Local Faces

Local Faces Megan Renihan Honored as Recipient of ‘Citizens Bank Above & Beyond Award’ Chuck Jones

Megan Renihan, Communications Coordinator for the Batesville School District, was named as the September recipient of the “Citizens Bank Above & Beyond Award” for the Batesville School District.

Since 2012, Citizens Bank and the School District have been recognizing district employees for exceptional service to students, parents, their school, peers and the district. The awards are presented at the School Board’s monthly meeting, however, this month’s award is the first to be scheduled since February due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

All School District employees may be nominated for the award by their peers. Recipients are selected from nomination forms to receive the award, which includes a certificate from the Board, and a $25 gift card and 20-ounce insulated tumbler from Citizens Bank.

Ms. Renihan’s helpfulness and positive attitude were frequently mentioned in this month’s award nominations. Some of the direct comments included:

“Megan came to us with all hands on deck. She has jumped in full force. She not only does her job, but she always asks each one of us if there is anything she can do to help us.”

“She is always so helpful and provides everyone assistance here at the District office as well as each individual campus. She does it all with a positive attitude and a smile.”

“Megan works tirelessly for the School District and our 24/7 needs to communicate. She has taken BSD to levels that people only dreamed about.”

“She handles pressure and stress with the greatest of ease. She is Number One with the Batesville School District!” N

Megan Renihan was named as the September recipient of the “Citizens Bank Above & Beyond Award.” In the photo, Ms. Renihan is standing on the right, wearing the face covering. The award was presented at the September Batesville School Board meeting by Ashley Engles of Citizens Bank.

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BACC Held Ribbon Cutting for Maxfield Exchange Co. Shelly Hendrix

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for Maxfield Exchange Co. on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 286 E. Main Street in Batesville. Maxfield Exchange Co. owned by Mike Stephens, is Main Street’s newest antique store that specializes in unique furniture and vintage mid-century items, such as radios, televisions, cameras, records, and much more.

To learn more visit their Facebook page or call 870-866-5598. N

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce Launches the Official Events Calendar Shelly Hendrix

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) and the Independence County Education Foundation have partnered to promote community involvement in our region through the official Events Calendar. Visitors and community members can access the calendar by visiting www.experienceindependence. Chuck Jones

For the second time in the past two years, Citizens Bank has been named as one of the “Best Places to Work in Arkansas,” according to a survey sponsored by the Arkansas Business newspaper.

The “Best Places to Work” survey and awards program is “designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in Arkansas, benefiting the state’s economy, workforce and businesses,” according to Arkansas Business.

“It is gratifying that our own employees rated us so highly that we are again honored as one of the best places to work in the state,” said Phil Baldwin, Citizens Bank Chief Executive Officer. “We are committed to providing a professional environment in which our employees can be fulfilled in their job and also enjoy their career. We seek to inspire our people to do their very best every day on behalf of our bank, our customers and our communities.”

“Best Places to Work in Arkansas” is an annual survey competition in which employees of a participating company provide responses in a confidential and anonymous employee engagement and satisfaction survey. The questions assess worker attitudes about their employer on a variety of workplace com/events. The calendar has the latest invitations to sports and recreation events, health and wellness events, community celebrations and festivals, and educational offerings in the

Citizens Bank Again Ranks Among ‘Best Places to Work’

region. N issues, including overall job satisfaction, pay and benefits, the organization’s leadership and planning, corporate culture and communications, and other topics.

The process also includes a separate review of each nominating company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. N

First Community Bank Raises Funds for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Laura Cornett

First Community Bank employees recently formed a committee to participate in fundraising efforts for childhood cancer awareness month, which is a cause that is nationally recognized every September. With a goal to increase awareness and raise funds for those affected by childhood cancer, the American Childhood Cancer Organization has encouraged everyone to “Go Gold” every September in honor and in memory of children with cancer.

The First Community Bank Go for the Gold committee consists of the following employees: Nichole Showalter, Pat Rutherford, Mila Mote, Wendy Hurt, Samantha Buie, Deb Reeder, Laura Caraway and Mary Henderson. And floor leaders for the fundraising efforts are as follows: Michelle Reesor, Eva Henriksen, Joe Smith, and Aaron Green.

“Our biggest fundraiser has been the ‘Coins for Cancer’ contest between each floor of the bank at every one of our branches. We have raised $3,471.64 with that fundraiser,” said Mary Henderson. “Our bake sales have been a huge success raising a total of $915.10, and we have also sold face masks, ’Fight like a Kid’ bracelets and gold ribbons. First Community Bank generously contributed an additional $2,800 to the employee efforts for a total of $7,331.49.”

