voices
THE MAGAZINE OF ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY’S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SUMMER 2014, VOLUME 14, ISSUE 1 ~ $6.00
Celebration––Following a vote the previous night by the Jonesboro City Council, happy A-State supporters, including (from left) Faculty Senate President Julie Isaacson, Staff Senate Vice President for Communications Talvickeo Banks, Chancellor Tim Hudson, 2013-14 SGA President D’Andre Anderson and Alumni Association Executive Director Beth Smith greet morning rush-hour drivers with a look at the new name for the direct route to the university, Red Wolf Boulevard.
in this issue: FEATURES:
10 THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME Sorority Housing at A-State
14 LEAVING A LEGACY Bill Templeton
18 A-STATE CONNECT First Year of the iPad Initiative PROFILES:
04 STUDENT PROFILE Sharika Nelvis
06 CAMPUS PROFILE Erika Chudy
08 ALUMNI PROFILE Ali Weimer DEPARTMENTS:
03 MY VOICE Dr. Jason Penry, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement
24 THE LAST WORD Beth Smith, Executive Director of ASU Alumni Association This is Arkansas State: Your Alma Mater voices | 01
In this digital issue, click where you see
to view a video.
voices The Magazine of Arkansas State University’s Alumni Association
EXECUTIVE EDITOR - BETH SMITH EDITOR - DIANA MONROE DESIGN - A-STATE PUBLICATIONS AND CREATIVE SERVICES PRINTING - A-STATE PRINTING SERVICES
ASU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT - RICH CARVELL JR. '91 VICE PRESIDENT - CHARISSE QUARLES CHILDERS '88 SECRETARY-TREASURER - MARGO TRAVIS AUFDERHEIDE ‘76 PAST PRESIDENT - CHARLOTTE LUTES RAZER ‘86
BOARD MEMBERS JOHN BAINE '97
JOY BAXTER MURPHY '92
RUSTY CHAMBERS '89
MELANIE BRYANT POSEY '00
BRANDI HINKLE '98
PAUL ROWTON ‘98
LYNN SITZ HOWERTON '90
BOB SCHOENBORN ‘67
BOB MCCUISTON '65
STEVEN SIGSBY '72
JOE MILES '74
MARK WEBB '89
RICK MILES '78
NONIE SHEFFIELD WIGGINS '83
BRANDON MORRIS ‘70
MIKE WILLIAMS '92
DALE MORRIS '70
PEGGY ROBINSON WRIGHT ‘96 TIM LANGFORD ‘84 - EX OFFICIO
CHANCELLOR - DR. TIM HUDSON VICE CHANCELLOR - DR. JASON PENRY, UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - BETH SMITH ’82 DIRECTOR, ALUMNI RELATIONS - LINDSAY HARMON BURNETT ’05 DIRECTOR, ANNUAL FUND - ELAINE POYNTER ’01 DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP - MARSHA MAYS CARWELL ’05 DIRECTOR, AFFINITY RELATIONS - AMANDA MCDANIEL ‘93 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - CARISSA KIRK GRIFFIN
Voices is published three times a year by the Arkansas State University Alumni Association. Subscriptions are available through membership in the A-State Alumni Association. Single issues are available for $6 each. Editorial offices are located in the Cooper Alumni Center, 2600 Alumni Boulevard, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Our telephone number is (870) 972-2586 and our FAX number is (870) 972-2039.
MAIL CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: VOICES ASU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC. P.O. BOX 1990 STATE UNIVERSITY, AR 72467
WEBSITE: AStateAlumni.org
EMAIL: alumni@AState.edu
my voice:
DR. JASON PENRY VICE CHANCELLOR FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
Thank you for taking the time to view the latest edition of VOICES. A-State has great momentum. To continue this rise and strengthen the university, we will need an even greater team effort from alumni and friends. There are many ways to help keep us moving in the right direction, including: • Continuing (or starting) your financial support of Arkansas State and by encouraging others to follow your lead; • Promoting A-State with friends, family members and your community; • Encouraging high school and community college students to visit our campus and apply to the university. We are grateful for you being an ambassador and investor for this great university. Working together, the future has never been brighter. Go Red Wolves!
Jason
A quick overview of the A-State Querétaro groundbreaking Dr. Tim Hudson explains the impact of hosting a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine School at A-State Listen to the Red Wolves Rising Jingle from Jefe and the Howlettes Highlights from the 2014 Spring Commencement at A-State voices | 03
studentPROFILE SHARIKA NELVIS
Watch Sharika Nelvis’ post-race interview with RunnerSpace.com after winning the 2014 NCAA title summer 2014 | 04
I
t’s a sunny afternoon with nary a cloud in the sky as she maneuvers into the starting block. A second later, the starter’s gun sounds and she sprints out in her assigned lane.
