Bell Tower The
The magazine of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith
Students learn leadership lessons in class and after
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PICTURE PERFECT
The Bell Tower
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DANCING IN THE DARK: Fluorescent accessories create a blacklight fantasy scene at a welcome-back mixer.
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Helping students make new friends, eliminate nerves, and get plugged into the university and its resources are at the heart of Welcome Week activities. New Lions show they are ready to leap into a new chapter in their lives.
Heat doesn’t matter. Rain doesn’t matter. On Move-In Day at UAFS, an army of volunteers mobilizes to get new students moved into the dorms. Prepared with moving carts and strong backs, the blue moving crew works it.
The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership may not have a long history, but the program has intellectual rigor, and graduates are finding new successes. Justin Johnson says the BSOL program challenged him and gave him new insights.
Leadership training comes in a variety of forms, offering students many opportunities to engage. Not everyone takes classes that teach leadership, but there are learning opportunities all around.
Hands Up!
Degree of Success
Building Leaders
COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN
THE BELL TOWER FALL | WINTER 2018
Move-In Day
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UAFS MISSION
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UAFS prepares students to succeed in an ever-changing global world while advancing economic development and quality of place. THE BELL TOWER Fall/Winter 2018 Volume 9, Number 2 The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith INTERIM CHANCELLOR Edward A. Serna, Ed.D. CONTRIBUTORS Judi Hansen, John Post, Allison Carlson, Lauren Westfall PHOTOGRAPHER Rachel Rodemann Putman ART DIRECTOR John Sizing, www.jspublicationdesign.com The Bell Tower is published semi-annually by the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, P.O. Box 3649, Fort Smith, AR 72913, for friends, faculty, and alumni of the university. Tel.: (877) 303-8237. Email: alumni@uafs.edu. Web: belltower.uafs.edu.
On Campus
Community
16 New Coaches
2 Meet Dr. Edward Serna
10 American Democracy Project
Alumni coaches ready to roar
UAFS’s new interim chancellor
Demystifying elections
3 Why We Give
11 Shop Alumni Businesses
Alumni
Jim and Carole Williamson love their community
Consider alums this holiday
28 Ms. Senior Arkansas
11 ROTC
Uses platform for change
4 UAFS Promise
Cadets walk to remember 12 In Person: David Pollman 13 In Person: Stephanie Long
28 Class Notes 29 Bookish
Locked-in tuition guarantee 5 UAFS Still the Best Value 5 ’Bot Makes Mowing Easy 6 Sculpture
Sculpture collection prompts thought
Athletics
Bookstore opens downtown
Send address changes, requests to receive The Bell Tower, and requests to be removed from the mailing list to alumni@uafs.edu or UAFS Alumni Association, P.O. Box 3649, Fort Smith, AR 72913. LETTERS ARE WELCOME, but the publisher reserves the right to edit letters for length and content. Space constraints may prevent publication of all letters. Anonymous letters will not be published. Send letters to belltower@uafs.edu or The Bell Tower, P.O. Box 3649, Fort Smith, AR 72913 Views and opinions in The Bell Tower do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine staff nor of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Contents © 2018 by the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.
30 Welded Art
Can Tran sees beauty in metal
14 Lion Leadership Academy
32 Concealed Holsters
AD Janz shapes character
Chris Tedder wants to help FALL | WINTER 2018 THE BELL TOWER 1
LOOKING FORWARD Edward A. Serna, Ed.D.
