UAM magazine (fall web version)

From the Chancellor

Autumn

is portrayed by poets as a time of sadness and endings but for

those of us fortunate enough to work on college campuses, autumn is a season of renewal as a fresh crop of students begin one of the most exciting journeys of their lives. At UAM we have much to be excited about as we begin our 104th year. As you will read in this issue of UAM Magazine, we are one of the fastest growing public master’s degree granting institutions in the nation according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, an achievement for which we are rightfully proud!

When you come to campus in October for Homecoming, you will see

some dramatic changes, with none more dramatic than the transformation of Bankston Hall. We will dedicate this newly renovated structure on Friday, October 25 at 11 a.m. as part of our Homecoming celebration. I invite each of you to attend this event.

As always, we are pleased to honor a special group of individuals

at Homecoming. On Thursday, October 24, we will recognize the 2013 inductees to the UAM Sports Hall of Fame – M. L. Mann, Jeff Pope, Milton Williams, Jodie Scott, and Roland Autrey – as well as UAM Spirit Award recipient Robert Leonard. On October 25, we will present the Alumni Awards for Achievement and Merit to Lionel Maten, Dr. Tony Thurman, Bobby Jelks, and Martha Carlson as well as the Continuing the Connection Award to Drs. Glen and Mary Jane Gilbert at the A&M/UAM Alumni Awards Dinner. A full schedule of Homecoming activities and events is printed on page two of this magazine.

UAM has now acquired two historical properties for renovation – the Arkansas City

law office of Governor X. O. Pindall, and the Taylor House at Hollywood Plantation near Winchester and a World War II Italian POW camp. With renovation we hope each property will become part of a Southeast Arkansas Heritage Trail.

One of our major goals in the coming year is to secure funding to construct a new Sci-

ence Center. Our School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences continues to excel despite the shortcomings of an outdated facility, placing 20 consecutive premed candidates into medical schools over the last decade as well as 13 of 15 applicants this year into pharmacy school despite the shortcomings of an outdated facility.

Two ongoing projects will soon come to fruition thanks to private gifts from friends

and alumni. We are close to reaching our fund-raising goal for the construction of a new

On The Cover: Bankston Hall has taken on a whole new look, thanks to a renovation project completed during the summer. For information, you may contact: Julie Barnes, Director of Alumni Affairs P.O. Box 3520 Monticello, AR 71656 (870) 460-1028 barnesj@uamont.edu Linda Yeiser, Vice Chancellor for Advancement and University Relations (870) 460-1028 (office) (870) 460-1324 (FAX) yeiser@uamont.edu If you want to find out what’s happening on campus, or want to contact us about something significant that’s happened in your life, check out our website at www.uamont.edu. When you reach the UAM home page, just click on Alumni & Friends. Let us know what you think. We welcome your suggestions!

Parents, if your son or daughter attended UAM and is no longer living at this address, please notify our office of his or her new address. Thank you.

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Herbarium adjacent to the Turner Neal Museum and we are continuing our efforts to complete fund-raising for the renovation of the baseball and softball fields. If you would like to give to either project, please contact our Office of Advancement at (870) 460-1028.

Make plans to visit your campus this fall. My door is always open.

Jack Lassiter, Chancellor

Search “University of Arkansas at Monticello Alumni & Friends

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Paul Griffin / Monticello Vice Chair Beverly Reep / Warren Secretary-Treasurer Amanda Ware / North Little Rock

Directors Angelia Clements / Little Rock Jennifer Hargis / Monticello Donney Jackson / Monticello

M.L. Mann / Monticello Jerrielynn Mapp / Monticello Randall Risher / Houston, Texas James Rook / Mena

Fall 2013

COVER FEATURE The amazing transformation of Bankston Hall is front and center in this issue of UAM Magazine. With much of the work being done off site, the 45-year-old structure took on a whole new look over the summer. It’s all part of a plan to make the on-campus living experience a rewarding one for students.

EVERY ISSUE

Chancellor’s Letter | IFC Homecoming Schedule | 2 On Campus | 4 Sports | 22 Current Donors | 24 Reminiscence | 25 Alumni Snapshots | 26 Friends We’ll Miss | 28 UAM Magazine (Volume 20, number 3) is published three times a year by the University of Arkansas at Monticello, the UAM Alumni Association, and the UAM Foundation Fund. Jim Brewer, Editor Director of Media Services (870) 460-1274 (office) (870) 460-1974 (fax) brewer@uamont.edu

ALUMNI HONORS

Meet the 2013 Alumni Award recipients and a couple who are “continuing the connection.”

12 18 STELLAR CLASS

CAROL STRONG

On and off the field, this year’s Sports Hall of Fame inductees are worthy of the honor.

Political scientist Dr. Carol Strong is the latest recipient of the Hornaday Outstanding Faculty Award.

Fall 2013

2013 HOMECOMING Thursday, October 24

10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. – A&M/UAM Alumni Reunion Celebration of Class Years Ending in 3 (1933-2003) Weevil

4:00 p.m. – Homecoming Parade/Pep Rally

Pond / Tailgate Area at the Alumni and Friends Tent. For all alumni and friends. Information will be provided about upcoming alumni trips and programs. Drop by to visit with former classmates, view old yearbooks, update your contact information, or purchase a personalized brick for the Weevil Walk.

The marching band and cheerleaders lead a parade around campus, followed by a pep rally in the University Center gymnasium.

5:30 p.m. – UAM Sports Hall of Fame Reception Chancellor’s Home, 471 University Drive. All alumni and friends are invited to meet the newest members of the UAM Sports Hall of Fame.

6:30 p.m. – UAM Sports Hall of Fame Banquet

Weevil Pond / Tailgate Area.

University Center Green Room. Tickets are $35 per person. Proceeds benefit the UAM Sports Association. For tickets, contact Athletics, at (870) 460-1058.

11:00 a.m. - Weevil Tailgate Parties

Friday, October 25

11:00 a.m. - Cotton Blossoms Volleyball

11:00 a.m. – Dedication of Bankston Hall Bankston Hall front lawn. Join us for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour as we dedicate the newly-renovated Bankston Hall.

6:00 p.m. – A&M/UAM Alumni and Friends “Welcome Home” Reception Chancellor’s Home, 471 University Drive. Open to all alumni and friends of the University.

7:00 p.m. – A&M/UAM Alumni Awards Dinner University Center Green Room. Tickets: $15 per person. Dinner includes presentation of the 2013 Alumni Awards for Achievement and Merit, Continuing the Connection Award, alumni scholarships, and Golden Weevils Class of 1963. For tickets, contact Patty Withers at (870) 460-1028.

Saturday, October 26 8:00 a.m. – Holiday Inn Express Weevil Ball Scramble Monticello Country Club. 4-person 18-hole scramble. $300 per 4-person team. Call (870) 460-0100. Proceeds to UAM baseball. 8:30 a.m. – A&M/UAM Letterman’s Breakfast Indoor Practice Facility, Room 107. All former Boll Weevil and Cotton Blossom letter winners are invited to this reunion. Tours of the Indoor Practice Facility will be provided. For information contact Matt Whiting, Athletics at (870) 460-1758.

9:00 a.m. – A&M/UAM Class of 1963 Alumni and Friends Reunion Breakfast - Celebrating 50 years. University Center Senate Room. All 1963 alumni and friends (and adjoining years) are invited. Contact Patty Withers at (870) 460-1028.

9:00 a.m. – A&M/UAM African-American Alumni Reunion Breakfast University Center Capitol Room. Tickets are $20 per person. Alumni and friends are invited to attend this celebration to reminisce with A&M/ UAM African-American Alumni. For tickets, contact Shay Gillespie at (870) 723-3582.

10:00 a.m. - Alpha Sigma Alpha Reunion Breakfast University Center Gallery Room. All Alpha Sigma Alpha members past and present are invited to attend. There will be a silent auction to raise money for Special Olympics. Contact: Julie Barber, ASA alumni representative at (870) 329-6754.

10:30 a.m. Antique Car Show

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Weevil Pond / Tailgate Area. All A&M/UAM alumni, former students, and friends are invited to participate in pre-game tailgating. Cotton Blossoms vs. Southern Nazarene at Steelman Fieldhouse.

11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. – Sigma Tau Gamma Reunion Weevil Pond / Tailgate Area. All alumni, former students, and friends affiliated with Sig Tau are invited to this special reunion. For information, contact Sam Light, Sigma Tau Gamma alumnus, at (803) 212-8078.

11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. – Cheerleader Alumni Reunion Weevil Pond / Tailgate Area. All alumni, former students, and friends affiliated with the UAM cheerleaders are invited. Please join us as we reminisce the good times we had calling the Weevils. Join us at the game and cheer the Weevils to victory. Contact: Julie Barnes at (870) 460-1028. 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. – 1988 Football Reunion Weevil Pond / Tailgate Area. All members of the 1988 UAM football team are invited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the most successful Boll Weevil team in school history, the only 10-win team in school history and the first to make the NAIA playoffs. Contact: Matt Whiting at (870) 460-1758.

