LYON LYON GRADS GRADS GROW. GROW. ALUMNI ALUMNI GIVING GIVING SHRINKS. SHRINKS. WHERE DID WE WRONG? p. 18 How do we overcome thisGO challenge in a new era of engagement? p. 18
SAT.
HOMECOMING PARADE TAILGATE PARTIES FOOTBALL HOMECOMING YOUNG ALUMNI PARTY
SUN.
CLUB 50 REUNION
HELP US CELEBRATE!
LYON.EDU/HOMECOMING
ALUMNI AWARDS ALL-ALUMNI AFTER PARTY
SEPTEMBER 27-29
FRI.
PATTERSON DECADE AWARDS
LINDSAY "CHARLIE" HODGE BRINK, ’09 CHRIS R. MIDDAUGH, ’09 DECADE OF SERVICE AWARD
JESSICA BRENTS DUNHAM, ’09 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 PATTERSON DINING HALL EDWARDS COMMONS ADMISSION $20
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD
G. GENE CRAWFORD, II, ’85
LIFETIME OF SERVICE AWARD
ANN WESTMORELAND TAYLOR, ’60 HONORARY ALUMNUS AWARD
ADMIRAL ROBERT W. CARIUS
A
W O R D
F R O M
T H E
P R E S I D E N T
Our fall 2018 incoming class was up 12%. We have a record high
SPRING 2019 / V. 48, NO. 1
number of applications, exceeding 2,500, for our fall 2019 incoming class. The faculty and trustees recently approved Army ROTC and an exercise science program. In addition, the faculty are revising the core curriculum, with a focus on the future and a commitment to our liberal
CONTENTS
arts mission. Finally, significant new diversity and student success
2
efforts are underway.
PIPER Q&A: SOMETHING’S BREWING
4 COMMENCEMENT
I am pleased with the progress we have made during the second year of
6
SCOTS EXCEL IN SPRING SEMESTER
my presidency. However, one goal of our strategic plan has continued
7
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
8
SPARKS IGNITE
Since 2007, the College’s alumni giving rate has plummeted from over
10
40 YEARS OF TRADITION
40% to under 10% participation.
13
MILLION DOLLAR LEGACY
16
FROM BACK SURGERY TO BASKETBALL
Education (CASE) in 2019 focused on alumni giving trends and noted
17
AN ADVENTURE ABROAD
that alumni giving, “is increasingly important given declines in funding
18
A NEW ERA OF ENGAGEMENT
to elude us. The fourth goal states, “Lyon will exemplify a broad-based and fully engaged community, including strong alumni connectivity.”
A study published by the Council for the Advancement of Secondary
from other sources.” In fact, total alumni giving, nationwide, increased last year to the highest amount ever recorded in CASE’s annual survey.
22 ADVANCING ATHLETICS 23 COURAGE OF HER CONVICTIONS
Why is Lyon’s alumni giving rate so low? Why does it continue to drop? Perhaps instead of asking “Why,” the better question to ask is: “What are we doing wrong?”
25 BE THE CHANGE 26 CROWDFUNDING TO CHANGE LIVES 28 RESEARCHER GRABS NATL ATTENTION
David Hutchison, vice president for advancement, and Cindy Barber, director of alumni engagement, are leading the charge to answer that very question. We are committed to not only answering the question
30 WOMAN OF THE YEAR 31
MILESTONES
but to implementing an alumni engagement program that rebuilds the
32 PIPER Q&A: MARY HEFFINGTON, ’17
vital link between alumni and their alma mater. Whether you graduated
33 PIPER Q&A: LESLEY MILTON, ’11
from Arkansas College or Lyon College, our goal is for every alumna and alumnus to feel connected. That connection is the wellspring of the future of the College.
34 PIPER Q&A: JUDD DEERE, ’10 35 PIPER Q&A: ERIC WILSON, ’07 36 THE SCHRAM BARK PARK 37 CLOSING THOUGHTS
D R . W. J O S E P H K I N G is the co-author of How to Run a College and the 18th President of Lyon College.
P I P E R
Q & A
Lacie Bray’s journey to a successful career brewing craft beer began in a dry county. Lacie, ’03, first developed her relationship with Lyon when she attended Lyon’s Upward Bound
SOMETHING’S BREWING L A C I E B R AY, ’ 0 3
Math and Science (UBMS) summer program. While a college student, she was involved in Student Activities Council’s outdoor programs, which led to her desire to “just be outside.” She traveled to Colorado in the summers and studied abroad in Ecuador.
WHAT LED TO ESTABLISHING A BREWERY?
HOW DID YOU END UP IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS?
It’s a convoluted story. We moved
We decided each of us could have half
to Denver, and Andy found work at
the year to decide where we would
a local brewery. It was really hard
live and what we would do. In the fall
seasonal work as a rafting guide
packaging line work, minimum wage,
we headed out to Washington state
in Colorado, eventually earning
and he would work 12 or 13-hour days
for the annual wine crush, where
her wilderness EMT license. After
and come home soaking wet. But he
the grapes are picked, crushed,
transitioning to experiential outdoor
loved it! During that time I applied for
and placed into barrels for aging.
and was offered a Teach for America
Andy was interested in learning that
position in Chicago. So we moved
process because there was beginning
there, where I taught high school
to be barrel aging in beer production
environmental science, and Andy
as well. On the weekends and after the
went to brewing school and worked at
crush ended, we visited every brewery
Goose Island Brewery. After a couple
we could find and learned all we
of years, we still weren’t sure what we
could about how they ran. That was
Director of Alumni Engagement
wanted to do and we weren’t really
really when we first fully realized this
Cindy Barber sat down with Lacie to
tied to anything, so we took a year off.
is what we want to do. Andy already
After graduating with her degree in biology and Spanish, Lacie continued
education programs around the country, she met her husband, Andy Coates, and they decided to try to find something they could do together. Lacie’s journey to brewing began.
get the full story.
knew the brewing side, and I wanted to do the business and community outreach side of running a brewery. We just weren’t sure where yet.
2
We then headed to South America. We
off for all full-time employees. We
were sitting in a little internet cafe in
know that for us to be successful,
Peru, looking at brewing laws in all
everyone who works here needs to be
the states we had lived in and Andy
happy and successful as well.
suddenly said, “Arkansas...that’s where we need to go.” At that time,
HOW MUCH BEER DO YOU PRODUCE?
there were only three breweries in
We produce four core beers that are
Arkansas and it was ranked 48th or
sold in cans year-round, plus the
49th in breweries per capita. But the
small batch beers that are the fun
laws were extremely favorable.
projects. We produced 4,201 Beer Barrels (bbl) last year, and each bbl
So we looked at the demographics
is 31 gallons of beer. We sell about
of northwest Arkansas, and with the
8% from the taproom and 92% to
economic climate and the college
bars/restaurants and liquor stores.
nearby, there were a lot of people moving into the area who had beer cultures. With my family here as well, it was a good fit. We moved back in 2010, and I taught biology at a local high school while Andy worked on the business plan. WHEN WAS OZARK BEER COMPANY OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED? CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS MODEL?
We officially opened in 2013, and moved to our current location in 2017. My son, Truitt, was born five months after we opened! Our staff has grown from just three in the beginning to eleven full-time and five part-time employees. Having worked seasonal
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT OZARK BEER COMPANY?
We established the brewery in a previously dry county, so we were always very aware that we would be creating our own beer culture. It was very important for us to establish ourselves as a family-friendly business that was welcoming to everyone. We wanted a taproom for the community it provides. Breweries host fundraisers, become meeting places, event centers, and a place to be social with others. We host a book
WHAT MAKES IT FUN?
club, a knitting club, and we have
We get to go out and forage for
a play area for children. There are
materials and experiment with flavors and brews. Our time on an organic farm in South America gave us an appreciation for the land and the materials that come from it. We have gone to my family’s farm and made a shag bark beer out of shag bark hickory, we have used paw-paws in our beer, and we’ve partnered
no TVs in the taproom, and picnic tables encourage communication among customers. By encouraging a communal feel and welcoming families, the social aspect of the taproom is emphasized well above just the drinking aspect, and it becomes a welcoming place for the whole community.
with other area farms for things like blueberries. It’s really paramount to who we are as a brewery. We want to incorporate all things Ozark.
