THE LYON COLLEGE
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Dona l dV.We a t he r ma n Pr e s i de nt
L YON COLLEGE
BATESVI LLE,ARKANSAS
18004232542
www. l yon. e du
Spring 2011
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Volume XXXVIII, Number 2
Class of 2011 commences Bill Branch, Dickson Flake given honorary degrees
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David Pace awarded Williamson Prize Chemistry professor honored for teaching excellence
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Dr. Beck receives Fulbright Grant Philosophy professor to teach at Indonesian university
10 Student Profiles High-achieving seniors are in the spotlight
22 Athletic Hall of Fame inducts four Technology helps Kirk Kelley join the ceremony
25 Alumni News & Notes Piper Staff David Heringer, Vice President for Administration Bob Qualls, Director of Public Relations, Editor Chandra Huston, Manager of Media Relations and Web Content Gina Garrett, ’93, Director of Alumni Services and Development Michele Howard, Advancement Data Manager Kay Hermansen-Pool, Administrative Coordinator for Institutional Advancement Eleanore Tebbetts, ’07, Administrative Assistant for Institutional Advancement and Alumni Services, Graphic Designer
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Rain fails to dampen spirit of Class of 2011 One hundred and two seniors received their undergraduate degrees May 7 at the Lyon College Commencement. Rain forced the ceremony into Becknell Gymnasium at the last minute. It’s usually held outside in Couch Garden. Rain didn’t dampen the spirit of the graduates or the families, friends, and Lyon faculty and staff who filled the gymnasium to see the grand finale of their academic career at the college. In addition, honorary doctorate degrees were awarded to the Rev. Dr. William “Bill” Branch, Jr., retired general presbyter of the Arkansas Presbytery, and to L. Dickson Flake, a partner in the state’s largest commercial real estate firm, and a member of the Lyon Board of Trustees for 20 years. Albert “Al” Parnell, a 1965 alumnus of Lyon and
a prominent attorney from Atlanta, Ga., was the guest speaker. Parnell sought to inspire the graduates with his own story of perseverance. He said he “barely graduated from high school” and that he was voted “least likely to succeed.” However, he went back to school to improve his grades and was admitted to Arkansas College (now Lyon) as a provisional student. He said he was able to stay in college after his first year by a margin of “one-tenth of a point.” He drove a tractor-trailer rig while working his way through college. After graduating in 1965, he eventually went to Vanderbilt University for his law degree. From his humble beginnings, Parnell became one of the nation’s leading environmental lawyers and a pioneer in toxic tort litigation.
President Donald Weatherman welcomes the seniors, families and friends to Commencement.
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Parnell has served as lead trial counsel in more than 250 asbestos and toxic tort cases in more than 30 states. He has played a major role in the settlement of thousands of toxic tort suits and has been a part of many landmark asbestos litigation cases. He is responsible for the management of complex litigation cases throughout the nation and has achieved successful outcomes for many Fortune 500 companies. “Don’t quit,” he told the graduating class. “There’s a hero inside every one of us.” Dr. Branch, one of the honorary degree recipients, has stayed active in the presbytery since his retirement as General Presbyter. He currently serves as World Mission Advocate for the Presbytery. He was pastor of churches in Texas, including Grace Presbyterian Church and Falls View Presbyterian Church. At Grace Presbyterian Church in Victoria, Texas, he served as pastor and head of staff. Rev. Branch also served as interim associate pastor at Second Presbyterian Church, Little Rock; Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, Little Rock; and St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland. Dr. Branch has held positions as chaplain and in sports information. He was chaplain at Spencer (West Virginia) State Hospital and chaplain and therapist at the West Virginia Alcohol Treatment Unit. He was chief of chaplains in the Victoria (Texas) Fire and EMS Department. Rev. Branch was the voice of the West Virginia Tech basketball team and the sports information director at West Virginia Tech. He was also the sports director at KNAL Radio and the weekend sports director at TV 19 in Victoria, Texas. He has served as an NCAA football official in Texas high schools and taught philosophy and ethics at Victoria College. Dr. Branch also was the preacher for the Baccalaureate service held the previous evening. Dr. Flake, the other honorary degree recipient, has made a significant impact on Arkansas commercial real estate and Lyon College. He set the standard in commercial real estate through strong leadership and a high level of integrity. As a long-time real estate counselor to many prominent organizations, he pioneered the practice of development management in Arkansas. Dr. Flake co-founded Barnes, Quinn, Flake & Anderson, Inc., in 1971. The firm is now Colliers International Arkansas, the largest commercial real estate firm in the state. Spring 2011
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As a champion of education, Dr. Flake served on the University of Arkansas Little Rock Board of Visitors from 1984 to 1996 and as chairman in 1995 and 1996. From 1974 to 1998, he was an advisory board member of Mount Saint Mary Academy, serving as chairman in 1978 and on the board of trustees from 1983 to 1985. He was a trustee for Lyon College for 20 years (1989-2001, 2002-2010), serving as chairman of the Finance Committee. He continues to serve as a volunteer consultant to the college on capital projects, including the plans for a new student center and dining hall. During his career, Dr. Flake developed more than two million square feet of real estate and built a strong reputation for ethical business practices.
The Lyon College Class of 2011 listens to Dr. Weatherman’s opening remarks at the 139th Commencement exercises.
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Commencement scrapbook
Dickson Flake receives an honorary doctorate degree at Commencement. After Baccalaureate, seniors march to Bryan Lake for the traditional torch-lighting ceremony. Seniors surround the lake and then light torches.
Photos by Chandra Huston, Jason Light, and J. Ross Jones
Board Chairman Ray LaCroix presents an honorary degree to the Rev. Dr. Bill Branch.
Albert “Al” Parnell, ’65, gives the keynote address at Commencement. Mr. Parnell is an attorney from Atlanta, Ga., who is an expert in toxic tort litigation, Dr. Donald Weatherman presents a diploma to Eric Morgan, president of the 2011 senior class. 4
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Academic award winners
Among those receiving academic awards at Commencement were (from left) Monica Day, Jessica Lange, Erica Cox, Dr. Virginia Wray (dean of faculty), Ray LaCroix (board chairman), Meredith Davis Terrell, President Donald Weatherman, Ellen Heimbach, Patricia Purvis, Elena Rodriguez, and Vernon Crowell.
Nine Lyon College students earned awards for their academic work at Saturday’s 139th commencement. The winners are as follows: The Charles H. Coffin Medal (the highest academic award) — Elena Rodriguez of Springdale. Established as a memorial to Dr. Coffin by a former classmate of his at Lyon, the Coffin Scholarship Medal is the highest academic honor bestowed on a graduating senior, and is awarded each year to an honor graduate who has taken his or her last three years of work at the College as a regular student. The Dr. Ellis G. Mosley Fellowship — Vernon Crowell of Wynne. It is intended for use in graduate school and is awarded annually to a member of the graduating class whose academic record and promise of future service are deemed outstanding. Dr. and Mrs. John D. Spragins Award — Monica Day of Overbrook, Kan. It is given annually to a member of the graduating class who best represents the ideals of the college. The Dr. Margaret Pruden Lester Fellowship — Jessica Lange of Hooker. It is for use in graduate Spring 2011
school and is awarded to a member of the graduating class whose academic record and promise of future service are deemed outstanding by the faculty. The Daniel Seibert Fellowship — Ellen Heimbach of Rogers. It is intended for use in graduate school and is awarded to a member of the graduating class whose academic record and promise of future service are deemed outstanding by the faculty, and whose major field is in psyhology or education. Dr. Samuel W. Williams Fellowship — Tori Jones of Hazen. It is intended for use in graduate school and is awarded to a member of the graduating class whose academic record and promise of future service are deemed outstanding by the faculty. The John and Diana Dahlquist Scholar Athlete Award — Meredith Davis Terrell of Batesville and Erica Cox of Antelope, Calif. Alma Cole Metcalf Endowed Scholarship Award — Patricia Purvis of Cave City. The award is given to a graduating senior from Sharp County with the highest grade point average who will attend graduate school. 5
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2011-12 Williamson Prize awarded to Dr. David Pace Dr. R. David Pace, associate professor of chemistry, has been awarded the 201112 Lamar Williamson Prize for Excellence in Teaching. His selection was announced at the commencement ceremonies May 7 at Lyon College. The Williamson Prize is given annually by Lyon College to the faculty member deemed to be the most outstanding in four categories: professional competence, scholarly ability, exemplary humane and Christian values, and contributions to the community. Dr. Pace joined the Lyon College faculty in 2001, moving from the corporate sector to accept the position to follow his passion for teaching. In addition to teaching chemistry classes at Lyon, Pace also Dr. Pace (left) receives the Williamson Prize Cup from teaches mathematics courses including Board Chairman Raymond LaCroix at commencement. algebra and trigonometry. Pace’s passion for teaching extends to chemist, and over a seven-year period he worked on the high school level. He has served as the curriculum new projects totaling more than $20 million. coordinator for the Upward Bound Math-Science Pace said, “I am humbled before God and grateful program and has developed a three-day seminar that to the faculty of Lyon College for deeming me worthy teaches high school students how to maximize their of this honor for teaching excellence, yet I feel that I science ACT scores. He has also taught high school have only begun to pursue teaching excellence.” students in the APPLE Project summer program. Dr. Pace is the 32nd Lyon professor to receive the Beyond the classroom, Pace is an ordained minis- Williamson Prize, which was established in 1979 by ter and bi-vocational pastor of White River Baptist the Lyon Board of Trustees in memory of Lamar Church in Oil Trough. As pastor, Pace preaches two Williamson (1887-1974) of Monticello, Ark. A dissermons per week and teaches once per week. He also tinguished lawyer, businessman, and civic and is active in home ministries, counseling services, hos- Presbyterian Church leader, Williamson attended pital visitation and meal deliveries to shut-ins. He Lyon College from 1901-1903 and remained a friend tutors high school students in mathematics, physics of the College throughout his life. and chemistry. The Prize confers upon the recipient a silver cup Pace received his doctorate in chemistry in 1994 and a stipend from a memorial fund, both of which from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where were given by J. Gaston Williamson of Little Rock in he also earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Upon honor of his father. The winner of the prize presents a graduation, Pace joined the Arkansas Division of public lecture at a convocation the following academEastman Chemical Co. as an advanced development ic year. 6
