to mix concrete, supervising construction crews, coaching athletic teams, and once even hiring a Pinkerton's detective to clean up some shady spots in town that were too attractive to his student wards.

When the Old Administration Building burned in 1931 and it was clear that it could not be saved, he ordered fire hoses trained on the safe holding student records; it was the only thing salvaged from the flames. During the Depression when students were scarce and money was scarcer, he paid faculty from his own pocket.

The most famous tale regarding Kays was told by many including Tex Plunkett '34 who heard it as a freshman. Apparently some female students attached a laundry basket to a rope, using it to haul their boyfriends into the dorm after hours. Kays heard about it and one night, he rode up in the basket. The girls saw who it was, panicked, and let go of the rope, sending Kays crashing down, thereafter to sport a limp.

Kays announced his retirement in 1943, was brought back as president in 1945 and served until 1946. He passed away in 1966, just one year before the institution he led from its very beginning as a high school became a full university.

V.C. Kays

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

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“The Run of the Place”

His father was the first and longest-serving president of ASU. His photo at age six was in the 1924 yearbook. He was twelve years old when he watched the Old Administration Building burn to the ground in 1931. He attended classes on campus from third grade until he received his bachelor's degree in engineering in 1938. Before his death in 2001, victor hale kays, known to all as 'Buddy,' was a walking history of the university, recalling, "I had the run of the place."

Buddy was born after his father, president v. c. kays, had been in office for ten years. Buddy's mother was bertie hale kays of Paragould, who had served as secretary to president Kays. Buddy recalls his mother not being pleased when his father would take him on daily rounds overseeing construction on the new campus, letting Buddy alight on a huge pile of dirt to play, later going home with sand in his cuffs.

Buddy Kays learned to read engineering specs in A-State's Teacher Training Building, ultimately embarking on a career in engineering which took him all around the country. After retiring, his reminiscences formed the backbone of Voices From State, an oral history of our first 75 years published in 1984. After Buddy Kays passed away, his home on campus was opened to a public auction, with many people coming away with small pieces of history. An even greater contribution was his decision to leave his father's papers to the ASU Archives, a remarkable firsthand look at some remarkable days gone by.

V.H. ‘Buddy’ Kays ’38

Arkansas State University

Family Tradition

Dr. Shelvy haywood keglar of Indianapolis is president and director of the Midwest Psychological Center, Inc., which has worked with the U. S. Department of Labor, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Children & Family Services as well as local courts and hospitals.

He was named a Distinguished Alumnus of ASU in 1991, when recollections of his academic career were almost overshadowed by his championship days when he captained the A-State basketball team, later serving as freshman coach and graduate assistant. He had transferred to ASU after two years at Kaskaskia College in Illinois, where his former coach said, “Shelvy led not just by talking but by example. He was a winner.”

Graduating from ASU with an undergraduate degree in sociology and a masters in rehabilitation counseling, he was invited to several pro basketball camps and also coached on the collegiate and semi-pro levels. After tryouts with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers, and military service in the U. S. Army Medical Field Service Corps, he completed his doctorate in psychology. He has become a leader in his field, publishing widely in the areas of personality assessment, addictions and adolescent psychology.

In 2008, the Indianapolis Star profiled three generations of the family. Today, a son, Stanford keglar, carries on the athletic tradition as a linebacker for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. Another son, Shelvy keglar Jr. '92, helps manage the mental health clinic. Athletically and academically, they both carry on a winning tradition.

Shelvy Keglar ’70

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A-State's former football coach and athletic director larry lacewell is called the "winning-est" football coach in ASU history, taking his teams to four straight trips to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, two Southland Conference championships, and the 1986 Division I-AA national championship.

After a stint at the University of Oklahoma, Lacewell became ASU's head football coach and athletic director in 1979, staying the longest of any ASU football coach and building one of the strongest Division I-AA teams in the nation. While at A-State he was spotlighted in The Sporting News as having "perhaps the top I-AA program in the nation." Under his leadership, ASU games were televised nationally.

In his 11 years at ASU, Lacewell led his team to two back-to-back Southland Conference titles, in 1985 and 1986, attaining a 69-58-4 record. Many of his players and assistants have gone on to professional careers in the NFL. Lacewell himself joined the NFL's Dallas Cowboys in 1992 to become director of college scouting, later directing pro scouting. Lacewell is the only known coach in the nation who led college teams to two back-to-back championships and been part of two back-to-back NFL Super Bowl wins.

In 2004, ASU named the team locker room in his honor, with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones attending the event and making a generous donation to the school in recognition of Lacewell. After his retirement from the Cowboys in 2005, the Arkansas General Assembly passed a resolution honoring Lacewell for his accomplishments.

ASU holds a special place for Lacewell. As he said, "I’ve been part of the fight and thrilled to death that I was part of it. I think it’s a special place - Arkansas State doesn’t give up."

The “Winning-est”

Academically, athletically and professionally, Timothy Dean langford, m. D., is top of the line. The zoology major made the Honor Roll each semester at ASU, was named Outstanding Biology Student in 1982, was selected for Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities and graduated magna cum laude. All of which is especially impressive since he was a little busy outside the classroom.

On the gridiron, Langford was ASU's AllSouthland Conference quarterback 1980-83, leading in total offense for three seasons, and still ranking in A-State's top ten in career yardage. He was named to the Southland Conference All-American Football Team for four years and was also a three-time Academic All-Southland Conference selection.

As a senior, Langford was the recipient of the very first Terry Gwin Award, presented annually to the top student-athlete in any sport at ASU. The recognitions continue, as he was recently named to the Sun Belt Conference’s 30th Anniversary Distinguished Alumni list, as well as ASU's Ring of Honor and Hall of Honor.

Today, he is a urologist with Arkansas Urology Associates in Little Rock, the largest practice of its kind in the state, after serving as chief urology resident at UAMS. In 2004, Langford and his wife, Terri Joseph langford, who also attended ASU, presented a major gift for ASU’s sports medicine program and training room, which was named the Tim and Terri Langford Sports Medicine Center. The couple has welcomed hundreds of incoming ASU freshmen and their families in central Arkansas by opening their home to host the Alumni Association's Summer Celebration.

Tim Langford is still leading the ASU team with characteristic humility. At his 2008 Hall of Honor induction he said, "I guess it took them 26 years to forget all my bad plays."

Team Leader

Larry Lacewell

Voices

Tim Langford ’83

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

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The Sound of Music

Julia Riggs lansford began her service to ASU by accepting a "temporary" position in the Department of Music soon after her graduation. The plan was to stay a short time, save money, and then embark on her professional singing career. That "temporary" job lasted 44 years. She did not count on falling in love with teaching, putting her students ahead of her own singing career.

When she retired from ASU in 2008 after more than four decades, she said she could never find a point when she felt she could leave her students.

Those students have gone on to the kind of professional careers that beckoned Lansford if she had left teaching. They have achieved success in Broadway musicals, with the Gaithers, and the award-winning country-rock band Little Big Town.

Hundreds more perform in community arts organizations, lead choral groups and teach music to the next generation.

Apart from Lansford's former students who have gone on to professional success, there are her own contributions to music, even as she taught full time. Lansford, a mezzo-soprano, has been the "singing voice" of ASU and received honors statewide.

She has been named 'Outstanding Singer in Arkansas' and represented our state at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D. C. She was chosen to sing at the White House for a reception honoring the Prime Minister of Ireland, performing a program of Irish songs - on St. Patrick's Day, no less!

The arts in Arkansas and our nation have been enriched by her lifetime of dedication to the arts and to her students at ASU.

Julia Lansford ’62

Voices

Artist Emeritus

evan lindquist has been part of the A-State family since 1963, teaching printmaking and drawing for four decades until retiring from ASU in 2003, the year he was named Emeritus Professor of Art. With artworks in collections around the world, he continues to make prints in his private studio in Jonesboro and be inspired by appropriately-named canine friend 'Dali,' pictured with him here.

He was named ASU's Outstanding Faculty Member in 1981, when he was also appointed first chairman of the President’s Fellows. In 2004, he received the Arkansas Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award as well as the Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, Emporia State University.

Following in the footsteps of artist-printmakers such as Durer and Rembrandt, Lindquist's prints are often labyrinthine, created by cutting lines into a copper plate with a burin, one of the oldest printmaking methods. How did he get started? "When I was very young, my parents encouraged me to make marks in imitation of my father's elegant ornamental penmanship. Those lines, and the copperplate style of penmanship, have continued to be part of my way of seeing for more than 65 years."

His award-winning prints have been included in more than 200 juried exhibitions including Boston Printmakers, San Diego State University and Silvermine Guild of Artists. His prints can be found in permanent collections around the world, including the Albertina in Vienna, Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, San Francisco Art Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and The Uffizi in Florence. Thankfully, his "way of seeing" led him to ASU.

Evan Lindquist

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ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

Pioneer

Dr. Adena Williams loston was the first female African-American faculty member at ASU, having been recruited by Dr. bob ferralasco '49 to teach business education. Serving on the faculty from 1974-76, she has said A-State was the first of several positions in which she was the "first and only" African-American woman in her field, adding that ASU was the "Genesis of my education background and career." On her way to her current position as president of St. Philip's College in San Antonio which she assumed in 2007, she brought her unique talents to a high-flying government agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, more commonly known as NASA. Her business card must have been a big one. She was Director of Education, Special Assistant for the Suborbital and Special Orbital Projects Directorate at the Goddard Space Flight Center, and Chief Education Officer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration headquarters in Washington, D. C. With all the science, she remained an educator. As senior education official, she was responsible for focusing on the educational goals of NASA's space program, how the agency would share its resources with students, and how it could assist those interested in NASA careers.