12:30 p.m. – Weevil Walk of Champions Weevil Pond / Tailgate Area. All alumni and friends are invited to this pregame tradition as the Boll Weevil football team and coaching staff walk through the tailgate area on their way to the Cotton Boll Stadium for another gridiron victory.

2:30 p.m. – Pre-game Ceremony Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium. Introduction of the 2013 Homecoming Court, coronation of the Homecoming Queen, and recognition of the 1988 Boll Weevils football team.

3:00 p.m. – Homecoming Football Game Kick-off Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium. Come support the Boll Weevils as they take on Southern Nazarene University. For tickets, contact Chris Ratcliff, director of athletics, at (870) 460-1058.

Halftime – UAM Marching Band and Special Recognitions “Pride of Southeast Arkansas” Marching Band performance. In addition, we will recognize the 2013 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees.

Fall 2013

On CAMPUS

The law office of Arkansas Governor X. O. Pindall, located in Arkansas City, soon to be restored.

Restoration

he law office of former Arkansas Governor Xenophon Overton Pindall will soon become part of the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Located in Arkansas City, the office is on the National Register of Historic Places. UAM will receive $150,000 from the state’s general improvement fund to have the structure restored to its original condition. The building is located less than 20 minutes from the UAM College of Technology-McGehee. When restored, the office will house artifacts and photographs of the history of Arkansas City and Governor Pindall, who

became acting governor on February 11, 1907, and served until January 11, 1909. According to UAM Chancellor Jack Lassiter, the property will also provide a learning opportunity for hospitality management interns from the McGehee campus to staff the facility. “The historical site will provide educational, archaeological, and historical renovation and interpretation activities for students from all three of our campuses,” noted Lassiter. Dr. Kyle Day and Dr. Clint Young, history faculty members in UAM’s School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, were recently appointed coordinators of the historical property. “Southeast Arkansas has a rich and varied history and it is important that we recognize and preserve it as best we can,” said Day and Young. The renovation and restoration project is part of a long-range plan by Arkansas City community leaders to make the area a tourist destination on the planned Southeast Arkansas Heritage Trail. One of the state’s oldest towns, Arkansas City is located on the Mississippi River and has nature and walking paths created by the Department of Parks and Tourism. Community leaders are also planning the restoration of several buildings in the township. UAM is currently renovating the Taylor home on the circa 1846 Hollywood Plantation which will be part of the Southeast Arkansas Heritage Trail. Funding is being provided by the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resource Commission. The Italian POW camp owned by UAM will also be part of the Heritage Trail as will other historic sites owned by Arkansas State University, the city of McGehee, and individuals.

Walmart Grant

he UAM School of Nursing has been selected by the Walmart Foundation to

receive a $1,500 grant through the retailer’s Local Community Contribution Program. According to Laura Evans, dean of the School of Nursing, the grant will be used to purchase equipment for the school’s Simulation Laboratory, which simulates a hospital setting to provide nursing students with clinical experience. The grant was secured

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through the efforts of Brandy Haley, assistant professor of nursing and coordinator of the lab. “I want to commend Ms. Haley for her time and effort while securing this grant. She is leader in our nursing program and her extra effort is one of the reasons UAM produces outstanding nursing graduates,” said Dr. Jimmie Yeiser, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “This is great news.”

Going To China

AM’s Jazz Band I was so impressive at last year’s Midwest Jazz Clinic in Chicago that it resulted in an invitation to tour and perform in the People’s Republic of China. Jazz Band I will leave for China next March 19 and return April 1. In between, they will perform eight concerts at venues across China at the invitation of the U.S.China Cultural Exchange. “This is a huge honor,” said Gary Meggs, director of Jazz Band I and head of the UAM jazz program. “It’s going to be a wonderful experience for our students and for me as well. We are extremely excited about the opportunity, not only to perform, but to be able to tour the country and see things most Americans never have the opportunity to see.” Jazz Band I received the invitation after performing at the Midwest Jazz Clinic last December. Representatives from the U.S.China Cultural Exchange attended the event looking for one concert band and one jazz band to invite to perform in China. The UAM ensemble will land in Beijing and perform at the China National Theatre before taking a tour of the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. The band will also perform for the Chinese National Army and will tour a number of other cities, including Shanghai. “This is a great tribute to our jazz program and the wonderful student musicians who comprise Jazz Band I,” said Chancellor Jack Lassiter. “This is a proud moment for all of us.” If you would like to assist students with their trip expenses, contact Linda Yeiser in the Office of Advancement at (870) 460-1028.

Online Offerings

Academic Challenge

he Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools has given approval to the University of Arkansas at Monticello to expand its distance education offerings. UAM’s School of Education will now offer four master’s degrees completely online. The degrees are (1) the master of education degree (M.Ed.) in teacher leadership or with an emphasis in special education, (2) the master of education degree in physical education and coaching (M.P.E.C.), (3) the master of arts in teaching degree (M.A.T.), and (4) the master of education degree (M.Ed.) in educational leadership. The first three degrees all lead to teacher licensure. The M.Ed. in educational leadership is designed for persons wishing to become building-level administrators. “This is great news for UAM,” said Dr. Jimmie Yeiser, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Our faculty have long recognized the quality of our existing online programs and the need for additional online programs. The Higher Learning Commission has confirmed our confidence in our online programs and given us authority to offer online up to 20 percent of our total degree programs. This means some of our graduate programs that have been on hold waiting for action by the Higher Learning Commission can now move forward.” In addition to the four master’s degrees offered by the School of Education, UAM also offers completely online the master of fine arts degree in creative writing. Dr. Peggy Doss, dean of the UAM School of Education, called the Higher Learning Commission’s decision “essential to our continuing commitment to meeting the needs of our constituencies. So many students, particularly non-traditional students, want to pursue a graduate degree but simply don’t have the time to come to campus for traditional instruction. By placing these programs totally online, we are allowing them to attain a graduate degree that would probably be unavailable to them in a traditional setting.” Doss said the online programs will be designed to include interaction with

instructors through discussion boards and will emphasize personalized instruction. “At UAM, one of our core values is that we have a personal relationship with every student, whether in a traditional classroom setting or online,” said Doss. “We have designed these online programs to be responsive to student needs while maintaining quality instruction. Everything we do is with one goal in mind – the ultimate success of each student.”

AM is providing a $500 scholarship for the fall semester as a supplement to the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, according to Mary Whiting, director of admissions. The $500 scholarship will be available to each incoming freshman who has graduated from an Arkansas high school in 2013 and is a recipient of the Academic Challenge scholarship. The student must be enrolled in a four-year academic program and the scholarship must be used for tuition, mandatory fees, room, board or books purchased in the campus bookstore and is not refundable. The scholarship may be renewed for an additional $500 for the spring semester by passing a minimum of 12 academic hours with a 3.00 grade point average in the fall term. This is a one-time scholarship opportunity for the 2013-14 academic year. For information, contact the Office of Admissions at (800) 844-1826.

Weevils For Christ Weevils for Christ, a campus student religious organization sponsored by the Church of Christ, broke ground recently on a new building at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The 3,484-square-foot structure will house the organization’s campus ministry. Pictured from left are Frank Wilson of Rison, Joe Moore of Monticello, Dr. Jimmie Yeiser, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UAM, Mollie Karnes, a senior forestry major at UAM and student member of Weevils for Christ, June Carter and Steve Carter, both of Bentonville.

Fall 2013

ON CAMPUS

Linda Yeiser, UAM’s new vice chancellor for advancement and university relations.

