Arkadelphia Dispatch - August 06, 2020

Page 1

Vol. 2, No. 28

Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020

Ouachita hires Shepherd in full-time role to support students, faculty and staff of color Brooke Zimny Assistant to the President of Comm. & Mark. OBU Dr. Ben Sells, president of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, announced today that Dr. Lewis Shepherd, Jr., will join the school’s executive leadership team as special assistant to the president. Dr. Shepherd’s hiring represents the first-time in Ouachita history to have a full-time position devoted to advancing racial diversity. “Ouachita, with minority enrollment 16.4% of the student body is more racially diverse than any time in its history; however, there is more progress to make,” Sells said. “This historic commitment by our university will help make Ouachita a more welcoming and supportive campus for students, faculty and staff of color.” Dr. Shepherd is a double graduate of Ouachita, having earned a bachelor’s degree in religion and a master’s degree in education. He earned a doctorate in higher education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. From 2009 to the present, Dr. Shepherd held senior leadership roles at Henderson State University focusing on student life, external relations and community engagement. He previously served 29

years in a variety of roles at Ouachita. Since graduating from Ouachita, Dr. Shepherd has been a bi-vocational pastor and has served since 2000 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, the largest Black church in the community. “I’m excited about the opportunity to return to my alma mater and in such an important capacity,” said Dr. Shepherd. “I want to help everyone associated with Ouachita and our community understand racial diversity and its impact.” Ouachita’s current strategic plan has a goal to “expand campus diversity while improving support for minority students, faculty and staff.” It resulted in Dr. Sells establishing the Office of Multicultural Student Programs in 2017, which Dr. Shepherd will also oversee and expand. “As a graduate of Ouachita connected with many of our alumni of color and as someone who has been the pastor of many black students, faculty and staff, I’m pleased with the progress that Ouachita has made,” Shepherd said. “I’ve worked closely with President Sells on community efforts since he came to Ouachita in 2016. I appreciated his June 1 statement that ‘Ouachita has more to do to advance

Photo courtesy of Ouachita Baptist University Dr. Lewis Shepherd Jr. is joining OBU’s executive leadership team as special assistant to the president. This is the first time in OBU history that a position is “devoted to advancing racial diversity.”

racial justice and human dignity’ and I’m excited to help lead my university in this area.” “Increased racial diversity represents intentional university efforts, contributes to a richer learning

environment, and reflects changing demographics,” Sells said. “It’s also a priority for us as a Christian university because all people are created in the image of God.” In addition to his career

in education and ministry, Dr. Shepherd has been involved in numerous civic endeavors, including having served on the Arkansas State Police Commission, as past president of the Arkadelphia Chamber of

Commerce and as a founding member of the Arkadelphia Sunrise Rotary Club. He currently is chair of the Board of Directors of the Percy and Donna Malone Child Safety Center.

Arkadelphia celebrates the late John Lewis Pete Tubbs Interim Editor in Chief John Lewis, the legendary civil rights leader and former United States Representative, passed away recently. Many people knew him as one of the greatest heroes of our time, and that wasn’t lost on the town of Arkadelphia. Led by the Clark County NAACP and the Arkadelphia Racial, Cultural, and Diversity Committee, a celebration in honor of Lewis was held last Thurs. at Feaster Park Pavillion. In

addition to the celebration, flags were flown half-staff for the majority of the week. The celebration featured many speakers and even some singers. Those in attendance included Reverends Johnny C. Harris, Llewellyn E. Terry, Pastor Lewis E. Shepherd (newly appointed to Ouachita Baptist University’s executive leadership team, Senator Percy Malone, and President of OBU Dr. Ben Sells. Ms. Georginna Battle Wright sang “God Bless America,” a song that came

after Herman L. Thomas’ performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and preceded “We Shall Overcome” which was performed by Mrs. Phyllis Harris Dixon. Dr. Shepherd introduced the ceremony while the invocation was delivered by Reverend Gred Latham of Third Street Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. Reverend Terry was one of the speakers who provided reflections during the celebration, and scriptures were recided by Rev. Harris. Former senator Percy

Malone (pictured to the right in a photo provided by Henry Wilson) was also in attendance and preceded Reverend Terry with his own reflections. Closing remarks were provided by Clark County NAACP President Henry L. Wilson while the closing prayer was said by Dr. Sells. Other performers in the celebration included musicians Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth G. Harris Jr.