Lacie and Andy welcomed Truitt’s baby sister, Kit, in November 2018.
jobs for a long time, we wanted to create a business with a communal sense; we know how important it is, and we especially want to support our staff. We pay a living wage that is well above industry standards, not just in Arkansas but across the United States. We pay 100% of health insurance costs and have paid time
3
C O M M E N C E M E N T
SATURDAY, MAY 11
2 0 1 9
Lyon College conferred 127 degrees
Perry Wilson, chairman of the
to the 2019 graduating class on
Lyon College Board of Trustees,
Saturday, May 11, in its 147th
announced Dr. Wesley Beal,
commencement ceremony.
associate professor of English, as the
61ºF
recipient of the Lamar Williamson Keynote speaker Dr. Thomas A.
Prize for Faculty Excellence. The
Furness, III, professor of industrial
Board of Trustees established the
and systems engineering at the
Williamson Prize in 1979 in memory
University of Washington in Seattle,
of Lamar Williamson. A memorial
shared his experiences as a virtual
fund established by the late J. Gaston
reality pioneer and military scientist.
Williamson supports the silver
He originally planned to be an
cup and stipend awarded to the
astronaut, but his life went in another
Williamson Prize recipient.
0.33 INCHES OF RAIN 13 MPH WINDS
direction, which he says unfolded in ways even more favorable than he
Dr. David Hutchison, vice president
imagined.
of advancement, also welcomed the graduates into the alumni
“I pray that your journey into
community.
the heavens as you blast off will be thrilling, full of wonder and
“We have made an investment in you
memories, and that you have some
to go and make a difference in the
good favors in your life that help you
world, and I challenge you to stay
go in other directions than you may
invested in this place,” he said.
think that will be better than the ones you necessarily planned on,” Furness
View the full list of graduates at
said.
lyon.edu/commencement-2019.
Additional speakers included Taylor Donnerson, student government association president, and Samantha Sharp, senior class president.
4
7:36 a.m. The anticipation is palpable as seniors begin to line up in the lower hallway of Becknell Gymnasium.
10:28 a.m. The Class of 2019 sings the Alma Mater for the first time as alumni.
10:29 a.m. 8:29 a.m. For the last time as students, seniors hear “Scotland the Brave” performed by the Lyon Colle ge Pip e Band. The next time they hear this song, in two hours, they’ll be alumni.
The Office of Advancement begins asking alumni to give back to the College — kidding?
9:36 a.m. Kelsey Adams is awarded the first diploma of the Lyon College class of 2019.
5
SCOTS EXCEL IN SPRING SEMESTER The Lyon College student-athletes continued to
National Championship, 77-73, before falling
excel both in athletics and academics this past
to the eventual national champion, Montana
spring semester. A total of 57 student-athletes
Western, by a score of 70-58 in the second round.
earned academic all-conference honors, while five others were named as NAIA Daktronics Scholar-
The Scots accomplished several milestones
Athletes. Four student-athletes were named
during the season. Individually, Madison Riley,
All-Americans following their performances in
Liz Henderson and Ali Tucker all became
their respective sport, while Ali Tucker (women’s
the newest members of the 1,000-Point Club.
basketball) was named as the program’s first
A pair of individual records were broken as
CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of
Madison Riley set the career assist record,
America) Google Cloud Academic All-American.
while Ali Tucker became the program’s all-time leader in career three-point field goals made.
The Lyon College women’s basketball team
Liz Henderson set the record for free-throw
clinched its eighth consecutive appearance at
percentage in a single season, a record she
the NAIA National Championship. The Scots
previously set the season before.
defeated Vanguard in the first round of the
6
On December 1, 2018, Lyon College
defeated the Reddies, 9-7, as head
French (Women’s Basketball);
head women’s basketball coach Tracy
baseball coach Tony Roepcke earned
Emir Sabic (Men’s Basketball);
Stewart-Lange earned the 300th win
the 300th victory of his career. The
Stephen Benedik (Football); Royce
of her career in a 112-47 victory at
Scots made their fifth appearance
LoBianco (Men’s Golf); Olivia
Stephens College. The 112 points
in the NAIA Baseball National
Wolfram (Women’s Soccer); Ignacio
is the highest total the Scots have
Championship Opening Round and
Milla (Men’s Soccer); Skyler Burke
scored in a single game in program
earned their fourth berth in the last
(Softball); Madisson Williams
history.
five years. The Scots competed in
(Volleyball); and Caily Mendez
the Williamsburg Bracket, which
(Women’s Wrestling).
The men’s basketball team earned
was hosted by the University of the
a berth in the American Midwest
Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky.
The Winnie Marable and Dick
Conference Tournament for the third-
Lyon had a pair of dramatic come-
Winningham Awards were also
straight season. The Scots ended the
from-behind victories in Opening
presented at the dinner. The Winnie
season at 17-14 overall. The 17 wins
Round and finished one game short
Marable Award is given to the top
during the regular season are tied
of reaching the Championship Game
female senior athlete, while the Dick
for the most wins in a regular season
of the Williamsburg Bracket.
Winningham Award is presented to the top male athlete. The winners
since 1997-98 for the Scots. During the annual Senior Athlete
of the Winnie Marable and Dick
The Lyon College baseball team
Appreciation Dinner, senior athletes
Winningham Awards are selected by
finished the 2019 season at 40-22
were given a graduation stole and a
the Lyon College Athletic staff. This
overall. The 40 wins are the second-
lifetime pass to attend home sporting
year’s winner of the Winnie Marable
most victories in a season since 2007.
events. The Scot Award is given
Award was Madisson Williams of the
One win during the regular season
to one athlete from each sport for
Lyon College volleyball team. Kyle
stood out from the rest, however. On
their sportsmanship, dedication,
West, of the Lyon College baseball
February 26, the Scots traveled to
and leadership within their sport.
team, was selected as the Dick
Arkadelphia to face NCAA Division
This year’s winners included: Riley
Winningham Award winner.
II Henderson State. The Scots
Caraway (Baseball); Samantha
SPARKS IGNITE M A R K S PA R K S , ’ 9 7
When Anderson Arias-Arana
friendship that would lead to so
“My goal is to use mathematics to
arrived in the United States from
much more than a high school
teach my students how to think,”
Guatemala in 2015, he was just 16
diploma.
Sparks explained. “In five years, they won’t be using the math that
years old and spoke no English.
8
Accompanied by a brother who had
Enter Mark Sparks, ’97, who,
they learned in my class, but I
a job in a local factory, he left most
in more than two decades as an
hope they will know how to think,
of his family behind to pursue an
advanced mathematics teacher, has
analyze, and solve problems.”
education in America.
achieved a remarkable reputation teaching what many students
But after a long career and many
He enrolled in Batesville High
consider the most daunting of
accolades, it is the connection
School, setting the stage for a
subjects.
made with Arias-Arana that bears
“Standing in the Gap,” a program
“I tell him all the time that he is
that pairs a teacher with an
the son I never had, and he has
individual student for one-on-one
enriched my life more than he will
mentoring and support.
ever know.” Arias-Arana agreed,
Sparks knew immediately who he
adding, “He is Dad.”
wished to be paired with. Arias-Arana completed four
witness to a lifetime of, in his words, “loving, caring for, and teaching” his students. Sparks recalled seeing AriasArana, a shy student in a
The two managed the language
years of credits in three years and
barrier with the help of Google
graduated on time, while working
Translate, and to this day, they
nights 40 hours a week, learning
only text each other in Spanish
the English language, and earning
and speak in English. Gradually
his permanent resident status.
the mentoring relationship evolved
Regarding future plans, Arias-
beyond academics and became
Arana said he might work or join
increasingly familial.
the military, but his preference is more academic.