Hurdles arrayed in her path. One after another, she glides across them effortlessly. A wide, beaming smile stretches across her face as Sharika Nelvis comes to a stop to catch her breath at the end of the race. Unseen are the real hurdles the 24-year-old Arkansas State senior has navigated to become a Division I student-athlete, and then an all-American; the obstacles of personal experiences of heartbreak and tribulation that make her achievements even greater. In life, there are those who are in constant struggle coping with adversity. Conversely, a select few are able to turn adversity into a blessing. By age seven, Sharika lost both of her parents. With no place to go, she and her four siblings moved in with their grandmother. Life presented another challenge as her grandmother suffered a debilitating stroke a few years later. Once living with her grandmother was no longer an option, she and her older sister spent the remainder of her adolescent life on the northeast side of Memphis, Tenn., residing at their aunt’s. With a childhood filled with uncertainty and the hope of normalcy all-but-gone as an adolescent, she discovered an unwavering will to persevere. Nelvis concludes one of the most decorated careers in A-State Athletics history this spring and graduates in August with a photo journalism degree.
school. Moreover, she would roll her ankle in track warm-ups as a junior and grit out the mishap to not only race in the sprint event, but to place first. Track still was first and foremost sport for the multi-talented Nelvis. She earned all-state recognition in five events as a senior at Memphis’ Northside High School and capped off her stellar career by being selected as Tennessee’s “Gatorade Runner of the Year” for 2009. The success achieved by Nelvis parlayed into a full scholarship offer at Southwest Mississippi Community College, but after just a few days there Nelvis was unhappy and returned home. She was then recruited by former A-State assistant/fellow Memphis native Jason Brooks, with whom she became acquainted from her Blue City Memphis AAU track days. At Brooks’ suggestion, Nelvis enrolled at A-State in fall 2009 and bided her time until the next season to make her debut. Nelvis made an immediate impact her 2010-11 freshman campaign: Sun Belt Conference’s “Most Outstanding Freshman” for both indoor and outdoor seasons. She would go on to be recognized as the SBC Women’s “Most Outstanding Track Performer” for both indoor and outdoor for three consecutive years (2012-13), in addition to becoming a 12-time conference indoor and an 11-time outdoor champion.
“IT HAS BEEN AN
HONOR TO BE ON THE A-STATE
TRACK TEAM
Arkansas State had a profound impact on her life and Nelvis is quick to point out she wouldn’t trade her experiences as a Red Wolf.
AND SURROUND MYSELF
“I really honestly love my university,” said Nelvis, who hopes to continue her athletic career at the professional level. “It’s been an honor to be on the (A-State) track team and surround myself with great people. I have made friends who will be friends for the rest of my life. I’ve met a lot of people and traveled to a lot of places, so it’s been a great opportunity to be a student-athlete at A-State. “My time (at A-State) really went by fast and I don’t know how different I would’ve been had I gone somewhere else.”
WITH GREAT PEOPLE.”
A three-time (2012-14) all-America indoor track honoree by the U.S. Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) and twice (2012-13) all-American outdoors, she became a national champion at the 2014 NCAAs in Albuquerque, N.M., this March. Of course, it was the indoor 60-meter hurdles. Nelvis has also been recognized as the 2013-14 recipient of A-State’s prestigious Terry Gwin Award for outstanding leadership, citizenship, scholarship and athletic performance, and was recently selected as the Sun Belt Conference’s Female Student-Athlete of the Year for the 2013-14 season. As a sixth-grader, Nelvis realized she had the gift of speed. “I always figured I was pretty fast in elementary,” said Nelvis. “I wanted to start running when I attended middle school and I became pretty good at it.” With God-given athletic ability and a competitive fire, Nelvis rapidly developed into a productive performer in other sports, too––like volleyball and softball. Despite not being her best sport, basketball would help springboard Nelvis’ track career as she played hoops in preparation for the spring track season. She competed three seasons (2007-09) on the hardwood and was lauded by her head coach (Kaclin Macklin), who also served as the school’s track coach, for her defense and rebounding. Playing sports also created obstacles for Nelvis to overcome; she fractured her ankle in eighth-grade basketball and did likewise to the same ankle again in high
Perhaps the one who’s most happy Nelvis decided Arkansas State was the place to be is her head coach Jim Patchell. “Not only is Sharika a great athlete, but she is a great person and has overcome a lot of obstacles in her life,” said Patchell. “Talent alone is not good enough to get you to a national championship. She is very dedicated and works extremely hard, which is why she has achieved so much. She has helped to raise our program back to national recognition and even though this is her senior year, she has a great career ahead of her on the world stage.” Nelvis, who no doubt will go down in A-State track and field history as one of its all-time best, has come to understand the positive effect adversity can have upon an individual. “All of my struggles have made me who I am today. Being in the situation I’m in, I’m really proud of myself and I wouldn’t be as strong as I am today without (those struggles). A lot of good things are going my way,” she said, smiling. Hurdler. National Champion. Red Wolf for life. Her achievements leave Arkansas State smiling as well.