Coming Home

familiar face has returned to the University of Arkansas at Monticello to take direction of the university’s private fund-raising activities. Linda Yeiser is UAM’s new vice chancellor for advancement and university relations, a position she held from 2005 to 2008. “I am pleased to welcome Linda Yeiser back to our administration,” said UAM Chancellor Jack Lassiter. “I feel confident that she will be able to move the Office of Advancement forward and in a direction that will greatly benefit the institution. “In this time of restricted state funding and the possibility of not having approval to increase future tuition and fee charges, it is very important to have an individual that can encourage private donations and enhance the relationship the university has with the

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general public. From her experience, Ms. Yeiser understands our alumni, community, and the university, which will provide additional support and resources for all three UAM campuses.” Yeiser has held several positions on the UAM campus, beginning in 1980 as an accountant in the Office of Finance and Administration. She became accounting supervisor in 1981 and was named controller in 1983, a position she held for eight years. In 1991, Yeiser became the first female chief financial officer in the UA system when she was named vice chancellor for finance and administration, a post she held until 1999. She held three full and part-time positions at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas from 1999 to 2005, including writer and editor in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, accountant, and assistant director of developmentfoundation relations. She returned to UAM in 2005 to become vice chancellor for advancement before leaving the university in 2008. She was assistant controller part-time at Stephen F. Austin from 2010 to 2013 and served as director of institutional research/freedom of information officer at UAM from January 2013 until her current appointment. Yeiser holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky and a master of business administration degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arkansas Association of College and University Business Officers in 2001. Yeiser’s husband, Dr. Jimmie Yeiser, is UAM’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Fastest Growing

he University of Arkansas at Monticello is one of two Arkansas universities

listed among the 20 fastest growing public master’s degree granting institutions in the nation, according to a recent report by the Chronicle of Higher Education. From 2001 to 2011, UAM ranked 13th in enrollment growth, showing an enrollment increase of 68.1 percent. UAM’s enrollment rose from 2,332 for the 2001 fall semester to 3,920 for the 2011 fall semester. Arkansas Tech ranked eighth nationally for the same period, showing an 87.7 percent enrollment increase, growing from 5,576 students in 2001 to 10,464 in 2011. The University of Arkansas-Fayetteville was listed as the 13th fastest growing public research institution, with enrollment increasing from 15,752 in fall 2001 to 23,199 in fall 2011. UAM has experienced 11 consecutive enrollment records, including last year’s alltime high of 3,946 for the 2012 fall semester. “This is exciting news for the institution,” said UAM Chancellor Jack Lassiter. “To continue to see enrollment increases at a time of declining high school enrollments in our traditional service area is a tribute to the hard work of the entire university. Our commitment to retention, sound academic advising, teaching and maintaining an affordable cost of attendance are having a positive impact on the number of students choosing to attend UAM.” According to Lassiter, much of UAM’s growth is a case of simple economics. “We’ve managed to keep higher education

affordable, and in these economic times, that resonates with students and their parents,” Lassiter said. “We also have a faculty whose focus is on classroom teaching and our average class size is small in relation to those at larger institutions. When you combine low cost with personal attention and small classes, it’s a combination that appeals to both young people and their parents.”

Adult Education

he adult education program at UAM has added adult education centers in Star City and Dumas to their current locations in Crossett, Hamburg and McGehee, according to Dorissa Kaufman, director of adult education. The adult education programs at the UAM Colleges of Technology at Crossett and McGehee were merged earlier this year and with the merger came interest from adult education centers in Crossett, Dumas and Star City. “The mergers will help lessen administrative costs and will let the centers spend more money on students and instructional material rather than on administrative overhead,” explained Kaufman. There are now six adult education centers in southeast Arkansas affiliated with UAM. They are located in North Crossett (870-364-6414), Crossett (870-364-7667), Hamburg (870-853-8278), Star City (870628-5287), Dumas (870-382-2157), and McGehee (870-222-5360).

Student Research

ive UAM students recently presented original research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, held at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The students who attended were Daniel Degges of Hamburg, a junior majoring in history and political science; Jason Higgins of Monticello, a senior majoring in English and history; Micah Perry of Little Rock, a junior political science and modern languages major; Reva Humphries of DeWitt, a junior majoring in political science and criminal justice; and Trae Wisecarver of Crossett, a senior history major. The students were accompanied by

faculty members Dr. Carol Strong, associate professor of political science, and Dr. Clinton Young, assistant professor of history. Degges presented a paper entitled “America’s Failed Revolution: A Secret Society’s Involvement in the Aaron Burr Conspiracy.” Higgins gave a talk entitled “Overcoming Vietnam: An Oral History of American Survivors of the Second Indochina War.” Humphries presented research called “The Silent Screams of a Forbidden Trade: A Theoretical Exploration of the Power (or Lack Thereof) in the Sex Trade.” Perry presented research examining “The Double Edged Sword of Recognizing Emergent Parties Internationally: Oppositional Binaries in American Foreign Policy.” Wisecarver presented a paper entitled “The Battle of Arkansas Post: A Case Study on the Importance of the Trans-Mississippi Theatre in the American Civil War.” In addition to presenting their research, the UAM students had the chance to meet with graduate school faculty and administrators as well as discuss opportunities for publishing their work. They also attended an international banquet featuring food and entertainment from around the world. “I’m quite proud of all our students,” said Young. “They all gave well-received presentations. Their acceptance to present at NCUR is proof that the best UAM students are the equals of the best undergraduates at any university in the country.”

UAM’s 2013-14 cheerleaders – (from left, first row) Allison Haire, Cathleen Couch, Grace Borse, Anna Lauhon, Samantha Wilkerson, Katie Mote, (standing, from left) Candace Virgadamo, Baylee Weatherford, Jerica Binns, Hope Harrod, Carol Anne Scogins, Kevin Dunhoo, and Weevil mascot Kara House.

NCUR showcases undergraduate research. Of the 3,431 students who applied to attend NCUR, 2,000 students representing 300 universities were selected to present their research. The conference includes sessions from a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, including social sciences, humanities, the sciences and mathematics, business, engineering, and the arts. NCUR was founded in 1987 to celebrate and promote undergraduate achievement and to help improve undergraduate education.

Down Under

ryan Fendley, director of academic computing at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, has been invited to present to the faculty of

Charles Darwin University in Australia.   Fendley will join an elite group of subject matter experts invited to present at Charles Darwin’s “Game On” symposium. Fendley is an expert at developing interactive online courses, specifically courses that mimic video games. He and the other presenters will specifically address how video game concepts can transform student learning. The symposium is a result of the Australian government providing $377.2 million dollars for projects to assist universities in their country. Charles Darwin University will receive $20 million to deliver innovative education programs and modernize its online curriculum. According to Fendley, video games are a new form of media that colleges everywhere are recognizing as being beneficial in creating active learning environments. Fall 2013

Martha Carlson

Alumni

Lionel Maten

HONORS

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Tony Thurman

Bobby Jelks

college administrator, a public school superintendent, a businessman, and an insurance executive have been selected to receive the 2013 Alumni Awards for Achievement and Merit presented annually by the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Lionel Maten, assistant vice president for enrollment management and housing at the University of Mississippi; Dr. Tony Thurman, superintendent of the Cabot School District; Bobby Jelks, president of Franks Management Company LLC, of Shreveport, La., and Martha Carlson of Alma, a regional executive with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, will receive the awards during a banquet as part of UAM’s homecoming celebration October 25. “This is an accomplished and diverse group that represents achieve-

ment and success in a broad range of careers,” said UAM Chancellor Jack Lassiter. “We are pleased to honor these deserving individuals. Each of them represents a success story that serves as a positive reflection on the University. I congratulate each of them and look forward to seeing them in October.” Lionel Maten joined the Ole Miss administration in June 2012 as director of housing and residential life before being promoted to his current position in July 2013. Maten was a member of the UAM track and field

team prior to graduating in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He earned a master of arts degree in recreation and leisure studies from Murray State University in 1994. Maten returned to UAM following completion of his master’s degree to become a resident director and student development specialist, coordinating a 350-bed residence hall while selecting and training 20 resident assistants and providing both academic and career counseling to students. He joined the staff at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1997 Fall 2013

Alumni Awards for Achievement & Merit

as area coordinator, serving as the administrator for five residence halls housing 1,200 students. In 2000, he was named associate director of housing services at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he assisted in forecasting and monitoring an operational budget in excess of $23 million. At Carnegie Mellon he directed all activities associated with the Office of Housing Services, including marketing, off-campus housing, and support staff. In 2003, Maten became associate director of housing facilities at the University of Louisville, a position he held for three years. From 2006-09, he was the director of university housing at Oakland University, managing all aspects of the university’s housing and residence life program before becoming director of housing and residence life at the University of Texas-San Antonio in 2009. Maten remained at UTSA until 2012. Dr. William “Tony” Thurman has worked in public education for the past 24 years, beginning in 1988 as a bus driver and substitute teacher for the Monticello School District. Thurman is a Monticello native, a 1987 graduate of Monticello High School, and a 1993 UAM graduate with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. As an undergraduate at UAM, Thurman was a member of the Knights service organization, a Student Ambassador, and once filled in for the Boll Weevil mascot. He later earned a master of education degree in secondary education from UAM in 1998 before completing a doctor of education degree in school administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2003.