Now that Arias-Arana is able to travel back and forth to Guatemala
“I want to go to college. I love
to visit family, Sparks’ emotion
it here and plan to stay here,” he
became visible as he explained the
concluded.
unique bond.
colleague’s class who was always early, so he made it a point to reach out and make him feel welcome. “Every SINGLE day,” AriasArana, said laughing. “Here comes the teacher saying, ‘Good morning, Anderson, how are you?’ ” About the same time, Principal David Campbell (father of Caitlin Campbell, ’15) helped create
9
I M P A C T
R E P O R T
A key contributor to preserving the Ozark Gateway Region’s Scottish heritage is Lyon’s annual Arkansas Scottish Festival. In 1981, Dr. Ralph Graham began the first steps to creating a celebration of this relationship with the festival. Now the largest annual event in Batesville, the Arkansas Scottish Festival generates millions of dollars annually for the city and its residents. Once a small gathering of enthusiasts, the event is now one of the premier Scottish festivals in the South for competitive pipers, drummers, and bands. Highland dancing, Celtic music, clan and family history education, and vendors of Gaelic goods and services can be found at the festival. From its inception, the festival was a way to reinforce the “town-gown” relationship between Lyon and Batesville, preserve the region’s heritage, and support the local economy. As with 2018 and other previous years, vendors and patrons, coming
1 0
40 YEARS OF TRADITION A R K A N S A S S COT T I S H FE S T I VA L IMPAC T S M O R E T H A N JUS T T HE CO LLEGE
from 11 different states and cities all across Arkansas, book every hotel within the City of Batesville during the festival, generating approximately
$600k
$24,000 a night in revenue; totaling more than $45,000 for the two nights
The impact doesn’t stop at just the hotels. From meals and fuel to area attractions and shops, it can be felt throughout the local economy. With an average of 8,000 daily participants, the estimate for only one day of the festival is over $1 million for the local economy. With these promising numbers, the College and City of Batesville hope to continue to expand the festival. This year’s festival also provided a unique opportunity to showcase both Lyon and Batesville to prospective new students and their families at a time when the city was also named one the top 25 small cities in America. With this expansion effort, the economic and cultural preservation potential could be just as Dr. Graham envisioned so long ago.
1 2
Regional Impact of the Arkansas Scottish Festival
making up the three day event.
spent at restaurants
$45k
spent at hotels
$2.3 MILLION spent in retail
$180k
spent in entertainment
$3.3 MILLION
added to the local economy by out- of-tow n gue s t s during the Arkansas Scottish Festival
MILLION DOLLAR LEGACY T H E J O H N W . E D W A R D S F A M I LY
The Edwards name should have a familiar ring to generations of Lyon College alumni. For more than three decades, the Edwards Commons building has been a centerpiece of campus life. After a brief interruption to rebuild following a catastrophic fire in 2010, the building today is home to dining services, meeting areas, the Scot Shop, Division of Student Life offices, and a large common room for a host of student-focused events. Made possible through a 1983 gift by Mr. John W. Edwards—the
to Lyon College without restriction
to support the college’s greatest
largest ever given to Lyon College
after James’ son recently passed
needs,” he said. “The generosity
by a Batesville resident at the
away without any heirs.
behind it marks the end of a long line connecting the school to this
time—the donation for Edwards Commons eclipsed Edwards’ own
The gift is the largest ever given
fascinating and multi-generational
1979 gift of the Holtkamp organ for
to the College by a Batesville
family.”
Brown Chapel.
resident, marking the third time Edwards has held that distinction.
John W. Edwards served as an
Now the Edwards name is again
Its impact on enhancing the student
infantryman in the U.S. Army
front and center following the
experience at Lyon College will
during World War I and was part
February 2019 announcement
be immediate, according to Vice
of President Woodrow Wilson’s
that Lyon is set to receive just
President for Advancement David
honor guard at the Versailles Peace
over $1 million from the Edwards
Hutchison.
Conference. While stationed in France, Edwards completed his
trust. Originally crafted by John
1 4
Edwards in 1973 for his brother
“This unrestricted trust is the very
education at the University of
James, it was ultimately transferred
definition of a transformational gift
Remes.
A banker and businessman by
James, combined to form the
Judge Robert Edwards of Searcy.
trade, he launched his career after
James R. Edwards Scholarship
“I am confident Uncle John
the war, first with Bankers Trust
Fund. Administered by the First
would be pleased that after 46
Co. in Little Rock, then Marshall
Presbyterian Church of Batesville,
years this trust concluded with
Field & Co. in Chicago.
the scholarship is given with a
such a substantial benefit to Lyon
preference to those who choose
College,” he said.
After years as a traveling salesman
Lyon College and are Presbyterian
and even a stint as a store manager
or have Arkansas roots.
“Clearly John W. Edwards cared deeply for this college and this
in New York City, Edwards eventually returned to Batesville
In combination with the
community. His philanthropy and
and, in 1943, bought interest in
scholarship fund, the million dollar
stewardship are exemplary. The
First National Bank, serving more
legacy left to Lyon College by John
students, faculty, and staff are
than 20 years as chair or vice chair
W. Edwards will make a profound
grateful for his legacy,” concluded
for its board of directors.
difference in the years ahead,
Lyon College President W. Joseph
according to his nephew, Circuit
King.
But it was his ardent support of the Presbyterian tradition that ultimately led to his passion for then Arkansas College. He spent nearly half a century serving the College, often as donor and philanthropist, but also as a trustee during the 1960’s, an expansive decade that saw nine new buildings constructed on the campus, and a tenth begun. In 1987, the College awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. In addition, two other trusts created by John’s brother,
FROM BACK SURGERY TO BASKETBALL Spinal fusion surgery may sound like
Because her condition was far
Coach Tracy Stewart-Lange initially
the devastating end to a promising
advanced, the family opted to
approached her about considering
basketball career for most people,
have a metal rod inserted on
Lyon’s basketball program when
but for one Lyon College athlete, it
either side of the spine to hold it
Henderson was just a freshman in
provided the impetus to forge ahead.
together and encourage the fusion
high school.
of old and new bone. The surgery Junior Liz Henderson, who had the
was scheduled to avoid conflict
Two years later—after the back
procedure in 2014, helped the Lyon
with regular basketball season.
surgery proved successful—Stewart-
College women’s basketball team reach
Lange offered Henderson a spot with
yet another post-season appearance—
Henderson figured if she hadn’t
the team. The option to remain close
that made eight in a row—earning more
noticed the scoliosis before, why
to family and also play her beloved
than 1,000 career points at Lyon.
would she stop playing now? She
sport was “the perfect combination.”
walked a mile within two weeks As a high schooler, Henderson was
of surgery and started running
Henderson, an Elementary
shocked when the doctor diagnosed
earlier than anticipated.
Education major with a minor
her with scoliosis during a visit to treat a bout of flu. Scoliosis is a sideway
in Physical Education, said her “Positivity,” she said, “was key.”
curvature of the spine, which is usually
to combine her interest in teaching
mild in children, but can become
“I put all my faith in God and
severe.
accepted that [the surgery] was
with her love of children.
going to happen either way. I
As for basketball? There’s still one
“We had no idea and hadn’t seen any
knew that as long as I relied on
more season to come see Henderson
signs,” she said, recalling her confused
Him, I would be ok.”
cap off an already excellent career
reaction. 1 6
academic pursuits are a great way
before she graduates in May 2020.