One way was through 50 NASA Explorer Schools, a rotating program for teaching math and science to students all the way from kindergarten to 12th grade.

As busy as that kept her, she returned to ASU to speak in 2004, when she was presented with a Pioneer Award from the Strong-Turner Alumni Chapter, a fitting recognition for this high-flying educator.

Adena Williams Loston

Arkansas State University

Institutional Memory

One measure of irene morgan martz's value to ASU came at her retirement reception in 2005 when well-wishers packed the Grand Hall of Fowler Center after almost a half-century of her service to ASU. Her retirement gift was a computer so she could check her e-mail and answer questions about the university that only she would know.

At retirement, her title was senior assistant to the vice chancellor for research and academic affairs. Today it is Staff Emeritus. But her informal title is the university's institutional memory. Currently serving in Irene's position, Robin Sample hicks '97 says, "Irene was the one person you could call to get any historical information about the university. Her institutional memory on when policies had been adopted by the Board of Trustees was remarkable."

That memory began in 1957 when she was secretary to Dean hazlebaker and later to business manager linual cameron. She knew them as human beings rather than the legends they have become, though even at the time, their public perception preceded them. Irene says, "I was at Citizens Bank downtown one afternoon when a friend came up and said, 'You mean Dean Hazelbaker let you out?' They thought he was that strict."

Once when president carl Reng was considering a federal post, he asked Irene to come to Washington D. C. as his secretary, but luckily both stayed at A-State. She too has joined the pantheon of legends. Robin Hicks says, "While I currently hold the position she once held for so many years, it is such a compliment when someone says, 'You sound just like Irene.'"

Irene Martz ’74

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

37

American Hero

Two years after receiving his degree in agriculture from ASU in 2002, lt. michael John mccarty found himself in Baghdad, Iraq, with an armor-piercing rocketpropelled grenade shrieking through the side of his humvee. During the time that Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion of Arkansas' 39th Infantry Brigade spent in Iraq, this day, Nov. 20, 2004, was the worst. Three hundred Iraqi insurgents attacked the platoon, firing rockets on one side and machine guns on the other. With a fragment of shrapnel still lodged in his body, for which he received the Purple Heart, McCarty carries a constant reminder of that day.

Another reminder is the nation's acknowledgement of his actions. By receiving the Silver Star, ASU's Mike McCarty became the most highly-decorated National Guard solider in the state. In the U. S. Army, only the Distinguished Service Cross takes precedence as an award for valor. The commendation reads: "Directing his platoon and facing rocket propelled grenades, machine guns and small arms fire, First Lieutenant McCarty repeatedly demonstrated complete disregard for his own personal safety by continually uncovering himself in order to acquire targets and direct fire, at one point charging and destroying an enemy machine gun team without support. His actions are responsible for saving American lives, destroying enemy forces and preventing the capture of an Iraqi police station."

Mike's path to Iraq passed through A-State. He says, "Becoming an officer through the ROTC program allowed me to serve in a leadership capacity. The experiences and training I received both as a cadet and later as a member of the cadre allowed me to train and lead soldiers into combat without any fatalities."

Mike McCarty ’02

Arkansas State University

Cheerleader Mom

martha Wofford mcferron '71 was an ASU cheerleader from 1968-71, serving as captain her senior year. But her cheerleading experience didn't stop with graduation.

She has fond memories of those glory days, especially a radical move her first year: "During basketball season, we made a fashion statement when our skirts graduated from just above the knee to a shorter 'mini' style." She also recalls, "The Homecoming bonfire/pep rally was always a huge event that once featured a performance by comedian Rodney Dangerfield. Traveling on the team's chartered plane was a frequent treat for the squad. I recall being served steak by the flight attendants for post-game meals."

But all good things must end, or so she and her husband Steve mcferron '71 thought. "Little did I know when I graduated that my involvement with the ASU cheerleaders would be renewed less than ten years later. I received a phone call from Sam Gennuso, chairman of the Faculty Athletic Committee, inquiring about my interest in becoming the squad adviser. I began overseeing the cheerleading program in the spring of 1980, and was quickly nicknamed 'Mom.' Once we were at a restaurant in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; after hearing several people at the table refer to me as 'Mom,' the waitress asked, 'Are all of these really your children?'

She says that representing A-State as a cheerleader "definitely impacted the devotion I have for my alma mater. Having the privilege as an alumnus to serve as cheerleader adviser for more than 28 years has been a priceless experience. Needless to say, I have a lot of children!"

Martha McFerron ’71

38

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

Dr. Gladys mcPike hudgins taught physical education at ASU from 1954 to 1985, and was the long-time sponsor/adviser for the cheerleaders and Indian Family. After her passing, she remains in the hearts of the ASU family including former student Rosalie Gorham barber '60 mSe '68 who said, "Gladys McPike Hudgins was a wonderful mentor for me in the HPER Department.

She was also my 'dorm mom' and a very special lady in my life."

Being a 'dorm mom' also involved her son Dr. Stan mcPike '76, (pictured here with his mother in 1962), growing up in a girl's dorm. "After my father was no longer with us, Mother worked at A-State's P. E. department and was asked if she'd like to be the first dorm mother at Dixie Hall, which is now the now the International Student Center," he says. "Our living quarters were at the front corner of the building. Girls would have to sign out to go to Library, etc. If they came back after the doors were locked at night, probably about 8 or 9 p.m., they'd knock and Mother would go let them in."

When Stan was about 10, Gladys married Dr. owen hudgins '34 and the family went to live in their own home, ending a somewhat atypical experience of life in a girls' dorm, though not for Stan: "I never really thought there was anything unusual. I just remember people being nice."

The feeling was mutual. Alumna Peggy bennett Wilbanks '58 lived at Dixie Hall at the time and recalls, "Stan was truly loved. He was the cutest little gentleman, very well-behaved and loved by all."

ASU Family

After seven seasons as defensive coordinator for the NFL's Super Bowl-winning Indianapolis Colts, Ron meeks '78 currently serves in the same role for the Carolina Panthers. With the average pro defensive lineman weighing between 200 and 300 pounds, you might say Ron has a heavy responsibility.

Ironically, that job is handled by a man who did not start out playing football and did not intend to get into coaching.

A Florida native, Meeks came to ASU after being recruited as a sprinter by Thad Talley and running for Guy kochel.

"No one recruited me except ASU," he says.

But he adds, "I really always wanted to play football. I was watching football practice one day and thought, ‘I could play for ASU.’" Meeks became a walk-on and earned a football scholarship, playing as a defensive back for the Indians. After graduation, Meeks played professionally in the Canadian Football League through 1981.

But he often returned to ASU during the off-season to offer advice while working out with the team. He recalls coach mike malham saying he worked well with the players, though Meeks had never considered becoming a coach. Meeks held his first coaching position at ASU starting in 1984, serving two seasons on larry lacewell's staff.

His success may not have reached its pinnacle yet. Meeks has been interviewed for several head coaching jobs in the NFL, including twice for the Washington Redskins.

"It would be nice if it happens," says Meeks, "but I enjoy what I do and working with young people just like I was a walk-on and ASU gave me a chance."

Walking the Walk

Stan McPike ’76

Gladys McPike Hudgins Owen Hudgins ’34

Voices

Ron Meeks ’78

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

39

NotableNames

of Arkansas State University

Honorary Degrees ASU honors selected individuals by conferring an honorary doctoral degree upon them for exceptional service to the institution or professional achievement. Those who have been so honored and the year of conferral are: Sen. hattie W. caraway, Doctor of laws - 1934 Gov. carl e. bailey, Doctor of laws - 1938 v. c. kays, Doctor of laws - 1956 John Alfred cooper, Doctor of laws - 1982 Robert e. lee Wilson, Doctor of laws - 1982 herbert hall mcAdams, Doctor of laws - 1984 ben e. owens Sr., Doctor of humane letters - 1991 hamad Al-Rashudi, Doctor of humane letters - 1992 John W. Troutt Jr., Doctor of humane letters - 1992 Paul W. klipsch, Doctor of Science - 1995 Townsend Wolfe, Doctor of humane letters - 2002 Dr. c. calvin Smith, Doctor of humane letters - 2005 Gov. mike beebe, Doctor of laws - 2007 charlotte v. beck, Doctor of humane letters - 2009 40

Presidents of A-State mr. v. c. kays (1909-1943) Dr. horace Thompson (1943-1945) Dr. W. J. edens (1945-1951) Dr. carl Reng (1951-1975) Dr. Ross Pritchard (1975-1978) mr. carl Whillock (1978-1980) mr. Ray Thornton (1980-1984) Dr. eugene Smith (1984-1992) Dr. John mangieri (1992-1994) Dr. Robert hoskins (interim 1994) Dr. mossie Richmond (interim 1994) Dr. eugene Smith (interim 1994-1995) Dr. leslie Wyatt (1995-present) named ASU System president in 2006

Dr. Robert Potts (2006-present) first ASU-Jonesboro chancellor

41

Music Man

Between 1954, when he came to A-State, and his passing in 1982, Donald R. minx built something very special. Serving as music professor, department chair and director of bands, Don Minx and A-State became legendary for building a powerhouse music program and marching band from virtually nothing. The band even performed on the national stage at President Kennedy's inaugural parade in 1961.