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Thurman taught in the Crossett School System before moving into school administration as principal of McGehee Elementary School. He moved to Cabot in 2000 and served as principal of Cabot Middle School for three years and principal of Cabot High School for four years. He was named superintendent of the Cabot Public School System in May 2007 where he oversees a student population of more than 10,000 students and 1,400 employees. Thurman has also served as an adjunct professor at Arkansas State since 2004. He completed the Leadership Development Program based at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, N.C., and participated in the Harvard Superintendents Academy. Thurman currently serves on the Arkansas ACT Council, the Arkansas Child Health Advisory Committee, and the Arkansas Leadership Academy Advisory Committee. He also plays an active role on the Arkansas Department of Education’s Advisory Committee and is an Arkansas Association of Education Administrators / Wilbur Mills Cooperative Legislative Committee representative. Bobby Jelks is a 1974 UAM graduate with a bachelor of science degree in accounting as well as a master of science degree in accountancy from the University of Houston. Jelks is currently president of Franks Management Company, LLC., a business that includes real estate investment, venture capital and oil and gas exploration. He also serves on the board of directors of five companies – Aeropres Corporation, Brammer Holding LLC, Argent Financial Group, Inc., where he serves as chair-

man, Anderson Oil and Gas, Inc., and TDX Holdings, LLC. In 2005, Jelks retired after 28 years with the international accounting firm KPMG LLP, 21 years as a partner, where he served a variety of clients from public companies, closely held family businesses, and highly successful entrepreneurs. Jelks is a certified public accountant, a member of the Louisiana Society of CPAs and holds a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation from the American Institute of CPAs. Jelks currently serves on the board of directors of The Community Foundation of North Louisiana and is a past chairman and president of the Alta and John Franks Foundation. He is a former board chairman of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, former board chairman of the Northwest Louisiana Economic Development Foundation (now the North Louisiana Economic Partnership), former president of the United Way of Northwest Louisiana, Inc., and past president of the Louisiana State University–Shreveport Foundation. Jelks received the President’s Distinguished Service Award for his work with the LSU-Shreveport Foundation. And, he was chosen as the Business Leader of the Year by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce in 2012. Martha (Manning) Carlson is the regional executive of the west central regional office of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Carlson is a 1988 UAM graduate with a bachelor of science degree in accounting. She holds a master of business administration degree from Florida State University and recently completed the Walton

Emerging Leaders Program at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Before joining Arkansas Blue Cross in 2007, Carlson worked for Triad Hospitals, Inc., serving as chief financial officer of the Longview Regional Medical Center, an acute care medical center in Longview, Tex., and CFO of Jackson Hospital, an acute care hospital in Marianna, Fla. She also served as chief financial officer for Drew Memorial Hospital in Monticello and is a certified public accountant.

Carlson began her career as a senior accountant with the Little Rock CPA firm Baird, Kurtz & Dobson before returning to Monticello as director of administrative services for Delta Counseling Associates. She joined the staff of Drew Memorial Hospital in 1995 as director of patient financial services before becoming CFO in 1997. From her office in Fort Smith, Carlson oversees Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield operations in Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Sebastian,

Logan, Scott and Polk Counties, including membership growth, provider relations, customer service initiatives and all product lines of business sold in the region. Carlson is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. She and her husband, Carl (a 1987 UAM graduate), are active in the Parents Association of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts and served as co-presidents for the 2012-13 school year.

Glen and Mary Jane “Continue the Connection”

len Gilbert and Mary Jane Lavender both came to Arkansas A&M College in 1968, Glen as a freshman 17 years removed from high school and Mary Jane as a newly-minted instructor of physical education with a master’s degree from Henderson State. Both became pioneers of a sort with Glen becoming part of the first graduating class of the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 1972 and Mary Jane as the driving force behind the creation of women’s intercollegiate athletics at the university. Their connection to both Arkansas A&M and UAM and the role they have played in the life and history of the institution will be recognized at Homecoming with the Continuing the Connection Award. Glen worked 17 years at Duracraft Boats before his involvement with A&M students while teaching Sunday School at Northside Baptist Church convinced him to give college a try. “I had a lot of reservations about coming to school,” says Glen, “Alton Boyd, who was a counselor at the college, encouraged me. He knew what I was feeling and he said coming to school after all those years was a little like going swimming in the spring. You know

the water’s going to be cool, but once you get in, you’ll be fine.” Gilbert combined education with a job at the Arkansas Baptist Home for Children and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He stayed at the Baptist Home until becoming director of community education for the Monticello School District. Glen and Mary Jane first met shortly after Glen started school, but it was hardly love at first sight. “We didn’t exactly hit it off right away,” remembers Mary Jane. Somewhere along the line, the couple clicked and on March 21, 1979, Mary Jane Lavender became Mary Jane Gilbert.

By then, Mary Jane was ready to step away from coaching after building the most successful women’s collegiate basketball program in Arkansas. After battling administrators and other coaches, the UAM Cotton Blossoms basketball team began play in 1973 and quickly became the best program in Arkansas. Mary Jane coached six seasons, posted a record of 111-41 and won or shared five conference championships. Both Glen and Mary Jane went back to school to receive their doctorates from the University of Mississippi in 1985. Glen retired from the Monticello School System in 1994 while Mary Jane retired from teaching in 1998.

Fall 2013

Sports Hall of Fame

Roland Autrey

M. L. Mann

Jeff Pope

Jodie Scott

Milton Williams

Stellar Class

our All-Americans and a two-way lineman who was part of a 1950s football dynasty will join the University of Arkansas at Monticello Sports Hall of Fame when the class of 2013 is inducted at ceremonies on the UAM campus October 24.

Track and field All-Americans Milton Williams and Jeff Pope, football noseguard Roland Autrey, softball standout Jodie Scott, and two-way tackle M. L. Mann comprise the latest Hall of Fame induction class. Robert Leonard, longtime director of the Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship, will receive the UAM Spirit Award. Tickets to the Hall of Fame induction banquet are $35 and may be purchased by calling the Department

UAM MAGAZINE

of Athletics at (870) 460-1058. Williams is currently the head coach for both the men’s and women’s track and cross country teams at UALR. He has been named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year three times for the men (2007, 2010 and 2012) and once for the women (2005) and led the men’s cross country team to the 2012 Sun Belt championship. At UAM, Williams excelled in the shot put and discus, earning All-Ar-

kansas Intercollegiate Conference and NAIA Indoor All-America honors in the shot. After graduating from UAM in 1982, Williams finished 14th in the 1984 Olympic trials and set records for an Arkansas native in both the discus (201 feet, 9 inches) and shot (65 feet, 4 inches). Williams earned a master’s degree from Northeast Louisiana University (now Louisiana-Monroe) in 1984 and spent four years as head strength and

conditioning coach at Louisiana State University before returning to Arkansas as head track and cross country coach at Cabot High School. Williams joined the UALR coaching staff in 2001 as associate head coach in cross country and track. Williams’ most recent honor was being inducted into the Arkansas Track & Field Hall of Fame in June. Jeff Pope was one of the state’s best distance runners in the 1980s. Pope earned NAIA All-America honors in 1986 in both the 10,000 meters and the marathon. He was a three-time All-AIC selection in cross country and earned all-conference honors in track at both 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Pope was a four-time AIC champion in individual events and a 1988 UAM graduate. He is currently an award-winning teacher at Fort Morgan High School in Colorado. Jodie Scott won multiple honors on the field and in the classroom as a star outfielder on the UAM softball team from 2003-06. Scott was named a

second team All-American by the National Fast-pitch Coaches Association in 2003, the 2003 Gulf South Conference West Division Freshman of the Year, first team All-South Region, also in 2003, and second team All-South Region in 2004. She was a four-time first team AllGulf South Conference selection and was named to the GSC All-Decade Team for 2001-10. Scott was also named to the NFCA and GSC AllAcademic Teams in 2005. Roland Autrey was an undersized noseguard who became a three-year starter for UAM teams that went 19-9 from 1985 to 1987. Autrey was almost unblockable in 1986 when he became the schools’ first underclassman to earn first team NAIA All-America honors for a Boll Weevil team that posted a 6-3 record and finished second in the AIC. Autrey was the Arkansas Democrat’s AIC Defensive Player of the Year in 1986 and a first team All-AIC selection. He made 13 tackles despite being

double-teamed in a 1986 homecoming win over Harding and ended the season with 56 solo tackles, 38 assists, three sacks, and nine tackles for loss. M. L. Mann was recruited by John Barnhill to play football for the University of Arkansas in 1949 and played for the Razorbacks as a sophomore defensive end in 1950 before being drafted. Mann parachuted into Korea in 1952 and later received a battlefield commission of second lieutenant from General Matthew Ridgway. For gallantry under fire, Mann received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, and Purple Heart. After his discharge in 1954, he enrolled at what was then Arkansas A&M College and lettered two years for Boll Weevil teams that won the first of four consecutive AIC championships. Mann was a two-year starter at tackle in the one-platoon era when players played both ways, earning first team All-AIC honors in 1955 while leading the Weevils to a 7-2 record and the league title.