AN ADVENTURE ABROAD by Wesley Beal It never got old taking the #10 green
the campus novel, and moreover,
individualism and collectivism. I
minibus to campus.
gauging my own blind spots about
was also told students may not speak
what we do at places such as Lyon.
at all during class out of deep respect
I’d catch it from a stop just below
for the instructor. And if they do
our flat, looking out over the
The fact that Hong Kong’s
speak, they may tell you what they
container ships trundling about the
universities—among them some
think you want to hear—a kind
Pearl River Delta as I waited. We
of the highest regarded research
of “uncertainty avoidance” more
would pass the school where my son
institutions in the world—would
common among mainland students
practiced kung fu, climb the hillside
look to the U.S. to renovate their
but also noticeable in the Hong
where rows of headstones faced the
catalogs is telling. Some of the
Kongers. In other words, the polar
sea, test the transmission through a
programs are such good replications
opposite of an American liberal arts
tight, winding passage of low-rises,
of the American curriculum that we
classroom when it’s firing on all
and finally gain Pokfulam Road,
might benefit from studying their
cylinders.
the thoroughfare that passes the
designs. The system of major study,
university.
core, and distribution that typifies
I suppose we didn’t really talk about
American universities and especially
the liberal arts model so much as
The bus took me to campus, but
our liberal arts colleges is one of the
we modeled it during class. Lots of
it was the Fulbright Program that
greatest resources of our country. It
open questions, some student-driven
brought me and my family to Hong
also reveals a sad inversion: a high
discussions, the stuff that passes
Kong. I had proposed to study at the
degree of esteem for the American
around here for routine. A few
University of Hong Kong (H.K.U.)
liberal arts abroad, and declining
students had the liberal arts in mind,
to better understand higher learning
public trust and investment in the
I think, as we made our goodbyes.
in the U.S.
liberal arts at home. To understand
One student thanked me after a final
why our tradition is so effective and
class for taking her ideas seriously.
As with almost everything else in
imitable, I had to learn and study in
About grading, another remarked,
the Special Administrative Region,
that setting.
“Not many professors will give us
H.K.U. is a unique place. Roughly
comments back every time!”
western institution, mostly eastern
Some of the first advice people
student body, a city still contesting
gave me to prepare: beware, H.K.U.
Those comments made the Fulbright
the legacy of “the handover” of
students will be uncomfortable with
adventure worth it. That and the dim
1997—the setting was conducive
open discussion, have them work
sum. And Courtney’s excitement at seeing
to thinking through my research on
in groups to ease tension between
the Tian Tan Buddha. And ferry rides to fishing villages. And watching our son navigate us through public transit. Oh, and that time I tried snake penis liquor. And...
1 7
A NEW ERA OF ENGAGEMENT D r. D av i d H u tc h i s o n — n a m e d v i c e p r e s i d e n t o f a d v a n c e m e n t for Lyon Colle ge in Januar y — has met w ith s core s of alumni expressing profound appreciation for their time at the College even as he has simultaneously heard how disenfranchised they are. Here, he explores ways to overcome this challenge. When Dr. David Hutchison meets
Arkansas College experience in an
they only heard from us in the past
with a Lyon alum for the first time,
unparalleled way.”
when asking for money.”
But, he added, “there is a dramatic
So perhaps it should come as
contrast between this wealth of
no surprise that, as an overall
“First, they share powerful stories
love and affection for alma mater,
percentage, alumni giving has
of professors who went above and
and the connection we now have
shrunk at Lyon since 1990,
beyond, of lives being changed,
with our alumni–or rather, the lack
representing just 12% of all gifts
or lifelong relationships being
of connection.”
made to the College over this same
he invariably hears two distinct, yet polar opposite, refrains.
forged,” he said. “In short, our
1 8
time period. Since 2007, the drop
alumni love their time here and
Worse yet, Hutchison added, “It’s
off has been especially dramatic.
cherish their Lyon College or
not uncommon for them to say
By the time of the printing of this
magazine, Lyon’s alumni giving
By comparison, the Council for
stretches far beyond concern
percentage will hover below 10%
the Advancement and Support
about the historically low rates of
for the year, far below the national
of Education reports that alumni
philanthropic support of Lyon.
rate.
support across the nation grew a whopping 495% between 1988
“If we were a business, and only
“This percentage is, at its base, a
and 2018. And, according to
10% of our clients wanted to
simple calculation of Lyon alumni
Forbes, Lyon pales in comparison
continue doing business with us
who have made a gift of even a
to its aspirant institutions such as
in a given year, we would have to
single dollar to the college over the
Sewanee, whose alumni give at an
wonder what went wrong, because
course of a given year,” Hutchison
almost 27% rate or, closer to home,
something clearly is not working,
said.
Hendrix, where just over 21% of
and also, how sustainable is this
alumni give.
situation?” he asked.
to the English Department, or to
Clearly, this news would be
Hutchison has spent the last six
the women’s basketball program,
unsettling for anyone who heads
months pondering the answer to
whether it is a dollar or a million
a college advancement team.
these questions and attempting to
dollars, it counts the same toward
But, for Hutchison, the lower
reconcile the dissonance between
that percentage.”
levels of alumni engagement
alumni passion for the school and
“Whether it’s to scholarships, or
the quantifiable facts about alumni Number of Living Alumni vs. Alumni Giving Rate
giving that are among the lowest in the nation. “We need to start with this: Where did we go wrong and how can we do better?” he said. “Because this dissonance leads me to believe that it’s not our alumni to blame, it’s us.” The challenge for Lyon—or almost any small college, for that matter— is that declining sources of revenue can have a far greater impact on a school than major endowments or
SOURCE: Lyon College Office of Institutional Research
1 9
capital funding campaigns. “Lyon College is a not-for-profit, absolutely, but we are also a notfor-loss,” said Hutchison. “Tuition, room, board and fees–these keep the lights on and pay the bills. Alumni giving has the power to take the college experience to the next level.” According to Hutchison, higher rates of alumni giving can provide, among many other things, the fundamental path toward new scholarships, innovative programs, retention of talented faculty, and transformational opportunities for more students in the generations to come. Ensuring these transformational opportunities continue is behind Hutchison’s drive to communicate better as Lyon moves toward a “new era of
alumni, our students can see the breadth and potential of what they can
engagement” with its constituents,
accomplish, too.”
but much more is at stake than mere dollars and cents.
Engagement is also about paying attention to the tiniest of details, such as ensuring every name is spelled correctly on all correspondence, said
“We truly benefit from alumni
Hutchison, who admits to cringing anytime those sorts of mistakes are
engagement, not necessarily just
caught. His office has invested in software and resources to help Lyon
donor engagement, but as alumni
reconnect with lost alumni and improve the accuracy of its contact list.
volunteers, local leaders, guest
2 0
lecturers or mentors,” Hutchison
Hutchison agrees Lyon has slowly made strides in trumpeting its faculty
said. “When we introduce these
and students, but more could be done to engage its alumni. Whether a
Fortune-500 businessperson or a civil servant or a stay-at-home
and working hard to meet with
parent, Hutchison says his daily concern is to ask about, and
alumni and hear from them,” he
celebrate, Lyon grads from all walks of life, as often as possible.
added.
Another current watchword at Lyon is trustworthiness. Hutchison
In other words, Hutchison said,
acknowledges Lyon must earn the confidence of potential donors
“We have to do better. Have to and
through a renewed commitment to transparency and good
will.”
stewardship—whether receiving a $10 donation or a gift in the thousands.
“Your alma mater wants to connect. We want to serve
“Our alumni and our donors entrust us with their gifts, expecting
and celebrate you,” Hutchison
them to make a direct impact in the lives of our students, so it’s
concluded. “We do actually care.
paramount we follow through on that commitment,” he said.
We value you as part of our story and want to include you as it
Through it all, communication is key. To that end, Hutchison has
continues to unfold. Help us do
been sending bi-weekly email updates to alumni since shortly
that.”
after he started, and his staff is gearing up for alumni gatherings across Arkansas and the U.S. in the years ahead. Additionally, a
Dr. Hutchison encourages Lyon
new position has been created, the assistant director of stewardship,
College alumni to share feedback
whose responsibility will be to prioritize how the college expresses
on what went wrong and ways
its gratitude to donors and shares with them the significant ways in
his Division and the College can
which their gifts make an impact.
improve: (870) 307-7208 or david.hutchison@lyon.edu.