Closer to home, Don Minx led the renowned Dixie Band Camp on campus each summer, bringing valuable experience and fond memories to thousands of young musicians during its two decades at A-State. carol mathis barnhill '80, director of ASU procurement services, recalls, "I loved Dixie Band Camp and looked forward to going every summer. By being involved with the camp, I got to know Don Minx, and was able to get a music scholarship and participate in the Marching Indians. I grew up on campus and always loved it when ASU's marching band practiced in the afternoon. I would march up and down the sidewalk on Aggie Road where we lived at the time and pretend I was in the band too. My dream was to become a member of the ASU band, and I accomplished that through participation in Dixie Band Camp and getting to know Don Minx."

'The day the music died' means many things to many people, but one came on March 4, 1982, when Don Minx suddenly passed away of a heart attack, ironically while attending a meeting of band directors. ASU has recognized him with a scholarship program and by naming the Don Minx Rehearsal Hall in his honor, allowing his name to continue symbolizing the sound of music.

Don Minx

Voices

The Legend

The years from 1949 through1983 saw tremendous change at A-State. Throughout, there was one constant. Whether loved or feared or both, the man everyone knew was legendary dean of students, James Robert moore. His wisdom and kindness are the stuff of legend. The stories are endless.

Someone who knew Dean Moore better than most was his daughter, Wanda moore calhoun '68 bSe '69, who says, "My dad wasn’t home as much as I would have liked. He was on the campus almost every night, either going to a function, or taking care of problems that would arise. But once he got home from work, he was Robert Moore, the farmer. He loved to make things grow."

An A-State student when Dean Moore arrived, president emeritus Dr. eugene Smith '52 calls him as "a major, major figure on this campus for many years. In the beginning he was a disciplinarian (remember, I was a student at the time) but later he mellowed a bit. He was beloved by many, many, many students. I think by the time of his retirement in 1983 he knew the world had changed. For example, we went from alcohol being the big problem on campus to drugs."

Andy morris '63 says, "Like most students who attended Arkansas State when Robert Moore was dean of students, I knew there were two 'Dean's Lists.' You aspired to one and tried to avoid the other." Judith Sanford long '61 offers a final thought: "By supporting the Dean Moore Scholarship Fund at ASU, we can keep his influence alive for students who will not have the privilege of having Robert Moore as a mentor and friend."

Robert Moore

42

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

Pillars of the Institution

Dr. Warren nedrow became chair of the A-State biology department in 1936, serving as dean of science 1950-65 and dean of the Graduate School from 1965 until his retirement in 1970. His wife lula nedrow, known as "Lu," joined the staff in 1937, alternately managing the bookstore, the Wigwam, the Post Office, and for 33 years, she was director of food services.

During World War II, Mrs. Nedrow found a place in the hearts of American servicemen who may not even have known her name. They came through Jonesboro in the middle of the night on troop trains, with Mrs. Nedrow rousing her staff, often with only an hour's notice due to security precautions, to make hundreds of soldiers a warm meal, sending them on their way with a smile.

After the war, peacetime meant more fun time, with the Nedrows at the forefront of today's campus tradition - Greek life. Mrs. Nedrow was adviser to the local Alpha Tau Zeta sorority. The members wanted to become national and with her help, in 1948 they became a chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta, A-State's first national sorority.

It celebrated 50 years on campus in April, 1998, two months after Mrs. Nedrow's death.

Her husband, who passed away in 1990, founded A-State's chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha. Tim o. brown '79 says, "Dr. Ned always talked about the competition with the Sigma Pi's to be the first national fraternity on campus. Our official founding date is March 13, 1948." Sigma Pi was first by six days.

President Emeritus eugene Smith '52 said people who knew the Nedrows could not picture one without the other, adding "They were really pillars of much of the early years of this institution."

Warren and Lu Nedrow

Arkansas State University

Editor in Chief

As an incoming freshman, Roy Ockert met legendary 'Tex' Plunkett '34, head of journalism and printing. Says Ockert, "He was everything everybody said he was. He opened your eyes to learning, put life into it. When I came back to A-State, we shared an office for several years, which doubled my education."

Ockert was yearbook editor for two years, and edited The Herald, A-State's student newspaper, during his senior year. The previous year, Ockert had dated a certain young lady. "It didn't work out when we dated in junior year," says Ockert. "Tex knew better. He made us co-editors of The Herald. We got married the day after graduation." So far, his marriage to Pat montgomery ockert '67 has lasted more than four decades.

After graduation, Ockert was offered a job at ASU as journalism instructor and adviser to The Herald. "I was not much older than the students," he says.

Journalism has been called the first draft of history, and Ockert can be thanked for capturing a great part of ASU's history during turbulent times, including the landmark yearbook of 1967 when we gained university status. He has been part of history ever since, winning an array of awards and covering the events of our times as the current editor of the Jonesboro Sun. Last year, he was named president of the Arkansas Press Association. Journalism department chair Dr. Joel Gambill '65, says, "This office has typically been filled by a publisher, not an editor. It demonstrates the faith members of the press have in him and his leadership."

Roy Ockert ’67

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

43

Ambassador of Distinction

It says something about a person - even after a distinguished military career, serving as peacemaker in the volatile Balkans, being named a U. S. Ambassador, and appointed as special envoy to NATO - that one of the people nominating him as an ASU Distinguished Alumnus was his former kindergarten teacher.

In a successful bid to have Ambassador James Pardew named one of ASU's Distinguished Alumni in 1996, the late Dr. mildred vance '46, renowned professor of education, noted that "Jimmy" was a student at A-State's Demonstration School from 1949 until it closed in 1954, returning as a college freshman and garnering the Student of Distinction award at graduation.

In between, he was co-editor of The Herald, SGA Senator, TKE president and named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.

Roy ockert '67 says Pardew would have also been yearbook editor, but stepped aside in favor of Ockert to pursue other interests. One was ROTC, which led Pardew to Vietnam among other places, being awarded two Bronze Stars along the way.

After Pardew's retirement from the military, he was named U. S. negotiator for an agreement that brought a cease-fire to civil war in Macedonia. He did so well in the Balkans that he was named U. S. Ambassador to Bulgaria at the time when that country was admitted to NATO. Then it was on to Brussels, Belgium, as deputy assistant secretary general for NATO International, at the forefront of the U. S. war on terrorism.

He and his wife, alumna kathy hoffman Pardew have been back in the States since 2008, with Jim doing some writing and in demand as a speaker. His kindergarten teacher would be proud.

James Pardew ’66

Arkansas State University

Cultivating Success

What link does an esteemed ASU graduate have with Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II? In 1975, Her Majesty established the Order of Australia as a society of honor to recognize Australian citizens and others for meritorious service. In February, 2009, Dr. J. b. Penn, ASU graduate and native of Lawrence County was named a recipient of the honor.

Receiving the award from Australia's Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Penn was recognized for his efforts in "cultivating the agricultural trading relations" between the U. S. and the land down under, particularly his contributions in global agricultural markets. As U. S. Undersecretary of Agriculture, Penn had negotiated an important trade agreement.

The young man from Lynn, Arkansas, started thinking globally soon after graduating from ASU, as Penn became an agricultural economist for the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Penn's relationship with Australia goes back to 1979 when he was deputy administrator for economics at the USDA, having served prior to that as senior staff economist on the President's Council of Economic Advisors.

In May, 2001, he received a presidential appointment as Undersecretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. That year, he was named one of ASU's Distinguished Alumni, but his plans for attending Homecoming to receive the award were cut short after the attacks that took place on Sept. 11, 2001, when federal officials were required to remain in Washington.

Currently chief economist for Deere & Company, Penn was finally awarded his Distinguished Alumnus honor at ASU's AgriBusiness Conference in 2007. Dr. bert Greenwalt '74, professor of agricultural economics at ASU, says simply, "Overall, Dr. Penn is one of ASU's most prominent and influential graduates."

J. B. Penn ’65

44

ONE HUNDRED YEARS –

As a student, molly mayer Phillips was Homecoming Queen, Student Government Association president and winner of the Wilson Award, ASU's highest student honor. After graduation, she joined the ASU Alumni office, visiting with alumni around the country and leaving them with a fond memory of her winning smile which was, as one alumnus put it, "contagious."

As a communications major, she once said she planned to become "the next Katie Couric."

Currently residing in North Carolina with husband Randy Phillips '02 mPT '04, she is involved with university advancement on a national level. But even as a student, she strode the world stage.

In April, 1995, the first sitting U. S. president visited ASU as Bill Clinton came to dedicate the Dean B. Ellis Library. She recalls that other dignitaries were scheduled to introduce the president: "Originally I was supposed to just give a 'student welcome,' but three days before the event, the White House requested that a student introduce the President. I still remember the call - it’s pretty cool to get a request from the White House! However, I hadn’t written anything and had no clue where to start. All I could think was that I couldn't believe I get to introduce the leader of the free world."

She wrote and practiced the speech all weekend, and says, "I will never forget hearing Hail to the Chief as he walked up. I was so glad I had prepared because I was way more nervous than I had been with other speeches. It went fine, and afterwards the President came up to shake my hand."

Maybe it was that winning smile that carried the day.

Winner by a Smile

In 2007, Robert Potts, the new chancellor of ASU-Jonesboro, had a challenge concerning an extremely sensitive issue. Due to NCAA rulings, a broad-based committee was charged with making a recommendation regarding a new mascot. With all the variables and constituencies to consider, there was ultimately only one choice to serve as committee chair and bring it all together: Jim Pickens of Little Rock. When the committee's work was finished, all agreed he had done the job superbly.