Rob Leonard - A Man For All Seasons Name an important event at UAM over the last 30 years and chances are, Robert Leonard was involved. For more than three decades, Leonard has served as the campus minister for the Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship, influencing the lives of multiple generations of UAM students. He has also served as the unofficial chaplain of the Boll Weevil football team, was a volunteer assistant coach for Tommy Barnes in the 1980s and 1990s and for the last two years has been a member of the UAM coaching staff as head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country teams. Through it all, Rob has been an unabashed cheerleader and supporter of all things Boll Weevil and Cotton Blossom and is a fitting recipient of the 2013 UAM Spirit Award. UAM Spirit Award Winners 2006 Bob Newman • 2007 Tommy Matthews • 2008 Reginald Glover 2009 Don & Katy Hartley • 2010 Charlie Baker • 2011 Buddy Carson 2012 George Harris

ALL ABOUT SPIRIT Rob Leonard, MBSF director and a fixture in the annual Homecoming Parade, with an OBU Tiger.

Fall 2013

Welcom

UAM MAGAZINE

me . . .

Fall 2013

Before

May 9, 2013

. . . to the new

hen upperclassmen returned to the University of Arkansas at Monticello in August, those who had lived in Bankston Hall probably didn’t recognize the building they left in May. Built in 1968 as a men’s residence hall, the 45-year-old structure has been given a complete makeover at a cost of $8.9 million. The project included the construction of a new exterior façade and peaked roof as well

as interior renovations that included a new heating and cooling system, refinished doors, new hardware, carpeting, wall coverings and ceilings. But the biggest change is in the form of suite-style bathrooms which allow four residents in adjoining rooms to share shower and toilet facilities with individual sinks for each room. By doing away with outdated community bathrooms, the hall gained an additional 75 beds, according to Scott Kuttenkuler, director of residence life. “When we developed the plan

June 12, 2013

UAM MAGAZINE

for Bankston Hall, we did it with the intent of meeting the expectations of today’s students for on-campus living,” he said. “Sharing community bathrooms is an outdated concept and unappealing to today’s students.” According to Kuttenkuler, the renovation was part of a plan to change Bankston from a traditional dormitory to one featuring suite-style living space and more privacy for students. The hall has also changed from exclusively male to coeducational. “We want to make living on campus a viable and

June 24, 2013

May 20, 2013

June 3, 2013

Bankston Hall! attractive option for our students,” he noted. The new bathrooms were constructed as modules off site at warehouses owned by SeaArk Marine. The modules were brought to campus and lifted into place on the outside of the existing building by crane. The exterior construction expanded the building’s outer walls by 8 to 12 feet. SCM Architects of Little Rock designed the project with Kinco Contractors of Little Rock handling the construction. “Both the university and Kinco

are appreciative of SeaArk Marine for making their warehouses available to us,” said UAM Chancellor Jack Lassiter. “By being able to complete much of the construction off site, we were able to keep Bankston open and occupied during the just-completed spring semester and stick to our timetable of having the new facility ready for occupancy in August.” The Bankston renovation is the first phase of a long-term project to renovate and modernize other residence halls and improve the overall

August 8, 2013

on-campus living experience. The second phase will focus on the renovation of bathrooms at Horsfall Hall with future plans for enlarging the University dining center. “UAM currently has one of the lowest costs of living in residence halls of any public or private institution in Arkansas,” said Kuttenkuler. “Our plan is to make on-campus living an important part of the UAM experience while still maintaining affordability.”

August 21, 2013

Fall 2013

Born to

Teach

It took a German professor teaching in Australia to point Dr. Carol Strong toward a career as a political science teacher. “He knew my passion was politics,” says Strong. “It just took someone outside to make me see it.”

UAM MAGAZINE

Hornaday Outstanding Faculty

arol Strong always wanted to be a teacher. When she was five years old, she created a make-believe classroom with stuffed animals as students, reciting the multiplication tables to her captive audience. When she was eight, her mother bought her a chalk board.

Strong began teaching in earnest in 1992, following a career path that eventually led to the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where she is an associate professor of political science and assistant dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Last May, Strong was selected to receive the Hornaday Outstanding Faculty Award, presented annually to UAM’s top faculty member. “That was a huge honor,” says Strong. “Frankly, I was a little overwhelmed.” Born in North Carolina, Strong is an Army brat who has lived all over the country and the world, including three years in Germany. She graduated from high school in Clarksville, Tennessee, and considers that home. Strong is the youngest child of Colonel Edison Strong and the late Audrey Strong (“I was kind of an afterthought,” she admits). Strong’s 90-year-old father is a veteran of World War II, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and received five Bronze Stars for valor in combat. Her three years in Germany piqued her interest in politics and political science. “I remember Dad telling stories about the war and the Germans were always the enemy,” she says. “Then we

would turn around and have German friends over for dinner. They seemed like nice people and I wanted to know how that could happen. How could they be one way, then another.” Strong earned a bachelor of arts degree in German studies from the University of Tennessee in 1992, then went to Australia on a Rotary Scholarship. She received a master of arts degree in contemporary European studies from Monash University in 1997 and earned a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Melbourne in 2004. Strong credits a German professor she met in Australia, Walter Veit, with steering her toward political science. “He said if it’s not politics or nature, you only want to do it once,” she says. Her teaching career spans half the world and includes everything from teaching Spanish and directing a high school band at Little Creek Academy in Knoxville, Tenn., to serving as a postdoctoral honorary fellow at the Contemporary Europe Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. In between, she was a guest lecturer, undergraduate tutor and research assistant at the University of Melbourne, a research assistant at Swinburne University, an adjunct faculty member Fall 2013

Hornaday Outstanding Faculty

hen Farrokh Abedi came to the United States from Iran in 1973 in pursuit of a graduate degree in mathematics, he wasn’t planning to stay. The Iranian Revolution changed that.

“I was against everything that they believed,” he says. Apparently things haven’t changed, despite the recent Iranian elections. “It’s not progressing. It is like a bad cancer. There is no cure for it unless the people in power leave.” Abedi found a home at UAM, joining the faculty in 1982. He and his wife of 43 years, Akram, raised their two children – Sally and Samad – in Monticello. Both are UAM graduates. Abedi teaches a full load of upper level mathematics courses along with occasional forays into college algebra and trigonometry. He also teaches graduate level math courses in the summer. Last spring, he was one of three finalists for the Hornaday Outstanding Faculty Award. “I don’t teach to be recognized,” Abedi says, “but it means a lot. I am glad the students know I am here for them, that I’m working for them.” Abedi says the secret to being a good teacher is caring about the students. “When I was in college, I went to one of my teachers after class to ask for help,” he remembers. “He told me he didn’t have time, that he was going to play chess with the dean. I thought then that if I was ever a teacher, I would never treat my students that way.” Abedi has been known to loan money to poor students so they can buy lunch. “I try to treat my students the way I would treat my own kids,” he explains. “If they have a loss in their family, I grieve with them. If they don’t have money for lunch, I loan them some. You have to really care. So many of these kids need help.” Abedi had a chance to go into business as a young man, a venture with more earning potential than that offered by a college classroom. “But I wanted to teach,” he says. Two generations of UAM students are glad he did.

UAM MAGAZINE

at Victoria University, and a research fellow at Deakin University (all in Melbourne) as well as a guest lecturer at Australia National University in Canberra, and a visiting assistant professor at Oklahoma State University. Strong joined the UAM faculty in 2008, teaching primarily political science at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has lectured all over the world on international relations, has authored numerous research articles and book reviews and has written one book, The Role of Charismatic Leadership in Ending the Cold War: The Presidencies of Boris Yeltsin, Vaclav Havel and Helmut Kohl. Strong learned an important lesson about teaching at Oklahoma State. “I used to think that being a great teacher meant being a great lecturer,” she says. “I wanted to make the perfect lecture, no mistakes. I used to talk to a colleague about my lectures, what I’d done right, what mistakes I’d made. He listened to me for about two months, then finally said ‘Your lectures aren’t about you; they’re about what your

Dr. Carol Strong, Dr. Farrokh Abedi and Dr. Karen Fawley were honored at graduation.

students get from them.’ I learned good teaching is about my students grasping enough knowledge to be able to develop their own opinions.” Articulate, passionate and animated, Strong can talk politics at length but is always careful to present all sides when dealing with sensitive issues. She usually begins each semester with a study of the history of the U.S. constitution to provide background before delving into controversial topics such as civil rights, Islam and abortion. “I tell my students at the start of the semester that I’m probably going to offend each of them at some point,” she says. “We deal with a lot of hot button issues. I want them to have open minds and think for themselves. So many people say they believe this or that, but they really don’t know why. I want my students to not only have an opinion about important issues, I want them to understand why they have that opinion. I don’t really care about their ultimate conclusion; I just want them to know and understand why they believe what they believe.”

r. Karen Fawley believes being a good teacher and a good scientist go hand in hand. Fawley is as associate professor of biology now in her eighth year on the faculty at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She is conducting

research on a variety of algae that could impact the biofuel and biotech industries. She is also a full-time classroom instructor who was selected as one of three finalists for the Hornaday Outstanding Faculty Award. “A good teacher is somebody who listens,” says Fawley, “someone who isn’t always talking and is able to explain things in a way students understand. A good scientist has the ability to integrate different types of information and looks at things differently. And you have to learn patience.” Fawley conducts most of her research during the summer and teaches during the fall and spring terms. Her husband, Dr. Marvin Fawley, is also an associate professor and assistant dean for science and research in the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences. Marvin Fawley is primarily a researcher with limited teaching responsibility. “To be nominated for the Hornaday Award was really, really special,” she says. “It was not something I expected to happen. It was special to look out and see the smiles from my students.”