“We’re also expanding how we communicate, getting into social media and regular emails from a host of team members, as well as YouTube and Vimeo,” Hutchison said. “As wonderful as all of this is, none of it matters without the good, old-fashioned footwork of getting out of our offices
2 1
Elliott Sampley, ’96, inducted into
ADVANCING ATHLETICS
the Lyon Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008, returned to his alma mater five years ago when Athletic Director Kevin Jenkins announced his appointment as head softball coach. But now Sampley has pivoted to another role, one that could prove
ELLI OT S A MPLE Y J O IN S A DVA N CEMEN T
equally transformative for the longtime winning coach, as well as for Lyon College. On May 15, Sampley started as Lyon’s new executive
will feature live music from The
fully appreciates what a top-notch
director for athletics advancement.
Lockhouse Orchestra, as well as a
student-athlete program can cost.
formal dinner, open bar, and silent
Undaunted, he is laser focused on
Sampley’s natural progression to the
auction in Becknell Gymnasium.
achieving outcomes that will leave an
Division of Advancement requires
Sampley is enthusiastic about the
enduring legacy.
much of the same skill set he has
possibilities of hosting the first-time
used to turn around ball teams
event.
across the region. The coach not only
“Just because we’re a small, liberal arts school in northern Arkansas
nurtured the athlete, for example,
“The gala will provide much needed
doesn’t mean we can’t make it a big-
but also focused on each relationship
support for our student athletes,”
time experience when students come
so he could nurture the individual.
he said. “That’s what all of this
here,” he said.
His adaptability and fortitude are
truly comes back to—providing our
skills not only acquired during his
students the same transformative
“Lyon College changed my life. I
coaching years, but also as a veteran
experience that many of us have
want to do my part to change theirs
of the U.S. Army, and they will no
had.”
[student-athletes].”
As both a former athlete and Lyon
Register for Scots Spectacular Dinner
alumnus, it seems fitting Sampley
and Auction at lyon.edu/scots or
His debut signature event as the
will be the first person to step into
call Cindy Barber at (870) 307-7527
newest member of the Advancement
the newly created position, which
for more information. All proceeds
Division will be the “Scots
is entirely focused on developing
support Lyon College Athletics.
Spectacular: A Celebration of
funding sources vital to sustaining
Lyon Athletics” scheduled for 6
athletic programs at the College.
p.m. Saturday, July 27. The event
Sampley, perhaps more than any,
doubt be an asset as he transitions to his new team.
2 2
COURAGE OF HER CONVICTIONS L I N D S AY “ C H A R L I E ” B R I N K , ’ 0 9
first philosophy class during her sophomore year,” said Professor of Philosophy Dr. Martha Beck. “She is one of the most spontaneously compassionate and humble human beings I have ever met.” Brink went on to complete her Masters of Social Policy and Evaluations from the University of Michigan while working as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia. “I remember she blogged about
Lindsay “Charlie” (Hodge) Brink,
United States. She returned to Africa
having to kill a poisonous snake in a
’09, has spent her life demonstrating
in the Congo region during her junior
hut before she could start a meeting,”
the courage of her convictions.
year and completed a research project
Beck said.
Currently in Nigeria, she has put her
for her religion and philosophy major,
education to work helping those in
studying voodoo medicine and other
Her next project was working on
need in some of the most dangerous
religious issues, often in distressing
refugee resettlement in Seattle, and
places in the world.
or perilous situations.
in 2015, she entered a public health innovation program, studying the
“I’m working for a small, start-up
“I have known Charlie for over
topic of preventing infant sleep-
NGO in northeast Nigeria, in an area
a decade, since she took her
related death.
affected by Boko Hiram and ISWA (Islamic State of Western Africa),” she said. “We work with communities to try to make them more resilient after conflict and violent events. We try to build strong communities.” Before coming to Lyon, Brink had already been to sub-Saharan Africa and worked with orphans there. One summer while she was at Lyon she worked with teenagers at a Native American reservation in the western
2 3
Working with the Emeritus
Brink calls herself a researcher,
and she hopes to be reunited soon
Dean of the School of Design
and she utilizes all types of
with her husband and their dog.
at the University of Michigan,
research in her work: academic
she began to design products for
research, applied research
“My goal, above all, is
public health that aim to “provide
(monitoring and evaluation), and
understanding people; I want to
dignity and equality.” She hopes
design research. Her future plans
understand their context, connect
to launch her own company, called
include launching her business and
with them, and help solve problems
Design for Dignity, to distribute
earning a Ph.D. in a combined field
that affect them,” she said.
these products. Her husband is in
of social work and public health,
graduate school studying supply chain, and the two hope to work together on this business. “I’m the ideas person, and he’s the logistics and details person. He went to graduate school to study a field that would support some of the skills that I lack for my business,” said Brink. “I design products that help restore dignity to people who have lost it through illness, marginalization, and displacement.” Dr. Beck commented, “I have taught philosophy for over 30 years and have never had a student as internationally-oriented, as compassionate, and as holistic in her ability to ‘see’ all the systems underlying human culture as Charlie.”
2 4
BE THE CHANGE T E X T B O O K I N I T I AT I V E
Students try to cope as well as they
needs; he is trying to help the students
can: “Worse [comes] to worse, I’ll
understand the benefits of philanthropy.
keep using our library. I usually wait until just before the semester
“When we get our jobs and we are
starts so I don’t end up having to
successful, we should never forget
return it as early.”
about where it all began,” he said. “I would love to see this project be
But there are risks to relying on
infinite, to remain a signature method
the library – the book may not be
of remembering what it was like to be a
available.
student, to see alumni investing in the
One area where students struggle the
community that invested in them. As
most, but are least likely to speak up
Hunter said providing textbook
the impact of a Lyon education grows
about is affording textbooks.
assistance to students “shows the
in their life, so will their impact on the
students that we care about them
future.”
It was with this in mind that Associate
and their education.”
Dean of Student Life and Director of
Lyon faculty and staff have already
Diversity Lai-Monté Hunter, kicked off
“It’s about making sure the student
rallied behind “Be the Change”
the “Be the Change” campaign in fall
is prepared for class tomorrow,” he
contributing just over $1,000 in a
2018.
said. “We have an opportunity to
few months. As word of the initiative
show that we are truly committed
spreads, so too does its support.
“It took a while for students to present
to their success.”
that vulnerability,” Hunter said.
“To see the donations come in, no
“Eventually, it was just one student who
The “Be the Change” campaign is
matter how great or small, tells me that
said ‘well I have this issue’ and then
a call to action to our community
our community is rallying behind trying
there was this echo of students saying ‘I
to change circumstances for
to move students forward,” said Hunter.
don’t have, I don’t have, I don’t have….’
students in need. Funds from
“It’s not about the amount you give. It’s
What do you do with that? How can you
“Be the Change” help Student
about your willingness to give and your
help the student out?”
Life obtain extra books to make
participation in the betterment of the
available on loan to students. It’s
community.”
