Vol. 2, No. 37
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020
Violations found in financial aid BH first in country to use new practices at Henderson State Speed Torque device Pete Tubbs Interim Editor in Chief
Henderson State University has had a year that has been plagued with problems, and a recent article from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette sheds some light on many things that people have been speculating on for months. On Oct. 9, a Gazette article bu Emily Walkenhorst was released that reads “Audit by state at HSU finds 15 violations.” The article states that the Arkansas Legislative Audit found 15 violations in the financial-aid office which is located in the Womack Building. The report from the auditors was sent to the Legislative Joint AuditingEducational Institutions subcommittee where it was approved following a dialogue about the university’s recent progress. According to the article, from 2017 to 2019, “delays in financial-aid verification had frustrated students, parents, educators and community members who had urged students to attend the university.” While there were many counts of “incompetence,” there were apparently no findings of actual fraud. The article has many statements from Arkansas State University System President Chuck Welch, who
Brandon Riddle Baptist Health
Photo by Pete Tubbs, Interim Editor in Chief
Womack Hall is the site of Henderson State University’s business office where an auditing comittee found 15 violations in the handling of student accounts.
said, among other things, that “most of those issues were poor staff training, people not qualified frankly to be doing the job.” The article also states that there is only one employee remaining in the financial-aid office that was present during those two years. Most of the incompetencies stated in the article relate to the mishandling of student grants and scholarships. One auditor wrote that “employees even had scholarship checks stowed away in their desks.” This revelatory article comes mere months after former president of the uni-
versity Glen Jones left his position. Elaine Kneebone then took over as interim president, but was then replaced by Dr. Jim Borsig. A statement from the university was also released recently that made clear that budgets for many departments will be cut for the following year following less than stellar recruitment. The financial aid office still remains in Womack Hall in Henderson State University. The campus is meeting in-person until Thanksgiving Break, after which all students will be participating in virtual learning.
Implications of issue no. 2 Julie Young University Correspondant
Early voting begins next Mon. Oct. 19, but there is still much on the ballot for Arkansans to consider before doing so. The second issue on this year’s ballot is the amendment to change state legislative term limits. The issue of term limits has become more prominent lately, but what are they exactly, and why do they exist? A term limit restricts how many terms an elected official can serve for. These can range from just a few short years to a lifetime. The president of the United States, for instance, may only serve an extent of two full four-year terms, each voted on by the public. On the other hand, Supreme Court Justices serve for life. During his 2012 bid for the presidency, republican Rick Perry proposed 18-year term limits in the Supreme Court. The idea was detailed further on his campaign website: “A Constitutional Amendment creating 18year terms staggered every 2 years, so that each of the nine Justices would be replaced in order of seniority every other year. This would be a prospective proposal, and would be applied to future judges only. Doing this would move the court closer to the people by ensuring that every President would have the opportunity to replace two Justices per term, and that no court could stretch its ideology over multiple generations. Further, this reform would maintain judicial independence, but instill regularity to the nominations process, discourage Justices from choosing a retirement date based on politics, and will stop the ever-increasing
tenure of Justices.” Last month, many mourned the loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died at the age of 87 due to pancreatic cancer. The late Supreme Court Justice’s death so close to a consequential election, as well as the subsequent push from President Donald Trump to name Judge Amy Coney Barrett as her replacement while it is still in his power to do so, has brought to the surface the realities of term limits: whether or not they should be in place, for how long, and for who. In 2014, Arkansans voted in approval of Issue 3 which granted state senators and representatives the ability to serve a 16 year lifetime limit in the Arkansas General Assembly. This established state legislators’ term limits which are still in place today. If voted in, Issue 2 would change this term limit from 16 years to 12 consecutive years followed by the ability to return after a break of four additional years. This would only affect those first elected as of 2021 and after, as those previously elected would still abide by the rules previously set in place. Back in April of 2019, Ark. State Representative and measure sponsor Jim Dotson presented what was then known as Senate Joint Resolution 15 to the House chamber. He provided the reasoning behind this issue. “The purpose of term limits is to limit power and advantages of incumbency. So if you have an incumbent who is running against someone who is not an incumbent, they obviously have a built-in advantage,” Dotson said. “After this resolution, if it is adopted and approved by the voters, it passes. After 12 years someone loses that advantage of incumbency.”