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campusPROFILE ERIKA KRENNERICH CHUDY ‘98, MBA ‘00
summer 2014 | 06
F
or Erika Krennerich Chudy, the roads she’s traveled throughout the
for Arkansas State,” she said. “Over the last three years, we’ve made changes to
country have always lead back to Jonesboro. After her career of helping
our methods and systems to stay in contact with our alumni, and we are poised
others through her positions in government, she has returned home to Arkansas
to enhance those relationships.”
State University to help make a difference in the lives of generations of students yet to come.
Chudy said she considers herself an advocate for donors to the university, to honor their intentions to the very letter. These alumni and friends are passing
Chudy, BS Marketing ‘98/MBA ’00, is director of planned giving, in which she
on something of value to the university, and it’s a job she doesn’t take lightly.
assists A-State alumni and friends with gifts they choose to make to the university through life plans, whether that be a bequest in a donor’s will, gifts
“When someone makes a gift to A-State, they are treating the university like one
of real estate or stocks/bonds, or from life insurance policies.
of their family members,” she noted. “They are making a statement to their survivors and to the community, ‘Arkansas State
After her graduation from A-State, she traveled the roads of East Arkansas, first as a salesperson for a local radio station, then as a pharmaceutical representative before going to work in the political arena.
Chudy worked in the campaigns of
Jonesboro native Dustin McDaniel and former U.S. Representative Marion Berry, for whom she ultimately served as chief of staff. “What those jobs taught me was I could talk to people and learn about their lives and their
helped me get where I am in life, and now I want
“ARKANSAS STATE
HELPED ME
to help other students who may have been just like me.’”
GET WHERE I AM IN LIFE,
She said scholarship endowments are still the most
AND NOW I WANT
popular way of helping A-State’s students. One-
TO HELP OTHER STUDENTS WHO MAY HAVE
BEEN JUST LIKE ME.”
sixth of the freshman class last fall were still the first in their families to attempt to earn a college education; many times scholarships are the only chance any student has at earning a college degree.
livelihoods,” Chudy explained. “In government
“It’s rewarding to be able to match a donor with
service, I enjoyed helping the residents of the First
the college or area of interest they have at A-State,”
Congressional District, whether it was with a problem in which intervention
she said. “I hope students will appreciate the sacrifice that went into these gifts.”
from Congressman Berry’s office could help, or through keeping him apprised of situations that might need his attention and support.”
“Both of my grandfathers died before I was born,” she continued. “So I never heard the stories of their lives directly from them. I enjoy visiting with these
When the congressman made the decision not to seek another term in office,
survivors of the Great Depression, these veterans from World War II and
Chudy took the opportunity to bring her experience together with her passion
Vietnam, and learning about the roads they’ve traveled. Because their business
for her alma mater. After a whirlwind of activity––relocating to Little Rock,
or their career was affected in a positive way by this university, these
meeting and marrying her husband, closing Berry’s offices in Jonesboro and
hardworking savers are inviting us into their lives and giving us the rewards of
Washington, D.C., and giving birth to their first child––she was ready to join the
their life’s work. That’s pretty amazing to me.”
A-State staff. Note: For more information on planned giving at A-State, visit the website, “I’ve been able to visit with some remarkable people who have special feelings
AStateGift.org/
profile update: Featured in our last issue of VOICES, Dr. Shane Hunt was recently named Dean of the College of Business. Click the picture to see video on this announcement.
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alumniPROFILE ALI WEIMER
‘04, MSE ‘11
K indergar ten Teacher, Avondale Elementar y 2013 Arkansas Teacher of the Year summer 2014 | 08
W
inning the Arkansas Teacher of the Year award is quite an accomplishment on its own. For 2013 recipient Ali Weimer ‘04, MSE ‘11, it provided an opportunity to shine the spotlight on others. She took advantage of her award to benefit not only her students, but also teachers and students nationwide. “One of the things I really hoped to accomplish through winning this award and on my sabbatical was to shine the spotlight on teachers all over,” Weimer explained. “One way I reached this goal was by sharing stories from the classrooms I visited––at the State school board meetings, at educational conferences and even on my social media pages. I’ve been able to tell the extraordinary stories of teaching and learning I observed as I traveled the state.” Weimer teaches kindergarten at Avondale Elementary School, a part of the Marion School District in West Memphis. It is her passion for teaching and her dedication to her students that made it difficult for her to not be in the classroom. As part of her award, Weimer embarked on a one-year sabbatical to travel the state and speak to education groups and various civic organizations. She was also a non-voting member of the Arkansas State Board of Education.
could keep up with and organize all of my articles, photos and such. I wanted to ensure I collected and kept as many articles and pictures as I possibly can to fully document this amazing time in my life.” There have been a number of surprise benefits to being named the 2013 Arkansas Teacher of the Year. “The ultimate benefit came to me at the end of that April. I had the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C., and meet President Obama,” Weimer stated. “Another unexpected benefit included getting to meet and network with the other state teachers of the year from across the U.S. There is something magical about being in a room full of educators who are as passionate about teaching as you are. To me, that is an amazingly beautiful thing to see and makes me proud to call myself a teacher.” The award also reinforced her opinion of teachers and the teaching profession.