Henderson, who has a personal interest for participating in the fundraising efforts also said, “Three years ago my nephew, Michael Reed, was diagnosed with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He was just shy of four years old. We have watched this strong little guy fight many battles over the past three years and go through many painful and scary procedures, especially scary for such a little person who has no idea what is happening. The first month after diagnosis is the

hardest, as that is the month that the doctors try very hard to put the cancer into remission. After remission is maintenance, and for three years, Michael has had to take daily chemo pills, have numerous lumbar punctures, blood work, and steroids, not to mention the worries that come along with trying to keep him germ free. Any cold or sickness can be life threatening, because his immune system is basically null. And the thing is, this is not a rare thing to happen to children. Independence County has many kids fighting now or that have fought cancer. In fact, about 43 children per day are diagnosed with cancer in the US alone.”

“First Community Bank is proud of our employees’ commitment on behalf of childhood cancer awareness, which profoundly impacts the individuals affected and their families,” said Boris Dover, president and COO at First Community Bank. “We want to do everything that we can to show our support to these children and others fighting.”

For more information about First Community Bank, call 870-612-3400 or visit www.firstcommunity. net. N

Double the Impact of Your Gift to the Arkansas Craft School by Donating Today! Rachel Reynolds

The Arkansas Craft School promotes a vibrant, creative community that inspires a lifeaffirming appreciation for, and support of, the arts.

We offer year round programming that engages students of all ages with traditional and modern craft. Whether it’s our work with local youth or regional Veterans, we seek to utilize craft as a tool for healing, inspiration, and FUN!

Located in the historic Lackey building on the square in beautiful downtown Mountain View, Arkansas, our 7 studios provide space for students and a roster of world-class artisans to Learn. Dream. Create. together. We are proud that our studios also serve as economic incubators for budding craft entrepreneurs or ACS members through our studio pass program.

Today, in celebration of American Craft Week, we are launching a campaign to sustain the Arkansas Craft School so that we not only survive but thrive beyond the Covid-19 Pandemic. We are excited to tell you that each donation raised through the Learn. Dream. Create. campaign will be matched dollar-fordollar by our generous friends at the Windgate Foundation.

Donors at the $150 level or above will receive a handcrafted Arkansas Craft School mug made by our resident potter, David Dahlstedt!

Won’t you join us in supporting the Arkansas Craft School today? N

UACCB Receives $2.25 Million Grant Hannah Keller Flanery

The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville is proud to announce it has received a $2.25 million Title III Strengthening Institution Program (SIP) grant award from the U.S. Department of Education for the “Better Teaching, Better Learning” project. The Strengthening Institution Program is designed to help higher education institutions expand their capacity to serve at-risk students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the institution’s academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability.

UACCB’s “Better Teaching, Better Learning” project evolved with the campus integration of Guided Pathways. Two workgroups focused on the topics of teaching and technology. The first group, the Teaching and Learning workgroup, was co-chaired by Ms. Susan Tripp. The second group, an ad hoc Teaching Technology workgroup, was chaired by the late Dr. Jo Stephens. The two workgroups discussed methods of how the institution could invest in innovation

and best practices. Dr. Anne Austin and Dr. Brian Shonk, assisted by campus constituency, worked with Ramona Munsell and Associates to develop the grant.

The $2.25 million, five-year grant will provide funding to allow faculty to participate and gain certification from Quality Matters (QM), a nonprofit organization with the mission of promoting and improving the quality of online education and student learning, as well as the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). According to the organization’s website, “the ACUE prepares, credentials, and provides on-going support to faculty in the use of evidence-based teaching practices that promote student engagement, persistence to graduation, career readiness, and deeper levels of learning. Faculty who satisfy the requirements of ACUE’s courses through institutional partnerships or open enrollment courses earn certificates in effective college instruction endorsed by the American Council on Education.”

Through the grant, UACCB faculty will also have the opportunity to receive training on utilizing reports through Blackboard Analytics. The reporting will allow earlier identification of student needs and student interventions. This effort should increase student academic success and improve student persistence and retention.

In addition, a Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will be developed, which will support inquiry and access to the most current and innovative teaching and learning techniques. The funding to assist in the development and redesign of educational materials utilizing Open Educational Resources (OCR) will also be provided through the Title III grant. The grant also provides funding for additional personnel to support the grant activities.