Our Future is Bright On Sept. 1, at the request of UA System President Donald R. Bobbitt, I became the interim chancellor of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. I was proud to accept this appointment, and I am excited about the year that is ahead of us. Although we may use this time to reflect on our mission and the best way to fulfill it, it would be a disservice to this university and this community to stop moving forward for a year while we search for a chancellor. Edward Serna Too much needs to be done; too many Interim Chancellor students are counting on UAFS to change Age: 47 Family: wife, their lives and the lives of their families. two children It’s important for UAFS to retain Education its role as thought leader in the greater Doctor of education in Fort Smith region. That’s why, earlier Higher Education Administration, this semester, we unveiled the UAFS University of Alabama Promise program, which is our commitExperience ment to students who enroll in fall 2019 Chief of Staff and Vice Chancellor that their tuition cost won’t increase as for Strategic Initiatives, UAFS long as they stay on track for graduation Chief of Staff and within four years. Associate Vice Chancellor This is the first year for our Unmanned for External Funding, UAFS Aircraft Systems degree program. We Director, Grants Management don’t just want to be the leader in Fort and Compliance, UAFS Smith with this degree; we want to take Assistant Professor of the lead in the state for determining best Management, practices for UAS in a variety of uses. Athens State University We can’t take a year off from helping our students discover their leadership potential. Through everything from participation in Registered Student Organizations to earning a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership, students will continue to hone their abilities. We will also be working this year to increase our recruitment and retention efforts. We will be looking for ways to reach out to diverse populations, including veterans, non-traditional students, and community college transfers. We are working to make our advising programs more robust and developing a First-Year Success Center to open in fall of 2019. Please make the journey with us this year. Whether you are a graduate, a community member, a local employer, a parent of a student, or any other friend of the university, we look forward to sharing the great things happening at UAFS with you.
MOVING FORWARD: Dr. Edward Serna, interim chancellor, stands on the Campus Green with his wife, Lauren, and their children, Anna Kate, 8, and Caroline, 3.
UAFS will be a national model for preparing students for workforce mobility through education and professional development while serving as the thought leader in the region. 2 THE BELL TOWER FALL | WINTER 2018
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN
UAFS VISION
Jim & Carole Williamson WHY WE GIVE
W
e give to UAFS because we want to promote positive change in our community. Aware of both the future value and the current economic challenges of a college education, we realize that many qualified students would be unable to attend UAFS without financial support. As a result, we established two scholarship endowments. The income is used to aid students with aboveaverage high school GPAs. We also feel fortunate to be able to help with the Finish Program. Exposure to the visual arts is also important to the community. Although not a professional artist, Carole has always been interested in visual arts as a means of communication. When the opportunity was presented to help with the match for Windgate Art & Design, she was glad to participate. The lecture room is now named for her mother, Mary McCann.
“We give to UAFS because we want to promote positive change in our community.”
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTNAM
To learn more about how you can make a positive change in your community through a gift to UAFS, contact Anne Thomas at 479-788-7033.
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ON CAMPUS UAFS Promise Locks Tuition Rate in Place
KEEPING PROMISES: A FirstYear Success Center is part of an effort to keep students on track and help them succeed.
Beginning next fall, incoming freshmen at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith will have the opportunity to lock in their tuition rate for up to four years at the most affordable university in the state. UAFS will begin offering a
the university, provided they remain on track to graduate within the timeframe of their degree program. Most baccalaureate degree programs have a timeframe of four years or eight semesters. “When Governor Hutchinson asked for all universities to freeze tuition last year, we started to think of ways that we could continue to keep costs low for our students,” said Dr. Edward Serna, interim chancellor of UAFS. “A program like the UAFS Promise, which maintains a flat rate while incentivizing them to graduate within
four years, is a win for everyone involved.” Serna added that the development of the UAFS Promise drove “introspection” at the university to identify ways to accommodate students better. An advising task force that convened in the spring semester led to the creation of a First-Year Success Center to be opened in fall 2019. All incoming freshmen will be advised through this center, which will also serve “as a centralized location for student support services to better serve all of our first-year students, not just those enrolled in the
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN
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fixed tuition program named the UAFS Promise for first-time entering freshmen in fall 2019. Described as an agreement between the university and students, the program rewards students with a flat tuition rate for up to four years at
School Updates ON CAMPUS
Promise program. Julie Mosley, director of advisement at UAFS, said the program demonstrates the university’s commitment to student success. “The UAFS Promise is our pledge to ensure students continue to get an excellent education at UAFS at an affordable tuition rate,” Mosley said. “Through the advising process on our campus, advisors will be dedicated to assisting students in connecting with the resources needed to be successful in the classroom and on the university campus. On-time graduation will be a priority for students in this program, saving them tuition dollars and ultimately allowing them to enter the workforce more quickly.” Serna added that the initiative is a major step toward the university’s five-year strategic plan goals of increasing the enrollment, retention and graduation rates of students. “But the UAFS Promise is more than just an initiative to increase retention and graduation rates,” he said. “It’s a statement about who we are as an institution. For our region to thrive, our university must be accessible, affordable and focused on student success, and this program is part of our continuing commitment to meeting those needs.” At this time, current, transfer, and readmitted students are not eligible to participate in the UAFS Promise. Students interested in signing up for the program can do so during their initial advising appointment at the university. —John Post
UAFS Most Affordable For the second straight year, the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is the most affordable university in Arkansas. UAFS continues to hold the designation after changes were made in tuition and fees at universities across the state for the 2018-19 school year, according to data released by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. This year, in-state undergraduate students will pay just $166.30 per credit hour at UAFS, excluding additional mandatory fees. A full-time student can expect to pay $7,127.50 for a year of schooling at UAFS. On average UAFS is more than $1,300 cheaper than other
BIG VALUE: The university’s affordability influenced Josh Simond’s decision to go to UAFS.