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2 professors promoted, granted tenure Dr. David Wood and Dr. Patrick Mulick have been granted tenure and promoted to associate professor by the Lyon College Board of Trustees. The college’s Promotion and Tenure Committee recommended the promotions because Dr. David Wood Wood and Mulick “have demonstrated a strong record of published research, teaching experience, and academic service.” President Donald Weatherman and Dean of the Faculty Virginia Wray endorsed the recommendation, and it was approved by the Education and Executive committees of the board before final action by the full board in February. The promotions become effective on July 1. Dr. Wood, assistant professor of Spanish, earned a B.A. in history at Brigham Young University in 1992, his first M.A. in history from California State University in Sacramento in 1995, a second M.A. in Spanish Literature from Louisiana State University in 1998, and his Ph.D. in Hispanic Languages and Literatures in 2005. Dr. Wood has been teaching Spanish, literature, film, and culture courses at Lyon College since 2005. He has published four articles, one translation, and a review in the past several years. He is currently working on a book, Revision and Reflection: Reinscribing Azorin into Literary Modernity, as well as three new articles also focusing on Azorin. Additionally, Dr. Wood has worked on the Student Publications Committee at Lyon College, as well as the Nichols Study Abroad Committee, the Art Search Committee, the Athletic Committee, and as the Academic Affairs Committee’s non-tenured representative. Currently, he is Sigma Delta Pi’s faculSpring 2011
ty advisor. Dr. Mulick graduated cum laude with a B.A. in psychology and political science from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., in 1995. He earned his first M.A. in school psychology at Ball State University in Indiana in 1996 and a second M.A. in clinical psyDr. Patrick Mulick chology at Western Michigan University in 1999. He received a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo in 2003. Dr. Mulick was a teaching assistant at Ball State University and Western Michigan University before becoming an instructor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He later served as an assistant professor of psychology at Gonzaga University. In 2007, Dr. Mulick became an assistant professor at Lyon College, where he now teaches courses on Abnormal and Biological Psychology, the History and Systems of Psychology, Pain Management, the Psychology of Trauma, Psychological Testing, and a Clinical Practicum. Dr. Mulick has extensive research experience, publications, symposiums, conference presentations, Internet contributions, journal reviews, and grant funding under his belt. He also has clinical experience ranging from Ball State University’s School Psychology Clinic to serving as a clinical psychologist in the Behavioral Health Clinic at White River Medical Center in Batesville. At Lyon College, Dr. Mulick has been on the Faculty Personnel Committee, the Academic Affairs Committee, the Strategic Planning and Budget Committee, the Service Day Committee (2008), and is the faculty advisor for Psi Chi, Lyon’s national honor society for psychology students. 7
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Beck receives Fulbright grant to teach at Indonesian school By JESSICA JONES, ’12 Public Relations Intern Dr. Martha Beck, professor of philosophy at Lyon College, has been awarded a grant from the Fulbright Foundation that will allow her to spend the spring and summer terms of 2012 at the Sunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University in Bandung, Indonesia, as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar. At the Bandung university, Dr. Beck is expected to teach a western philosophy course in its graduate program, give a public lecture about western philosophy, participate in faculty discussion forums, share her work and research interest with its faculty members, and open various venues of collaborative works between the academic community at Bandung and Lyon. Dr. Beck will be on sabbatical from Lyon while participating in the Fulbright program. The Fulbright Scholar Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U. S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and those of other countries. It was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, and awards approximately 7,500 new grants annually. The Fulbright Scholarship Program has provided almost 300,000 participants with the opportunity to teach, study, and conduct research that should contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. These participants are chosen for their leadership potential and academic merit. Originally from St. Cloud, Minn., Dr. Beck joined the Lyon faculty in 1996. Her areas of scholarship include Plato, Aristotle, Greek tragedy, and archetypal psychology. Dr. Beck has served as resident faculty mentor for Young House, the upper-class residence halls. She has led four Nichols International study courses to Greece and has been a member of the Lyon
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Dr. Martha Beck College Flute Choir since 2000. She has served as chair for the annual student research forum and served on the Nichols International Studies Committee. She earned a B.A. from Hamline University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Bryn Mawr College. Dr. Beck’s many accomplishments include receiving the Williamson Prize for Faculty Excellence at Lyon in 2010; being a visiting scholar at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing in 2010; receiving an honorary award and summer research
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grants for scholarly work with the Olympic Center for Ancient Greek Philosophy and Culture; and serving as an editor for the International Journal of Decision Ethics. Dr. Beck has written about a broad range of issues that engaged the Fulbright Foundation’s interest: raising children according to Aristotle’s model of the healthy human being; the tragic nature of the human condition; the capacity of human beings to live philosophically in spite of widespread tragedy and ignorance; the philosophical foundations of Carl Jung’s psychology; the connection between Aristotle’s view and contemporary scholars working from a “systems” model of both nature and culture; and the metaphysical foundation of the universe and what that implies for the question of immortality of the soul. These themes show that Dr. Beck’s approach to Ancient Greek philosophy and culture has a counterpart in Islamic philosophy and culture at many levels. Also leading to her approval for the Fulbright grant was her book on Plato’s Phaedo, as well as four
essays she has published for the International Journal of Decision Ethics (sponsored by Oxford University), and her participation at international conferences on ancient and medieval philosophy for 11 years. She said in her abstract, “I want to do enough research so I can return to Lyon College and write about my experiences and the juxtaposition of Western and Islamic thought.” Her project, titled “Integrating the Religion and Philosophy of Islam into a Traditional Western Thought Class,” focuses on finding the intellectual bridges between Islamic and Western ideas and culture to show how the two traditions can be, and should be, integrated. Dr. Beck plans on discussing the long-standing dialogue between Islamic and Western thought that began in the Middle Ages. Dr. Beck hopes that teaching Western Thought in Indonesia will enable her to revise her class and create a new paradigm for how to teach the traditional Western Thought class, and to turn her research and teaching interests toward globalization of knowledge.
11 multimeters donated to Lyon physics program AEMC Instruments has donated 11 MX55 multimeters together with computer interfaces and software to the physics program at Lyon College. Valerie Scheer, international operations manager at AEMC, arranged the donation. The company also donated two MX55 meters to the physics program last year. As a result of the gift from AEMC, the physics program will be better able to accommodate the growing student enrollment for the spring labs. The multimeters are used in six of the 10 physics labs taught in the spring. Physics Professor Dr. Stuart Hutton said the addition of these meters assures that the physics program will be able to continue to provide high quality computer-interfaced physics labs in electricity and magnetism for years to come. Hutton said the meters have the capability of a high-input impedance. This permits, among other things, the ability to use the meters in more demanding experiments than is normally possible with standard voltmeters. These meters have also become a part of at least one of the general chemistry labs because of their special capabilities, Hutton said.
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One of the multimeters donated by AEMC.
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Student achievements are profiled Elena Rodriguez
Elena Rodriguez, a biology major with a chemistry minor from Springdale, Ark., graduated summa cum laude May 7 and received the Charles H. Coffin Medal, the College’s highest academic award. She was born in Germany, but moved to Georgia and has also lived in Washington. She jokingly commented, “I wonder where my love of travel came from.” “I came in as a Brown Scholar and got the freshman chemistry award,” Rodriguez said about her Lyon College experience. Asked who her favorite professor is, she said, “All of the bio professors are pretty awesome, but I definitely have to go with Schram. I Elena Rodriguez couldn’t guess how many hours I’ve spent in his office just talking about absolutely everything.” Future plans after Lyon include veterinary school at the University of Missouri in Columbia, but she has not decided whether to pick up a specialty yet. She has received a $1,000 scholarship from the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Foundation. Rodriquez said she may decide to live in Texas with friend and fellow senior Martha Moreno after veterinary school and specialize somewhere in a big city.
Monica Day
political science and history this year, was on the Dean’s List every semester and in the Hall of Leaders for two years. She was elected by the senior class as the Young Alumni Trustee for 20112012. Day’s future plans include attending the Bowen School of Law at the UnivMonica Day ersity of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she has earned a full fellowship that will pay for her tuition and fees. The fellowship was based on early admission to law school and also a personal statement. Day said, “I was really surprised to get the fellowship.” She said it was a lot of hard work, but worth it to stay in Arkansas. She studied international law while in Japan on her semester abroad through the Nichols International Studies. Day said her favorite professors at Lyon are her advisors, Dr. Scott Roulier and Dr. John Weinzerl; her anthropology professor, Dr. Gloria Everson; her Alpha Chi advisor Dr. Tim Lindblom; and her pre-law advisor, Dr. Terrell Tebbetts. Her favorite memories at college involve joining the Alpha Xi Delta sorority, which was “a big part of my time here; it has kept me involved,” and meeting her fiancé Jacob Didion of Fort Smith, who will be a senior and president of the Student Government Association at Lyon next fall. She and Jacob plan to marry next summer
Vernon Crowell Monica Day of Overbrook, Kan., graduated magna Vernon “D.J.” Crowell of Wynne proved to be an cum laude May 7 with a degree a political science and history and an anthropology minor. She is a member academic virtuoso during his time at Lyon College. Crowell graduated summa cum laude on May 7 and of Alpha Chi Honor Society and received the Dr. and Mrs. John D. Spragins Award at Commencement. is a member of Alpha Chi, the national college honor While at Lyon, Day received Book Awards for both society, and Chi Beta Phi, the honor society for sci10
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Student Profiles ence majors. He received the Ellis G. Mosley Fellowship, one of the College’s top academic awards. Crowell has been on the Dean’s List since the fall of 2007, and he has amassed several awards in science in that time. He received the Organic Chemistry award in 2009, the James Alexander Shanks Chemistry Award in 2010, the Physics Book Award, and the Tony Jude Award for Outstanding Vernon Crowell Research through the University of Arkansas in 2010. At the 2011 Honors Convocation in April, he received the Physics Award and the American Institute of Chemists Award. After graduation, Crowell intends to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry from Georgia Tech, thanks to a prestigious graduate fellowship from that university. Crowell said Lyon College has prepared him well for life after graduation. “I feel like I have received an excellent education,” Crowell said, “I have enjoyed learning from Lyon professors in all fields.”