One student commented, “I don’t want
a cause that serves an immediate
to bog you down with a sob story. The
need of our students. For Hunter,
You never really know what you’re able
long and short of it is that I couldn’t
though, this initiative is about
to do… until you get started.
afford textbooks this semester.”
more than addressing immediate
2 5
CROWDFUNDING TO CHANGE LIVES K A PPA S I GM A R A I S E S $ 24K FOR SCHOL ARSHIPS
How would you spend your 45th
and still needed $60,000 before
Lyon College. I give because I was
birthday? In April 2018, the Lambda
September to secure the matching
given, which is my way of showing
Iota chapter of the Kappa Sigma
funds.
my thankfulness to Lyon and its
fraternity turned 45, and they chose
community for my educational
to celebrate by making an impact on
The brothers of Kappa Sigma
the future.
recognized the opportunity to align the Title III scholarship project with
Peer-to-peer and crowdfunding
While meeting on the Lyon campus
their own organizational pillars –
initiatives may be new to Lyon
for the 45th Kappa Sigma reunion,
fellowship, leadership, scholarship,
College, but they prove how powerful
Executive Director of Major Gifts,
and service – and help current and
and impactful groups of people can
Gina Garrett, ‘93, spoke to the
future brothers.
be when they work together. The goal
group about the state of the college
2 6
opportunities.”
in crowdfunding is to engage many
and potential ways alumni can
“Philanthropy and giving back to
people in order to meet an ultimate
get involved in supporting the
Lyon is one of the reasons that I
goal. It exemplifies the mantra:
growth and stability of Lyon. The
was able to obtain such a quality
“Every gift matters.” In just three
college was in the midst of securing
education,” said Josh Palmer, ’13,
months, members of the Lambda Iota
donations for a Title III matching
a member of the chapter’s alumni
chapter raised over $24,000 from 60
grant, a $1.2 million dollar grant
executive committee. “Without those
different people! Their combined
designed to provide scholarships
scholarships and the people who
efforts totaled 40 percent of the
to low-income students. Lyon was
made them possible, I would not have
remaining funds!
committed to raising $600,000
been able to finish my education at
“Greek life at Lyon was the most
graduation, committing to reunions
reason, I proudly give back to my
significant part of my college
in Batesville every five years.
alma mater.”
especially as a collective organization
Landon Downing, ’13, President
The Kappa Sigma fraternity also
of engaged alumni, is rewarding
of the Lambda Iota alumni chapter
won Lyon’s annual, 6-week Greek
in that it helps ensure a sustainable
explained, “The strength and
Challenge fundraising competition
future of the college while
success of our Lambda Iota chapter
in 2018. At Homecoming, fraternity
confirming the bonds created during
of Kappa Sigma is rooted in the
brothers were presented with both the
those four years are strong enough to
Lyon experience. In a small, close-
President’s Cup, for raising the most
make a significant impact long after
knit school, affinity groups form
money for the Lyon College Annual
graduation,” said Matt Buchanan,
extremely close bonds that last long
Fund, and the Legacy Cup, awarded
’05, who serves as Treasurer of the
after the diplomas are handed out.
for contributing the most money
Lambda Iota alumni chapter.
We received a top-notch education,
overall.
experience. Giving back to Lyon,
a strong sense of community and The Lambda Iota chapter remains
lifetime friends— a solid foundation
a close-knit group well after
for entering the real world. For that
FIRST DORM ROOM
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LYON STILL NEEDS YOU TO CELEBRATE FIRSTS Make your first gift of the 2019-20 fiscal year a generous one so another generation of Lyon students can experience their firsts
make your gift today lyon.edu/give
2 7
UAMS RESEARCHER GRABS NATIONAL ATTENTION D r. C l a r e B r o w n , ’ 1 3 , w a s i n t e r v i e w e d b y C N N f o r h e r r e s e a r c h published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
For her doctoral dissertation
“Through Medicaid expansion,
Brown defended her dissertation
at the University of Arkansas
low-income women are more
this past December and submitted
for Medical Sciences (UAMS),
likely to have continual insurance
her research for publication at
Clare Brown studied the effect of
coverage, [meaning] these women
the insistence of her advisor and
Medicaid expansion on low birth
could potentially be healthier
co-author, Dr. J. Mick Tilford,
weight and preterm birth. She
because of access to health
UAMS professor and chair of the
and her colleagues found that the
services [before, during, and after
Department of Health Policy and
expansion improved disparities
pregnancy],” Brown said.
Management.
between black and white infants.
2 8
A week after submission, Brown
project aiming to prevent common
for Clare because of the quality of
and Tilford “got really excited”
diseases and reduce healthcare
the classes and the faculty.”
because they had not heard back
costs. Brown said her experience with
from JAMA, meaning the article had not been rejected but rather
“That [research] really opened my
faculty mentorships “translates to
was being reviewed for publication.
eyes to evaluating public health
[her] teaching” at UAMS today.
and social programs,” she said.
She helps her students with their research and tries to be readily
On March 14, JAMA contacted
accessible to them.
Brown and Tilford to inform them
When selecting a college, Brown
their research was published.
could have been “in competition
Brown recalls the day was
in other programs,” but she chose
As for what’s next, Brown plans
“pretty emotional.” It was her late
Lyon because she “loved the
“to stick around UAMS and
grandfather’s birthday, and Tilford
environment at Lyon and how
continue [her] research.” She is
has advised Brown since beginning
close-knit of a community it was.”
currently an instructor at UAMS.
2013, so he, too, understood the
Brown’s mother, Dr. Verona
Brown’s college within UAMS,
importance.
Bebow, family physician and also
the College of Public Health, has
a graduate of UAMS, shared that
recognized that “this publication
“We both had a few tears in our
Brown’s older brother attended
makes it the first time in history
eyes that day,” Brown shared. “Dr.
Harvard for undergrad, and Bebow
that a study originating in the
Tilford had heard many stories
felt that Brown could have gone
College of Public Health has been
about my grandpa, and he knew
to a number of “elite” schools,
published in JAMA.”
it was an emotional day for me
but after visiting Lyon, she was
overall.”
decided.
her master’s in public health in
Brown graduated with her B.A. in psychology from Lyon College in
Brown said her interest in research
“It turned out to be a great fit for
2013. She earned her MPH from
began at Lyon when she conducted
her,” her mom said.
UAMS in 2015, and she completed her Ph.D. in Health Systems and
research outside of Mexico City with Professor of Political
Brown’s father, Dr. Larry Brown,
Services Research from UAMS in
Philosophy Dr. Scott Roulier
who has a Ph.D. in organic
December 2018.
and psychology professor, Dr.
chemistry from Vanderbilt, said
Patrick Mulick. They evaluated
“I’d put Lyon up against Harvard
the outcomes of ProSalud, a
any day. It was a great experience
2 9
“WOMAN OF THE YEAR” NOMINEE IS WINNER IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE JALESA REED, ’ 13 Even before the Arkansas Lymphoma
When first invited to compete
and around the Batesville area, Reed
and Leukemia Society (LLC) announced
for the Woman of the Year
exceeded her new goal well before
Jalesa Reed, ’13, as its 2019 Woman of the
designation, Reed wasn’t sure
the 10-week fundraising period was
Year, she felt like a winner.
she was up to the task. Still,
scheduled to end.
she and her husband knew For starters, her son, Michael, is alive. Diagnosed at three with leukemia, his
the Lymphoma and Leukemia
By the time the organization
Society was a powerful ally to
announced Reed its winner from
many families such as hers.
among eight candidates during its
body at age 5 has finally adjusted to the
annual gala on May 3, she had raised
effects of his treatment, though he goes
Ultimately, she heeded the
through rough spells, according to Reed,
phrase that “God doesn’t call the
and will continue his daily regimen of
qualified, he qualifies the called.”
pills until at least February 2021.
3 0
a whopping $68,509. “My campaign has been built off a bunch of little things adding up; it
Indeed, Reed’s first financial goal
has literally been $100 here, $1,000
“But overall, he still goes to school,
was met almost immediately, so
there, all adding up to a grand total
he gets to do fun things. I don’t think
she quickly moved the marker up
that is unbelievable,” she said. “It’s
he realizes how sick he got. He’s a real
to $15,000. Through grassroot
impressive to see what this town does
champ,” she said.
efforts and local fundraisers in
when called upon.”’