The Hornaday Outstanding Faculty Award The endowed Hornaday Outstanding Faculty Award was created in 2010 by a donation from Dan and Charlotte Cruce Hornaday. Both Hornadays are graduates of Arkansas A&M and have many fond memories of the outstanding faculty that mentored and advised them through graduation and on to very successful careers with Exxon. Earnings from the investment of the principal of the endowment are used annually to provide a medallion and a cash award to the recipient.

Fall 2013

SPORTS Classroom Stars

he Division 2 Athletic Directors Association announced the 201213 recipients of the D2ADA Academic Achievement Awards that included 22 UAM student-athletes. Student-athletes must have a cumulative grade point of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, have attended their current institution for a minimum of two years, and have been an active member of their respective teams during the 2012-13 school year. In addition to the national honors, 33 UAM student-athletes were named to the 2012-13 Great American Conference AllAcademic Team. The GAC All-Academic Team honors student-athletes that have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing and have completed at least one full academic year at the nominating institution. In addition, the honorees must have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. The GAC honored a total 470 studentathletes in 2012-13 covering all 11 member institutions. “Division II is all about the balance of academic and athletic pursuits,” GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt said. “I congratulate all of these student-athletes for excelling in the classroom while competing and practicing hard on the field of play.” The Cotton Blossoms softball team led all UAM squads with 11 GAC All-Academic selections. Baseball followed with eight, football ranked third with five and women’s basketball and volleyball tied for fourth with four selections each. Men’s cross country

Eleven members of the 2013 softball team were named to the Great American Conference All-Academic Team.

earned two selections and women’s cross country had one. There were two studentathletes honored in more than one sport. “Having this many student-athletes performing so well in the classroom is a true testament of their hard work and dedication,” said UAM Director of Athletics Chris Ratcliff. “I am very proud of each of these young men and women for their accomplishments both on and off the field.” Athletes honored by both the D2ADA and the GAC included (baseball) Bobby Bryan, Ryan Reyes and Alex Lang; (cross country) Sam Cason and Ryan Reyes; (women’s basketball) Katie Choate, Raija McWright, Catherine Puckett and Candace Virgadamo; (softball) Brittany Eitel, Summer Huddleston, Beth Johnson, Hannah Pendley and Maggie Sands; (softball and cross

country) Channing Tharpe; (football) Dustin Presley and Blake Washington; (volleyball) Amy Bazemore, Tusalava Kuaea and Meagan Peters. Those honored by the D2ADA only include (football) Kody Coleman and Grant Gill; (women’s golf) Keli Inzer. Athletes honored by the GAC only include (baseball) Tyler Caruthers, T. J. Cox, J. D. Deloach, Taylor Eaves and Johnny Wolf; (football) Barry Boney, Jace Gandy, and Jalen Garmon; (softball) Preslie Long, Randa Perry, Sydney Tipton, Courtney Wilson and Sara Matthews; (volleyball) Christina Rini. “I want to congratulate our studentathletes for striking a balance between excellence on the playing field and classroom achievement,” said Chancellor Jack Lassiter.

Donations Up 40 Percent! Donations to the UAM Sports Association are up 40 percent to date compared to the same time period in 2012, according to Matt Whiting, assistant athletic director for external operations. “I want to say a special thank you to current members for their investment in UAM athletics,” said Whiting. “The UAM Sports Association provides vital support to our athletics program, and with your continued generosity, we will move forward together.” For information on how to join the UAM Sports Association, visit www.uamsports.com or contact Matt Whiting at (870) 460-1758.

UAM MAGAZINE

Silver Celebration

embers of the winningest football team in UAM history will return to campus Homecoming weekend October 2426 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the remarkable 10-2 season of 1988. Team members will be recognized at halftime of the Homecoming football game as well as take part in a tailgate party and reunion from 12 noon until 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 26. Matt Whiting, assistant athletic director for external operations, is coordinating the event and may be contacted at (870) 4601758. The 1988 Boll Weevils are the only team in school history to win 10 games in a season, topping the 9-1 record of the ‘63 Weevils and the 9-2 mark of the ‘57 squad. Coached by the late Tommy Barnes and assistants Carl Preston, Larry Standley, Alvy Early, and student assistants Brad Bradshaw and Happy Grayson, the ‘88 Boll Weevils lost only to No. 1 UCA in the regular season and to No. 2 Pittsburg State in the second round of the NAIA Division I playoffs. Cornerback Jerry Johnson and linebacker Morehead Jordan were named second team All-Americans while offensive tackles Mark

Eubanks and Brad Breland and safety Mac Newcomb were honorable mention AllAmericans. Quarterback Sean Rochelle was the offensive catalyst and was named the AIC Co-Offensive Player of the Year as well as selection as an Academic All-American. Tailbacks Terry McClinton and Michael Drummond and fullback Mark Laster joined Rochelle to form a devastating triple option rushing attack.

The Weevils began the season with three straight wins before stumbling on the road at UCA, then reeled off seven straight wins, including a first-ever 20-13 playoff victory over Washburn University at Cotton Boll Stadium. Seven members of the ‘88 Weevils earned first team All-AIC honors – Rochelle, Jordan, Newcomb, Eubanks, Johnson, Breland, and wide receiver Rod Birmingham.

2013 Home Volleyball Matches Sept. 10

UA-PINE BLUFF............................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 12

WEST ALABAMA................................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 13

UNION...................................................................................... 9:00 a.m.

Sept. 13

MISSOURI SOUTHERN......................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 14

KENTUCKY WESLEYAN.....................................................11:30 a.m.

Sept. 24

OUACHITA BAPTIST*................................................... 6:00 p.m.

Sept. 26

SOUTHERN ARKANSAS*............................................. 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 4

NW OKLAHOMA*........................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 5

SW OKLAHOMA*...........................................................11:00 a.m.

Oct. 15

HENDERSON STATE....................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 24

BELHAVEN........................................................................ 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 26

SOUTHERN NAZARENE*............................................11:00 a.m.

Oct. 29

ARKANSAS TECH*......................................................... 6:00 p.m.

Nov. 14

HARDING*........................................................................ 7:00 p.m.

*Great American Conference game

Fall 2013

UAM FOUNDATION FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Scott Saffold / Monticello Vice Chair Gregg Reep / Warren Ex-Officio Jack Lassiter / Monticello Secretary-Treasurer Linda Yeiser / Monticello * UAM representative to the University of Arkansas Foundation, Inc., board of directors.

The UAM Foundation donors list includes alumni, friends and other contributors whose gifts were received January 1 – August 15, 2013. Please report any corrections to Linda Yeiser in the UAM Advancement Office at (870)460-1028.

Unity & Movement Club $2,500 or more

Mr. and Mrs. Terrell S. Baker Mr. Ryan Cheramie Mr. Phillip and Dr. Laura Evans Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Gibson Mr. and Mrs. John W. Gibson Mr. and Mrs. Nat Grubbs Dr. and Mrs. Jack Lassiter Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. Mann Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Mazzanti Mr. and Mrs. Brian Moore Mrs. Patricia K. Phillips Mr. Lester Pinkus Mr. and Mrs. Randy Risher Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Smith Dr. Thomas P. Springer Mr. and Mrs. Scotty Watkins Dr. and Mrs. Jimmie Yeiser

Galaxy Club $1,000-$2,499

Dr. and Mrs. Seth Barnes Mr. and Mrs. Ted Carmical Mr. Edward Eaves Ms. Margaret B. Grider Dr. and Mrs. Dexter E. Gulledge Mrs. Gloanna Hall Mr. and Mrs. Jay L. Hughes Mrs. Jane Lucky Mr. and Mrs. Gerald W. Majors Mr. Bryan and Dr. Sue Martin Dr. Betty A. Matthews Mrs. Debbie McKnight Mr. and Mrs. Kent McRae Mr. and Mrs. Wayne L. Owen, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey L. Owyoung Mr. Gus “Bubba” Pugh Dr. James F. Roiger Mr. and Mrs. John T. Rollins Ms. Carol Slaughter Mr. Raymond Smith Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan R. Wall Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Williams