For a vast majority of voters who don’t have the time to read up on each issue before stepping into the voting booth, it can be easy to misunderstand the intent of certain issues. Whether or not to vote yes or no or skip something altogether can become a bit confusing. For those in favor of term limits, Issue 2 might at first seem like something they’d choose to vote yes on if not read too closely. Upon first reading, the amendment is said to limit the terms of members elected to the General Assembly to only 12 consecutive years. Technically, this is true. However, it is the four year break and subsequent ability to return that voters should pay attention to. This amendment would essentially abolish term limits, not shorten them. For those opposed to term limits, this is good news. For those in favor of them, it might not be. “I am generally in [favor] of term limits, as I think that they allow a wider variety of people to participate in our government processes, and they help to mitigate the risk that individuals or entities might control a large section of public fund or interest,” said Dr. Myra Houser, the sponsor for Ouachita Baptist University’s College Democrats. “Of course, this is my personal opinion and not that of Ouachita [Baptist University],” Houser said. Dr. Houser is also an Assistant in the history department as well as the coordinator for the school’s BA program in Social Justice Studies and plans to vote in the upcoming election. Whether to vote yes or no on Issue 2 is up to the individual. Arkansans can begin early voting at their local polling place next week.
occurring on Lake DeGray. Investigation revealed that Courtland Matthew McDonald, 24, of Jacksonville was attending a church outing with family and friends at a location southwest of the Caddo Bend Recreational Area. Witnesses reported that Matthew was swimming and began to call for assistance as it was apparent that he was in distress. Individuals attempted to rescue Matthew and return him to the safety of the boat but were unsuccessful. Matthew subsequently submerged and has not been seen since. Multiple public safety
agencies responded to the scene, but were not able to locate and recover Matthew. Search and recovery operations have been in progress since the incident was reported. Agencies involved in the initial response and ongoing recovery efforts include: Clark County Sheriff’s Office; Caddo Valley Fire and Rescue; Arkansas Game & Fish; Arkansas State Parks; U.S. Corps of Engineers; Amity Fire and Rescue; Arkansas State Police; Arkadelphia Fire and Rescue; Arkadelphia Police Department; and other volunteers.
Baptist Health recently partnered with Arkansasbased medical device startup Vascugenix to introduce new technology to the U.S. that was developed by Baptist Health cardiologist Dr. Dwight Chrisman. The Speed Torque is specially designed to improve the process of guidewire manipulation in cardiovascular procedures. The patented design allows physicians to easily manipulate a guidewire with one hand, unlike traditional guidewire torque devices that require two hands to advance and reposition. “We have been working for several years to bring this device to patients,” said Dr. Chrisman, who in-
vented the technology and is the Chief Medical Officer for Vascugenix. “Having a guidewire that can be manipulated comfortably with one hand will ultimately save procedure time, money and improve patient safety. Our next focus is to get this into the hands of physicians working in cath labs around the country.” The Speed Torque was first used by Dr. Chrisman on Oct. 3 at Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock during a coronary artery intervention. Coronary artery intervention is a procedure to correct a blockage of an artery of the heart to help a patient. A small wire is advanced past the blocked segment of the artery in order to be able to advance and place a stent or balloon to correct the
blockage. The Speed Torque device enables the physician to more efficiently place the wire in the correct position to place the balloon or stent. “Baptist Health has a long history of bringing the latest heart technologies to Arkansas,” said Greg Crain, president of Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock. “I’m grateful for Dr. Chrisman’s innovation and diligence to see this process through that ultimately will provide a better patient experience and outcome. All of our cardiologists at Baptist Health will have access to the new Speed Torque.” For more information about the Speed Torque, ask your cardiologist or visit our website at baptist-health. com.