“TEACHERS GIVE OF
THEMSELVES
“To be honest, I had very mixed emotions about not being around 20 little kindergartners for a whole year,” she explained. “However, I chose to look at it like this. If I stayed that year in my classroom, I would only be able to serve my 20 students. Being out of the classroom, I had the opportunity to read stories to students in classrooms across the state; I shared my Space Camp experience with students through pictures and learning exercises; I lead workshops at more than a dozen educational conferences, and at universities, where I worked with pre-service teachers and teacher interns.
MUCH MORE THAN WHAT THE PUBLIC SEES ON
A DAILY BASIS. I WANT THE PUBLIC TO SEE THIS AND TO
CELEBRATE TEACHERS EVERYWHERE.”
“I virtually collaborated with teachers from Kenya to help them better serve their students and I participated in the Arkansas Leadership Academy’s Teacher Leadership Institute. Not only did I read to students, but I toured their schools, simply to gain a better understanding of the awesome things happening in our schools and classrooms.”
“What surprised me the most about this year has really surprised me the least. Across Arkansas and the U.S., I was pleasantly surprised by the number of dedicated professionals who care deeply about kids, those who daily fight the good fight to do what is best for our children. As a teacher, you rarely venture outside your classroom; therefore, you never truly realize how many others there are out there, just like you.” Weimer credited her time at A-State with influencing her teaching career and helping develop her core beliefs about education.
“My biggest influencers came from the outstanding educators I had,” she explained. “ They not only told me how to be a successful teacher, but more importantly, they modeled what it looked like. I still remember Dr. Lina Owens reading children's books to us in class on a regular basis. Being able to captivate (a group of) young adults with a children's read-aloud really showed me the power of a great book. It was through these read-alouds she showed me how to engage readers and use great questioning to make reading come to life.” There is no doubt Weimer loves her job and her kids.
Weimer documented her time during the year thanks to a colleague at Avondale Elementary School.
“I am absolutely in love with teaching,” she explained. “I strive each day to make learning fun.
“My mentor teacher, Vearlene Williamson, gave me a scrapbook as a gift so I
profile extra: Johnny Allison honored with the GoDaddy Bowl’s Champion of Life Award. Click to see video of his reaction.
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Photos courtesy of Ken West
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In recent years, the Arkansas State University campus has undergone significant changes,
F
or years, Dr. Rick Stripling, vice chancellor for Student Affairs at Arkansas State, fielded questions about when A-State would get dedicated sorority housing. That issue has been resolved in grand style following the construction and opening of five new houses on Aggie Road.
“Any college or university of significant size has a thriving Greek life with houses. One thing that’s been missing here at A-State is a recognizable sorority presence,” Stripling explained. “These new houses go a long way in solidifying our sorority row.”
not the least of which is the opening of new sorority houses on Aggie Road leading to the Carl R. Reng Student Union, giving the entry to the campus a new look and feel. Highlights from the Turning Over the Keys ceremony for Sorority Row
Alpha Gamma Delta (AGD), Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII), Chi Omega (XO), Delta Zeta (DZ), and Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) received their keys at the ‘Turning of the Key’ ceremony held on Aug. 5, 2013, just before the start of the fall semester. Approximately 100 people were on hand to tour the new houses and celebrate the event. Chapter members moved in on Aug. 11; the houses were dedicated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 12, 2013. In his statement at the reception, A-State Chancellor Dr. Tim Hudson praised the efforts of those involved and discussed the impact of the houses on the campus. “For all the young women and their leaders who were involved, this is something that is transformative to this campus,” he said. “You’ve changed the way this campus looks and created a buzz and an energy that is going to be contagious in many of the things we do.”
DRAWING INSPIRATION The location was an easy choice for Stripling, but he wasn’t sure about the overall look. He visited several campuses of similar-sized universities to get an idea of how they developed their Greek area. Driving back from one such visit he stopped by Tuscaloosa to look at the University of Alabama’s Greek area. “I was driving down the street in Tuscaloosa and I knew immediately it was exactly what we needed,” he said. “I stopped in the middle of the street, got out of my vehicle and took a picture. While we did not replicate the Alabama street, it was the look and feel we wanted.” Once he found inspiration for the project, he knew right
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away where it would go and the beginnings of how it would look. “We wanted something that would make a dramatic impact on those arriving at our university, something that would resonate with a vibrant campus life,” Stripling stated. “This is a prime location and it was very much a natural fit there; it is at a four-way stop where you can look down all directions and get a great view of the campus. There are lots of trees and it has a very ’Southern’ feel. This is one of the smaller projects when compared with the Carl R. Reng Student Union and the Red Wolf Center, but it is one of the most striking sites on the entire campus.”