UAM MAGAZINE

Directors Ed Bacon / Monticello Bettye Gragg / Monticello Nat Grubbs / Monticello Lesa Cathey Handly / Little Rock Kenneth Mann* / Jersey Mellie Jo Owen / Monticello Sean Rochelle / West Fork Lynn Rodgers / Crossett Ted Thompson / Dumas Jeff Weaver / Hot Springs

Emerald Club $500-$999

Dr. and Mrs. Ed Bacon Mr. Darrell Bowlin Dr. J. Morris Bramlett Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Brutscher Dr. Russell H. Bulloch Mrs. June M. Carter Mr. Rodney Cole Mr. Alvy Early Mr. Ricky D. Futrell Drs. Glen and Mary Jane Gilbert Dr. and Mrs. Louis James Dr. Carl B. Johnston Ms. Angela Marsh Mr. and Mrs. J. Robert McCallie Mr. Sam Page Mr. and Mrs. Phillip P. Pierini Mr. and Mrs. Richard Reinhart Ms. Libby Sands Mr. Richard Sands Mr. and Mrs. Scott Slaughter Mr and Mrs. Eddie Smith Mr. Ted D. Thompson Mr. and Mrs. J. Steve Woodson

Loyalty Club $200-$499

Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Adair Dr. and Mrs. Carl D. Blythe Dr. Gregory Borse Mr. and Mrs. Robert Boyd Mr. Justen Brixie Mr. and Mrs. John Bullock Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Byrd Mr. and Mrs. John D. Carter Dr. Jesse M. Coker Mr. and Mrs. Denzil Cox Mr. Colton Davis Mr. John H. Dawson, Jr Mr. and Mrs. Dave W. Dickson Mr. and Mrs. Ben R. Dunlap Mr. and Mrs. James (Chip) Durham Mr. Wayne Eitel Dr. and Mrs. Albert L. Etheridge Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Fakouri Mr. and Mrs. L. Gene Franklin Mr. William Gandy Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Glover Mr. and Mrs. Harry R. Green Mr. Eric J. Grider Dr. and Mrs. Dexter Gulledge Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Halstead Dr. and Mrs. Arthur S. Harris

Ms. Lynn Harris Mr. and Mrs. Don Hartley Mr. and Mrs. Phillip G. Hawkins Dr. and Mrs. James Hobgood Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Hornaday Mr. James Hudgins Mr. William (Hud) Jackson Mr. Will Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Lamar L. Jennings Mr. and Mrs. Lee Johnson Mr. Richard A. Johnson Mr. Jay Jones Mr. Jim Killett Mr. Scott R. Kuttenkuler Mr and Mrs. Kent Lang Mr. Clint H. Lunsford Ret. CMSGT Billy R. Majors Mr. Marvin L. Mann, Jr Dr. and Mrs. Steve Morrison Mr. and Mrs. Chase Owyoung Mr. and Mrs. Timothy R. Pruitt Mr. and Mrs. Jack C. Puryear Mr. and Mrs. Billy G. Riggins Mr. and Mrs. Carl Roebuck Ms. Linda H. Rushing Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Ryburn III Ms. Rebecca L. Sitton Mr. Thomas Slavin Mr. and Mrs. Peter Smykla Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Stanford Mrs. Mary B. Stimac Mr. David L. Stover Mr. Chris Thomas Mr. Randy Thomas Mr. Mark A. Tiner Dr. and Mrs. N.P. Tugwell Mr. and Mrs. Gvona Turner, Sr. Mrs. Stacy A. Usry Mr. Jacob W. Wente Mr. and Mrs. James C. West Mr. and Mrs. Bill Whiting, Sr. Mr. Thomas M. Wingard

Century Club $100-$199

Mr. David Barber Mrs. Susan Baum Mr. Jim Brewer Mr. and Mrs. Jim Ed Brown

Mrs. Molly Brunson Ms. Jacqueline D. Bryant Ms. Christy M. Byrd Ms. Sandra K. Campbell Mr. and Mrs. Billy Carson Mr. Mike Carson Mr. and Mrs. Bobby L. Cloud Mrs. DeeAnn Culwell Mr. Robert E. Crain Drs. Lloyd and Peggy Crossley Mr. and Mrs. Andy Davis Mr. and Mrs. Jim O. Davis Mr. and Mrs. T. Kent Davis Dr. and Mrs. Richard W. Dunn Dr. and Mrs. Walter Eberle Ms. Patricia A. Ewens Ms. Christine L. Felts Mr. and Mrs. Larry Fisackerly Mr. and Mrs. James W. Foster Dr. Robert S. Graber Mr. and Mrs. Joel Haden Mr. and Mrs. Werner Haney Ms. Sherry M. Harris Dr. and Mrs. Charles O. Hogue Mr. and Mrs. John D. Hollimon, Jr Mr. Tommy L. Hooks Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth H. Hunt Mr. and Mrs. David E. Johnson Dr. and Mrs. B.J. Jordan Mr. and Mrs. W. Brad Koen Mr. and Mrs. Billy Lansdale Mr. and Mrs. Chris Loyd Mr. and Mrs. Ronald N. McFarland Mr. and Mrs. William J. McKiever Mrs. Kathy McNabb Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Pace Mr. and Mrs. Scott Place Mr. and Mrs. Archie L. Paschall, Sr Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Pennington Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Pennington Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Prestridge Mrs. Mary K. Rhodes Mrs. Suzan Russell Dr. and Mrs. Jimmie S. Sadler Mr. and Mrs. Charles Savage Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Scott III Ms. Patsy Smith Mr. Jerry E. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Summers Ms. Shela F. Upshaw

BUSINESS / ORGANIZATION DONORS Arkansas Native Plant Society Arkansas Pulpwood Arkansas Superior Federal Credit Union Clearwater Paper Commercial Bank & Trust Co. Delores’ Family Pharmacy, Inc. Deltic Timber Company Dumas Motor Company ExxonMobil Foundation GWL Advertising, Inc. Georgia-Pacific Martin Knee & Sports Medicine Ralph McQueen & Company Momentive Specialty Chemicals, Inc. Monticello Drug Company, LLC Murphy Oil Corporation Nexans AmerCable

Oak Grove Assembly of God Church Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation Pines Broadcasting, Inc. Price Services, Inc. Regions Forest Services, LLP Risher Fitness Management Ryburn Motor Company SeaArk Boats, Inc. South Arkansas Rehabilitation Southeast Chapter of ASCPA State Farm Insurance Companies Texas Instruments Foundation UAM Institute of Management Accountants Union Bank & Trust Company United Methodist Women - Crossett Wells Fargo Foundation

REMINISCENCE

Dr. Tim Ku Dr. Timothy Tao Ku, 87, longtime member of the UAM forestry faculty, mentor to several generations of foresters in Arkansas and throughout the South, and a pioneer in forest resources education in Arkansas, died July 15 in Plano, Texas. Born in Taochung, China, Dr. Ku was a member of the Arkansas Foresters Hall of Fame. He started his career as a consulting forester for T.S. Coile, Inc., before joining the faculty at UAM (then Arkansas A&M College) in 1959, where he served for 38 years before his retirement in 1997. “I first met Dr. Ku in 1991 when I began my career at UAM,” said Dr. Philip Tappe, dean of the UAM School of Forest Resources and director of the Arkansas Forest Resources Center for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “At that time he had already been teaching for over 30 years so for a new, green faculty member, he was a remarkable source of information and was always extremely patient and supportive. It was very evident that he cared deeply about his students. Tim was a great colleague

and wonderful friend, and will be deeply missed.” Dr. Ku, who served under four presidents/chancellors and 10 department administrators during his time at UAM, also served as the principal investigator for a number of national, regional and statewide forestry research programs and authored or coauthored more than 40 scientific publications and reports. Dr. Ku was active in several professional organizations, and in 1980, he was appointed by then Governor Bill Clinton to the Arkansas State Board of Registration for Foresters and served as its chairman from 1983-85.

Joining the Society of American Foresters in 1959, Dr. Ku held all elective offices in the Southeast chapter, Arkansas chapter and Ozark section, and was the charter chairman of the Ouachita SAF in 1983. He served on many SAF committees, including the national task force of the development of a certified professional program from 1984-86. Dr. Ku was elected Ouachita SAF Outstanding Forester in 1985 and SAF Fellow in 1985. He obtained a bachelor of science degree in forest management from the Nanking University in China in 1948. He earned a master of forestry degree in 1950 and completed a Ph.D. in 1954, both from Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science (now Michigan State University). Dr. Ku is survived by his wife, Victoria (Vicki), who was a long-time UAM faculty member, sons Larry and Albert, and many other family and friends. Memorial contributions can be made to the UAM Foundation Fund, Timothy Ku Scholarship, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 3520, Monticello, AR 71656.

