THE MAGAZINE OF ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY’S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SPRING 2017, VOLUME 17, ISSUE 1 ~ $6.00
A PLACE TO GROW
NEW STUDENT HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS TO HONOR TRAILBLAZING MEMBERS OF “THE CIRCLE”
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson talks with former ASU System Board of Trustees member Chucki Bradbury (left) and Stephens Inc. COO Curt Bradbury (right) prior to the announcement of the establishment of the Bradbury Free Enterprise Scholars Program at Arkansas State. (Inset) Along with a reception at the ASU System Office across from the State Capitol, NASDAQ saluted the creation of the program with the A-State College of Business by using its digital signage at Times Square in New York City.
in this issue: FEATURES:
10 THE RED WOLVES: 12 A-STATE PARTNERS WITH ENDANGERED WOLF CENTER 14 LICENSE2HOWL 16 GAINES, RICHMOND, SMITH AND STRICKLAND:
A Decade of Dominance
Scholarship Recipients
A Circle for All Time
PROFILES:
04 STUDENT PROFILE 06 CAMPUS PROFILE 08 ALUMNI PROFILE
Hannah Aldridge
Dr. Bert Greenwalt
Darion Griswold ‘15
DEPARTMENTS:
03 MY VOICE
Dr. Charles L. Welch President Arkansas State University System
24 THE LAST WORD
voices | 01
Beth Smith, Executive Director A-State Alumni Association
voices The Magazine of Arkansas State University’s Alumni Association
EXECUTIVE EDITOR - BETH SMITH EDITOR - DR. BILL SMITH DESIGN - MARY R. MELTON PRINTING - A-STATE PRINTING SERVICES
A-STATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT - MARGO AUFDERHEIDE KAGEBEIN ‘76 VICE PRESIDENT - NONIE SHEFFIELD WIGGINS ‘83 SECRETARY - RUSTY CHAMBERS ‘89 PAST PRESIDENT - RICH CARVELL, JR. ‘91
BOARD MEMBERS JOHN BAINE ‘95
BRANDON MORRIS ‘08
CHARISSE M. CHILDERS ‘88
DALE MORRIS ‘70
JENNIFER STOUT COLE ’00
PAUL ROWTON ‘98
JANET DAVIS EVANS ‘80
STEVEN SIGSBY ‘72
RICHARD HARTNESS, SR. ’68
SHELLEY LUNBECK TUSTISON ’04
JAJUAN JOHNSON ‘02
MARK WEBB ‘89
MARK KILLINGSWORTH ’09
PEGGY ROBINSON WRIGHT ‘96
RICK MILES ‘78
RON RHODES ’70 - EX OFFICIO
CHANCELLOR - DR. DOUG WHITLOCK VICE CHANCELLOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT - DR. JASON PENRY
OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - BETH ASHCRAFT SMITH ‘82 DIRECTOR, ALUMNI RELATIONS - LINDSAY HARMON BURNETT ‘05 DIRECTOR, ANNUAL GIVING - TARA TOWNSEND THOMASON ‘97 DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP - MARSHA MAYS CARWELL ‘05 DIRECTOR, AFFINITY RELATIONS - AMANDA MILLER 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 A-STATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC. P.O. BOX 1990 STATE UNIVERSITY, AR 72467 WEBSITE: AStateAlumni.org
spring 2017 | 02
EMAIL: Alumni@AState.edu
my voice:
Scan to see video of Dr. Welch discussing our Querétaro campus
DR. CHARLES L. WELCH, PRESIDENT, ASU SYSTEM
The official search for a new chancellor at Arkansas State University is underway, and I am confident we will attract a very strong pool of candidates to lead our Jonesboro campus. The chancellor serves as the chief executive of the Jonesboro campus and will be charged with leading development of a new strategic plan with input from all our constituencies. I met with several campus leadership groups, and they offered very meaningful and helpful input about the qualities we seek in an individual to lead A-State. Members of the Chancellor Search Advisory Committee include four alumni representatives: Davy Carter of Jonesboro; Don Harmon of Jonesboro; Ruby Henderson of Jonesboro, representing Strong-Turner Alumni; and Chucki Bradbury of Little Rock. Please be sure to reach out to them or me (President@ASUSystem.edu) with any feedback about chancellor candidates. We have already set the stage for transformative growth and opportunity at A-State through major initiatives with minimal cost but potential for great returns. These include the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, the new $100 million campus in Querétaro, Mexico, and a partnership with O’Reilly Hospitality Management LLC for construction of an Embassy Suites hotel and the Red Wolf Convention Center on campus. These developments, along with the many established academic programs, make Arkansas State a very attractive destination not only for a new chancellor, but also students and faculty. Meantime in Little Rock, the Arkansas General Assembly approved a framework for a new higher education funding formula that will enable A-State to benefit financially if certain targets for graduating more students are met. We appreciate Gov. Asa Hutchinson and legislators for their willingness to support $10 million in new incentive funding and a results-oriented funding model for higher education. I want to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Doug Whitlock, who is serving as interim chancellor this year. I’m grateful for his wise counsel and stellar leadership during this transition time. He has used a very collaborative approach to initiate groundwork for the next chancellor in important areas such as shared governance and campus climate. As always, thank you for your continuing support of Arkansas State!