Jessica Lange
Jessica Lange of Hooker, Ark., came to Lyon College her sophomore year as a transfer student, and in one year, she became one of the college’s most esteemed leaders. Lange took over as editor of The Highlander, the college newspaper, her junior year and maintained this leadership role into her senior year. Lange noted that she is very proud of how much the newspaper has grown and that due to her leadership, the paper publishes “twice as often at a reduced price due to publishing online.” As well as being an
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editor and contributor to The Highlander, she has been published in The Wheelbarrow, the college’s literary magazine published by Sigma Tau Delta, for the past three years. Jessica was a founding officer and president of the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), and she is currently a member of Alpha Jessica Lange Chi, Sigma Tau Delta, Phi Alpha Theta, and Phi Sigma Tau. Throughout the school year and during summer breaks, she tutored high school students through the APPLE Project and the Upward Bound Math-Science Program. After graduation, Lange has been offered a position with Teach for America. She will be an elementary school teacher in the Mississippi Delta region for the next two years. Lange will focus on teaching for the next couple of years, but she intends to attend graduate school in the near future. “I am so excited to be a part of educational reform in this country,” Lange said of the opportunity. Jessica graduated magna cum laude May 7 with a degree in English and history. She was awarded the Lester Fellowship, which is intended for use in graduate school and is awarded to a member of the graduating class whose academic record and promise of future service are deemed outstanding by the faculty. While at Lyon College, Jessica said she has “gained so many friends, both inside and out of the classroom.” “Lyon College has pushed me to succeed,” Lange said, “I am so glad to have found my college home in Lyon.”
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4 automated external debrillators purchased with funding from SGA By JON-MICHAEL POFF, ’13 Lyon College will soon be better equipped to handle health emergencies involving sudden cardiac arrest. The Student Government Association recently approved a $5,395 request from the Lyon College Health and Wellness Office to purchase four automated external defibrillators (AEDs). AEDs are electronic devices used to deliver an electric shock to someone suffering from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA is caused by rapid or chaotic electrical impulses in the heart. During SCA, the heart stops pumping blood through the body, shutting off flow to the brain and vital organs. A defibrillator is necessary to re-establish the heart’s natural rhythm. According to the Cardiac Science Corporation, SCA kills more than 1 million people each year, ranking among the leading causes of death worldwide. Though more than 90 percent of all SCA cases result in death, the use of a defibrillator increases the chance that a victim may survive. Lyon College Nurse LuAnn Baker, well versed in the dangers of SCA, recognized in 2007 the importance of having AEDs readily accessible on campus. But, as Baker also recognized, AEDs are not cheap. Finding funds would be a difficult task that would take more than three years to accomplish. In 2007, Chad Wann, the son of Associate Professor Dr. Garry Wann, interned in Baker’s office. During that time, he researched AEDs for Baker. Armed with statistics, Baker set out to purchase AEDs. She first considered applying for a grant. The college, however, has only one employee who writes grants for the institution. She then requested money for AEDs in the Health and Wellness Office budget, but the request was denied. “Sometimes you just don’t know how to ask for things,” Baker said. Finally, Baker decided to approach the SGA and ask for the money. She determined that the college needed 10 AEDs, each one to be placed within three minutes of any location on campus. As Baker told the SGA, a per12
College Nurse LuAnn Baker shows one of the AEDs in the Morrow Building. son’s survival rate decreases by 10 percent for every minute that passes after SCA without cardiopulmonary resuscitation and AED access. While ambulances carry AEDs, campus response time varies from six to 20 minutes—minutes an SCA sufferer cannot afford to waste. Although the college’s athletic trainer has an AED in the gym, it is generally available only during athletic events or practices when the trainer is on campus. Instead of asking SGA to fund the purchase of 10 AEDs at once, Baker proposed splitting the purchase between the spring and fall semesters of 2011. She asked the SGA to fund the purchase of four AEDs this semester, as Dean of Students Bruce Johnston had agreed to purchase one already. She will ask the SGA to fund the purchase of five more in the fall. Johnston presented the request to the SGA on behalf of Baker, who was unable to attend the meeting. The SGA passed the request unanimously. The vote came after a discussion period during which one of the SGA’s own members shared his per-
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sonal battle with a heart condition. One evening in February 2011, Jerry Davis, the sophomore class representative to the SGA, was playing basketball in the gym with his friends. When they finished, he decided to take a break, realizing he needed to cool off. A short time later, however, Davis went to the campus game room to play table tennis with a friend. While playing, Davis’s heart began racing, and his body grew faint. Davis and his friend quit playing and walked back to apartment row to rest. On their way, however, Davis struggled to keep himself upright. Luckily, his friend caught him as he fell, laid him on the ground, and summoned ambulance services immediately. In the meantime, Davis struggled to breathe, and his heart continued to race. The ambulance arrived about 20 minutes after Davis’ friend called for help, and Davis was transported to the White River Medical Center for observation. At the SGA meeting, Davis shared his story and his support for funding the project. “20 minutes is just too long,” Davis said. “I really believe that AEDs are a good thing to have around because you never know when you’re going to need one.” Fortunately, Davis did not need an AED that night. Nonetheless, the fact that he—or any person on campus—could enter SCA and need an AED is reason enough to support the program, Davis said. Dr. Terrell Tebbetts, the Martha Heasley Cox Chair in American Literature, agreed. He supported
the funding effort in memory of Otto Schwartz, an Arkansas College student and a friend of Tebbetts, who died in the early 1970s from an undiagnosed heart disorder. Tebbetts shared Schwartz’s story with the SGA. In 1970, Schwartz entered what was then Arkansas College. “Otto was a handsome, outgoing young man, popular all over campus among students and faculty alike,” Tebbetts said. In addition, Schwartz was a member of the varsity swim team and a member of the local fraternity Gamma Delta Iota, which developed into the current Kappa Sigma chapter. Schwartz and his fraternity brothers held a car wash one Saturday morning, but after feeling nauseated, Schwartz returned to campus to lie down. Much to their horror, his brothers discovered Schwartz dead in his room later that afternoon. An autopsy revealed that Schwartz had died of a heart attack. “If only AEDs were available 40 years ago,” Tebbetts said, “Otto would now be a husband, a father, a man on top of a great career, and a loyal Lyon alum. “I am grateful we have AEDs now,” he added. “I wish we’d name our AED program in his memory— the Otto H. Schwartz AED System. He was a friend I’ll always miss.” Baker was appreciative of the SGA’s decision to support the AED program. “If it saves one life, it will be more than worth it,” Baker said.