GETTING IT DONE It was a lengthy process to develop the plan before the ground breaking and construction on the houses could begin. “We’d been talking about this for several years,” Stripling explained. “We worked with the National Panhellenic Council (NPC) and the campus organizations, in compliance with an earlier agreement that stated no sorority could build a house unless all could. Once we accomplished that task, it was a matter of developing a lease all parties could agree upon, securing funding through bond issues, and selecting bond architect and contractors.” The lease process was easier said than done. Stripling said negotiating the lease wording was a year-long process on its own, and there were only four houses at the beginning of the project. Once Zeta Tau Alpha heard about the project, they were quick to join in and add the fifth house. There were other challenges with taking on a project of this magnitude. “One of the common questions we get is about parking,” said Martha Spack, associate dean and director of the Leadership Center. “We still have the commuter lot, so none of that space was impacted. We also have dedicated parking behind the houses to keep the street parking in front of the houses available.” Security for the houses and the immediate area was given a very high priority. “In terms of security, the houses and parking lots have card swipe access,” Spack said. “There is
extensive lighting in the parking lots and around the immediate area. Emergency call boxes are placed in the area as well.”
“The first thing we had to do was establish which lots each organization wanted and what house design they would get,” Stripling explained. “There were five exterior designs developed by the architects and presented to the sororities.”
BENEFITS OF THE HOUSING In addition to beautifying the campus, there are many other benefits to having dedicated sorority housing at A-State, even some that may not have been expected. “This has really impacted the way we recruit students,” noted Beth Silverthorn, executive assistant to Dr. Stripling. “It has changed our walk for the campus tour. Going from the Red Wolf Center to Sorority Row is a great transition leading to the Student Union.” Building the houses has also made Arkansas State a more attractive campus for other organizations, according to Stripling. A list now exists with a number of sororities that have expressed interest in locating here in the future. “We’ve seen immediate benefits during this first year,” Stripling added. “We seen a 42 percent increase in sorority membership during the last academic year, which is a great boost to our goal of growing the chapters to 150 members each.” Improving relationships among the different groups may not have been at the top of the list of expected benefits of the new housing, but it has had a noticeable effect. “A sense of unity has developed between the sororities. They all have a common bond and have united to take full advantage of this exciting opportunity,” Spack said. “The houses are a tremendous source of pride for the advisers, the members and the campus community as well,” Silverthorn added. “This has renewed the sense of pride that comes from Greek life and is something in which the membership can embrace and be very proud.”
“During the first ‘round’ of selections, the group could choose either a lot location or a house façade. Once those were determined, then they had to decide on the color of brick for the house,” he continued. “The order of the first round was determined by how long each sorority had been on campus. After that is was a random drawing.”
Founding Year: 1948 Philanthropy: Juvenile Diabetes
A-State furnished the bedrooms upstairs, which are the same in the five houses. The main floor of each house has public spaces the sororities were able to decorate according to their own organizational preferences. Each group developed its own process to determine which of its members will be allowed to move in to the houses. The processes were distinct but there were similarities. “Each sorority developed a point system,” Silverthorn said. “While they varied, the systems usually included factors like grade point average (GPA), seniority in the organization and involvement, which included volunteer activities in the community, at A-State and within the organization.”
ALPHA OMICRON PI Founding Year: 1949 Philanthropy: Arthritis Research and American Juvenile Arthritis Organization
THE TRANSITION Since the introduction of sororities at Arkansas State more than 50 years ago, members have lived in various residence halls–– never in their own individual housing. Prior to construction of the five new houses, all sororities were located in University Hall, with Greek letters on the building exterior; nothing else about the building made it stand out as sorority housing.
CHI OMEGA Founding Year: 1961 Philanthropy: Make A Wish Foundation
These five sorority houses are defining a new era in Greek life, adding another facet to what makes A-State a great place for higher education.
MAKING CHOICES
DELTA ZETA Founding Year: 1991 Philanthropy: Speech and Hearing Impaired Research
Gov. Mike Beebe speaks at the dedication of Sorority Row about the personal significance of Greek life
Photos courtesy of Ken West
Although the houses all have the same floor plan inside, there were still choices to be made regarding lot location, exterior front design and bricks that would customize the appearance of each house.