Chuck
voices | 03
studentPROFILE
HANNAH ALDRIDGE
spring 2017 | 04
Being president of the Student Government Association at Arkansas State University is a little like being mayor of a small city. After all, A-State has a community population of 14,085 that follows a university constitution. Hannah Aldridge, a junior from Jonesboro, is winding up a year as the leader of this small city, a challenge she cherishes. “This year, the A-State student body allowed me the greatest honor and responsibility of my life, and that is to serve as their president,” said Aldridge. “There has been no greater privilege than to work alongside some of the sharpest and most ambitious visionaries on our campus in service to the best student body in the nation. I can only hope that I’ve had a fraction of the impact on their lives as they have had on me. My gratitude is bottomless and so is my love for A-State.” Aldridge has been a part of Arkansas State almost her whole life and calls it “my home.” Her father Dr. Roy Aldridge is a professor of physical therapy in the College of Nursing and Health Professions and has been on campus since 1997. He has received major recognition as the supervisor of the hippotherapy program that utilizes work with horses and patients to connect and receive emotional help in addition to physical treatment through equine movement. “My dad has been an employee of A-State for as long as I can remember and some of my fondest memories are going to work with him,” said Hannah. “I love walking around campus everyday to see our motivated staff, faculty and student body striving to be the best they can be. I believe A-State is a spring of opportunities for anyone who is trying to make a difference.”
supportive. I would not have been able to do it without these two great men.” Sounds like a lot of fun, but Hannah takes her role as a student as seriously as the SGA presidency. She is completing her first year in the dietetics program at A-State and will graduate in August of 2018 and continue her education at occupational therapy school. Following, she hopes to move to Memphis and work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Membership in Alpha Gamma Delta sorority keeps her busy as well as working the St. Jude Up ‘til Dawn event and serving on the executive council, shared governance oversight, faculty achievement and the faculty athletics committees. She also has a voice on the search committee for a new chancellor and was elected by the student body as the 2016 homecoming queen.
“THERE HAS BEEN
NO GREATER
PRIVILEGE THAN TO WORK ALONGSIDE
SOME OF THE
SHARPEST AND MOST
AMBITIOUS VISIONAIRIES
ON OUR CAMPUS IN SERVICE TO THE BEST STUDENT BODY
Hannah visits one-on-one with students to discuss things that are happening on campus. She says her goal every day is to encourage everyone to get involved somewhere on campus. “It is so important for students to be involved and to take advantage of the resources they are given. “My experiences on campus have and still are preparing me for life after college. Serving in these positions have taught me the importance of communication—how to lead a group, how to be transparent, and how to listen and hold my tongue. I have always been very energetic and excited about being involved in things. I owe that all to my wonderful parents who have always encouraged me to be a light even in the darkest of rooms.”
IN THE NATION.”
In fact, she said her father is one of many people who inspired and encouraged her to take on the position of SGA president, “He is one of my biggest supporters and always held me to the highest standard and encouraged me to pursue my dreams no matter what.” She also credits Ross Grant who serves as SGA vice president. She adds, “He pushes me to be the best I can be and is always
And, she has sound advice for the students who will enroll at Arkansas State and begin the next step of their lives: “Get involved. There are so many outlets for any type of person. Freshman year is the year you take advantage of everything handed to you. For those graduating soon, best of luck. Join the Alumni Association and use those connections to get a job. Remember and cherish everything you have learned these past four years at A-State. “Also, go to class. Trust me on this one. Netflix and sleep can wait.”
profile extra:
Take a look back at the day that Hannah was selected as Arkansas State’s Homecoming Queen.
voices | 05
campusPROFILE
DR. BERT GREENWALT
spring 2017 | 06
The business of agriculture is the business of Bert Greenwalt. A professor of agricultural economics, Dr. Greenwalt joined the faculty in 1985. Known for his challenging classes, he has a knack for identifying students’ talent and potential, then heading them in the right direction. Hunter Biram of Floral, a senior this year majoring in agricultural economics, described the “Greenwalt System.” “Dr. Greenwalt has pushed me to do things I had no idea I could do,” he said, citing the professor’s encouragement toward opportunities in Washington, D.C. Initially reluctant, “I decided to go, and I’ve never been more appreciative of the education and the mentorship and guidance he has provided. He is the most selfless person I have ever met . . . he is all about the students. You want someone who will push you, who will challenge you to do things you never dreamed that you could do.” Art Singleton, who now practices law in Monticello, says Greenwalt quickly became his leading mentor, both in the classroom and professionally.