M I L E S T O N E S
2003
2013
Ellie Sims Jones and husband, Ryan,
Pierre Canisius Mbarushimana
of Baton Rouge, La., welcomed son
graduated in December 2018 with a
Don’t see your milestone here? Tell us
Benjamin Paul Jones on July 24. He
Ph.D. degree in Analytical Chemistry
so we can include it in the next issue!
joins older siblings Ava, 12, Carter, 7,
from The University of Alabama.
Send your news to alumni@lyon.edu or
and Henry, 3. Margaret Hance graduated with her
call us at (870) 307-7527.
2005 1982 Stuart Smith was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 63rd District.
Kandi Baker is now the Director of Sales for Embassy Suites by Hilton Red Wolf Convention Center.
20 07
The Honorable Tom Garner was
Jeremy Bobo began a new position
appointed by Governor Asa Hutchison
as Social Media Manager for the
as Circuit Judge for the 3rd Judicial
Arkansas headquarters of the Rausch
District, Division 3.
Coleman Development Group.
198 8 Coach Stan Fowler led his high school women’s basketball team, the Batesville High School Lady Pioneers, to the 4A Arkansas State Championship
1997
Eric Bork was named Director of Marketing and Communications at Midland University in Fremont, Neb.
2010
Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology and has accepted a tenure track assistant professor position at Arkansas State University.
2014 Ariel (Smith) Carpenter and husband, Dalton, welcomed new baby, River, in March. Mary Anne Gunter has opened a private practice counseling clinic, Sincera Wellness, in Fairfield Bay.
2015 Nathan Whitlow was promoted to Corporate Accounting Manager at Six
Dr. Van Michael McQueen, Jr.,
Flags Entertainment Corporations.
and his wife, Shanna McQueen, ’09, welcomed a baby boy Oct. 26,
Zach Starr finished his Master’s in
Jason Massey was sworn in as Logan
Van “Wyatt” McQueen. McQueen
Biology at Jackson State University
County Sheriff in January.
also purchased a dental practice in
and is employed with the Birmingham
Fayetteville earlier the same month.
Zoo in Birmingham, Ala.
2001 Gretchen Hall was named the 2019 Arkansas Tourism Person of the Year during the 45th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism in February. She is the President and CEO of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau.
2002 Nathan Read was named a member lawyer at Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C.
2011
2016
Catherine Buercklin Farris started
Sydney Lewis-Suttles has been
a new job as the Assistant Director for
hired as a statistician at Arkansas
Residential Colleges at University of
Foundation for Medical Care in Little
Central Arkansas.
Rock.
MEMORIALS Marshall W. Reed, ’52
Elizabeth Ann Engles, ’66
David Judson Cross, ’53
Patricia Wilson Jeffery, ’67
Frank W. Griffin, ’54
Charles D. Nelson, ‘81
Wanda Lee Rider, ’54
Laura Lee Cowan, ’04
Pauline Elizabeth Teague, ’58
Mary Sheree Hackworth, ’15
Ed Jolly, ‘62 3 1
P I P E R
Q & A
MARY LYNN HEFFINGTON, ’17 WHERE DO YOU WORK AND WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
HOW DID LYON PREPARE YOU FOR WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
Arkansas State Crime Laboratory as
My undergrad didn’t just teach me
a Forensic Toxicologist
academics. It taught me life and how to cope and to manage.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A RECENT LYON GRADUATE?
I have worked the streets of Little
I would tell them to be patient.
Rock on the ambulance for two years
Things happen in due time. I was
as an EMT (emergency medical
sure of the path I wanted to take,
technician), done research at UAMS
and I ended up taking a completely
(University of Arkansas for Medical
different one and am in a great
Sciences) for a short period of time,
place. Let go and let God. Lyon gave
found a career that I absolutely
them the resources they need to be
love at the crime lab with the some
successful.
of the most amazing coworkers, I adopted Tally, my furbaby.
Phi Mu, Supplemental Instruction leader, Chi Beta Phi, Sigma Delta Pi, Vice President
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE US TO KNOW?
Lyon College provided me with a great education that was wellearned, and I made relationships in those four years that will last a lifetime, and I am forever grateful for that. I always look forward to returning to campus as an alumna.
WHAT IS SOME OF THE BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED?
“If you don’t know, ask.” and “If you’re serious, be persistent. Don’t give up.” - Dr. Mark Schram
3 2
Biology major and Spanish minor
and Student Government Association
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE GRADUATION?
have purchased my first home, and I
WHAT WAS YOUR MAJOR AND CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT WHEN YOU WERE A STUDENT?
.
LESLEY MILTON, ’11 WHERE DO YOU WORK AND WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
Owner and Pediatric Dentist at Tooth Be Told Pediatric Dentistry in Batesville, Arkansas
education at Lyon provided a solid
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE US TO KNOW?
foundation to build upon. Lyon also
I feel fortunate to be back in
helped me to develop proper study
Batesville and to be able to give back
habits and self-discipline prior to
to the community that I fell in love
entering dental school.
with during my four years here. Not only have I returned, but I also have two Lyon graduates, Ashley Andrews
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE GRADUATION?
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A RECENT LYON GRADUATE?
I attended University of Tennessee
Never stop pursuing your goals and
of Jonesboro, working with me in my
(UT) Health Science Center in
dreams no matter how far away they
dental practice. I think this speaks
Memphis, Tennessee, where I
seem. With faith and self-discipline
volumes about the impact Lyon
received my D.D.S., as well as
you can achieve anything.
has on students’ lives and for that I
awards from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American
of Missouri and Dr. Lauren Teachout
cannot say thank you enough!
Association of Women’s Dentist,
WHAT IS SOME OF THE BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED?
and the American Association of
One quote that stuck with me
Prosthodontics. After graduating
throughout my training was
from UT, I was accepted into
“Whether you think you can or
the pediatric dentistry program
can’t, either way you are right.” I
at Geisinger Medical Center in
have found no matter how hard the
Danville, Pennsylvania, where
challenge or task, the power of a
only two residents are chosen each
positive attitude goes far.
year. I also was chosen to serve as chief resident of my program while at Geisinger. Once I completed my pediatric dental training, the opportunity to return to Batesville and open the only pediatric dental clinic here arose. This has definitely been my top accomplishment since I graduated from Lyon College.
WHAT WAS YOUR MAJOR AND CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT WHEN YOU WERE A STUDENT?
Biology with a minor in psychology During my years at Lyon, I was very involved with Alpha Xi Delta, Mortar Board, and the Alpha Chi Honor Society. I also served as a mentor for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters
HOW DID LYON PREPARE YOU FOR WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
organization.
Lyon definitely prepared me for everything I encountered in my professional studies. I think the
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JUDD DEERE, ’10 WHERE DO YOU WORK AND WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
HOW DID LYON PREPARE YOU FOR WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
Special Assistant to the President
If you ask anyone who knew me in
and White House Deputy Press
high school, I think it’s safe to say
Secretary
they would never predict I would be doing what I’m doing today. I
Dr. Tebbetts’s Western Literature course (my only C at Lyon), each one had to have the same level of focus and determination.
was shy and lacked confidence.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A RECENT LYON GRADUATE?
Attending Lyon helped me realize
Post-college life is not all about what you
I could do things I never dreamed
know, but about who you know. Use your
My proudest accomplishment is that
of and helped me come out of my
degree from Lyon to make connections.
I have had the opportunity to serve
shell. Having small class sizes
Networking is key. Share a coffee with
the people of my home state not just
forced me to not duck behind other
someone outside of the department you
once, but twice. First at the federal
students and avoid questions from
work in. Have drinks after work with
level in the U.S. Senate and second in
professors. I had to be prepared
someone in the same line of work but a
state government.
with answers and engage in
different company.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE GRADUATION?
discussions. The opportunity to serve the
Lyon also prepared me to think
American people and the President
critically and differently. Whether
WHAT IS SOME OF THE BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED?
of the United States every day right
it was Dr. Gitz’s Modern Russia
We had a motto during the Lt. Governor
now is something I still can’t believe
course, Dr. Roulier’s judicial
Leslie Rutledge’s campaign I worked on
is real.
philosophy course, or
in 2014—“do the work”—something the candidate, and now Lt. Governor, said all the time. I’ve kept that same motto ever since. WHAT WAS YOUR MAJOR AND CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT WHEN YOU WERE A STUDENT?