ALPHA GAMMA DELTA
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ZETA TAU ALPHA Founding Year: 1968 Re-Installed: 2012 Philanthropy: Breast Cancer Education and Awareness
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When Bill Templeton died on May 3, he left a record of service to Arkansas State University not likely to be seen again. With his 53+ years of involvement,
I
n today’s world of big-time college athletics, half a century of service to one institution is difficult to fathom.
our whole community will, too. He will be remembered as one of the greatest Indians or Red Wolves who ever lived.”
Bill Templeton ‘57 BSE, ‘60 MSE, was associated with Arkansas State for 53 years spanning seven different decades. Affectionately known to many simply as “Coach Temp,” he left a legacy of greatness behind with his recent passing.
Templeton was inducted into Arkansas State Athletics Hall of Honor in 1987 and the A-State Ring of Honor in 1997. The Ring of Honor, which recognizes the greatness of football through the induction of A-State’s finest players and coaches, is located on the façade of the west side of Centennial Bank Stadium.
For those who knew Coach Temp, it makes sense that he dedicated such a large part of his life to his alma mater. “I think hard-working stability and devotion are important in any program, and that’s what (Coach Temp) provided Arkansas State for so many years,” said current A-State Head Certified Athletic Trainer Ron Carroll, who worked with Templeton at A-State for more than 30 years. “He had a tremendous love for the program, and his persistence to take us to the next level was extremely high. He was that person fans and family of the program knew they could talk to when they needed help, and that was really important.”
Also in recognition of his commitment and contributions to A-State, the Bill Templeton Recruiting Room is located in the Red Wolves’ football facility and houses numerous A-State trophies, ranging from his time as a coach at the school all the way through last season’s Sun Belt Conference championship and GoDaddy Bowl victory. “Coach Temp started recruiting me in 1978, and even though he transitioned into his role with the Indian Club in 1979, he never quit coaching,” said Tim Langford, an all-Southland Conference quarterback at A-State in 1983 and current member of the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees.
‘Coach Temp’ leaves a lasting legacy of loyalty to and love for his beloved A-State.
1933 Born October 19
1949-1952 Played football, basketball, baseball and competed in track at Pocahontas High School
Templeton completed the trifecta at A-State, first coming to the school in 1954 as a football student-athlete, then joining its coaching ranks and later transitioning into an administrative role with the athletics department. Templeton made his way to Arkansas State as an Indian and became a Red Wolf when the program changed its official nickname to Red Wolves in 2008. He touched seven decades of Arkansas State, watching the school move from college to university, working with 14 head football coaches, all 11 athletic directors in school history and an innumerable amount of student-athletes. “We’ve lost a great Indian and Red Wolf,” said current Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir, who was also a football letterman at A-State while Templeton was working with the Indian Club, the major fundraising arm of Arkansas State Athletics now known as the Red Wolves Foundation. “Bill was a staple of our program for more than 50 years, and not only will our university miss him, but
1956 Received bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State College
1954-1956 Running back, Arkansas State College
1958 Served in U.S. Army
“He was first and foremost an encourager, and was so positive and energetic. He saw the best in everyone and every situation, and brought out the best, even when we didn't see it ourselves. In the 1990s, when we were not doing well in football and going through several ADs and coaches, he was the one link most of us former players had and maintained with Arkansas State. I am so glad he got to see the fruit of his labors these last few years. AState would not have had the success it’s enjoyed in football, athletics and as a university without the efforts and leadership of Coach Bill Templeton. He will be missed.” Templeton worked with athletic fundraising since 1978, serving as director of major gifts, and most recently, director of planned giving. During his time as director and coordinator of the original Indian Club, he developed an endowment scholarship fund of more than $1.5 million and helped to rebuild the membership base. Prior to running the Indian Club, he spent 13 years as an assistant football coach at A-State. He joined the staff in 1965 under Bennie Ellender and became the offensive
1959-60 Coach, Osceola High School
1960 Received master’s degree from Arkansas State College
1960-61 Coach, Kennett Mo. High School n 4
coordinator and assistant head coach under Bill Davidson in 1971. During his time as an assistant, he coached AState’s offensive backfield in three Pecan Bowl games (1968, 1969, and 1970). “Coach Temp may have been small in stature, but inchfor-inch no coach has ever been tougher,” said Robert Speer, a member of the all-time Arkansas State football team chosen by fans during the 1976 season. “He’s one of the reasons I love Arkansas State and chose to play there.” Like Speer, former football letterman Bob Earwood also played under Coach Templeton and recalls fondly his time spent with the Arkansas State legend. “Coach Temp meant a lot to me as a coach and as a man,” said Earwood. “As a coach he will always be remembered for his tough, hard-nosed approach to football. This approach allowed him to get the most out of his players. He and I had many discussions over the years about this, and he took pride in that ability because it taught young men that adversity on the football field is exactly what occurs in life.” Before coaching at A-State, he spent four years as a high school assistant coach (Osceola from 1959-60; Kennett, Mo., 1960-61; and Blytheville, 1961). He was the head coach at Blytheville from 1962-64, and his 1964 team was runner-up in the state’s toughest prep league. Templeton, who turned 80 last fall, played football at Pocahontas High School from 1949-51, where he was a two-time all-state running back while also playing basketball, baseball and competing in track. He attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville as a freshman and then transferred to Arkansas State and
Templeton was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Beulah Templeton; three brothers, Howard Templeton, Freddie Templeton and J.C. Jenkins; and three sisters, Ruth DeJournett, Lucille Swick and Virginia Jankowski. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Vonette (Mullen) Templeton, daughter Ellen (Rob) Templeton-Lawrence, son Bill V. Templeton and grandson Eli Lawrence, all of Jonesboro. His surviving siblings include James (Pat) Templeton and Margaret Ivy. Additional surviving family members include many nieces and nephews. “As a man, I always admired his commitment to family and friends, especially family,” said Earwood. “He was always talking about his kids and what they’ve accomplished and there were very few times I saw him without Miss Vonette at his side. He also never failed to call me up and ask how my wife and daughter were doing. The funny thing is, that might be all we would even talk about in the conversation was family. Not A-State, not football – just family. He’ll be remembered by all that knew him, but especially his players.”