recounted Dana Brooks, originally from Portland, Arkansas, and now senior director of government relations and industry affairs for Land O’Lakes Inc. “He introduced us to the importance of the Federal Reserve Bank, and who are the chairs of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees, who are the CEOs in agribusinesses, and how that was going to impact us,” she said. “I had a passion for agriculture, and he helped cultivate that to find the place that fit for me.”
“HE IS ALL ABOUT THE
STUDENTS. YOU WANT SOMEONE WHO WILL PUSH YOU, WHO WILL
CHALLENGE YOU
TO DO THINGS YOU NEVER
DREAMED THAT YOU COULD DO.”
“Dr. Greenwalt’s genuine passion for agriculture, coupled with his strong connections to the businesses and people who make up our state and national agribusiness community, opened many doors for me,” he recalled. “He assisted me in experiencing multiple internship opportunities in the government affairs departments of leading Arkansas agribusinesses.” Greenwalt helped him spend his last semester living on Capitol Hill and working as a Staplcotn congressional intern. “Today, I utilize the professional network, knowledge and experiences gained from these opportunities as an attorney.”
Greenwalt called the process “product placement of students,” she remembers. “He certainly has a gift of matching a student with where they need to be,” she asserted. “When Bert Greenwalt calls (an employer) and says he has a student they need to hire for an internship, people listen. He already knows who fits best, where.” His impact extends even further than A-State students, she emphasized, explaining he had taught her to become an effective mentor. “In Washington, I started a very informal ‘women in agriculture’ group . . . to mentor young women moving to D.C. to follow that path.”
Nathan Davis of Smithville, now a field representative in Sen. John Boozman’s Jonesboro office, also attested to Greenwalt’s impact. “He brings a mixture of business, economics and even politics . . . you see that in the Agribusiness Conference that he’s created,” Davis noted. “He has the ability to do that in class as well . . . he brings in speakers who give a broad understanding of all these areas,” thus providing an excellent foundation to begin a career. “He has an uncanny ability to spot that great potential . . . and he is able to guide and direct you and really push you to give 110 percent . . . he certainly gives you a lot of opportunities and helps you decide and figure out where it is you want to be.”
In the early 1990s when new students came to the College of Agriculture, most of them were going to go back to farm,
profile extra:
In their own words, Bert Greenwalt’s students talk about the impact that he had on their lives.
voices | 07
alumniPROFILE
DARION GRISWOLD ‘15 spring 2017 | 08
Arkansas State University alumnus and four-year football letterman Darion Griswold played in four bowl games and was part of three Sun Belt Conference championships with the Red Wolves before finding his way to the NFL and eventually Super Bowl LI. The two-time All-Sun Belt tight end from Dumas, Ark., took an unconventional path to the NFL’s biggest stage. Griswold originally signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent, but was waived by the franchise after suffering an injury and missed a large portion of the 2016 season before finally landing with the Super Bowlbound Atlanta Falcons.
Griswold’s time with the Red Wolves certainly provided the credentials necessary to gain attention from NFL teams despite his injury that held him back in Indianapolis. A high school quarterback who transitioned to his current position in college, Griswold was a two-time John Mackey Award Watch List member for the nation’s top tight end, completed his career at A-State tied for the 10th most touchdown receptions in school history, and played in the 2015 Senior Bowl.
“THAT’S SUCH A
BIG THING IN THE NFL – DOING YOUR JOB,
SHOWING UP
“Coming in at Atlanta, I just wanted to do whatever I could for the team,” said Griswold. “Playing on the practice squad gave me the luxury to give the guys a good look while learning, so I just came in and tried to earn more opportunities. I think that I was in a good position playing tight end and being able to stretch the field – those guys really had to open up and run, especially linebackers.