Plans to rebuild student center moving forward Lyon College is moving forward with plans to rebuild its student center and dining hall after a fire destroyed both in October. Architects from Roark Perkins Perry Yelvington Architects in Little Rock met with students, faculty, and staff in April to find out what they would like to see incorporated into the new building. Ideas given to the architects included stages for performances, banquet rooms, meeting rooms, health and wellness areas, a game room, a snack bar, the campus store, the mailroom and lounges. Spring 2011
Edwards Commons, which was destroyed by the Oct. 26, 2010, fire, housed student life offices, a bookstore, Lyon Den snack bar, and a game room in addition to the dining hall. The cause of the Edwards Commons fire has yet to be determined. Students, faculty, and staff also said they would like the new building to be as energy efficient as possible. Architects will meet with the administration to determine a final scope of work. Contractors will then be invited to bid on the project. 13
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Lyon grad loses pounds for love; sheds 245 pounds, gains a wife Like many guys, Kevin Vornheder, ’04, made the most dramatic change of his life for a girl. In fact, the 2004 Lyon College graduate wasn’t even trying to change. He just wanted to appear to be trying to change so the girl would date him. Vornheder’s plan worked — the girl agreed to date him. And in the process he lost a staggering 245 pounds. Vornheder, a Mountain Home native, has been overweight since he was a teenager. He said the last time he was able to weigh himself on a regular scale was when he was in junior high school. During his time at Lyon College, Vornheder said he would eat several plates of food at one sitting in the college’s dining hall at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He also would drive to class instead of walk. When he joined the choir in his senior year and was fitted for a tuxedo, his waist was 72 inches — a full six feet. “I kept saying ‘it’s not that bad,’” he said. “It’s really not that bad.” Vornheder said he never grasped exactly how much weight he had gained over time. “(Gaining weight) is easy to do in tiny measures,” he said. “We don’t gain 500 pounds at once. That would be terrifying. We get bigger over several years, and it doesn’t scare us because we don’t notice. It is very easy to creep up on us.” Vornheder’s family became concerned about his ballooning weight. He had developed sleep apnea and had to sleep with a machine to force oxygen into his system. He occasionally had chest pains and always had back pain. At his family’s urging, Vornheder went to a doctor who had to use a bariatric scale to weigh him. The scale showed Vornheder weighed 517 pounds, earning him the nickname “Quarter Ton of Fun” from his friends. Still, Vornheder downplayed the seriousness of the situation. He lived up to his nickname by having fun with his friends, eating unhealthy foods, and mak14
Kevin Vornheder, ’04, talks about his weight loss. His fiance (now wife) Rebekah Lonon is in the background. ing jokes at his own expense. “If you’re a fat man, you better be a jolly fat man,” he said. “I would laugh and joke around about my weight with people so that I would be laughing with them instead of being laughed at.” On Christmas Eve 2009, Vornheder asked his longtime friend Rebeckah Lonon if he could take her out on a date. By that time, he weighed 583 pounds. Lonon’s response wasn’t a flat-out “no,” but instead a conditional “maybe.” She said she couldn’t stand to watch Vornheder die, which is what she suspected The Piper
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would happen if something didn’t change. “She said ‘I can’t be in love with you if you are going to do this to yourself,’” he said. Lonon said if Vornheder attempted to live a healthier lifestyle, she would consider dating him. “I didn’t think I would lose weight and be healthier,” he said. “I just wanted to make it look like I was attempting to be healthier so she would date me.” Vornheder decided to become a vegetarian for a month. He went from eating sausage, egg, and cheese on toast to eating cereal for breakfast. He replaced meat with salads and sweets with low-fat options. Vornheder also went to a weight-loss orientation meeting sponsored by a local doctor and learned about aerobic exercise. The doctor told him to get up and move as much as he could, then move more as the weight dropped. “I thought I was so heavy that I wouldn’t be able to move enough to get the weight off,” he said. Vornheder had bought a Wii for his mother for Christmas, and he began playing tennis and bowling games for 30 minutes every day. He said by the end of the half hour he would be drenched in sweat and could barely stand. At a second weigh-in after he began sticking to his diet and exercise program, Vornheder found he had lost 22 pounds. It was that weight loss that gave him the encouragement to take the program further than he ever intended. Initially, he took Alli, a drug that blocks some of the fat that you eat, keeping it from being absorbed by the body. He later stopped taking it. More importantly, he also started writing down everything he ate. “For years I had said I was eating a little bit of this and a little bit of that,” he said. “When I started writing it down, a little bit turned out to be a lot, and I mean a lot. It was so eye-opening to write it down and see exactly what I was eating.” Vornheder, who likes to cook, began to prepare his own healthy meals such as chicken burritos, lean chili, and grilled tilapia. He carefully measures out the ingredients and pays close attention to calories and grams of fat. He also increased his exercise level, going from working out 30 minutes on the Wii to an hour and then several hours, until the machine could no longer challenge him. Then he walked and ran around his neighborhood. And the pounds disappeared. Vornheder began his weight-loss journey at 583 Spring 2011
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pounds. As of Feb. 17, he weighed 338 pounds. His target weight is 233 pounds. His waistline went from 72 inches to 48 inches. He recently bought pants at a store, a first for him in several years. Vornheder said he still has a lot of hard work ahead of him. He restricts himself to 1,800 calories per day and 19 grams of fat. He takes “diet holidays” on special occasions, but makes up for it with extra exercise. “I’ve accepted that I’m never going to have sixpack abs,” he said. “I’m never going to be a guy with big muscles. It’s just not going to happen. I did too much damage to my body for that to happen. What I can be is healthy. What I can do is breathe at night without a machine, which I now do. What I can do is get out of a chair gracefully.” All of Vornheder’s work has paid off for him not only physically, but also romantically. Lonon and Vornheder started dating after Vornheder initiated his healthier lifestyle. It’s something they do together. The two were married in April.
Kevin and College Nurse LuAnn Baker hold up pants that Kevin wore before his weight loss. 15
Scenes from the 32nd Arkansas Scottish Festival
Photos by Kevin Pieper 16
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Students researching pain By SAMANTHA JONES, ’14 For the past year, Lyon College senior Karen Rorex and sophomore Clare Brown have been working as co-coordinators for a number of pain clinic research projects under the guidance of Dr. Patrick Mulick, assistant professor of psychology at Lyon, and two White River Medical Center pain physicians, Drs. Meraj and Shazia Siddiqui. Mulick and the Siddiquis work closely together at the hospital, providing psychological and medical treatment to individuals who suffer from chronic pain. During their work together, they began to discuss their mutual interest in developing a research team focused on the study of pain management. The Siddiquis had access to the population and location, while Mulick was able to provide the manpower in the form of student research assistants. Over the past two years, approximately 20 psychology and biology students from Lyon College have participated on the team. The team has done research on several projects to date. One of the projects was a neurotomy study, which concerned patients with back pain. “When a patient has back pain, the doctors kill the nerve to prevent the pain,” Brown explained. Doctors kill the nerve by using either heat or chemicals. The team compared the effectiveness and speed of these methods on back pain. The initial data collection phase of this study has been completed. The research team continues to follow up with participants who were involved in the study to assess the long-term effectiveness of these interventions. “Currently, we’re working on a study that compares different pain scales,” Brown said during the spring semester. This study uses the Visual Analogue Scale to determine a patient’s level of pain. The VAS measures pain on a scale from one to 10, one being the least pain and 10 being the most. There are a variety 18
of VAS measures used to determine how patients assess their pain. For example, one scale is comprised solely of drawn faces. The least pain is represented by the happiest facial expression and the most pain is represented by the most melancholy face. Two other scales used by the team are a colored scale and a simple 10-centimeter line. The team is administering these scales to participants at two different times, once with the research team and once with the physician, in an attempt to assess which version of the scale is the most reliable and valid. “It’s really a comparison of what a patient will tell you compared to their physician,” Rorex said. Meraj and Shazia Siddiqui, who are husband and wife, support the study both financially and through direct personal assistance. The Siddiquis pay the cocoordinators for their work, which involves a variety of tasks such as writing proposals, coordinating the Drs. Meraj and Shazia Siddiqui research team, and collecting and entering data. The Siddiquis oversee the activities that take place in their pain clinic, making sure the research is being done correctly, the data is being processed, and that patient confidentiality is being protected. “Dr. Siddiqui really wants the students he works with to understand all the biological processes behind it, and he’s really good at trying to explain things,” Brown said. “He asks a lot of questions to make sure you understand.” Brown and Rorex both highly recommend the program to any interested students. Brown, who wants The Piper
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Lyon promotes healthy lifestyles By JESSICA JONES, ’12 Every year, Lyon College students receive multiple calls to action about their health. From e-mails to fliers and guest lecturers, students are provided with information about ways to stay healthy. One major proponent for healthy faculty, staff, and students is the school nurse, LuAnn Baker. Periodically, Nurse Baker sends out e-mails reminding students to get their flu shots, to practice good hygiene, and to participate in healthy activities like the Biggest Winner Competition. “The Biggest Winner Competition is in its third semester, with some people participating multiple times,” Baker said shortly before the end of the spring semester. “Because I insist on a slow but steady weight loss, 1½ to 2 pounds per week, it’s easy to get discouraged,” Baker said, “but those who stick with the program really see some dramatic results over the semester-long competition.” Students may now participate in the Biggest Winner Competition to satisfy their physical education credit, and Nurse Baker expects the school to continue offering this option. Nurse Baker also encourages faculty, staff, and students in the school’s recognition of The Great American Smoke Out (an American Cancer Society program that encourages people to stop smoking) by enforcing a Smoke Free Quad and participating in Kick Butts Day.
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to work with children to determine how psychological pain factors into physical pain, said that colleges located in a town as small as Batesville generally do not have many opportunities for medical research experience. Brown noted that the experience the pain clinic offers will help students gain admission into graduate school or medical school. “It looks awesome on resumes and applications,” Rorex said. Spring 2011
“It was quite popular with some, and not so much with others. It at least gained some attention,” Baker said. Kick Butts Day has “sparked some SGA attention,” according to Baker, “so we will see what happens there.” Intramurals, the outdoor program, and the weight room have also given students more opportunities to become healthier. Coach Matthew Creamer runs the intramural program, which includes events in flag football, basketball, dodge ball, bowling, volleyball, and badminton. “I thought last semester was very competitive, and a lot came out and participated hard,” Creamer said, “I hope to see the same next semester.” Many students have taken it upon themselves to stay healthy. Freshman Emmey Jaynes said, “I go to the gym 34 times a week, and I do yoga in my room with an app on my phone.” Jaynes’s friends actively try to stay healthy too. “Xander does martial arts, Natalie runs, and Ryan hits things with swords,” she laughed. Ryan Deschanes, junior, practices western swordsmanship. Basketball star and junior Jacob Worlow said “I make a point to do some sort of rigorous physical activity every day, and it is very gratifying.” Baker said, “We are developing new programs to encourage more activity, encouraging people to eat better, and exposing the community to information they can use to prevent chronic disease.”