1965-1979 Running Backs Coach, Arkansas State University
1968-1970 Coached in three Pecan Bowls
2005 Bill Templeton Recruiting Room established
It’s safe to say Templeton wasn’t just an Indian and Red Wolf on game days, in the office or at Arkansas Staterelated functions. He lived it, and his love for A-State often found its way home.
1998-2013 Returned from retirement as Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving
“I think for dad, Arkansas State was not just a job or a demand upon his time,” said Templeton’s daughter Ellen. “ASU was family. To everyone he was always accessible, supportive and caring. I think one of his best qualities was his love for his family and, when you include A-State, that is a really big family!”
1997 Inducted into Arkansas State Ring of Honor, Retired
It’s only fitting Templeton’s funeral came to a close with the Arkansas State fight song proudly being sung in his honor by a large gathering of family, friends and Arkansas State faithful. ON, ON, ON TO VICTORY – that is how Coach Temp would want it.
1961-64 Coach, Blytheville High School
2008 Received Outstanding Assistant Athletic Director Award from the All-American Football Foundation
1971
Photos courtesy of Ken West
“...A-State would not have had the success it’s enjoyed in football, athletics and as a university without the efforts and leadership of Coach Bill Templeton. He will be missed.”
lettered three years (1954-56) as a running back. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arkansas State in 1956 and 1960, respectively. Templeton served in the US Army in 1958 as a 1st Lieutenant.
Assisant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator, Arkansas State University
1978
Became Director of Indian Club, Arkansas State University voices | 17
1987 Inducted into Letterman’s Club Hall of Honor
The future is now, as Arkansas State faculty teach students to navigate their freshman classes using Apple iPads to explore and discover the innovative, immersive ways in which to learn and express themselves in a 21st century classroom. summer spring 2014 2014 | | 14 18
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hen Arkansas State University announced the incoming freshmen for the Fall 2013 semester would be using iPads in the classroom to enhance their learning experience, there was the usual level of curiosity. How would the ‘First Year Experience’ (FYE) students–– and faculty – react to the change? At the end of the first year of the program, the response has been fairly positive according to Dr. Gina Hogue, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. “We have seen students and faculty embrace this technology with enthusiasm,” Hogue said. “A digital curriculum is providing our students with an alternative to traditional textbooks, in which e-books can be loaded onto the iPad at a lower cost than purchasing the hardback textbook. Students were able to access course text on their iPads for several classes, including the ‘Making Connections’ class.” The Making Connections course is a required subject for all incoming freshmen. It focuses on transitioning students into college-level learners by introducing critical academic skills and campus resources. Faculty and students explored study skills, personal organization and research using iPad apps as well as accessing course text and other books using digital text. “It’s not a foregone conclusion (students) are going to get up and go to class each day,” said Jason Stewart, engineering instructor. “It’s a decision they have to make, and so as a teacher you want to make your class as enjoyable as you can and let them get the most benefit out of it that they can possibly derive.” “They can take pictures in class with the iPad and then enter notes about the photo they took,” said Carmen Williams, English instructor for FYE students. “There are limitless kinds of ways this will be beneficial to students.”