“The day after Christmas, I got a call from Atlanta about a workout,” said Griswold. “I was hurt for about three months prior to that, so I really didn’t think I was going to get a call, WORK HARD EVERYDAY.” “They knew every day they were but it ended up working out for me. The 27th of December I signed with going to get that out of me, and Atlanta and got to go on and experience the Super Bowl.” I was going to do my job. That’s such a big thing in the NFL – doing your job, showing up prepared and coming to Griswold joined the Falcons as a member of their practice work hard every day. I felt like they were going to make the team and although he didn’t get to play in the Super Bowl, he Super Bowl without me, but at the same time I wanted to said he still treasured the journey that led him to the Falcons come in strong, make an impact and hopefully get that future and the opportunity to experience the championship contest contract.” from the sidelines. Griswold’s Super Bowl experience was something he said “It was a crazy year for me, going from not even playing would last a lifetime, but now he’s more driven than ever to football to experiencing a Super Bowl,” Griswold noted. “We get back there. His goal for next year is simple – “make the came up short in the game, but at the same time it’s still a 53-man roster and go from there.” All indications are he’s off blessing to have gone that far and enjoyed that experience.” to a good start.
PREPARED
AND COMING TO
profile extra:
At the celebration of the 50th anniversary of university status for Arkansas State, former SGA president Dr. Ray Hall shared his scrapbook of clippings. Click this link to read through the news coverage and other historic documents.
voices | 09
The Red Wolves: “Wolves Up!” and “Let ‘em hear ya howl!” – both just a couple of the mantras, catch phrases or even social-media hashtags that have been embraced by Arkansas State University fans, students, alumni and many others as A-State’s 16 NCAA intercollegiate athletics programs get set to embark on their 10th season as the Red Wolves in 2017-18. Those phrases have become wildly popular when referencing the Red Wolves, a nickname that is unique to only Arkansas State among all NCAA Division I and FBS programs. Since a roll-out ceremony revealing the new face of A-State Athletics was held March 13, 2008, the nickname has gained traction and popularity, even to the extent that one of the busiest streets in Jonesboro was renamed “Red Wolf Boulevard.” Although the decision to bid farewell to the Indians nickname was not an easy one, the Athletics Department’s licensing revenue through CLC has reached school-record totals since A-State became known as the Red Wolves. The attractive and nationallyrecognizable logo, designed in-house by the university’s Creative Services team, is featured prominently on businesses throughout Northeast Arkansas and elsewhere.
The change from the Indians to the Red Wolves was made in response to an NCAA sanction handed out to all universities possessing the nickname Indians. The decision-changing process took about one year and was a collaborative decision at every level, including input from a Mascot Review Committee, a Mascot Selection Steering Committee, students, alumni, studentathletes, athletics administration, community members and more. As previous Arkansas State University Chancellor Dr. Robert Potts noted at a historic March 7, 2008, ASU Board of Trustees meeting, “on Jan. 30, the Mascot Selection Steering Committee concluded its work by recommending that ASU adopt Wolves or a variation thereof, such as Red Wolves, as the new mascot and nickname for our athletic team.” After ascertaining that the nickname “Red Wolves” was unique among four-year universities, Potts announced his decision to the trustees, who ratified his selection, and the rest is history as they say. Arkansas State Athletics has since enjoyed as the Red Wolves one of the brightest and most successful eras in school history in terms of academics, championship performances, fundraising, facility growth and exposure, in addition to numerous other areas. The era began with a good omen of things to come as the women’s soccer team claimed a 5-2 win spring 2017 | 10
over Central Arkansas on Aug. 23, 2008, in A-State’s first ever official sporting event as the Red Wolves. A week later, the football team began the 2008 season by claiming an 18-14 victory over Texas A&M. Senior linebacker Ben Owens was named the FWAA National Defensive Player of the Week, helping lead A-State to its first win over a team from a “high resource” (Power Five) conference since joining FBS in 1992. Including both division and overall regularseason titles, Arkansas State has collected 19 Sun Belt Conference championships since becoming the Red Wolves. That total is the most in the league among current members with the next closest being Arkansas-Little Rock and Louisiana-Lafayette with 13 each. Additionally, A-State also won the inaugural Southland Bowling League title last year to give them 20 overall conference titles as the Red Wolves. The Red Wolves’ football team is responsible for five of those championships, the most among any A-State program. In fact, A-State is the only FBS program in the nation to win five conference titles over the last six seasons. But joining the football team as A-State programs to win a Sun Belt Conference title as the Red Wolves are the men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field teams.
A Decade of Dominance Since becoming the Red Wolves, Arkansas State had its first female student-athlete ever win an individual national championship and its women’s athletics program claimed its highest finish all-time in the Capital One Cup standings, earning two prestigious “Top-50” awards for ranking No. 44 among all NCAA Division I programs during 2013-14 and No. 45 in 2015-16. The No. 44 ranking was the highest ever by a Sun Belt Conference women’s program. The 2013-14 athletics year also saw A-State enjoy its highest ever finish in the Learfield Sports Director’s Cup standings, ranking No. 1 in the Sun Belt Conference and No. 83 in the nation among 297 schools. The Red Wolves’ finish not only set a school record, it topped the program’s previous high of No. 134 set in 1999-2000 by 51 places. Most recently, A-State posted its second highest finish ever in the standings in 2015-16. The Red Wolves are taking care of business in the classroom as well, setting a new singlesemester school record for the highest alldepartment GPA each of the last four years. The fall 2016 Athletics Director’s Honor Roll featured a school-record 216 studentathletes who helped the Red Wolves achieve a new all-time-high 3.094 all-department GPA for a single semester.