The program has also helped the two better develop their future aspirations. Rorex, who is taking a year off to consider a career in the pharmaceutical field, praised the program for giving students an opportunity to work in their potential field. Brown noted that she wants to do virtually the same work in the future, just “with a different age group.” “It has exposed me to a completely different side of the field,” Rorex said, “It’s been very interesting and rewarding.” 19
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Board nominates Wood, Jones for Synod of Sun trustee positions The Lyon College Board of Trustees has nominated Scott Wood of Batesville for a four-year term on the board beginning in July. The board took the action April 15 at its spring meeting on the Lyon campus. Also nominated to be a Synod of the Sun trustee was David Jones, ’99, a Scott Wood Little Rock attorney who has been serving as an alumni trustee representing out-of-state alums. Jones and his family have moved back to Arkansas so the board acted to transition him to a Synod trustee position. The board also nominated four current Synod trustees for new four-year terms as well. They are Kay Kelley Arnold, vice president for public affairs for Entergy, and J. D. Simpson III, senior vice president of Stephens, Inc., both of Little Rock; Shane Smith, ’93, a Jonesboro physician; and Robert A. Young III of Fort Smith, chairman of Arkansas Best Corp. The Synod of the Sun, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is expected to approve the nominations before the new terms begin in July. Scott Wood is dealer and general manager of Scott Wood Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep in Batesville. He is a Batesville High School graduate and received his business administration degree from the University of Arkansas. He has been a member of the Batesville School Board for 11 years and has served two terms as board president. He received the Friend of Education Award from Lyon in 2005. In 2010, Wood was named by Time magazine as its Dealer of the Year. Jones returned to Arkansas from Indiana last year and joined the law firm of Wright, Lindsey & Jennings in Little Rock. His wife, Leticia, ’01, prac-
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tices obstetrics and gynecology at the Grace Clinic for Women in Little Rock. David is also president of the Lyon College Alumni Association. Re-elected officers of the board were Raymond L. LaCroix, Jr., of Batesville, chair; Stephen P. Williams, ’82, of Little Rock, vice David Jones chair; Dianne Lamberth of Batesville, secretary; and Charles B. Whiteside III of Little Rock, treasurer. Recognized at the board meeting Friday were two advisory trustees and the new Young Alumni Trustee, all of whom will join the board in July. Monica Day of Overbrook, Kan., is the newly elected Young Alumni Trustee. The advisory trustees are Kenton Adler of Batesville, who was elected by the Staff Assembly to represent the staff, and Jacob Didion of Fort Smith, who was elected the new Student Government Association president and representative to the board. At a faculty and trustees appreciation dinner April 14 at Becknell Gymnasium, outgoing trustees and advisory trustees were recognized for their service to the board and to the college. Earlier in the day, the trustees had approved resolutions expressing appreciation for their service. Going off the board, effective in June, are Dr. R. Sloan Wilson of Rye, N.H.; Mrs. Barbara Hoover of Little Rock; and Doyle W. “Rog” Rogers, Jr., of Batesville. Wilson, a retired eye surgeon, served on the board from 1981-1998 and rejoined the board in 1999 and has served ever since. He was a member of the Education and Executive committees during his tenure. He was presented with a Lyon College chair
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Tornado Cross Garden dedicated The Tornado Cross Garden at John Griffith. Lyon College was dedicated April In 2010, supporters of the 14 in honor of the late Dr. C. library wanted to improve the Fitzhugh Spragins, a beloved memcourtyard. Larry Coleman, a master ber of the Lyon community who gardener in Batesville, was consultserved as professor of religion for 30 ed, and he created a plan for a years before retiring in 1995. Japanese Meditation Garden, The garden is located in a small inspired by the existing Japanese courtyard in the Mabee-Simpson maples. Library at Lyon. The Tornado The project was finalized, and Cross was torn off the steeple of then the request went out for gifts. Brown Chapel during the 1973 torMrs. Hope Spragins, Dr. Spragins’ nado that completely destroyed widow, led the effort to raise funds. two buildings and heavily damaged Friends and relatives of Dr. several others on campus. As devSpragins along with the Mabeeastating as the tornado was, no one Simpson Friends of the Library was killed. helped complete the project. A As people wandered around in landscaping company was hired The Tornado Cross stands in shock that day, Dr. Spragins, ’57, and the garden makeover was comthe library garden dedicated the Brown Professor of Religion, pleted in October 2010. in honor of Dr. Spragins. found the cross and tucked it away The Tornado Cross Garden in his office where it stayed for 22 years until his includes two fountains, boulders covered with moss, retirement in 1995. large flagstones leading to the cross, wooden furniture On Oct. 21, 1995, the cross was placed in the for relaxing, and landscaping that includes exotic library courtyard and dedicated by then-President plants, trees, and shrubs.
Board of Trustees for his faithful service to the College. Mrs. Hoover joined the board in 2003 and has served on the Education, Institutional Advancement, and Trusteeship committees. Rogers served as a trustee from 1990 to 2002 and rejoined the board in 2003. He has served as a member of the Audit, Business and Finance, and Student Life committees as well as the Investment Subcommittee. Neither Mrs. Hoover nor Rogers were present for the dinner or board meeting. Also recognized was Ms. Jordan Lupo, ’09, who has served as a Young Alumni Trustee since 2009. She is a student at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Scott Roulier was recognized for his service to Spring 2011
(Continued from Page 20) the board as a faculty representative since the 2009 academic year. His term ends in June. Dr. Roulier is the John D. Trimble, Sr., Professor of Political Philosophy. Dr. Tim Lindblom, associate professor of biology, will succeed Roulier as a faculty representative. A resolution was read and presented to Trustee Mark Nichols on behalf of the Nichols family in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Nichols International Studies Program. The program was made possible by a gift from then-Trustee Shuford Nichols and his wife, Laura. Since its creation, the Nichols program has made it possible for more than 1,000 Lyon students to travel abroad and study in dozens of locations around the world. 21
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4 inducted into Hall of Fame The past and the present collided March 26 as four were inducted into the Lyon College Athletic Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame events are held all over the world, honoring individuals and groups for their accomplishments, and enshrining their place in history. During Lyon’s 2011 Athletic Hall of Fame event, history and modern technology came together when former Scots baseball coach Kirk Kelley had to join the festivities via Skype from Bartlesville, Okla. Joining Kelley in the 2011 class were former baseball players Patrick Kircher and Elbert Lindsey, and former basketball player Dr. Freddy Avant. Inducted into the Lyon Athletic Hall of Fame in March were Kelley, who is currently the (from left) Patrick Kircher, Elbert Lindsey, and Dr. Freddy Avant. head baseball coach at Former baseball coach Kirk Kelley also was inducted. Oklahoma Wesleyan, was to fly to Batesville to take part in the Alumni Services and Development. “Even through a ceremony on Saturday evening after coaching his Skype connection and a big video screen, he comteam in Bartlesville earlier that afternoon. mands tremendous respect.” Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, and Eric Scott, the Lyon sports information director, Kelley was unable to fly to the event. felt that technology made the event happen. With the help of technology, Kelley was able to “It really is amazing that someone can be sitting still be a part of the occasion, joining the ceremony in front of a computer in one state, and still give an by teleconference via Skype, where he presented amazing speech, even getting me a little choked up,” Kircher, one of his former players, and accepted his said Scott. “Coach Kelley was very honored by the Hall of Fame honor. induction, and loved the fact that he could still be a Despite sitting at a desk almost six hours away part of the night.” from Becknell Gym, Kelley’s emotional acceptance Kelley closed the evening with his acceptance, speech still touched the hearts of everyone in atten- wrapping up a night with other encouraging and dance. motivating acceptance speeches from the other three “We missed having Kirk and his wife Marcia and inductees. all the precious Kelley kids on campus again, but it Lindsey was the first honoree to accept his award. was hard to find a dry eye in the room after Coach A current resident of Batesville, Lindsey remembered Kelley’s comments,” said Gina Garrett, Director of his time at then-Arkansas College, telling stories of 22
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his first few years of Scots baseball. He went on to recognize his family, including his son Will, who is a current member of the Scots baseball team. Former coach and longtime faculty member Fred Wann presented Lindsey. Dr. Freddy Avant, a 1980 graduate of Arkansas College, followed Lindsey. Dr. Avant spoke about his time at the college and his playing days for Coach LaVaughn Robertson. Avant talked about how the faculty, staff, and Lyon family helped him prepare for the real world and encouraged him all the way through his doctorate degree. Coach Kelley was unable to attend the Hall of Fame ceremony Dr. Avant is currently a because of bad weather, but he appeared via teleconference. full professor at Stephen F. Austin (Texas) State University. all-Section awards in 1996-97. After Kelley’s first appearance as a presenter, Kelley was the leader of the baseball program from Kircher came to the stage to accept his honor as a 1993 to 2009, winning 532 games. He coached five hall of famer. Kircher explained to those in atten- All-Americans and seven NAIA scholar-athletes. dance how playing for Kelley in the mid-’90s and Before the new members of the Hall of Fame attending Lyon made him a better person, not only accepted their honors, two special awards were given on the field and in the classroom, but in life. out: Dennis Gillam of Judsonia received the Booster Since the college brought back baseball in the of the Year award, and David Parker of Batesville was early ’90s, Kircher was one of the first few players to recognized for his work as the outgoing president of win post-season honors in a Scots uniform, winning the Hall of Fame selection committee.