Hogue said the initiative continues to focus on an immersive experience in which technology is embedded in the curriculum. She noted A-State was the first public university in the state and among the first in the U.S. to require every incoming freshman to use iPad technology. The university is a national front-runner to implement a required freshman course that’s exclusively digital. Fallon Howley, a freshman theatre major from Sherwood, Ark., said after she learned how to access the apps, the iPad was enjoyable to use. “I used my iPad in my classes to keep up with assignments,” Howley said. “There were multiple apps that made assignments more organized and easier to keep up with. I used my iPad in my classes to communicate with my professors and also participate in class assignments that involved using our iPads.” “I could use my iPad for a multitude of reasons, from scheduling class assignments to making an iMovie. My iPad helped me have the flexibility to travel with me and get the job done.” Stewart said as engaged students become more committed, their surroundings and their support structure improve, and then great things can happen.
their parents the differences she noticed when she switched from traditional textbooks to her iPad. “The first semester of my freshman year, I lugged around a traditional backpack to my classes,” Walker explained. “I showed these groups what was contained inside––textbooks, notebooks, perhaps an iPod or other MP3 device, my identification, my wallet. I was probably carrying around 20 extra pounds across campus daily. I thought, ‘This is not working; this is not the way I want to do school.” “My second semester, I switched out my notebooks for my iPad for note taking; the next semester I added e-books. Each semester I’ve let go of one traditional item and replaced it with an item using the iPad. Now that’s all I carry to class.” For example, Walker said she used the recording capability of the iPad to support the notes she’d take at Craighead County Quorum Court meetings for a news reporting class. She said she also used the iMovie app to produce presentations for her U.S. history class. “I can’t even imagine the things a creative mind could do outside of four walls,” Williams said of her students.
“They’re more likely to stick with their degree and with that degree program,” he said. “They’re more likely to become constructive and productive citizens.” Paige Walker, a senior journalism major from Brinkley Ark., worked with the Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs to help students and faculty members become comfortable with the notion of using an iPad in the classroom. During Freshman Orientation, she demonstrated to students and voices | 19
A-State faculty members talk about the advantages of the iPad Initiative
chamber/a-state d.c. event
new york reception
APRIL 9, 2014
APRIL 30, 2014
cooper alumni center note burning
FEBRUARY 22, 2014
summer spring 2014 2014 | | 16 20
strong-turner soul food dinner
FEBRUARY 13, 2014
bowl game tailgate
The Alumni Association takes over Mobile, Ala., landmark Wintzell’s
JANUARY 5, 2014
agribusiness conference reception
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
summer 2014 | 22
wilson award
APRIL 2, 2014
Meet the 2014 Wilson Award recipient, Latasha Moore
the last word:
BETH SMITH ‘82 BS, ‘03 MA EXECUTIVE EDITOR smitty@AState.edu
Dear Friends, This issue of VOICES comes to you as we have concluded our spring semester and awarded almost 2,000 degrees in our May commencement ceremonies. Wow. It is evidence our university it not just meeting its mission; it is excelling at the core business of education. I hope you will take a lot of pride in that achievement; I know I do. As an alumna, it means our AState network is growing stronger and these new alumni will challenge us to continue to excel, to innovate and to serve in ways that are different. I’m open and excited about that opportunity.
Leaving Your Legacy — In Stone — THE BRICK CAMPAIGN FOR THE COOPER ALUMNI CENTER
The ASU Alumni Association celebrated a huge milestone in December by making the final payment on the loan to construct the Cooper Alumni Center. It is rare for an Alumni Association to have a debt-free building, and you have each made this possible through your 1924 Sustaining Life membership, annual membership or use of the facilities to celebrate the significant events in your life. Special thanks also to Darrell and Charlotte Cooper, who made the initial gift to get us started, and to the many others who supported the facility through naming opportunities. Your generosity will be a legacy for generations of alumni.
The ASU Alumni Association is pleased to present you with a special opportunity to become a permanent part of the Cooper Alumni Center. You can have a personal message
I hope you like the new look of VOICES. It has more faces, more photos and will also be available in a digital format compatible with smart phones and other devices. We want to be with you everywhere – and easy to share with others! We’re also having a birthday this year. Founded in 1924, the Alumni Association is 90 years young! Watch for more details on a wonderful party Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 3, that will give us all a chance to “Jazz it Up” and celebrate!
engraved on one of the bricks located on the Callaway terrace. These bricks reflect a network of relationships as well as personal and family milestones. It is your alma mater and your story – leave it as a Legacy in Stone!
Sharing your Pride in Arkansas State,
Visit us online at AStateAlumni.org to order your personalized brick or call 870.972.2586 or 888.225.8343 for additional details.
Beth Smith Executive Director
Order now! AStateAlumni.org summer 2014 | 24
voices | 25
NONPROFIT US Postage PAID Permit 62 Jonesboro, AR
P.O. BOX 1990 • STATE UNIVERSITY, AR 72467 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
history: From the 1964 yearbook: First female president of SGA in school history, Earlaine Young of Hornersville, Mo.
Click here to view the entire 1964 yearbook and learn more about this milestone in A-State history.