The Red Wolves’ most recent fall GPA came on the heels of their all-department 3.056 GPA for the entire 2015-16 academic year, which was also a school record. Representing 57 percent of all A-State student-athletes, the 216 AD’s Honor Roll members topped the previous school-record of 214 on the fall 2015 list. A student-athlete must achieve at least a 3.0 GPA to be placed on the Athletics Director’s Honor Roll. The fall 2016 Athletics Director’s Honor Roll is just one example of how the Red Wolves’ academic success continues to rise. The Athletics Department’s most recent (July 2016) Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 79 was its all-time high. Additionally, A-State’s latest Academic Progress Rate (APR) score of 968, published in the spring of 2016, tied the school record originally obtained the year before. Arkansas State also led all Sun Belt Conference schools with four teams (women’s bowling, women’s tennis, women’s golf and men’s cross country) earning an APR Public Recognition Award from the NCAA on April 13, 2016. The award is issued for producing a multiyear APR in the top 10 percent of all teams in the nation in their respective sport. . . . So, “Wolves Up!” and “Let ‘Em Hear Ya Howl!” to a decade of dominance by the Red Wolves! voices | 11
“Arkansas State Athletics has since enjoyed as the Red Wolves one of the brightest and most successful eras in school history in terms of academics, championship performances, fundraising, facility growth and exposure, in addition to numerous other areas.”
Recently Clyde moved from the third floor of the Student Union to a new display at Cooper Alumni Center. Scan the code to see his journey.
A-State Partners with Endangered Wolf Center For When Arkansas State University settled on
Perkins, the beloved television host of
About 200 red wolves now reside at
“Red Wolves” as its new athletics mascot
“Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.”
facilities such as the EWC and zoos
in 2008, little thought was given to the
This nonprofit organization is considered
across the country, and fewer than 40
educational platform that would be created
the cornerstone of wolf conservation in
red wolves live in an area of North
to help save an endangered U.S. native
America for its work to save both the red
Carolina that was developed by the Fish
species. Today, plans are underway to
wolf and the Mexican gray wolf.
and Wildlife Service for reintroduction
incorporate red wolves ecology into
into the wild. EWC houses a pack of
the A-State biology curriculum and
The red wolf is a smaller, more slender
six red wolves – which can be viewed by
educate Arkansans about the plight of
cousin of the gray wolf, with a reddish
the public – and operates a successful
this rare animal.
color that once thrived throughout the
breeding program.
southeastern U.S., including Arkansas. The Endangered Wolf Center in St.
Red wolves prey on small animals such
The Fish and Wildlife Service announced
Louis (EndangeredWolfCenter.org)
as rabbits, raccoons and small deer, so
in September 2016 that it would
reached out to A-State in 2016 and
they are essentially no threat to humans
reconvene a red wolf recovery team to
sought a partnership to raise awareness
or farm animals. Frequently confused
study significant changes to secure the
about red wolves, which were given
with coyotes, however, they were almost
captive and wild populations. The service
federal protection in 1967. Among the
hunted to extinction by 1980.
also said it would determine where
EWC’s founders in 1971 was Marlin
potential new sites exist for additional spring 2017 | 12
New Pack Pride Movement to Save Red Wolf Species experimental wild populations by October
We hope A-State alumni will show “Pack
2017. We believe the Arkansas-Missouri
Pride” not only for our competitive Red
region could be considered, and this
Wolves, but also for this endangered
would escalate educational and research
species that needs our support and
opportunities in wildlife ecology for
collective voice to help ensure survival.
A-State faculty and students. The author, Jeff Hankins, is a 1987 On campus, thanks to the leadership of
graduate of Arkansas State, past president
Biological Sciences Department Chair
of the ASU Alumni Association and vice
Dr. Tom Risch and the Wildlife and
president for strategic communications and
Fisheries Club, a new organization is being
economic development for the ASU System
formed to support the EWC’s efforts.
in Little Rock. He can be reach via email
Our Arkansas Center for Biodiversity
at jhankins@ASUSystem.edu.