Doing a good job is just business as usual for Jim Pickens. The former Entergy vice-president was appointed to the ASU Board of Trustees in 1998. The man who appointed him, Gov. mike huckabee, also said in nominating Pickens as Distinguished Alumnus in 2003: "He is always quick to remind me of the positive impact of Arkansas State University on the region and the state. He is a tireless advocate in support of the institution." When his term was up, Pickens was unanimously named Trustee Emeritus.

As director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development, Pickens played an instrumental role in attracting industry to northeast Arkansas and fostering positive relationships between Arkansas State University and area businesses.

He enjoys contributing to the school from which he, his wife Sue blackwood Pickens '60, and daughter Sandy Pickens '89 graduated, and remains a booster: "It's in the growth area of the state," he says. "It's unique in the programs it offers and its atmosphere. It has a great learning atmosphere in spite of its size. It also still has that family atmosphere."

Trustee Emeritus

Molly Phillips ’95

Voices

Jim Pickens ’59

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

45

A Place in the Heart

At his retirement in 1974, Affairs of State declared that leland 'Tex' Plunkett "has probably known more than half of the 15,000 graduates who have passed through the institution." The 1974 yearbook was dedicated to him as "a man who has probably started more people on their way to journalism and related fields than anyone in the state." A-State president carl Reng said, "His inspiration will always be embedded in the hearts of his students." If anything, they underestimated him.

For almost four decades he taught journalism and English at A-State, sponsored The Herald, directed the News Bureau, handled sports information, and chaired the Division of Radio-TV, Journalism and Printing. He accumulated honors ranging from the Arkansas Press Award to the NCAA College Football Centennial Award.

But the one that might have meant the most was being the very first winner of the Wilson Award, A-State's highest student honor. Graduating in the first four-year class, he was the son of English professor frank Willis Plunkett and gained his nickname after living with his family in the Lone Star state. He was everywhere: senior class president, assistant editor of The Herald, associate yearbook editor, Debating Club, Press Club - the list goes on. Dr. owen hudgins '34 says, "Tex was one of my closest friends all four years. He was very likeable, very outgoing, just a fine fellow."

Former student, colleague and friend Roy ockert '67 delivered the eulogy for Tex in 1993. "He was everything everybody said he was," said Ockert. "He holds a warm place in my heart."

Tex Plunkett ’34

Voices

Centennial Star

In the first week of April, 1909, the Arkansas legislature signed the bill creating the First District Agricultural School, known today as Arkansas State University. That same week, a young lady named opal copeland was born. She would grow to share 100 years with her alma mater.

At the time of her birth, Arkansas was mostly rural. Many of its young people did not attend high school and worked the land.

Opal's father was an exception. He was a schoolteacher in Rector, but gave it up to become a dairyman in Jonesboro, moving his family of ten children to the town where the new school would be located. "He knew how important an education at the Aggie would be to us," says Opal. Seven of her brothers and sisters also became ASU alumni.

Her family provided milk in half-pint bottles for the Wigwam on campus, so they put the milk crates in back and rode to school in the dairy wagon. "Later, Father had a little car, a Ford one-seater," she recalls, and they piled in. "Classes began around 8 and ran until 4. Most of my classes were in the Main Building, the one that burned.

After that, we had classes in the Armory," recalls Opal, who was a home economics major. "My best friend back then was Gertrude love '32, who married Tex Plunkett '34."

Opal Copeland Radford lived on to be the Grand Marshall at ASU's Centennial parade in the next century, and on April 4, 2009, a 100th birthday party was held at the Cooper Alumni Center to honor both ASU and Opal Copeland Radford, its Centennial star.

Opal Copeland Radford ’32

46

ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

Hollywood Everyman

Ever watch The Tonight Show with Jay Leno? Chances are that you've seen ASU's mike Randleman. After all, Mike's only been on the show more than 180 times.

Mike has been a professional actor in L.A. since 1986. He's made hundreds of TV and film appearances, including television's E. R., Home Improvement, Arrested Development, Ally McBeal, The Drew Carey Show, and Real Time with Bill Maher. His film credits include the Sundance award-winning Four Sheets to the Wind, A Cinderella Story, and Chaplin with Robert Downey Jr. He also played comedian Chris Farley in a re-enactment on E! True Hollywood Story.

On one memorable Tonight Show outing, Randleman played NFL coach Mike Holmgren opposite real-life Terry Bradshaw, joining the pantheon of other Leno regulars such as Gilbert Gottfried and Howie Mandel.

At ASU, his credits as a student actor include Lennie in Of Mice and Men and Ali Hakim in Oklahoma as well as roles in other productions such as Wonderful Town. Was acting his life's dream? Actually, no.

"After I graduated high school, I was slated to start as a psychology major in the fall at the University of Arkansas and had nothing to do all summer," says Randleman.

"At that time, ASU had a summer dinner theatre program and it seemed like the perfect time filler. Well, six weeks, one musical, and many parties later, I was an ASU drama major. I have been one for the next 30 years."

Fellow Rector native Steven Sigsby '72 says, "Mike has built a great career in movies and TV by being kind of an Everyman character. You know, kind of like the rest of us."

Mike Randleman ’83

Arkansas State University

On the Air

bobby caldwell '70, owner and CEO of East Arkansas Broadcasters which owns and operates 18 radio stations, recalls coming to ASU because it "had - and has - a highly recognized Radio-TV program. Back then it was pretty much just charles Rasberry and Darrell cunningham '60. They were the department. But what an influence! I remember a meeting of the Arkansas Broadcasters Association where there were 35 people there and Charles Rasberry had influenced at least 30."

Charles Rasberry began that influence as an A-State student. He was class president (his winning slogan: "It's Rasberry picking time!"), editor of the student newspaper, academic Student of Special Distinction, and recipient of the Wilson Award, ASU's highest student honor.

After graduate school and service in the Navy, he returned to ASU, serving the Department of Radio-Television from 1961-87. He taught, was department chair, served as supervisor and station manager of KASU radio, and was responsible for ASU-TV's professional television facilities.

One of his favorite stories involves vying with Arizona State for the initials KASC when our radio station went on the air. Arizona declined permission, so the letters KASU were selected, "because we felt Arkansas State would one day be a university," says Rasberry. "When Arizona State became a university, they wanted those letters but we had them first!" On May 17, 1957, KASU signed on the air with the words, "Good afternoon everyone. KASU-FM, an educational non-commercial station, now begins broadcast operations." Just another day in the life of Charles Rasberry, Emeritus Professor and Chairman, Department of Radio-Television and Emeritus Director of Broadcasting, KASU, ASU-TV and the Indian Sports Network.

Charles Rasberry ’56

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

47

Let ‘Em Hear You Howl

What's in a name? Dr. Richard Grippo, associate professor of environmental biology in A-State's Department of Biological Sciences, explains why the red wolf is a good choice for the ASU mascot: "The red wolf (Canis rufus) is a member of the family Canidae, which includes wolves, coyotes, and dogs. It is an important carnivore that inhabited the U.S. from Pennsylvania to the Florida Everglades and from North Carolina to Texas," he says. "The red wolf has long legs and a streamlined, muscular build, enabling it to pursue fast-running prey at high speed. Red wolves may hunt alone but when tackling large animals such as deer, they will form small packs. A chain of command is formed to help the pack function as a cohesive unit. As the wolves chase down their food, they will take turns at the front of the pack, working in unison to overcome their prey."

According to naturalists, red wolves usually mate for life, with howling as their form of communication over long distances. Grippo says, "One can only imagine the howling of red wolves on Crowley’s Ridge. At one point, they were pushed to the brink of extinction, with the total wild population down to fewer than a hundred animals. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has built the population back up to more than 300."

In short, the red wolf uses teamwork, speed, endurance, cunning, and controlled aggression to work towards a common goal. Sound familiar? "Red wolves do not want to become the losers in encounters with prey," says Grippo. "Exactly what ASU’s athletic teams strive to achieve."

Red Wolves

Arkansas State University

Right Man, Right Time

After World War II, everything changed. A general desire for higher education, improvements in transportation, an influx of veterans on the G. I. Bill, and a desire for the finer things in life after the sacrifices of the Depression and war years brought new challenges and new opportunities to colleges like A-State. No one faced them better than Dr. carl Raymond Reng.

His tenure as president from 1951-75 matched that of v. c. kays in seeing A-State progress by leaps and bounds. As early as the 1959 yearbook, his leadership was lauded for increased enrollment, new degree programs, improvements in curriculum, administration of the campus at Beebe, housing for married students, new dormitories, housing for Greek organizations, additional faculty, advancements in athletics, faculty housing, and a general sense of dynamic growth. The 1959 yearbook also states, "The fondest dream of Dr. Reng is that A.S.C. will be changed to A.S.U. before the close of this year."

That dream would have to wait until 1967, but it did come true. Another monumental change under Reng was the switch from lock-step funding with all four agricultural schools receiving the same state allotment to formula funding based on enrollment. A-State pulled ahead and never looked back.

Under his tenure, the campus welcomed African-American students and faculty, the A-State band marched in JFK's inaugural parade, the Dean B. Ellis Library opened, a campus radio station took to the airwaves, an ASU athlete brought home an Olympic medal, and the new student union was hailed as the finest in the state. It was aptly called the Carl R. Reng Center, named for the right man at the right time.

Carl R. Reng

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ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

Dr. mossie Richmond Jr. was a key member of the ASU family from 1973 until his death in 1995. He was professor of education, dean of University College, vice president for university relations and vice president for student affairs. In 1994, he was named interim ASU president, the first African-American to hold that office.

Dr. herman Strickland '68 mSe '75, dean emeritus of University College, said Richmond was the first African-American to come to ASU with a doctoral degree. "He talked Arkansas State. He lived Arkansas State," Strickland said. "It was hard to get him to go home and talk about anything else."