AR Governor Asa Hutchinson announces eleven pardons, denies thirty-four clemency requests LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced his intent to grant 11 pardons. An additional 34 clemency requests were denied and four had no action taken upon them. These include requests from both inmates and non-inmates. The applicants intended for pardons have completed all jail time and paid all fines related to their sentences. There is a 30-day waiting period to receive public feedback on the notices before final action is taken. Governor Hutchinson intends to grant pardons to the following people: John R. Fortune (El Dorado): Theft of Property (C Felony) (Case #17724). This notice is issued based on the dates of conviction (1981 – Union County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed, and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application. Wendi Kelley (Hot Springs): Theft of Property over $200 (C Felony) (CR 93-392).

This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1994 – Garland County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed, and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application. Brian Landthrip (Oark, AR): Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Felony) (CR 96-40), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Revocation) (C Felony) (CR 9640), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Revocation) (C Felony) (CR 96-40). This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1996 – Johnson County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed, and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application. Andrew Lewis (Leslie): Possession of Controlled Substance-Schedule I/II (C Felony) and Drug Paraphernalia (A Misdemeanor) (CR 2006-114). This notice is issued

based on the date of conviction (2007 – Searcy County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed, and there have been no further felony criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application. Steven D. Prine (Tuckerman): Residential Burglary (B Felony)(CR 96-58), Theft of Property (C Felony)(CR 96-58), Commercial Burglary (C Felony)(CR 97-10), Theft of Property (B Felony) (CR 97-10), Theft by Receiving (B Felony)(CR 97-10), Commercial Burglary (C Felony)(CR 97-14), Breaking or Entering (D Felony) (CR 97-14), and Theft of Property (C Felony)(CR 97-14). This notice is issued based on the date of convictions (1997 – Jackson County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed, and there have been no further criminal-law violations. The Prosecuting Attorney has raised objections to the application. David Sims (North Little Rock): Carrying Certain

Prohibited Weapon (Misdemeanor)(CR 98-000038), Disorderly Conduct (Misdemeanor)(CR 98-000039), and Domestic Battering 3rd (A Misdemeanor)(CR 99-002478). This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1998 – Pulaski County, 2000 - Pulaski County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed, and there have been no further criminallaw violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application. Marguerite Taggart (Pine Bluff): Attempted Robbery (B Felony)(CR 85-113-1), Robbery (Revocation) (B Felony)(CR 85113-1), Theft of Property (C Felony)(CR 88-64-1), Theft of Property (C Felony)(CR 93-714), and Robbery (B Felony)(CR 96-554-3). This notice is issued based on the dates of conviction (1985- Jefferson County, 1988 - Jefferson County, 1988 - Jefferson County, 1994 - Jefferson County, 1996 - Jefferson County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been com-

pleted, and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application. Janice A. Thomas/Allyoune (Little Rock): Robbery (B Felony) (CR 87-02601). This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1988 – Pulaski County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed, and there have been no further felony criminal-law violations. The Prosecuting Attorney has objections to the application. Michael E. Walker (Glenwood): Criminal Mischief in the First Degree (C Felony) (CR 99-55). This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1999 – Clark County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed, and there have been no further felony criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application. Ty Woods (Hot Springs): Theft Of Property $2,500 or more (B Felony)(CR 20061274).

This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2007 – Craighead County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed, and there have been no further felony criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application. Joe A. Vance (Gillham): Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine, 3 counts (Y Felony) (1994-41, 1994-40, and 1994-39) (Guilty Plea), Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) (Y Felony) (2001118) (Guilty Plea), and Attempted Manufacture of Controlled Substance - Methamphetamine (A Felony) (2006-86) (Guilty Plea). This notice is issued based on the dates of conviction (1995 - Sevier County, 2002 - Sevier County, 2007 - Sevier County), and the fact that there have been no further felony criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.