Collections potentially could be the official
“Today, plans are under way to incorporate red wolves ecology into the A-State biology curriculum and educate Arkansans about the plight of this rare animal.”
repository for the species. And, the Little Rock Zoo is studying the possibility
Click to see more on the event hosted at Arkansas State on behalf of the Endangered Wolf Center.
of creating a live red wolves exhibit in cooperation with Arkansas State. voices | 13
Leah Coffield, Dumas, Freshman
Ellie Stafford, Jonesboro, Freshman
I would like to extend my most sincere gratitude for your generous support that has allowed me to attend Arkansas State University. From your purchase, I have been given the chance to attend college at minimal cost to myself so that I do not have to constantly worry how my education will be paid for. Though I have a job myself during this freshman year of college, no amount of money that I earn there will ever mean as much to me as the License 2 Howl scholarship.
I’m so thankful to the A-State Alumni Association and everyone across the state who has purchased A-State license plates to make this scholarship possible. I truly could not do all that I do at A-State without the support of this scholarship money, and I am so grateful to be a recipient of the License 2 Howl Scholarship.
Noah Ford, Searcy, Freshman
Codi Boyd, Austin, Sophomore
To manage my time appropriately, I always take one day at a time and constantly use planners and reminders to keep myself on track. With the planning I have applied to my first semester as a freshman, I have been able to have a great time while still flourishing in my academics.
Managing the workload and stress that comes with nursing has been difficult. Tests are very different because there are multiple correct answers, but the difficulty only makes me work harder. I know that I want to be the best nurse I can be and this program is preparing me for that.
Brienne Jackson, Beebe, Freshman
Lucas Brantley, Alexander, Sophomore
Sierra Hedden, Sheridan, Freshman
Tori Winn, Paragould, Sophomore
Everywhere you turn, there is a smiling face eager to help with any challenge you may face. In my experience, professors have been extremely helpful and understanding. I encourage high school seniors to come tour our beautiful campus to get a real look at their bright future as a Red Wolf.
The faculty and professors are committed to my success and show their expertise through realworld applications. From flag-football intramurals to Thanksgiving dinner in the cafeteria, the tight-knit community at A-State has made my college experience unforgettable. Discover your full potential and experience all the wonderful things Arkansas State University has to offer by attending this great university.
Arkansas State offers countless programs to fit the needs and interest of each individual, which allows every Red Wolf the opportunity to succeed. I could not imagine spending my time pursuing my degree at any other university.
If I were advising a high school student to come to A-State, I would start by addressing the many academic fields that they could pursue. There are so many areas of study offered here ranging from pre-professional studies to social work to Spanish and so many more. A-State is a great college that really cares about the needs of each individual student.
spring 2017 | 14
Jon Mark Horton, Luxora, Sophomore
Hanna Dailey, Jonesboro, Senior
This is an amazing community of Red Wolves and I am especially appreciative to the ones who have purchased a license plate to help support this scholarship. Wolves Up! This scholarship has opened many doors for me to be able to experience the vast array of opportunities that Arkansas State has to offer such as the Student Government Association and the Student Activities Board.
I have loved my time at this university so much, and while it is sad and hard to accept that it is coming to an end, there is nothing I would change about it. I hope that all incoming students are able to, and choose to, take advantage of all of the amazing opportunities our university offers to all of its patrons.
Taylor Wilson, Trumann, Sophomore
Jordan Moore, Hensley, Senior
Hannah Aldridge, Jonesboro, Junior
Caleb Hollinger, Sheridan, Senior
Geoffrey Flemons, Little Rock, Junior
Jayla Wilson, Little Rock, Senior
One thing I have figured out very well this year is my learning and study style. This might be the most important, because that’s what you need to figure out before taking on the harder classes.
I cannot thank you enough for your support over the past three years. Coming into college, debt was a concern for me, but thanks to the License 2 Howl scholarship, I am able to complete my sophomore-senior years of college completely debt free! This has lifted such a burden from me, and I am forever grateful for this.
Within these two and half years I have been able to experience and be a part of so much that I would not have been able to at any other school or without this scholarship. I intend to carry on the tradition of buying a Howl license plate so that students, like myself, can have the same amazing experience that A-State has to offer!
As a senior, all of my classes are upper-level courses, which require maximum effort and are naturally more rigorous than my previous courses. I have undoubtedly had the most stressful semester of my collegiate career. The most rewarding part of this semester is that once it is over, I will be one step closer towards reaching my goals.
A-State for me was the best pick for multiple reasons: size, education, cost to attend, and opportunity. A-State has given me the best college experience I could possibly get. I’m able to walk across campus and know at least one person, but it’s not small to where I know every person on campus. A-State made it financially possible for me to be involved in not only intramural sports, Greek life, Residence Life, but many other activities on campus, as well as off campus, that I can use to give back to the community, which is important to me.