2 new soccer coaches join Lyon College athletic staff Two new soccer coaches joined the Lyon College athletic staff earlier this year as Mitch McKay was appointed men’s soccer head coach in January and Ben Parman was hired to head the women’s program in late February. During the 2010 soccer season, McKay served as the assistant to both the men’s and women’s teams at Lyon. A native of Owosso, Mich., McKay attended Spring 2011
college at Southern Wesleyan (S.C.), graduating in 2009 with a degree in Business Administration. Parman comes to Lyon after serving as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s programs at Hendrix College in Conway for the past three seasons. While at Hendrix, Parman had a hand in nearly all aspects of the program’s operations. Parman is a graduate of Luther College (Iowa). 23
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Hodges closes career with honors Lyon College women’s basketball senior K.K. Hodges closed her distinguished career, with the honor of being named a 2011 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics AllAmerican Honorable Mention. This is the third time in her career she has been named an All-American, receiving a second team honor in 2010 and a honorable mention in 2009. She was also named First Team All-TranSouth Athletic Conference, an honor Hodges picked up on three occasions (2009-11). In her freshman season, the Wynne, Ark., native was selected to the conference’s second team. Junior teammate Lauren Ramsey was also named to the Second Team All-TSAC, just days after becoming the 13th Lyon women’s basketball player K.K. Hodges in action during the 2010-11 season. to enter into the 1,000-point club. Ramsey closed the season (Arkansas College) with 1,988 points, and the with 1,040 points, and will more than likely enter the school’s career-leading rebounder with 970. She avertop five in career scoring at Lyon next season. aged 16 points a game over her career playing for the Hodges averaged 16.8 Scots (also known as the Pipers before this past seapoints and eight rebounds a son) while pulling down nearly eight rebounds a game for the Scots this seagame. son. Lyon finished 18-14 “It is pretty special that she will have such a recoverall, with a 7-9 conferognized place in Lyon College women’s basketball ence record, ending their history,” Head Coach Tracy Stewart-Lange said of her season with a loss against accomplishments at Lyon. “She has certainly made eventual national runnergreat contributions to our program throughout her up Union (Tenn.) in the four years, and I feel pretty fortunate to have been conference tournament able to coach her.” quarterfinals. On Feb. 9, 2008, in her freshman season, Hodges Earlier this season, dropped what would end up being a career-high 37 Hodges became the careerpoints against conference opponent Trevecca Lauren Ramsey leading scorer at Lyon Nazarene (Tenn.). 24
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Note from the President of the Alumni Association Dear Friends, As I suspect is the case for many of you, I welcome any opportunity to be what my children have termed “The hero.” In the world of nineand eleven-year-olds, being dubbed hero requires very little heavy lifting. An extra scoop of ice cream here, a bent bedtime there or, my children’s collective favorite, an assist with pursuading the unreasonable parent (usually me), and violá, you're king for a day. Unlike my efforts to play Superman to my children’s Lois Lane, our efforts to rebuild our charished student center and dining hall is proving a Herculean task. This task is clearly surmountable in a community that prides itself on living by the maxim: “Perseverance conquers all, God willing.” However, overcoming this obstacle will require a league of heroes. In response to the various calls that have gone out (and some before even the first trumpet) numerous heroes have already dawned their mask and cape and rose to the aid of their alma mater. To these selfless heroes, most of whom are content to remain anonymous, on behalf of your Alumni Council and our entire Alumni Association, I have been asked to deliver a simple message: THANK YOU. You give us all hope that our proverbial city will not fall to our most formidable common foe. Known by many aliases, including apathy, lethargy, indifference, and slothfulness, this enemy has successfully thwarted many worthwhile efforts and threatens our current enterprise. Let there be no confusion, our mission is clearly defined. We seek to erect a student center and dining hall that will once again serve as the heart of our campus. Despite the weight of our task, we’re Spring 2011
“in it to win it” and, working as a team, will certainly prevail. As an oft-repeated idiom states, “There is no ‘I’ in ‘team.’” However, as I often remind my children, there is an “I” in “win.” Simply put, what can “I” do to ensure the success of our collective enterprise. And so, in what is my final entry as president of your Alumni Council, I make this final call to arms. We are looking for a few good women and men willing to join the marshaling league of heroes who have already lofted the opening volley toward our common mission of erecting a student center and dining hall of which we can all be proud. Make no mistake, this is a task to which you are fully equal. While we welcome and applaud the supermen and women among us who have stepped up in an overwhelming show of support, we equally welcome and applaud the efforts of the “Clark Kents” and “Lois Lanes” among us. For those among us who are ready to be that hero, Lyon's online donation link is located on its website, www.lyon.edu. Thank you in advance for your support and for allowing me this opportunity to serve you as Alumni Council President and Alumni Trustee. Sincerely,
David L. Jones, ’99 25
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John Bearden, ’49, was selected by the Missouri State Department of Education as a “pioneer in education.” Betsy (Spragins) GillaspyWilliams, ’61, moved from Russellville to Conway after her husband retired in May 2010. Johnny Henderson, ’73, writes, “I completed my doctorate in mathematics at Nebraska and then spent three years at the University of Missouri. My family and I then sought a move to the Sun Belt, which took us to Auburn University for twenty years. Then an opportunity arose that brought us to Baylor University eight and a half years ago.” Denise Nemec, ’76, writes, “Two of my poems, ‘Hand Stitches’ and ‘When Trees Walked the Earth,’ were published in the 2010 issue of Descant, Texas Christian University’s literary journal. Also, an essay and another poem were placed in contests sponsored by the Ozark Creative Writer’s Conference in October.”
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B I R T H S Catherine Parrish, ’92, husband Chris Fitter, and daughter Sophie welcomed fraternal twin boys, Michael and Julian Fitter, on March 5, 2009.
the parents of two little girls. Lots of princess dresses and dolls here!”
Crystal (Dickerson) Walker, ’00, writes, “We welcomed our Loretta (Magness) Wallace, second son, Ethan Cole Walker, ’93, and husband Jason write, on February 6, 2011. He “We proudly announce the birth weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces. of Vivian Faye, who was born in We are all doing well.” August [2010]. She is so precious, and her big sister, Ava, Christy (Sullivan) Williford, and big brother, Eric, adore her.” ’00, writes, “John and I are proud to announce the birth of Sarah (Yeager) Boelhouwer, our second daughter, Hannah, ’96, and husband Eric wel- on November 29, 2010. Big siscomed their fourth child, Elliott ter Abby is 2½ and loves her Carrington, on February 14, new baby sister!” 2011. Kathy (Cater) Davidson, ’01, Jonathan and Katie (Hecox) and husband Brandon write, Biron, ’99, ’99, write, “Gave birth to our second child, “Charlotte Pearl Biron was born a baby boy, on January 5, 2010. June 19, 2010, at Lakeside Birth He is a joy!” Center in Bonney Lake, Washington. Big sister Emma Rita (Brown) Hastie, ’09, and absolutely adores Charlotte, and husband Neil report the birth of we are having a great time being a son, Findlay William Hastie, on November 25, 2010.
Tom Nixon, ’77, received two “Most Valuable Performance” awards at Ozarks Medical Center in 2010.
our clients with Parkinson’s disease The Journal, an online journal of thrive. I’m also a freelance writer, contemporary literary writing of and I tutor ESL.” Central Appalachia and the Mountain South edited by Silas Judi Qualls, ’86, has been promot- House and others. Additionally, Jim Hamilton, ’80, writes, “I’m a ed to Director of Annual Giving at “Little Sister” and “A Prayer” social worker at the VA Hospital the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth appeared in Assisi: An Online in Little Rock.” Ranches in Batesville. Journal of Arts and Letters, published by St. Francis College, Catherine Paul, ’83, writes, “I’m Tracy (Prior) Seffers, ’87, reports Spring 2011. Other recent poetry at the Parkinson’s Resource Center that four of her poems have been publications include “Yalad’” in of Spokane (Washington) writing recently accepted for publication Bluestone Review, Bluefield PSAs, newsletters, online/social in juried poetry journals. “To College, Spring 2009, and media content, grants, etc., and Know a River” and “Two-Dog “Shenandoah River Sequence working with universities to help Night” appeared in June in Still: (Sycamore at Morning, Noon, 26
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W E D D I N G S Misti (Pond) Gieber, ’89, married Michael Scott Gieber on January 14, 2011. Jessica (Cameron) Dill, ’10, and Justin Dill, ’10, were united in marriage on July 19, 2010. River Moon Rising)” in the Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Shepherd University, Spring 2010. Martha (Thompson) Bowman, ’88, writes, “I am thrilled to announce that my first children's book, It's Hard to Hug a Porcupine, is done and ready for purchase. This book, illustrated by Laurie Barrows, is based on my song by the same name. The books can be purchased through www.CreateSpace.com or through my own website, www.MusicalLifeLessons.com.” Michelle (Erwin) Fayard, ’89, writes, “I've recently been appointed as editor of two publication series for the University of California’s Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. My job is to take technical information and rewrite it in a user-friendly way, so readers are inspired to manage their gardens and orchards with the least amount of pesticides. For variety I also design publications for the department, such as our annual report. It is a rewarding position, especially given that my husband, Marcelo, and I also are growers; we have a small walnut
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orchard where we live in Tehama County.”