“We are thrilled to receive news of the grant award,” said Chancellor Deborah Frazier. “Since March, the UACCB faculty and staff have demonstrated resilience and a strong desire to engage and encourage students during challenging and difficult times. The Title III grant will allow the institution to create teaching and learning environments with one focus, academic student success, which is the key motivator that drives our campus community.” N

The Independent Community community banking by serving customer service as their hallmarks, Bankers of America® (ICBA) as a current Director and former community banks offer the best announced that local community President of Arkansas Community financial services option for millions banker Jim S. Gowen, Jr., President Bankers Association. This will be of consumers, small businesses and CEO of Merchants and Planters his second term as an ICBA Federal and agricultural enterprises. Bank in Newport, AR was re-elected Delegate, and he will represent “Jim is a dedicated to the ICBA Federal Delegate Board. Arkansas through March 2024. community banker who ICBA is the nation’s voice for In addition to helping shape and is highly respected in his community banks. advocate ICBA’s national policy community and by his

“I am honored to be re-elected to positions and programs, Gowen’s industry peers,” said ICBA represent our industry and help share duties include being a liaison Chairman Noah W. Wilcox, the positive story of community between independent community president and CEO, Grand banking with policymakers,” Gowen bankers in Arkansas and ICBA staff Rapids State Bank. “We said. “Community banks are trusted, and leadership in Washington, D.C. are delighted Jim has relationship-based lenders that He will also work to recruit new generously offered his deliver personalized service and members to ICBA. time and valuable invaluable financial expertise to local ICBA is the only organization professional talents consumers and entrepreneurs. We dedicated exclusively to promoting to the service of drive positive economic prosperity the interests of locally operated the community both nationally and at home.” community banks and savings banking

Jim has also showcased his institutions. With trusted financial industry.” commitment and dedication to expertise and high-quality N ASU-Newport Chancellor to Retire in December 2020 Mallory Jordan serving as a member of the Newport Rotary Club, Newport, Arkansas State University-Newport’s Chancellor will retire at the end of 2020 after seven years of service. ASU-Newport named Dr. Sandra Massey its second chancellor in September 2013. Since then, Dr. Massey has dedicated the past seven years of her career to supporting ASUN’s mission of providing an accessible, affordable, quality education that transforms the lives of students, enriches communities and strengthens the regional economy. Serving more than two-and-half decades in higher education, Dr. Massey is a decorated scholar and advocate for student success. She led ASU-Newport to its highest enrollment ever in 2015 with 2,533 students. Furthermore, Dr. Massey supported the growth and extension of ASUN services to high school students through the IGNITE Academy and to the prison population with Second Chance Pell. While supporting prison education, Dr. Massey also initiated the first on-campus prison classes allowing qualified individuals to learn skills in Welding and Diesel Technology. Dr. Massey spearheaded ASUN’s mascot campaign in 2018. Her goal to give the ASUN community a unifying figure came to fruition with ASUN becoming the Aviators and the creation of the mascot character-Ace the Aviator. ASU-Newport’s flagship campus is located on a former Army base. The Newport Army Air Field was once home to thousands of people as they lived and worked on the base in Jackson County. This homage to history and community is just one way Dr. Massey showed her community support across ASUN’s three campus locations. From serving on the Newport Economic Development Commission and the Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, to Jonesboro and Marked Tree Chamber of Commerce, and Trumann Lions Club, Massey has embedded herself into the communities ASUN serves. Under Dr. Massey’s leadership, ASU-Newport also shined on the national level. The American Association of Community Colleges appointed her to its board in 2019 allowing Dr. Massey to highlight the successes and challenges of rural community colleges. Before becoming chancellor, Dr. Massey served as ASUNewport’s Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Prior to her tenure in Newport, she was Campus Provost at the Northeast Campus of Tulsa Community College, Dean of Student Services at Tulsa Community College and Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee, where Massey also served as a Mental Health Counselor. A native of Jonesboro, Dr. Massey received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Master of Rehabilitation Counseling from Arkansas State University. Massey obtained her Doctor of Education in Occupational and Adult Education from Oklahoma State University. The ASU-Newport community will miss Dr. Massey dearly. Known for leading with heart, Dr. Massey always encouraged work/life balance and encouraged her faculty and staff to take risks. She leaves a lasting legacy at ASU-Newport that will no doubt catapult ASUN into a bright future. With her retirement, Dr. Massey and her husband, Ward, look forward to spending more time with family including their daughter, son and five grandchildren. ASUN wishes Dr. Massey and her family a joyous retirement. N