Early in the semester I felt overwhelmed, and was afraid I would lose my scholarships because I was struggling in some of my classes. I was so stressed until I remembered I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Once I accepted that truth I was able to balance my coursework with my extracurriculars. I was able to keep my cumulative GPA above a 3.25 and help strengthen all of my organizations.
Haley Stotts, Little Rock, Junior
What made A-State a great choice is that it quickly became more than a college or university to me. It became my home. I realized “Pack Pride” is much more than a social media campaign; it truly captures the essence of the Red Wolf family. We’re a pack, and that’s certainly something to take pride in.
Congrats to our incoming 2017-2018 License 2 Howl scholarship recipients!
Tyler Hottman, Valley View High School Julia Hudspeth, Marked Tree High School Allicen Morris, Cabot High School Cassidee McGee, Star City High School Joseph DaVault, Paragould High School voices | 15
Gaines, Richmond, SmithEnters and Strickland: Beck PRIDE Center Second “Employed late in the summer of 1970, Calvin Smith was followed some two years later by Herman Strickland and Wilbert Gaines in 1972, and Mossie Richmond in 1973. They formed a social, paraprofessional network for themselves, their wives and their children. As they plowed through the previously forbidden forests of white academia, these four eastern Arkansas Mississippi River Delta families vowed mutual mental, emotional, spiritual and physical support for the common good. Their similar cultural backgrounds, goals and interests helped The Circle clear each ugly stump or hidden root they encountered as they cultivated this new ground.”
–
from the opening chapter of The Circle: Coping with Integrated Life at Arkansas State University, in the Community and at Home, 1970-1978
A book written by Richard L. Hartness Sr., a Ph.D. candidate in the heritage studies program at A-State, documents the experiences and memories of the university’s first four African American faculty members and their families during a very challenging phase of their lives. The four — Dr. C. Calvin Smith, Dr. Wilbert Gaines, Dr. Mossie Richmond and Dr. Herman Strickland — formed a mutual support group they called “The Circle” as they made Jonesboro their home at a time when integration was the law of the land but, unfortunately, years away from general acceptance. One of the student housing developments under construction on the A-State campus will bear the names of the four in permanent recognition of their historic roles in desegregation. The ASU Board of Trustees approved the naming resolution for the 165-bed graduate residence complex, which will open in August. The complex will be known as The Circle, and the buildings will be called spring 2017 | 16
Gaines Hall, Richmond Hall, Smith Hall and Strickland Hall. The location of The Circle, just west of the Military Science Building, is where the four families lived in faculty houses lining what was then called East College Circle and West College Circle. Because the proximity of their residences helped the families provide mutual support, the site is considered significant in A-State’s history. ASU System President Chuck Welch told trustees that the university “felt like it was an appropriate designation because of their historic role as trailblazers” with integrating Arkansas State’s faculty and administration in the early 1970s. Dr. Wilbert Gaines is emeritus associate professor of physical education. During his tenure at A-State, 1972-2005, he taught countless numbers of students and helped guide them to success through his work in the classroom and with campus organizations. He and his wife Herschel live in Jonesboro.
A Circle for All Time for Veterans Decade of Service Dr. Mossie Richmond, who came to A-State in 1973, served as dean of University College then vice president for Student Affairs. He also served briefly as interim president of the university in 1994, but died the following year. His wife, Velmar, received a gubernatorial appointment in 1996 to serve on the university Board of Trustees. Dr. C. Calvin Smith became the first African American faculty member at Arkansas State when he moved to Jonesboro in 1970. In addition to teaching and advising student organizations, he also wrote two books on Arkansas history. He retired in 2002, and was emeritus professor of history until his death in 2009. His wife Earline lives in Jonesboro. Dr. Herman Strickland was a faculty member from 1972 until retirement in 2008. He is emeritus associate professor of teacher education and dean of University College. During his career he helped numerous new graduates get off to a good start with a career in education. He and his wife Maxcine are Jonesboro residents.
“Their deep, enduring, common faith is the evidence of things not seen, holding all other Circle commonalities together. Throughout their taped recollections, words and phrases such as ‘Divine order, Divine intervention, close-knit, a support group, therapy, a church without a preacher, a place to grow, a safe place, love compassion, understanding, camaraderie, much more than a location, hard to explain and it will still be going on in Heaven . . . ‘ describe their view of The Circle.” – from chapter 10 of The Circle By Richard L. Hartness Sr. Proceeds from sale of the book will help support the C. Calvin Smith Scholarship in history in the College of Liberal Arts and Communication. Click to see more on The Circle and this pivotal time in A-State history in the words of the four families. voices | 17
THE FACTS: 1
out of every
2
40 %
CHOOSES TO BE A
RED WOLF
80% 150
APPROXIMATELY
NCAA DIV. I
ATHLETIC
TEAMS
27
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE
9,592
number of undergraduate students
17: 1
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
6
140 +
majors
8 ,44 0 1
60 +
minors
13%
1,80 1
14,085
6 1,83
16
countries are represented by our student body *
60 %
high school students who make an official campus visit to A-State
More than 80 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid.