Jonathan and Katie (Hecox) Biron, ’99, ’99, report that Jonathan was recently promoted to Roger and Cheri (Engle) Environmental Health and Safety Weitkamp, ’91, ’92, report that Manager at Weyerhaeuser in Roger’s job with Coca-Cola has Federal Way, Washington, while moved them to the United Katie recently left her job as a Kingdom. Cheri writes, “Our boys, pediatric triage RN to be a stay-atparticularly our ten-year-old, were home mom to their daughters, not thrilled with the move, but I Emma and Charlotte. do think they will grow to love it – and then complain someday when Leah (Vest) DiPietro, ’99, recentwe leave! We are currently in ly accepted a position as Health Maidenhead, just west of Care Series Editor at Thompson Heathrow, but will be looking for a Publishing in Washington, D.C. In more permanent situation in her new role, she is responsible for Gerrards Cross or Beaconsfield a variety of print and electronic soon (both northwest of London). newsletters and manuals for health Roger’s office is in Uxbridge, and professionals across the U.S. the boys’ school is a mile from there in Hillingdon, so we are hop- David Jones, ’99, is one of 20 ing to shorten the commute a bit.” attorneys who have been selected William and Patty (Shelton) Cash, to participate in the 2011 Arkansas ’93, ’94, write, “[We] went to four Bar Association Leadership Hawaiian Islands this past summer. Academy. The inaugural class We spent time on each island. We brings together a diverse group of were gone sixteen days. About a emerging leaders from across the month later we went on a cruise to state in an intensive six-month Alaska. We love to travel and plan program. The Academy’s mission is to go to Egypt and Israel this com- to create a diverse network of ing summer.” lawyers equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values to provide Sandra Greenway, ’98, has been dynamic leadership to the legal hired as executive director of professions, their communities, and Connemara Conservancy, which the state. works in conservation education and in promoting and managing Janice (Williams) Waggoner, ’99, conservation easements on private writes “I received my license to property in Texas. Sandra has 14 practice architecture early this year years of experience with non-prof- and received my EDAC certificaits in the Dallas area, including tion. We’re enjoying parenthood leading Shakespeare Dallas. She and are eager to get a good night’s has also worked with The Dallas sleep once again.” Opera, Algomod Technologies Corporation, and the University of Jon Orsborn, ’01, reports that he Mississippi. She has an MFA from has passed his board exams and is the University of Mississippi. “officially a board certified pedia-
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trician.” He is currently in a pedi- paintings (I’ve worked on several atrics ER fellowship at Children's from Versailles) furniture (mostly Hospital in Little Rock. from the 18th century), sculpture (marble and several other materiKristy (Barrington) Hutchinson, als) and some works on paper, ’03, will be directing Suessical! including books. I have my own this summer at Faulkner Academy climate-controlled studio at home of Arts in Conway. She will also be in Marion, Arkansas. I still work teaching two drama classes to help full time at the Dixon and do actors prepare for the production. restoration about 20-30 Kristy has worked with various act- hours/week. I’m just wrapping up a ing companies across the country, few weeks of work on an 8,000 lb. spending the majority of her career marble pedestal from the sculpture at the Arkansas Arts Center in academy in Paris from the 1820s. Little Rock. As far as my own work, I do manage to squeeze some time in for Adam Long, ’06, has published his that as well. I have mainly been second article in a scholarly jour- doing commissioned work at prenal since entering graduate school. sent, but I do have two paintings His essay, titled “Can Estrella of my own I have been working Speak?: The Voice of the on.” Subaltern,” is in the current issue of The International Journal of the Nadine (Sullinger) Grady, ’07, Humanities. The essay examines has earned a Master of the use of language in Helena Accountancy degree from UALR. Marie Viramontes’s Under the Feet of Jesus. Adam reports that he Kris Koelemay, ’08, is currently recently passed his qualifying participating in the University of exams and has begun work on his Arkansas School of Law’s Federal dissertation. He is pursuing a Ph.D. Public Defender Externship in English at the University of Program in Fayetteville. The proKansas. gram is offered to two second- and third-year students each fall and Eric Bork, ’07, writes, “About a spring semester, and gives those year ago I decided to take my selected valuable real-world legal museum experience and combine experience in the office of Federal it with my painting and chemistry Public Defender Jenniffer Horan. knowledge, along with art handling experience and start my own Rita (Brown) Hastie, ’09, writes restoration business. It has actually “I work at a daily newspaper, where turned out to be quite profitable. I we print two editions each day. It’s kind of have my thumb on the hectic to say the least. I can’t tell market in Memphis. I restore you how much [Lyon’s] advanced
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comp class helped me. All those grammar tests we did paid off in a big way. I had to do ones just like them in my interview. I was so nervous because there were around twenty people going for the job. I was interviewed first, and then given fifteen minutes to do the grammar test and forty minutes to write a mock story. I left the interview in stitches because I really wanted the job, and knew not getting it would be a horrible blow. I hadn't even left the parking lot when the editor called me and offered me the position. I’ve been working there a year and a half now. My patch is the most crimeridden area, so it's a lot and there are always stories to write. I know without a doubt had I not gone to Lyon and taken the classes I did, I would not be in the position of working my dream job.” She adds that her husband Neil has earned a master’s in exercise science and is working on a doctorate in physical therapy, while continuing to play semi-pro soccer. Justin and Jessica (Cameron) Dill, ’10, ’10, are currently living in St. Louis, where Jessica is pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Washington University School of Medicine. Charli Steed, ’11, writes, “Congratulations to the class of 2011! Good luck to all of you! May your life be blessed! Remember the people that made you smile!”
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Mark Patrick Smith, 75, of Batesville, died September 17, 2010, in North Little Rock. He was born December 4, 1934 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Mark was the Director of Food Service at the Lyon College for 30 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, serving as a 4th degree Knights of Columbus and a past Faithful Navigator. He is survived by his wife, Kitty (Moore) Smith of Batesville; five children; Terry Smith of Batesville, Steve Smith of Little Rock, Janet (Gary) Jordan of Monett, Missouri, Carolyn (Seth) Irwin of Fort Smith, and Patrick (Karen) Smith of Batesville; three stepsons; Jason (Kellye) Barber of Union Hill, David (Lisa) Barber of Cordova, Tennessee, Jamie (Jodi) Barber of Maple Springs, two stepdaughters; Johnna (Roger) McDaniel of Thida, and Anoka (Bob) Traeacy of Lincoln; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother Tom (Marilyn) Smith of Wisconsin, one brother-in-law; Bob White of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; one sister-inlaw; Gladys Smith of Wisconsin; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
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ried Ray Grigsby on October 4, 1942, at Camp Carson, Colorado. She raised four children while attending Arkansas State University, graduating in August 1972 at the age of 52. She started her teaching career in Lafe as a teacher and basketball coach. She retired at Harrisburg Central. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Grigsby; parents, Fred and Pearl Wells Smith; one sister, Alice Whitmire; and three brothers, John, Cecil and Millard Smith. She is survived by her two sons, Rick Grigsby (Kathy) and Raiford Grigsby; two daughters, Janice Sparks (Towny) and Paula Gordon (Joe); two brothers, Larry Smith and Monroe Smith; one sister, Delena Webb; eight grandchildren, Towny Sparks II (Dee Dee), Tracy Ellis (Marr), Reid Grigsby (Tracy), Laura Beth Wade (Cory), Paul Gordon (Shandee), Ericka Atkins (Craig), Clayton Grigsby (Amanda), and Leanne Bass (Brandon); and 16 grandchildren.
Iva Wright, ’42, age 91, of Pleasant Plains died December 13, 2010, in Batesville. Born in Pleasant Plains on October 23, 1919, she was the daughter of John Eagle and Nadine Nanny (Hook) Wright. Elizabeth (O’Bannon) Gibson, born May 7, 1913, She was a retired schoolteacher and a member of in Goliad County, Texas, died on September 7, the Philadelphia Church of God. Iva is survived by 2010. Her husband, Fillmore S. Gibson, preceded her nephew, Clifford Wright of Sheridan. Other her in death in 1991, and her daughter, Mary Beth than her parents, she was preceded in death by one Carlburg, preceded her in death in 1998. She is sur- brother, Jacob Andrew Wright. vived by her son, James Fillmore Gibson (his wife Carol); her son-in-law, Richard E. Carlburg; three Roma (Sander) Kirkland, ’44, passed away on grandchildren: Audrey G. Tarr (her husband December 16, 2010. She resided in Falls Church Michael), Owen Sloan Gibson (his wife Lisa) and for over 50 years and was predeceased by her husSonya Kemp (her husband Clyde); and three great- band, Robert C. Kirkland. Born in Arkansas in 1922, she was one of nine children. She was an grandchildren. excellent student, graduating high school as valeRuby (Smith) Grigsby, ’42, age 91, of Jonesboro dictorian and winning scholarships to Arkansas died January 1, 2011, at Culpepper Place in College. When World War II began, she attended Jonesboro. She was born in Alicia and had lived in Church Home Nursing School, affiliated with Jonesboro since 1960, moving there from Jackson, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, where she Tennessee. She was a retired schoolteacher and a earned an RN Degree. Commissioned into the member of the Cornerstone United Methodist Army Nursing Corp as Second Lieutenant, she Church. She was a Rosie the Riveter during World served at the VA Hospital in Washington, D.C. War II at a bomb factory in Jacksonville. She and married in 1946. Roma was a career nurse, played basketball in 1937 for the Woman’s working until retirement at the Falls Church Arkansas Redheads team and also for Arkansas Medical Center. She sang in the choir and was a College at Batesville, now Lyon College. She mar- deacon at Boulevard Baptist Church. Roma leaves
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two sisters, two daughters, and three grandchildren.