Fall 2013

ALUMNI SNAPSHOTS Paul Smith (‘03) Paul Smith (B.A., ’03) was recently named executive director and national president of Phi Lambda Chi Fraternity. Entering his eighth year of service on the Phi Lambda Chi National Executive Board, Smith has served the national organization in a variety of roles, most recently as vice president for external affairs. He first joined the national executive board in 2004 and served until 2008 before taking a two-year hiatus, returning to the organization’s executive board in 2010. Founded in 1925 on the campus of Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas), the organization nationalized in 1939 with the addition of a chapter at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Just one year later, the organization came to Monticello when the Gamma Chapter was established on the campus of Arkansas A&M College. “We’re not too far away from recognizing the 75th anniversary of our establishment on the UAM campus,” said Smith. “And in our long history on the UAM campus, the list of our alumni reads like a who’s who of UAM alumni and the local communities. If they haven’t been around the chapter lately, I think they owe it to themselves to take another look. They will be proud of the men who are carrying on the tradition today.” In addition to his role with Phi Lambda Chi Fraternity, Smith serves as the sports information director at Arkansas Tech University, and was previously on staff at UAM, Delta State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and Oakland. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree from UAM, and has begun work on his masters at Arkansas Tech. He and his wife, Stacy, have a daughter, Audrey, and a son, Jack.

Wee Weevil Bibs Tony Hogue (BS ’00) and Brooke Hogue of Monticello are the proud parents of Bennett Rabb Hogue, born July 3, 2013.

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1970-79 Mark Binns (BSE ’71, M Ed, JD) has entered his 35th year practicing law and plans to continue for several more years. Previously, he was a teacher/administrator for two years. He served two years with the FBI (US Dept. of Justice), was stationed in Washington, D.C. and also had assignments in Maryland.

1990-Present Mark Dutton (B.S. ‘92) recently graduated from the Barret School of Banking. The three-year program includes a required annual one-week residency session with more than 40 hours of classroom instruction each year, for a total of 128 hours. Dutton oversees the Star City and Dermott branch offices of AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, where he began working in 2003 as the Star City branch manager. He holds a bachelor of sciencedegree in agribusiness from UAM. Jeremy Lambert (B.S. ’02), assistant vice president of commercial lending for Relyance Bank in Pine Bluff, recently graduated from the Southwestern

Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. Lambert earned an undergraduate degree in agricultural business from UAM. He has been with Relyance Bank for six years. SWGSB-SMU meets two weeks annually over three years, bringing into focus and augmenting managers’ experience. James S. Reeves, M.D. (BS ’06) joined C.E. Ransom, Jr., M.D., David Staggs, M.D., and Daniel Davidson, M.D., at Family Practice Associates, an outpatient department of White County Medical Center in Searcy in late July. Lora Ashley Long (TC ’09) and Justin Ryan Flemister of Monticello were married June 14, 2013, at The Foundations in Baxter. Cicely Dawn Greene (BS ’02) and Angello Velez Simpson of Monticello were married June 29, 2013, at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Tiara Jones (BSN ’12) is the new Miss Black Arkansas USA 2013. She is a full-time registered nurse and mother of a four-year-old. John David Kellum (TC ’13) and Rachel Brown (MAT ’13) of Monticello were married July 27, 2013, at the couple’s home.

Mark Deal (‘78) Mark C. Deal (B.S. ‘ 78), formerly of Warren, has been named director of University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences South Central in Pine Bluff. Deal brings over 25 years of executive and leadership experience to the position, most recently serving as the administrative director of the UAMS Northeast Campus in Jonesboro. Deal served as adjunct faculty of Arkansas State, teaching Strategic Human Resources in the graduate program in healthcare administration and was also the former president and chief executive officer of Delta Memorial Hospital Association in Dumas. In 2002, Deal was appointed to the State Medicaid Advisory Committee for a five-year term by Governor Mike Huckabee representing the Arkansas Hospital Association. Deal has also been active in national and state healthcare organizations as well as professional and civic organizations in both Jonesboro and Dumas. He received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from UAM and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the UA-Little Rock. Deal is a member of the American College of Medical Practice Executives and American College of Healthcare Executives.

Billie Seamans Billie Seamans of McGehee, who attended Arkansas A&M following World War II, was recently selected as one of four recipients of The Arkansas Arts Council’s 2013 Governor’s Arts Awards. Seamans received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as a photographer. Seamans learned photography in the Army Air Corps during World War II while serving as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 bomber. Following the war, Seamans enrolled at Arkansas A&M College on the G.I. Bill and eventually turned to photography full-time. Now 92, Seamans has spent his life photographing the Arkansas delta through evocative black-and-white images that recorded the history of the region, from the main streets of McGehee to the cotton farms of the delta. Sponsored annually by the Arkansas Arts Council, the Governor’s Arts Awards recognize individuals and corporations for their outstanding contributions to the arts in Arkansas. The recipients were nominated by the public and then selected by an independent panel of arts professionals. Each recipient will be honored at a fall ceremony and will receive an original work of art from an Arkansas artist. The Arkansas Arts Council is an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

Photo courtesy Nick Hillemann, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Bob Hickingbotham (‘56) Bob Hickingbotham (B.S. ’56) is still coaching, nearly 60 years after graduating from what was then Arkansas A&M College. Hickingbotham was a two-sport letterman at A&M as a shortstop in baseball and a guard in basketball. He was also a trainer for the football team. A McGehee native, Hickingbotham played baseball growing up and played it well enough to earn a professional contract with the Kansas City Athletics, playing second and third base before an arm injury ended his career. In 1957, Hickingbotham started coaching, first

in Arkansas City, then Perryville, then England before moving to Jacksonville in 1965 to coach football, basketball and baseball at Jacksonville High School. Hickingbotham retired from high school coaching in 1971 to work for the Arkansas Department of Education but he never got coaching out of his system. Now 78, he’s still in Jacksonville and still coaching, volunteering every summer to coach American Legion baseball. In 1988, his Legion team won a state championship and 80 of his players have gone on to play college baseball.

Nathan Carman (‘13) Jazz saxophonist Nathan Carman (B.A. ‘13) of Heber Springs, has been hired by Suman Entertainment of Miami, Fla., to perform for the Norwegian Cruise Lines.. Carman was a featured performer in UAM’s premier jazz ensemble, Jazz Band I, which has performed at a number of prestigious jazz events, including the Elmhurst Jazz Festival at Elmhurst College and the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Jazz Band I has performed with artists such as Bill Watrous, Mike Vax, Mike Williams, and “Blue” Lou Marini.

Fall 2013

FRIENDS WE’LL MISS Friends We’ll Miss

Mars Hall – One of a Kind The photos say it all. UAM lost an original thinker and unique individual with the passing of Mars (Gary Thomas Marshall) Hall on July 22. Mars was a poet, a celebration artist and a beloved member of the UAM faculty since 1992. A speech professor, Mars held a B.S. degree from Murray State University and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University.

Be A Part Of UAM’s New Alumni Directory In the coming weeks, you will receive a postcard from your UAM Alumni Association asking you to help us create the most comprehensive alumni directory we’ve ever had. Please call the number on the postcard to confirm and update your information. It’s a great way to get back in touch with former classmates and reconnect with old friends!

UAM MAGAZINE

He was born December 10, 1947, to Thomas and Alice Marshall, of Paducah, Ky. He was the founder of the Random Order of Perpetual Energy, worshipped at the Tabernacle of the Tall Timbers, and served as UAM’s Creative Society’s original adviser. Memorials may be sent to the UAM Foundation Fund, Office of Advancement, P. O. Box 3520, Monticello, AR 71656. Memo: Gary Marshall scholarship.

Emma Fay Deckelman Baxter ’52, of Dermott, June 17, 2013. Lee Cordell Chavis, Sr. ’64, of Rye, June 22, 2013. John H. Dawson, Jr. ’65, of Camden, April 25, 2013. Bernard D. “Sonny” Gean, of Little Rock, July 13, 2013. Alfred James Graves ‘63, of Bonham, July 25, 2013. Ralph Charles Haskew ’80, of Fountain Hill, August 14, 2013. Wayne Roger Hogan, of Rison, May 28, 2013. Dale Lamar Hughes, of Monticello, May 28, 2013. Louise Mitchell James ‘57, of Star City, June 19, 2013. Kenneth Robert Keck ‘58, of Ashton, ID, October 21, 2012. Huie L. Lindsey ‘60, of Texarkana, August 2, 2013. Gary Thomas Marshall, of Monticello, July 22, 2013. Donna Nolan Morgan Mashburn ‘97, of Longview, May 17, 2013. Carrie Carpenter Odom ’98, of Wilmar, July 15, 2013. Charles R. Retherford ’83, of Dumas, July 9, 2013.

UAM Night At Dickey-Stephens Park

Brooks and Lesa Handly (left) were among the Little Rock area alumni who came out to DIckeyStephens Park on June 18 for UAM Night with the Arkansas Travelers. Above, former Boll Weevil coach Harold Steelman (red shirt) got to visit with a number of his former players.

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Fall 2013

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