Dr. Richmond's wife velmar Singleton Richmond joined her husband in lifelong service to education. She taught for 20 years in the Jonesboro public schools with a background including biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, radiation biology, recombinant DNA technology and certification in radioactive materials handling from the Atomic Energy Commission.

She has served ASU on the Board of Trustees (1996-2001), chairing it in 2000, and most recently served on the ASU Foundation Board. Along with scholarships in her name and that of her husband, the Richmond-Haydar Scholarship is the university's first endowed scholarship for international students. It is a tribute to her husband and the late Dr. Afak haydar, emeritus professor of political science and director of International Programs from 1970 until he retired in 1997. Drs. Richmond and Haydar are credited with establishing ASU's international students program and bringing the world to our campus.

With Dr. Haydar, who passed away in 2007, Mossie and Velmar Richmond brought the world to our students and remain faces of education.

Faces of Education

Ironically for a professor of music at ASU for four decades, Dr. Dan Ross has been largely "unsung" in his own home state, though not around the world. He may be better known in Krakow, Poland, than Craighead County.

As a noted oboist, Dan Ross performs around the globe, particularly as regular soloist with the Forum Sinfonia of Krakow and other European orchestras as well as the Arkansas Symphony. Yet world-wide, Ross is renowned not only for his artistry, but also for his groundbreaking design and construction of reed gouging machines - devices that are critical not only to a full, rich, warm tone from the oboe, but also assure consistency of sound whether the musician is playing in Jonesboro or Japan.

"The number one component of the oboe is the reed and the reed is dependent on the gouging process," says Ross. His invention, the 'Ross Gouge' as it is known throughout the world, has been so revolutionary that doctoral dissertations have been written about it. Ross personally makes the gouges for most leading music schools as well as almost every major symphony orchestra in the world. Simply listing the U. S. orchestras alone is staggering: New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, New York City Opera - the list goes on, a virtual 'who's who' of the orchestral world.

A New York Philharmonic oboist wrote Ross, "Your machines have changed my life, literally. Oh, how lucky are your students!" Dan Ross responds by telling those students, "God let us have music so we get a little glimpse of Heaven. But it means we have to play very heavenly when we play."

Unsung Musical Hero

Mossie and Velmar Richmond

Voices

Dan Ross ’67 BME ’69

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

49

In Our Defense

At ASU, maj. Gen. James e. Simmons, a physical education major from Newport, played football as a defensive back, including starting on the undefeated National Championship team in 1970. He was also a member of Scabbard and Blade, the national military honor society, and translated the skills of defense in football to the defense of our nation.

Following graduation, he was commissioned as the highest-ranked officer coming out of the ROTC program in the United States. A member of ASU's Hall of Heroes, Gen. Simmons has received countless recognitions, including one from the Republic of Korea for distinguished service in that country.

Before his recent retirement, he was Deputy Commanding General, III Corps at Fort Hood and Deputy Commanding General for Support, Multi-National CorpsIraq. In this capacity, he was responsible for the day-to-day combat, combat support, and combat service support operations for more than 34,000 U.S. and Coalition soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. lt. col. Jeffrey helms, the West Pointer who is ASU's current Professor of Military Science, says, "Over nearly 75 years, the ROTC program at ASU has produced hundreds of great officers for our nation’s army. Among the best is Maj. Gen. James E. Simmons, a charismatic, intellectually gifted, selfless, committed, and passionate student of his profession. After graduating the #1 ranked ROTC cadet in the nation in 1974, he forged a career characterized by excellence as a combat leader and an expert pilot of five different army aircraft. He is an inspiring example of the big things a small-town Arkansan can accomplish through ROTC, ASU, and the U.S. Army."

James E. Simmons ‘74

Voices

Above and Beyond

The late lt. George kenton Sisler is believed to be the only ASU alumnus to receive our nation's highest award for valor, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

After graduation and earning his commission through the ROTC program, he was a member of Special Forces in Viet Nam, also known as the Green Berets, serving as platoon leader for U. S. and South Vietnamese troops on a reconnaissance mission in enemy territory. When the platoon was attacked on three sides by a much larger enemy force, his team suffered several injuries. Seeing that the wounded were unable to pull back, Lt. Sisler charged through intense enemy fire, silenced a machine gun with a hand grenade, and carried a wounded soldier back to the perimeter.

As his platoon continued to endure heavy attack, more of our soldiers were hit.

Grabbing a few hand grenades and firing his weapon to prevent his men from being overrun, Lt. Sisler charged into the enemy onslaught, breaking up the attack. Moving across the battlefield to direct air strikes, he was mortally wounded.

It was not the first time Sisler showed courage against the odds. As a member of the Arkansas State College Skydivers, he won the National Collegiate Parachute League's Individual Championship. What made the feat even more amazing is that he won with his leg in a cast. col. David Grossman, former ASU Professor of Military Science says, "As a paratrooper with both U. S. and British Jump Wings, I can tell you that this was a singular event in parachuting history," adding, "Ken Sisler exemplifies all of the ASU graduates who served and sacrificed for our nation."

Ken Sisler ’64

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ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

A Place to Call Home

After a career in banking, beth Ashcraft Smith returned to campus in 1992 to join the Alumni Relations office and was named Director of Alumni Relations in 1997.

Although she had had the opportunity to be part of many of the new initiatives Arkansas State has implemented, there is one that holds a special place in her heart: the Cooper Alumni Center.

Dr. eugene Smith '52, ASU President from 1984-92, set aside land for a future alumni center. "Some people wanted it for other things," he recalls, "but the Alumni board was behind it and felt it could be done. harold Perrin '69, president of the board, was for it. I think there was a realization of what an alumni house could mean, a home for people returning to campus. The idea really took off with Beth Smith." bob earwood '80, who was president of the Alumni Association at the time of the groundbreaking in 2005 and later Gary Pugh '68, who served as president from 2007-09, worked with Beth and the other members of the Alumni Association board to make the vision a reality. The dedication of the building was held on Oct. 17, 2008.

The Cooper Alumni Center was funded by private donors and is owned by the ASU Alumni Association.

"Personally and professionally, the opportunity to play a small role in providing a permanent home for alumni at Arkansas State will always be very dear to me," said Smith. "It was the vision of so many and I was just fortunate to be part of it."

Thanks to generous donors and the ASU Alumni Association, alumni now have a place of their own on campus to call home, the Cooper Alumni Center.

Beth Smith ’82 MA ’03

Arkansas State University

Breaking the Ice

Dr. c. calvin Smith became ASU's first African-American academic faculty member in 1970. He taught history and provided students with a unique perspective.

It was not without careful consideration.

He recalls, "When I took the job, I told my wife, 'It's going to be a challenge to me to go into that situation.' And I feel that since I was successful in that situation, it may have led people in the administration to feel that others could possibly be successful if given the opportunity.… Somebody has to break the ice."

His first book, War and Wartime Changes: The Transformation of Arkansas 1940-1945 was published in 1986 and is still used by teachers and scholars. He has been cited by many students as their most outstanding professor, and was selected by ASU as a Presidential Fellow in 1983 and again in 1993 based on effective teaching, research, publications and service to the university and community.

When he announced his retirement in 2002, he was not allowed to rest and play golf.

The Professor Emeritus was named ASU's first Presidential Distinguished Professor of Heritage Studies, with many students in the program later stating they applied specifically to study under the direction of Dr. Smith.

In 2004, he was named an ASU Distinguished Alumnus, and in 2007, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arkansas Historical Association. Dr. Smith continues to inspire. Dr. clyde milner, Director of ASU's Heritage Studies Ph. D. Program said, "One of the best known and respected members of the Arkansas State faculty, Calvin Smith is one of Arkansas State's true treasures."

C. Calvin Smith ’70

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

51

Wilson Awards

The Wilson Awards, in memory of R. e. lee Wilson, are ASU's highest honor awarded to a graduating senior. Recipients are selected annually for their outstanding service, academic achievement and personal character. They are:

52

1934 - violet fox Taylor, leland 'Tex' Plunkett 1935 - margaret mcGlasson cronin, harmon elder 1936 - eleanor Sanders lane, George Alcott 1937 - mildred liddell Turer, Joe Watson 1938 - Alice horn bryant, charles nutter 1939 - mary c. murphy, clark hetherington 1940 - mary White Ridings, Paul Albright 1941 - Patty Sanders mcGuire, James haynes 1942 - Jewel hannah conniff, louie Rodgers 1943 - martha Richardson o'malley, Robert mcGinnis 1944 - Jacqueline lilliker laux, kermit Racely 1945 - mary Richmond cobb, Gaither mckelvey 1946 - Joyce lichtenberger mcewen, Paul Johnston 1947 - Doris Rector landers, carl Graves 1948 - Janie Gipson Sullivan, Sterlin moore 1949 - Phyllis ford crawford, James Sloan iii 1950 - Gloria Spotts, James Wilkinson 1951 - clinnie Wofford cannon, leroy little 1952 - mary farmer coble, David lau 1953 - margaret cooper blackwood, George bell 1954 - Joyce Pasmore miller, William Singleton 1955 - mary White lamb, houston Garner 1956 - ina Wiles hudson, charles Rasberry 1957 - Joann Raines Sullivan, Rice van Ausdall 1958 - marilyn Reng bell, charley Thornton 1959 - charlotte James Akelaitis, Doug moore 1960 - Rosalie Gorham barber, charles long 1961 - hazel coleman Dickey, Don DeArmon 1962 - Donna lynch mustaine, charlie crow 1963 - frances farabee Jones, Randy ishmael 1964 - Sharon craft littlejohn, bill foster 1965 - becky bridges bailey, bill ennis 1966 - catherine Smart Williams, John Alderson iii 1967 - mignonne Wilson flagg, John erwin 1968 - Allison Denman holland, cecil holifield 1969 - Pamela fuhr Dunavant, laudies brantley Jr. 1970 - Sharon Pierce Dent, Gordon Simpson 1971 - Patti Jo Warr baber, Ron bell 1972 - cynthia Truxton van Winkle, michael Worley