Dixon, Salmon, Stewart to present design exhibits through Oct. 23 ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will host the senior exhibits of Samantha Dixon, Josh Salmon and Mackenzie Stewart beginning Monday, Oct. 12, through Friday, Oct. 23, in the Rosemary Gossett Adams Gallery on the second floor of Moses-Provine Hall. While the artists will forgo receptions and gallery talks due to COVID-19, the exhibits are free and open to the public for viewing.
Samantha Dixon Dixon, a senior graphic design major from Arkadelphia, Ark., will present her exhibit “It’s Not a Dumb Idea;” Salmon, a senior graphic design and music industry double major from Spring, Texas, will present his work in “Negative Space;” and Stewart, a senior graphic design major from Hurst, Texas, will present “Passion Project.” The exhibits showcase a collection of works created during their time at Ouachita in order to demonstrate understanding and growth in their design skills. “Ouachita has shaped me a lot as an artist, not only through learning more about graphic design, but also through the critiquing process,” Salmon said. “The
professors here are all willing to give students the feedback they need – though, not always the feedback they want – which creates an atmosphere for students, especially graphic design students, that pushes them to excel in their craft.” For Dixon, her exhibit “It’s Not a Dumb Idea” focuses on her growth in confidence as an artist. “In searching for my own design style and preferences, I’ve had to keep this idea at the forefront of my daily routine, written in my notebook, a sticky note in my car and the occasional audible declaration to myself in the mirror,” Dixon said. “Taking this approach has led me to the creation of some pieces that I admire, like those that hang in my senior exhibition. It has also led me to pieces that were, blatantly, not actually that good. But even so, with trial and error, I have still come to find that there has yet to be a dumb idea.”
Josh Salmon Salmon’s exhibit “Negative Space” highlights his use of black and white and the incorporation of negative space throughout his works. “My favorite exhibit piece would have to be my piece entitled ‘Weight,’” Salmon said. “There are a lot of people who feel as if they’re at the end of their rope, but also feel like the weight of
the world continues to fall on their shoulders. “I love the design of the [exhibit] poster because I think it portrays this feeling really well with the silhouette of a man standing on the edge of a cliff, realizing he has nowhere else to go and nowhere to run from the massive wave about to crash down around him,” he added.
Mackenzie Stewart Stewart’s exhibit “Passion Project” features typography, hand-drawn graphics, photo collage and product design. “I pour my heart into every piece I make,” Stewart said. “My goal is to be seen as set apart from the majority of the modern design community. I want people to notice the difference in my work and notice how I enjoy my job because I am doing what the Lord has given me a passion to pursue. “I personally believe that any art that isn’t refreshing to our souls is a waste,” she continued. “That is why I design with my whole heart and full of passion.” The exhibits can be viewed Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Body recovered in Lake DeGray Scholarship opportunities for Arkadelphia High School students Jason Watson Clark County Sheriff
After nineteen days of search and recovery operations, the body of Matthew McDonald was recovered [Oct. 9] at 7:45 a.m. Many thanks go to all the agencies and volunteers who worked tirelessly to help bring closure to his family. We will continue to keep his family and friends in our prayers, as they mourn the loss of their loved one. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office received an emergency 911 call on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 2:55 p.m. reporting a possible drowning
Betty Macon Arkadelphia HS Counselor
COCA-COLA SCHOLARS: $20,000. The CocaCola Scholars Program, the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the country, is now accepting applications from current high school seniors. Students may apply online at Cokeurl.com/Apply2020 through Oct. 31, 2020, at 5 p.m. Eastern. Applicants are selected based on academics, leadership, and service. After a three-stage selection
process, 150 applicants will be named Coca-Cola scholars and receive a $20,000 college scholarship. Full eligibility requirements are available at Cokeurl.com/ Scholarships. HAGAN SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION: The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship designed to help high achieving students graduate college debtfree.The scholarship provides up to $48,000 over four years to attend college.
Recipients must graduate from a public high school located in a county having fewer than 50,000 residents or graduate from a remote rural school located in a county having more than 50,000 residents. Hagn Scholars from 43 states are currently enrolled at 358 colleges and universities. Five hundred more scholarships will be awarded in April 2021. For applications and additional information go to www.hsfmo.org