60+
GENDER: TOTAL STUDENT BODY
total student enrollment*
CONSECUTIVE
BOWL APPEARANCES
21
5
FRESHMAN HOUSING OPTIONS
3,200 RESIDENT CAMPUS CAPACITY
GREEK ORGANIZATIONS
*
STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO * Data source: 2016-2017 Fact Book produced by Arkansas State’s Office of Institutional Research & Planning.
STUDENTS LISTED AS NON-WHITE AMERICANS AND NON-AFRICAN AMERICAN
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS
13%
bradbury free enterprise event
MARCH 15, 2017
MARCH 15, 2017
soil and water conference
JANUARY 27, 2017
voices | 19
Click to see video of the event
Click to see announcement of festival
fall 2016 | 20
50th anniversary university status
rock agribusiness 2017 of ages conference DATE?
JANUARY 17, 2017
FEBRUARY 8, 2017
voices | 21
Click to see video of the event
phelps-womack pre-law center dedication
pancakes and pj’s
DECEMBER 3, 2017
spring 2017 | 22
FEBRUARY 10, 2017
Click to see video of the event
voices | 23
Alumni Advocacy
my voice:
Loyalty to A-State doesn’t end at graduation. There are several ways in which you can keep up-to-date on A-State.
BETH SMITH ‘82 BS, ‘03 MA
1 follow
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
smitty@AState.edu
Follow us on social media to learn the latest from campus.
Dear Friends, As this issue of VOICES is being finalized for publication, I am concluding my 25th year at Arkansas State University and have decided to take early retirement. What a fantastic experience working at A-State has been for me personally and professionally. The friendships and relationships, the laughter and even sometimes the tears we have experienced together have made me a better person. Thank you for sharing your memories, families and experiences with me. It has been my honor to work with you all. I am limiting myself to 25 signature achievements that are special to me. There are so many more I could list. In no particular order I am grateful to have either been part of or experienced these outstanding accomplishments during my time at A-State: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Construction of the Cooper Alumni Center Smooth mascot transition from Indians to Red Wolves Dedication of the Dean B. Ellis Library by President Clinton Construction of Sorority Row NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine in Wilson Hall ASU’s Centennial celebration 90th anniversary of the founding of the Alumni Association Preservation of the Hemingway-Pfeiffer House Bradbury Art Museum Federal designation of the Great River Road Establishment of the Women’s Business Leadership Center Expansion and upgrades to Centennial Bank Stadium Installation of the library bell tower Restoration of Johnny Cash’s boyhood home First NCAA tournament trip for men’s basketball Multiple bowl trips for football Movie premiere of “A Painted House” by John Grisham Dedication of “The Circle” honoring dear friends Chi Omega Fountain celebrating 50 years on campus Establishment of the ASU System in Little Rock Implementation of the License 2 Howl scholarship program Arkansas Biosciences Institute Emeritus professor Evan Lindquist named the first artist laureate for the State of Arkansas Fowler Center The biggest bonfire in the history of Homecoming, which almost burned down the Pines….truth!
My personal thanks to Ruth Hawkins, who was serving as the vice president of advancement, and Tom Manning, the university’s first full-time alumni director, for hiring me and providing this opportunity. I have been blessed beyond measure and grateful always to represent Arkansas State. #AlwaysRising #WolvesUp #AStateAlumni
Beth Smith Executive Director (retired) ASU Alumni Association
Speaking of achievements, click to see video of Dr. Fabricio Medina-Bolivar’s latest research spring 2017 | 24
2 attend University events reach across a broad platform of interests and are a great way to take advantage of what A-State has to offer.
3 join Become a member of the A-State Alumni Association. If you’re already a member, consider 1924 Sustaining Life membership.
4 recruit Be an A-State advocate with friends and family. Bring students to campus for sporting or arts events and show them A-State is a great place.
5 give Your charitable investment, whether through annual gifts or a planned estate gift, will ensure the success of other A-State students.
2017 cure bowl
Click to see highlights of the bowl game
DECEMBER 17, 2016
tomahawks reunion
NOVEMBER 15, 2016
voices | 25
NONPROFIT US Postage PAID Permit 62 Jonesboro, AR
P.O. BOX 1990 • STATE UNIVERSITY, AR 72467 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
This fall Arkansas State celebrates a Decade of Dominance as the Red Wolves. The defeat of Texas A&M on Aug. 30, 2008, is one of the first athletic highlights.