NotableNames

of Arkansas State University

1973 - m.J. Pearle, herschel Jones 1974 - Sanda Gerdes Greene, mike mallott 1975 - vicky Garman Rudy, J.h. Williams 1976 - margo Travis Aufderheide, conrad cunningham 1977 - Pam blackwood, Preston monroe 1978 - leann Spigner Wisdom, Gregory hopkins 1979 - margy cannon, chuck maulden 1980 - becky Wood frederick, freeman montaque, Jr. 1981 - mark lewis 1982 - mark hayes 1983 - Patricia cychol hayes 1984 - David ivers 1985 - Price marshall Jr. 1986 - Rhonda Davis 1987 - Tommy Dillard iii 1988 - mark belk 1989 - elisa masterson White 1990 - mike Schreck 1991 - Daya Seymore mcAlexander 1992 - cheryl hinck Speights 1993 - Tommy fowler Jr. 1994 - Shane broadway 1995 - molly mayer Phillips 1996 - kelly Sartain buckliew 1997 - Joel Garrison 1998 - laurie Smalling 1999 - Stephanie curton kenley 2000 - Angela barber Austin 2001 - Allison collier catlett 2002 - Andrea Smalec morrissey 2003 - Sach oliver 2004 - Shelley lunbeck Tustison 2005 - Jacob hampton 2006 - James bishop 2007 - Jessica hicks 2008 - Rachel Smith 2009 - kyle fulton

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Seven Decades and Counting

On May 29, 2009, Eugene W. Smith Hall was dedicated on the site of the newlyrenovated Chickasaw Building. It is appropriate that it was named for President emeritus eugene Smith during our Centennial celebration, since he is a living link to campus history going back seven decades. "In two weeks, I'll have my 79th birthday," Dr. Smith said at the dedication, "and 61 of those years have been associated with Arkansas State."

As a student in 1948, Smith, a native of Forrest City, came to campus just two years after the final tenure of v. c. kays as A-State president. His father had driven him to various locations in the Mid-South, looking at possible places to go to college. "Of all those places, we liked it here," says Smith.

Except for military service and graduate school, he kept on liking it. He was there in math class to experience Dean b. ellis throwing erasers at the heads of recalcitrant pupils. frank W. Plunkett, father of Tex Plunkett '34, was his faculty advisor. "Yes, we had them then," laughs Smith.

He assumed offices on campus including assistant professor of education, director of graduate studies and assistant to the president before serving as ASU president himself from 1984-92 and returning as interim president, just as V. C. Kays had done.

As right-hand man to President carl Reng, he was there for the phenomenal growth of the '50s and '60s, and attempts at university status in 1959 and (successfully!) in 1967.

Today he is a living link to our past and serves as a touchstone for the current administration in pointing the way to the future.

Eugene Smith ’52

Arkansas State University

“How Can I Help?”

Dr. herman Strickland, dean emeritus of University College and associate professor of teacher education, retired in 2008 after more than 35 years of teaching.

He was one of the first African-American students to live in Arkansas Hall, and in 1972, became the second African-American faculty member hired at ASU, after c. calvin Smith.

Many people have stories about Dr. Strickland and his influence on education in this region. No one sums it up better than Dr. Glen Jones, ASU's senior associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and research. At the time of Dr. Strickland's retirement, Dr. Jones noted, "Dean Strickland is from Blytheville; I'm from Blytheville too. Growing up, I always heard, 'If it's about education, go see the Stricklands. Dr. Strickland will help you.'

"As it happened, I went out of state and later came back to Arkansas. My wife and I were at an event, sitting at our table, and a man kept staring at me. I told my wife, 'That guy over there has got issues. Don’t look!' But she did.

"The man came over to our table and said, 'I know you.' I said, 'No, you don't.' He said, 'Yes, I do,' and proceeded to tell me my name, my family's names, my relatives, who is whose cousin, how we're all related. I didn’t know him but he sure knew me.

At ASU, he's been responsible for many, many people going to school and staying in school. I've heard the same thing so many times: 'Go see Dean Strickland, he'll help you.' And he would. He'd always say, 'We're glad you're here. How can I help?'"

Herman Strickland ’68 MSE ’75

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ellen Turner Strong '64 was the first female African-American to receive an undergraduate degree at ASU-Jonesboro. When she passed away suddenly in 2009, almost all remembrances recalled her dedication as an educator. She is pictured here in 1964 at the time of her graduation with a degree in education; using it to the utmost, she proudly spent her life as a classroom teacher.

Mrs. Strong was the former wife of the late Walter Strong '59 mSe '71, who, with frederick Turner '60, entered ASUJonesboro in 1955 as our first African-American students. In 2004, Mrs. Strong was honored for her pioneering role at ASU and her four decades in education by the StrongTurner Alumni Chapter, named for those trailblazers.

Among her years of classroom work in the primary grades, she also taught in the fields of adult education and special education, earning a specialized graduate degree to better serve those students. For 35 years, she taught in Hot Springs, retiring in 1995. She came out of retirement in 1998 to teach three more years, based on her devotion to teaching and belief in the power of education. When books and other teaching materials were unavailable, she brought items from home, even soup cans. "Almost everything can be used in the classroom to help teach," she said. "I use anything I can get."

ASU Faculty member and director of the Delta Studies Center Peggy Robinson Wright '93 mPA '96 said at her passing, "Mrs. Strong had a story to tell and whenever the opportunity was present, she would do that. She was honored at the Black Alumni Reunion in 2008, and I will always remember her smile when she received the recognition."

Educator

Placing second in a major pro golf tournament is a tremendous feat any time; coming in second only to world-famous Annika Sorenstam, one of the most successful golfers in history, takes it to a whole other level. Winning the Women's British Open and meeting the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace aren't bad, either. karen Stupples, who attended ASU from 1993-94, is one of the few A-Staters to be able to make all of those claims.

A native of Dover, England, Stupples became interested in golf while caddying for her father to earn some spending money. She planned to study polymer science in the U.K., but after receiving a golf scholarship to ASU, she came to Jonesboro and joined the debut season of the women's golf team in 1992.

Though she had to transfer for financial reasons, former ASU golf coach neil Abel '67 mSe '74 says, "her heart was always at ASU." Stupples turned pro in 1998, but economics forced her to return to England, becoming a cloakroom attendant and waitress. Then, one of her restaurant customers offered to sponsor her professional golf career for three years. She and her husband sold everything and came back to the U. S. where Stupples joined the LPGA, performed well, and ultimately became the 2004 Women's British Open champion. Even after the birth of her son in 2006, she still makes the LPGA leader board.

Coach Abel says, "We e-mail and go see her play when we can. If I were to give her ranking between 1 and 10, I’d give her an 11. We still consider her one of our ASU family, and I know she feels the same way."

A Swinging Career

Ellen Turner Strong ’64

Voices

Karen Stupples

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

55

She Shoots, She Scores

At five foot six inches tall, a basketball player has to have some pretty good moves to stay competitive. ASU's Sonja Tate had the moves. During her senior year at A-State, nationally-known sports authority Dick Vitale named her to his preseason All-American women's basketball team.

She did not disappoint, topping the record books in a number of categories, including points scored and number of steals. She was named to the Sun Belt All-Conference first team every year at ASU, and led the A-State team to Honolulu for the Wahine Classic, playing against schools like Oklahoma State. Lest anyone think Tate was only about basketball, she also excelled at track while at ASU, having been named by both the Arkansas Democrat and the Arkansas Gazette as Female Athlete of the Year.

Tate, a native of West Memphis, was drafted in the fourth round by the Minnesota Lynx in the 1999 WNBA draft, and played through the 1999-2000 seasons. During the 1999 season, she was team leader in assists and in steals.

Today, women's basketball coach brian boyer says, "Sonja Tate was a great player for ASU's women's basketball program and we're proud that she went on to a professional career. She is representative of the fine student-athletes who have played women's basketball at ASU, even though they may not have gone pro. Sonja has not forgotten us, and still comes back to see us. She remains one of the great ones."

How does a vertically-challenged young lady become one of the great ones? "I have eight brothers and a lot of cousins," says Tate. "They played basketball every afternoon in the summer. They didn’t want me to play, but I did anyway!"

Sonja Tate ’96 MSE ’05

Voices

Link to Our Past

It was the Jazz Age. When marian baker Thielman graduated from the two-year 'Aggie School' in 1927, no one could have foretold the Crash of 1929 and the events to come. She returned to campus as catalog librarian at ASU's Dean B. Ellis Library in the 1960s and '70s, but it is her memory of those early days which give us a remarkable glimpse into our past.

"Dean b. ellis taught me algebra at Jonesboro High School," she says. "He went on to teach at the Aggie." Walking to school from downtown or riding a bus when she could afford it, Marian's classes were in the Main Building, which later burned, and she remembers seeing president v. c. kays there. In elocution class, Marian played Juliet to margaret Warr's Romeo. "I recall her mother mrs. Warr in the cafeteria," she says. "I especially remember the hamburger buns - we wouldn't get fresh ones until all the old ones were eaten." She says one popular campus pastime was "watching boys hunt rats in the Dairy Barn, but I soon got enough of that."