Batesville, a longtime volunteer and supporter of charitable organizations including Help and Hope, Pauline (Henderson) Martin, ’44, age 88, of the Humane Society and local Animal Control and Rogers, formerly of Osceola, died February 4, 2011, the Independence County Public Library. in Bentonville. Born December 15, 1922, to the late Scott and Cornelia Henderson, she was a Dorothy “Jean” (Larsen) Florie, ’50, age 82, of member of First United Methodist Church in Pittsburg, Kansas, died November, 24, 2010, at Rogers, a member of PEO Chapter U, and a retired Golden Living Center. She was born March 30, bank teller. She is survived by two daughters: Kathy 1928, in Tuckerman. She grew up in Batesville and Martin and husband Ken Moore of Clearwater, Fla., graduated from Batesville High School with the Debra Will and husband Strad Will of Rogers, Ark.; class of 1946. She attended Arkansas College but four grandchildren: Joe Emmert and wife Mayumi left to marry the love of her life, George Florie. Emmert of Yokosuka, Japan, Kelly Emmert and hus- Together, they raised six children in a home full of band Matt Rettig of Austin, Texas, Britt Doyle and laughter and love. Her family was her joy. They husband Jason Doyle of Fayetteville, Ark., Rob raised their family in Macomb, Illinois, and she McLelland and wife Sam McLelland of Lowell, worked at NTN Bower Roller Bearing, retiring after Ark.; three great-grandchildren; one brother: more than 30 years. She and George spent their Dewey Henderson of Tuckerman, Ark., and many retirement in Mountain Home, then Cave City, nieces and nephews. Her husband, Joe Martin, pre- Arkansas, until George died in 2002. She moved to ceded her in death. Pittsburg in 2003 to be closer to family. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. George Wingard, Jr., ’47, died December 19, Music, gardening, birds and her dog, Buddy, were 2010. Born December 16, 1923. He was a graduate her great loves. As a child, she played the trumpet of Arkansas College (now Lyon College), where he in a family band, the “Larsen Kiddie Band,” which also operated the campus bookstore. He was a com- consisted of her brother and sisters. She is survived bat soldier in the European theater of World War by her six children, Mike Florie, of Greer, S.C., II. He graduated from Columbia Theological Marty Florie of Overland Park, Steve Florie, of Seminary in 1950. He was pastor of churches in Eureka, Ill., Terry Florie of Garland, Texas, Sandy Arkansas and Tennessee and served the General (Florie) Linder of Allen, Texas, and Kelly Florie, Assembly for a time in the Television, Radio, Pittsburg; one sister, Louise Abbott, Park Rapids, Audio and Visuals Department. Minn.; 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchilBillie (Churchill) Jett, ’48, of Batesville died at dren. her home January 29, 2011. Born February 3, 1927, in Little Rock, she was the daughter of Dr. Calvin A. Churchill and Merle P. Churchill. She attended Batesville High School and graduated from Arkansas College (now Lyon College) in 1948. She married William B. Jett, ’48, of Batesville in 1946. He passed away in 2008 shortly before their 62nd wedding anniversary. Survivors include their children: Calvin Churchill Jett of Johnson City, Tennessee; Sam Richmond Jett of Nashville, Tennessee; Elaine Jett of Fort Myers, Florida; and William Andrew Jett of Waynesville, North Carolina; as well as five grandchildren. Billie Jett was a member of First Presbyterian Church of
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William Huddleston, ’50, age 82, a retired family practitioner, died December 18, 2010, at his home in Bridgeport, Texas. W.E. was born August 25, 1928, in Batesville. He married Polly Coffman on September 7, 1953, in Batesville. He was a captain in the U.S. Air Force and a member of the Bridgeport Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Moslah Temple, American Medical Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Dr. Huddleston was the former mayor and 24-year city councilman of the city of Bridgeport. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 57 years, Polly; his daughter, Linda Maggioncalda and her husband, Eugene; his sons, Kevin Huddleston
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and his wife, Ann Marie, and Kelly Huddleston and his wife, Joyce; grandchildren, Kasi Fagan, Thomas and Patrick Huddleston, Sarah and Olivia Maggioncalda; his great-granddaughter, Madalynn Fagan; his sister, Mary Elizabeth Calloway; his brother, Charles Ray Huddleston; several nieces and nephew; other relatives; and a host of friends. H. T. Sheffield, Jr., ’51, of Little Rock died September 23, 2010. He was born on July 6, 1928. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and the Pairs and Spares Sunday school class. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Geneva Sheffield, and other family and friends. Charles Baxter III, ’53, died at his home on December 5, 2010, after a brief but brave battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family. Ed was born in Huntsville, Alabama, on November 17, 1930. He attended Providence Academy primary school in Alexandria, Louisiana; Castle Heights Military Academy during World War II; the University of Tennessee at Knoxville; University of Arkansas at Fayetteville; and earned his master's degree at St. Edward’s University. During the Korean War he served in the 522nd Infantry Battalion as a platoon leader and company commander. His unit became a prisoner of war processing unit for repatriated U.S. military members. He married Helen Louise Murray of Wilmington, Delaware, on June 28, 1958. Ed had a long career with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and was the East Texas district director and the government relations vice president with offices in Austin and Washington, D.C., and was an independent health consultant for both policy and legislation. He served on the Texas Health Policy Task Force, the Long Term Care Advisory Group, the Governor's Task Force on the Uninsured, and as the Texas Speaker's Industry Representative on the small group reform effort. He helped develop the first State of Texas Retiree's health program with state contributions. He was instrumental in the implementation of the first Texas Uniform Group Insurance Plan. His work with legislative commit-
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tees in the pursuit of small group reform that expanded coverage for newborns and children is a matter of record. Ed served on the National Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s Federal Relations Group Task Force working closely with congressional initiatives and studies on delivery and health care reform in Washington. He also served as a member of former Congressman Bill Gradison’s Strategic Legislation Task Force for the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA). After leaving Blue Cross he was appointed the first chairman of the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool for the Uninsured by the State of Texas and served as its chairman for six years. Most recently he was instrumental in the fund raising effort to build The Long Center for the Performing Arts. He and his wife were avid patrons of the arts, especially opera. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Helen; daughter, Emily Wynne Baxter O’Brien; son, Charles E. “Chuck” Baxter, IV, and his wife Rebecca, and their children. Don Yarbrough, ’53, age 79, of Jonesboro died October 9, 2010, at the Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Don was born in Jonesboro and lived much of his life there. He graduated from Jonesboro High School and attended Arkansas College in Batesville on a football scholarship. He dropped out of college, joined the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of the Korean War. Following military service, Don earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arkansas State University. Don coached football at Harrisburg High School in 1958, then at Annie Camp Junior High beginning in 1960. In 1965 the football program began at Nettleton High School, and he served as head football coach from its inception through the 1969 season. He transferred into administration and served as middle school principal until his retirement in 1985. Don was a member of First Baptist Church where he was a former Sunday school teacher, was a member of the Men’s Fellowship Sunday school class and Care Center volunteer. He was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association, the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association and the
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ASU Alumni Association. Don was preceded in death by his parents, John J. and Fay Mangrum Yarbrough, and by three brothers, Jean, Floyd and Loyd Yarbrough. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Harriett Yarbrough of the home; one son, John Yarbrough of Jonesboro; and one brother, James W. Yarbrough of Memphis. Arvie “Bubba” Burks, ’54, age 80, of Batesville died October 29, 2010, at Woodland Hills Healthcare and Rehab in Little Rock. He was born in Jamestown, Arkansas, on October 27, 1930, and was the son of Marshall Ellis Burks and Ura P. (McCulloch) Burks. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Batesville, where he was a deacon. In 1949, Bubba was a member of the “Mighty Midgets” basketball team at Batesville High School, where he made the all district team. Many fans fondly remember him and his twin brother, “Biggie,” when they played basketball. He graduated from Batesville High School and then went on to graduate from Arkansas College (now Lyon College) where he was elected to the Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a teacher and coach from 1954 to 1992 and was an inspiration and motivator to many young athletes in their careers, most notably Charles Strong of Batesville. Bubba was a member of the Civil War Round Table, Independence County Regional Museum and was a Lyon College alumnus. He was also a member of the Arkansas Retired Teacher’s Association. Arvie and five of his siblings together founded the Ura McCulloch and Marshall E. Burks Scholarship fund to be used only for students of Independence County attending Lyon College. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Margaret Jean (Wilf) Burks of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard Ellis and Sandra Burks of Southlake, Texas; daughter and son-in-law: Robin and Britt Reynolds of North Little Rock; and daughter, Becky Regan of Batesville; five grandchildren: Ryan Burks, Alex Reynolds, Amanda Le, Melissa Millsap, Matt Millsap; two great-grandchildren; brothers: Arvil “Biggie” Burks and his wife, Janet of Conway; Charles A. and Joanne Burks of Little Rock; sisters: Ura Fae Kramer; Wanda Johnston and her hus32
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band, N. E.; and Mildred Elms, all of Batesville; and many nieces and nephews. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Archie Burks and John Adrian Burks; and two sisters: Beth Burks and Mae Gray. Charles Howard, ’63, age 85, of Cushman, died March 6, 2011 at Woodlawn Nursing Home in Batesville. Born February 13, 1926, in Cushman, he graduated from Arkansas College with a teaching degree and was a basketball coach for 33 years in Rural Special, Charlotte and Pleasant Plains and at Batesville for 17 years. Charles was also the mayor of Cushman for 14 years. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II in the European Campaign and was very proud of his service to his country. Charles loved to fish, hunt and garden. In fact, he planted his garden for the last 10 years using a golf cart to go back and forth. He loved bluegrass music and telling stories. He loved family dinners and being with his grandchildren. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Willie “Tooter” Martin Howard of the home; a son Charles Brent Howard and wife Melissa of Mountain View; daughters: Becky Ransom and her husband, Ricky and Paula DeFries, all of Cushman; five grandchildren: Nichole Parks and her husband, Joey; Amber Bass and her husband, Billy; Kaylee Howard, Kate McPherson, and Chloe Sharp; one great-grandchild, Brianna Bass; sisters: Vyrl Dean Bailey of Sherwood and Billie Jo Midkiff of Cushman; and several nieces and nephews. Hayden Jeffery, ’70, age 64, of Mountain View died March 7, 2011, in Batesville. Born August 25, 1946, he was the son of Rex Hayden Jeffery and Verbel Gilah Wickersham Jeffery. He graduated from Arkansas College (now Lyon College) with a bachelor’s degree. He was a salesman and bail bondsman. He was a lifetime member of Izard County Historical Society and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include two daughters, Alicia Robertson and Christy Jeffery, both of Melbourne; two grandchildren, Jessika Foster of Jonesboro and Courtney Keathley of Melbourne; and several cousins.
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Pl e a s ev i s i t WWW. L Y O N . E D U / S U P P O R T L Y O N D O N A T E Ors e ndy o urt a x d e d uc t i b l ed o na t i o nt o Ly onCol l e g eAnnua lSc hol a r s hi pFund P . O.Box2317|Ba t e s vi l l e ,AR72503