Double major in political science and history, Kappa Sigma Fraternity, College Republicans, Concert Chorale, Student Government Association, Model UN, Resident Life, Mortar Board, and Student Ambassadors IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE US TO KNOW?
In everything you do, remember to be humble and kind. None of us got where we are without standing on the shoulders of others who sacrificed something for our benefit. 3 4
J. ERIC WILSON, ’06 WHERE DO YOU WORK AND WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
player and was recruited by Jeremy Bishop to join Lyon’s first collegiate
I am the president and CEO of Noble
soccer team in 2002. I didn’t realize
Impact. We were founded in 2013 as
it at the time, but this was my first
a social entrepreneurship summer
startup. Imagine being a high school
workshop for high school students.
senior having just won the state
Today we are an innovation partner
championship. You’re riding high and
for schools, training organizations
just added another trophy to a very
on how to create a culture that
crowded shelf. Your high school even
embraces change.
invited the local news stations to cover your signing day. All is right in
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE GRADUATION?
the world. Then reality hits you in the face. A team of mostly freshmen are going up against mature programs
Before I answer this question, I can
stacked with international players
already visualize my classmates
in the NAIA Conference. You finish
rolling their eyes, but I think the
your first season with 3 wins, 11
best thing I’ve accomplished since
losses, and 0 conference wins. This
graduation is developing a love and
situation is best articulated by the
habit for reading books. If you’re a
boxing poet Mike Tyson. “Everyone
Lyon student reading this, I’ll share
has a plan until they get punched in
an anecdote to prove my point. Bill
the mouth.” Or as my grandmother
Gates and Warren Buffett were
likes to say, “I hope you enjoyed that
once asked what superpower they
slice of humble pie.” I’ve eaten a lot
most wanted. After considering
of pie since then, and if I continue
the question, they both agreed:
down this path, I imagine more pie is
“Being able to read super fast.”
to come.
Every successful person I know is a voracious reader.
HOW DID LYON PREPARE YOU FOR WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
Before enrolling at Lyon, my résumé
Phil Knight, but I read his book “Shoe Dog” with a highlighter and pen. I’ve read countless articles about the history of Nike. If you’re intentional and studious, you can be mentored by anyone.
WHAT WAS YOUR MAJOR AND CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT WHEN YOU WERE A STUDENT?
I double-majored in economics and English, thinking I was going to attend law school. However, an internship at the Clinton School of Public Service changed
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A RECENT LYON GRADUATE?
Read.
my perspective, and with it, my decided path. The most meaningful experiences from my campus involvement came from serving
consisted of working in people’s
WHAT IS SOME OF THE BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED?
yards for my dad’s landscaping
You don’t have to have a personal
company and lifeguarding.
relationship with someone to be
Thankfully, I was a decent soccer
mentored by them. I’ve never met
as captain of the soccer team and president of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. I never got around to starting the Terrell Tebbetts Student Fan Club, but it’s on my to-do list.
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THE SCHRAM BARK PARK
“Schram Bark Park is a perfect
Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity,
name for this new addition to the
and was awarded the Lamar
campus,” said Mulick. “Dr. Schram
Williamson Price for Faculty
was a true animal lover and a fierce
Excellence. He celebrated his
student advocate. I am confident he
silver anniversary—25 years—at
would have been a huge supporter
the College in 2016. On August
of the move our campus is making
29, 2017 Schram passed away,
to become more pet-friendly. I
surrounded by friends and family.
believe it would bring a smile to his face to know that the campus
In 2016, when he was asked
community wanted to remember
about students over the years,
him in this way.”
Schram said: “I get a smile on my face when I think of what
“I voted to name the park after Dr.
the students have accomplished.
Schram because I know how much
It’s incredible. You should see
of an impact he had on the students
the track record. If you take a
On Friday, March 1, Lyon
while he was here,” said senior
look at the accomplishments of
College hosted the “leash cutting
Jordan Trant.
all the students, it’s remarkable. And that suggests that maybe I
ceremony” for the new pet park
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installed on campus. Dean of
Schram joined the Lyon faculty
did something right. There’s a
Students Dr. Patrick Mulick
in 1991, and he was known for
big smile there. I mean, that’s
announced the park would be
his dedication to students. While
why I’m in the business. Just for
named “Schram Bark Park” after
at Lyon, Schram was named
that. Because I can see what the
the late Emeritus Professor of
Alpha Chi’s Teacher of the Year,
students are doing when they leave
Biology Dr. Mark Schram.
served as an advisor for the
here.”
SPRING 2019 • VOLUME 48, NO. 1 EDITORS
Keli Jacobi Madeline Pyle, ’15
DESIGNERS
Chris Hill Wes Obrigewitsch
WRITERS
Keli Jacobi Madeline Pyle Dr. David Hutchison Jill Mobley Gina Garrett Daniel Griffin Cindy Barber
PHOTOGRAPHERS
C L O S I N G
T H O U G H T S
When classes start this fall, I’ll be beginning my 50th year of teaching at Lyon. What a time I’ve had! I’ve chaired the division for at least half those years, served on search committees for presidents and deans, written successful grant applications (including the NEH grant used to rebuild the Alphin Building for classrooms and offices), and served on countless committees.
Chris Hill Mike Kemp, ’88 Wes Obrigewitsch Dawson Angeles, ’20 Bryson Davis, ’21 Dr. Dave Thomas
SUBMISSIONS
For class notes or birth or death notices, email alumni@lyon.edu. To update your information, visit lyon.edu/update-your-info. For other editorial matters or submissions, email marketing@lyon.edu.
VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT Dr. David Hutchison
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT Gina Garrett, ’93
I’ve made presentations at over one hundred professional conferences, published seventy scholarly articles and reviews, and even had a bunch of poems published in literary journals. I’ve been on the staff of Ole Miss’s Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference for over twenty years. But mostly I’ve had a great time working with Lyon’s wonderful students. I’ve advised our Alpha Chi and Kappa Sigma chapters since the early 1970s and the SGA’s Student Policy Committee since the 1980s. I’ve worked with Alpha Lambda Delta and Mortar Board. I’ve advised hundreds, and I’ve taught close to 5,000 students. I’ve always found the greatest pleasure in working with students. When a graduate student tells me she really learned to read in World Lit, a journalist or a law student tells me he really learned to write in Advanced Comp, or an English alum tells me she found her graduate courses a snap after completing Lyon’s major, I know I’ve succeeded in the work God prepared me to do.
DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT Cindy Barber, ’85
DIRECTOR OF ANNUAL GIVING Jill Mobley
LYON COLLEGE
is a selective, independent, undergraduate, residential teaching and learning community affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Lyon College offers a challenging curriculum centered on the liberal arts, guided by an honor system and coordinated with co-curricular programs, all fostering the critical, creative thought and ethical, spiritual growth that will prepare students for fulfilling personal and professional lives committed to lifelong learning and service.
PRESIDENT
Dr. W. Joseph King
PROVOST
Dr. Melissa Taverner
VICE PRESIDENT OF ENROLLMENT SERVICES Matt Crisman
I don’t have another 50 years in me (!), but I sure hope I have many more years of writing and teaching ahead.
DR. TERRELL TEBBET TS is the Martha Heasley Cox Chair in American Literature and the longest-tenured member of the Lyon College campus community.
LYON COLLEGE
2300 Highland Road Batesville, AR 72501 870.307.7000 www.lyon.edu
FOLLOW YOUR SCOTS
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Office of Advancement 2300 Highland Road Batesville, AR 72501
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