For even more fun, "We went to the picture show every Saturday," she says. "It was very popular. Everybody went. If you couldn't get tickets, you stood in line for the next show. An early one was of a boy sitting on bridge, a car came along and he fell in the river. Everybody clapped and it was over."

Marian's father was Basil Baker, a Jonesboro attorney who was Sen. Thad Caraway's law partner. Not many girls went to college back then, but Marian's father said, "I could give you money and someone could take it away. But if I give you an education, no one can ever take that from you."

Sept. 19, 2009, saw the 100th birthday of Jonesboro's Marian Baker Thielman, Class of 1927, a remarkable link to our earliest days.

Marian Baker Thielman ’27

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Athletics Legend

According to Arda Tomlinson mcmullan '57, her father James Albert Tomlinson was nicknamed 'Ike' as a child. "I'm not sure why he was called that," she says, "but the nickname stuck throughout his life." It certainly did at A-State, where everyone knew the athletics legend simply as 'Ike.' He coached five sports, revived AState's athletics program after World War II, served as our athletic director from 1945 through 1976, and was head baseball coach for 32 years. Among many honors, he was named 1967's Associated Press National Coach of the Year.

Tomlinson came to A-State in 1943 as physical training instructor for the Army Air Corps Pilot Training Program on campus. After the war, Tomlinson was asked to revitalize the college's athletics program as scores of returning veterans arrived at AState to attend school on the GI Bill. Along with coaching football, basketball, baseball, track, and wrestling, Tomlinson also served as A-State's dean of men.

Though adept at coaching several sports, he preferred baseball, saying it was “a little less demanding timewise.” Under his leadership, the ASU team was selected to compete in the 1968 College World Series. When he was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, he was lauded for coaching numerous sports and serving as athletic director for three decades. He was elected to the College Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1970.

After his retirement in 1976, Ike Tomlinson remained a dedicated follower of ASU athletics. In 1993, ASU’s baseball complex, Tomlinson Stadium, was named in his honor. He passed away in 2000, a living legend and ever-loyal to the ASU athletics program he was so instrumental in building.

Ike Tomlinson

Arkansas State University

Miss America

Dr. Debrah Turner-bell, daughter of the late Gussie Turner, a long-time academic counselor at A-State, and frederick Turner '60 mSe '72, one of A-State's first African-American students, has had an illustrious career in veterinary medicine, television broadcasting, and international public speaking. But whatever the future continues to hold for this illustrious alumna, somewhere near the top of her bio will be the words, 'Miss America.'

She is the first ASU graduate to be named to that elite group, being crowned Miss America in 1990. She went on to become a doctor of veterinary medicine, hosted several popular television programs, and joined the cast of The Early Show on CBS-TV in New York. She is in demand as a motivational speaker and took up marathon running in 2005. Her successful completion of the New York City marathon that same year brought donations for the scholarship named for her late mother, who passed away in 1994, to the endowment level.

Her determination in the race matches her perseverance in life. Following many pageants in which she finished second, "I thought I was through with pageants," she said. But family, friends and faith bought her to the ultimate crown.

She credits her late mother, whom she still misses, for emphasizing education as the way to success. The lady who advised and mentored hundreds of ASU students also shared a valuable lesson with her daughter. "The race goes not to the swift nor the strong, but to the one who endures to the end," Dr. Turner says. "So endure!"

Debbye Turner-Bell ’86

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

57

Trailblazer

By the mid-1950's, A-State officials knew it was time for lt. col. frederick c.

Turner Jr., Walter Strong '59, and larry Williams to be admitted as our first African-American students.

Col. Turner recalls that his mother, a schoolteacher, brought the idea to President carl Reng. "He agreed that the time was right and that our enrollment was the right thing to do," he recalls. "He suggested that to avoid unnecessary sensationalism by the media, the three students would register in his office rather than go through the mass registration process. Then on the first day of class the black students would just show up for classes. This plan worked perfectly. By the time the word got out that black students were enrolled at Arkansas State, it was no longer news, and angry protests and demonstrations that were occurring other places were avoided."

He recalls, "Faculty and staff were cordial and helpful and most of all available.

Our white classmates did not demonstrate attitudes that reflected any discomfort they might have felt and most were willing to help when called upon."

Col. Turner vividly remembers one day in class when he answered an instructor's question and knew instantly he was wrong. "This was a grand opportunity for my classmates to ridicule me for such a dumb answer, and the instructor could have made me feel awfully bad, but none of that happened," he says. "Not then, not ever."

After graduation and military service, Col. Turner returned to campus in 1969 as Professor of Military Science, ASU's first African-American instructor. Today, the Strong-Turner Alumni Chapter is named in honor of these trailblazers who quietly led social change.

Frederick Turner ’60 MSE ’72

Arkansas State University

“I am a Teacher”

The late Dr. mildred vance graduated from A-State in 1946, returned as a faculty member in 1948, and spent 54 years training teachers. She influenced thousands of students, directly or indirectly. At the time of her retirement in 2002 and at her passing in 2008, many of those who loved her paid their respects through the Mildred Vance Scholarship. She would have liked that.

Dr. Vance summed it up simply. "I am a teacher.

That is who I am and teach is what I do." She taught kindergarten in the public schools right after graduation, returning to A-State to teach and supervise kindergarten classes in the Demonstration School. She stayed more than half a century.

Named an ASU Distinguished Alumna among many other recognitions, most of her career was spent teaching students how to be effective teachers. She became the first Regional Training Officer for the federal Head Start Program. She led the effort to require kindergarten in Arkansas for the first time. She implemented new teacher education degrees at ASU, including graduate studies. She initiated A-State's studyabroad program. Her book, Reflections: Fifty Years of Teacher Education at Arkansas State University, chronicles ASU’s program, which produces more teachers than any university in the state.

But she always credited her own most significant learning experiences to the tiniest learners. "The years I spent teaching kindergarten at the training school were the most productive years of my life as far as becoming a professional," she said. "I was free to experiment with how children learn best. I love my college students and I love to teach, but I've had some of my most profound conversations with those young kids."

Mildred Vance ‘46

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ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

Her photo has graced magazine covers on numerous occasions. She was chosen by the National Association of Women Business Owners as 'Business Owner of the Year,' and selected by ADWEEK magazine as one of the region's 'Women to Watch.' To catch her, you'll have to be quick. millie caldwell Ward is president of Stone Ward in Little Rock, the state's second largest advertising, marketing and public relations firm. She is one of the few women to own and lead an advertising agency, and one magazine stated, "She is considered one of the brightest, most creative and successful advertising executives in the region." Soiree magazine said she must have a clone somewhere to handle her many community service activities.

That success and drive began as an ASU student when she was active in student organizations and selected for Who's Who. She was named a Distinguished Alumna in 1994, and she served as president of the Advertising and Marketing International Network, a global association of ad agencies, in 2004. That same year, she joined fellow ASU graduate and Distinguished Alumna kathy brittain White '77 as a finalist for the national Stevie Award for Women Entrepreneurs, with the winners announced in New York City. Still in that same year, she chaired the Arkansas Heart Ball, a gala to help support heart care in the state; through her effort, there was a waiting list for tables.

Ironically, the honoree that year was Russ harrington '66, president of Baptist Health.

At the time, Ward said, "The vision and accomplishments of Russ Harrington make him a perfect choice." For her professional achievement and community service, the same thing could be said about Millie Ward.

Woman to Watch

The population of Oxford, Arkansas, in Izard County, was slightly more than 600 people in the 2000 census. Like many of its young people, Dr. kathy brittain White left her hometown to make her fortune in the outside world. However, she never forgot her hometown roots or her alma mater, and has launched an idea that could revolutionize how America does business.

Armed with a bachelors degree and MBA from A-State and with a doctorate in management, she taught for ten years in information technology before distinguishing herself in business as chief information officer at Cardinal Health, Inc. She was named one of Forbes magazine's Top 25 Businesswomen in 2001, Top 100 Women in Computing by Open Computing, and one of Information Week's Top CIOs in the nation.

At the vortex of the information revolution, she watched as American jobs went overseas due to perceived lower costs. After leaving Cardinal and making generous donations to ASU's College of Business, in 2003 she founded Rural Sourcing Inc. Within a year, Rural Sourcing opened a center in Jonesboro. In 2004, White was named one of ASU's Distinguished Alumni.

Operating in non-urban areas, Rural Sourcing provides technology jobs to people who would normally have to leave small towns for larger cities. henry Torres is senior lecturer in ASU's Department of Information Technology and director of Rural Sourcing in Jonesboro, which rents space from the ASU business incubator.

He says RSI is not a call center, and notes that internships for ASU students have been a part of the organization from the beginning of Kathy's vision, adding, "You can find your dreams wherever you are, big city or small town."

In-Sourcing

Millie Ward ’76

Voices

Kathy Brittain White ’77 MBA ’78

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

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Arkansas' Horatio Alger

Historians often refer to the life story of Robert edward lee Wilson as surpassing even the rags-to-riches tales of Horatio Alger. Born a month before the end of the Civil War in 1865, he casts a long shadow over the region and Arkansas State University into the 21st century.

An orphan at age 13, he received his own education in a log schoolhouse. His studies included surveying expeditions, where Wilson learned to appreciate the land and its bounty. Starting as a farm hand in Mississippi County, by 1933 he was a multimillionaire, owning many profitable enterprises including the largest cotton plantation in the South, centered around his namesake town of Wilson, Arkansas.

R. E. L. Wilson strongly believed in the value of education, and was a great supporter of the school that became ASU. He served on the A-State Board of Trustees from 1917 until his death in 1933, advocating growth through additional faculty and expanded curriculum.

He made an ambitious construction program possible by contributing funds, materials, equipment and labor. When the Main Building burned to the ground in 1931, Wilson was a major factor in constructing the new building which became the centerpiece of campus and would bear his name, Wilson Hall.

After his death, ASU’s most prestigious student honor, the Wilson Award, was initiated in 1934. It continues to be presented annually to the most outstanding graduating senior, with a member of the Wilson family, often great-great-grandson Perry Wilson, as presenter. The award is based on character, involvement, determination and achievement in honor of the namesake who personified all of those traits and made education possible for untold Arkansans.

R. E. L. Wilson

Voices

Opening the World

Born in 1916, John A. Woodside was raised in Missouri where his parents were educators. He came to Arkansas State during the Depression, living with his grandparents in Jonesboro. “I was to look after them, but they looked after me and provided wonderful encouragement throughout my college years.”

It was a homecoming of sorts. In 1910, President v.c. kays recruited Woodside’s mother, mabel Symons Woodside, as one of the first faculty members at the First District Agricultural School. Coming to A-State at age 16, Woodside didn’t drive a car, so he would hitch a ride to school and back home after football or basketball practice. "I enjoyed school," he says."I started out as an agriculture major, but switched to chemistry after taking a sophomore chemistry class. It was a new field in 1932 and Dr. Ashley Roby was an excellent teacher.”

After graduation, he had a highly successful career at the top of the chemical industry that took him around the world. Even after Woodside's retirement, Armand Hammer, legendary owner of Occidental Petroleum, telephoned Woodside personally to offer him a job. Today, Woodside lives in Lufkin, Texas, where he tutors at Angelina College.

In 1990, the Mable Symons Woodside Memorial Scholarship was endowed to honor his mother's commitment to education. Almost 50 ASU students have received the scholarship so far, with Mr. Woodside returning to campus each year to meet recipients in person. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the university in 2003, and said it was his alma mater that enabled his career: “Arkansas State opened the world for me. It showed me what was out there and what I could do.”

John Woodside ’36

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ONE HuNDRED YEaRS –

Visionary

Dr. leslie Wyatt arrived on campus in 1995 to serve as the tenth president of Arkansas State University.

From its beginnings in Jonesboro in 1909, A-State has evolved into a system of campuses in Beebe, Heber Springs, Marked Tree, Mountain Home, Newport, Paragould and Searcy, with degree centers in other areas across Arkansas. To meet the needs of a growing multi-campus organization, the ASU System office was created in 2005, with Dr. Wyatt serving jointly as first president of the ASU System and chief executive officer of ASUJonesboro until its first chancellor, Robert l. Potts, was named in 2006. So far, Dr. Wyatt trails only v. c. kays and carl Reng in length of service as ASU president.

Dr. Wyatt shares another trait with Kays and Reng. He is known as a visionary who has overseen a tremendous period of growth for ASU and whose influence will last for decades. Dr. Wyatt's background is in the visual arts; his image of the campus as it entered the 21st century has transformed some of its more institutional features into spacious, student-friendly grounds, artistic features, sweeping greenspaces and architecturally pleasing buildings. A noted educational consultant, Dr. Jim black, called ASU one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation.

Under Dr. Wyatt's artistic eye, ASU's growth has included the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Fowler Center, the new Student Union and Reng Student Services Building providing 'one-stop-shopping' under one roof for students, plus residential villages such as Collegiate Park and North Park Quads, replacing institutional high-rise dorms with garden apartment-style residences.

But even with the growth, Dr. Wyatt says, "Some things at ASU will never change.

Students still appreciate the personal attention given to them by the talented ASU faculty and staff. ASU still has tuition rates which are among the lowest in Arkansas, and still provides great value for investment." Like the visionaries who preceded him, Les Wyatt doesn’t lose sight of the basics.

Les Wyatt

Arkansas State University

Capturing the Past

yee Tin-boo of Canton, China, was one of the very first international students at A-State and certainly the most visible presence of his time on campus. Not only was his international status something of an anomaly in early yearbooks, he is actually responsible for preserving much of A-State's history in the 1930s. Because of his photographs, we have a candid, unposed look at student life during that tumultuous decade.

He seemed to be everywhere on campus at once, armed with his trusty camera. The yearbooks capture page after page with dozens of his photographs on each - athletes, beauties, cars, clubs, dorm life, horseplay - college students in the act of being themselves, their youthful high spirits carrying them through the Depression, revealing themselves and A-State in ways no posed formal photo possibly could.

With classmate buddy kays '38, Yee Tin-Boo was an officer in the Engineers Club and a top student. His degree carried him to a remarkable career at Alabama's Redstone Arsenal doing classified work on missiles and chemical warfare, also indulging his hobbies in plant mutations, inventing automobile top coatings to eliminate waxing, and measuring extreme temperatures in the Earth's atmosphere.

He passed away in 2001, having revisited A-State just after the Carl Reng Center was completed in 1964, the only time since graduation. "The change in the campus is amazing," he said at the time. "The new student union building is without equal to the ones I have seen." He also saw what survived the decades since he photographed them in the '30s, including an iconic shot of the Commons Building being constructed from the top down. Thanks to the remarkable Yee Tin-Boo, today those years are preserved for us through the loving eyes of the student who captured them. If he could only see us now!

Yee Tin-Boo ’38

– ONE HuNDRED VOICES

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THE LAST WORD: DR. NANCY HENDRICKS '74 In writing and photographing each issue of VOICES, the magazine of the ASU Alumni Association, I prefer to have the stories in its pages speak for me. However, with this commemorative Centennial issue, '100 Years, 100 VOICES,' it would be an honor to be included as a very tiny voice.

What a blessing to write about these 100 people, to go back in time to see ASU through the eyes of the giants in our past. But how very hard it was to keep their entries brief; the complete story of so many of them would fill a book.

How poignant to share the trials of getting an education in our early days with students riding to school in a milk wagon, or walking for miles, or having a flat tire every single summer day while driving more than an hour on unpaved roads. How exciting to watch them rise to the top in the armed forces, in business, at the Olympics, in Hollywood, on Broadway. How thrilling to walk the halls of Congress with America's first female Senator, who never forgot her hometown college, A-State. What an honor to meet the little-known and the legends; pioneers and philanthropists; educators, entertainers and entrepreneurs. We could not include everyone of importance in ASU's history, but we hope you find that the voices of these 100 diverse individuals ring out the ASU story loud and strong. Some of them are well known; others offer glimpses into the forgotten pages of our past. There are those who strode the world stage, but also a little boy growing up in a girls' dorm. There's a Depression-era student from China capturing iconic images we treasure today, and a 92-year-old alumnus coming each year from Texas to meet recipients of the scholarship honoring his mother. You'll meet them all: from actors and athletes to Wilson Award winners and R. E. L. Wilson himself, whose rags-to-riches story surpasses anything in Horatio Alger.

If you are reading this publication during our Centennial celebration, please join me in honoring those who brought us across 100 years, enjoying their stories, taking pride in their achievements. But if by chance you are reading an archive edition of this magazine as you prepare for ASU's 200th anniversary in the year 2109, whatever the world is like then, please remember us back in 2009 who treasure A-State. As the Class of 1927 wrote in donating the Arch which today stands proudly as our symbol, "We have tried to express in imperishable form our love for our school, pleasant school time, memories that will linger in our hearts throughout life, and our natural human longing that we may not be entirely forgotten."

As we celebrate 100 years, please remember us too, and how we loved Arkansas State University.

Nancy Hendricks ’74 Director of Alumni Communications

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2009

Arkansas State University today ‌

There are 12,185 students in our centennial year Students from 54 countries attend ASU This year, there are 61,232 alumni

ASU alumni can be found in all 50 states

There are more than 700 ASU alumni in foreign countries ASU offers 168 fields of study, within 38 degree programs

There are 174 evening courses offered, plus 128 web courses

The campus includes more than 100 buildings on over 2,000 acres of land more than 300 campus organizations are available for today's students

ASU's Arkansas biosciences institute is on the cutting edge of groundbreaking research Today, Arkansas State University is comprised of the colleges of Agriculture & Technology; business; communications; education; engineering; fine Arts; humanities & Social Sciences; nursing & health Professions; Sciences & mathematics; University college; honors college and the Division of military Science Where will aSu be in the next hundred years?

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A R K A N SA S S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

A History and

A Home to be Proud of...

Celebrating 100 Years

COOPER ALUMNI CENTER

Alumni Association Board Members David Carruth ’83 Rich Carvell, Jr. ’91 Charisse Quarles Childers ’88 Keith Crass ’81 Jackie Williams Dedman ’79 MSE ’81 Mark Ferguson ’89 Jamie Frakes ’90 Colin Hall ’99 Lynn Sitz Howerton ’90 Billy Keedy ’99 Len Kemp ’75 Sharon Kay Lee ’80 Bob McCuiston ’65

Joe Miles ’74, MBA ’77 Rick Miles ’78 Dale Morris ’70 Susan Russenberger Naylor ’97 John Phillips ’73 Melanie Heath Posey ’00 Charlotte Lutes Razer ’86 Mickey Ryan ’92 Steven Sigsby ’72 Charles Smith ’89 Nonie Sheffield Wiggins ’83 Mike Williams ’92

Design - ASU Publications and Creative Services • Printing - Master Print Group

P.O. BOX 1990 • STATE UNIVERSITY, AR 72467-1990