public four-year universities, according to ADHE data. UAFS graduate Josh Simmonds, ‘18, of Sallisaw said the university’s affordability played a major role in his choice of university.
Lawn ’Bot Makes Mowing a Breeze
“I had a relative who went to a big Division I school, and he quickly racked up debt and had to take a long break before coming back,” he said. “So I knew I didn’t want a big university that would put me in so much debt that I wouldn’t be able to finish my education.” A first-generation college student, Simonds graduated this spring with a bachelor’s degree in media communication. And he graduated with no student loan debt, thanks to a combination of scholarships, federal aid and working while going to school. He is attending graduate school at William Woods University in Fulton, Mo. —John Post
AUTOMOWER: A little off the top.
You’ve heard about self-driving automobiles. You’ve seen Roombas. But an automatic lawn mower? Let’s call it a lawn ‘bot. This fall, UAFS is piloting the use of a Husqvarna automatic lawnmower, also known as an automower, on a strip of grass between the Boreham Library and the Pendergraft Health Sciences Center. Each weekday at 6 a.m., the lawnmower automatically turns on, cuts about 7,000 square feet of grass in a stretch hemmed in by boundary wire, and takes itself home to recharge at the end of its run at around noon. In addition to convenience for both employees and students, the new technology also allows for educational opportunities for students, according to Matt Rich, grounds manager for UAFS and its contracted lawn service company Southeast Service Corp. This fall, Rich will teach lessons in Dr. Kiyun Han’s wireless systems course about the GPS technology employed by the machine. “In the class, I hope to take apart the automower to show students the components and talk about how Bluetooth and GPS systems work on this machine and coordinate with the app,” Rich said. While automatic lawnmowers are still relatively new technology, Rich said the mower is safe and has builtin mechanisms to prevent theft. Instead of the traditional blades on push or riding lawnmowers, the automatic lawnmower uses three-inch box cutting blades that shave off around an eighth of an inch of grass. “It’s almost like a running weed eater,” he said. The electric motor is quieter than a gasoline-powered model. “One of the benefits we don’t think about is how quiet it is,” Rich said. “In the past, we’ve tried not to mow in the morning because it can be a distraction to students on campus. Using technology like this and electric mowers that don’t make much noise allow us to use them at any time.” —John Post FALL | WINTER 2018 THE BELL TOWER 5
ON CAMPUS Windgate Art & Design
The Shape of Art ris, Fort Smith Junior College class of ’67. Entitled “Tossed About” the steel and aluminum sculpture, a gift of Peggy and Bill Weidman, repeats the materials and geometric shapes of the building. At the other end of Windgate, also outside, is “Triumph Yellow” by Jeremy Thomas. Thomas is known for superheating steel sheets that he Gallery Hours
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Saturday-Sunday
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want people here to engage with these pieces. They are special.” Perhaps the best known is
outside Windgate Art & Design at the corner of Waldron and Kinkead. Created by Greer Far-
ART FOR ALL: The UAFS sculpture collection brings works by renowned artists to the campus where they can be enjoyed by all.
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN
The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith has the beginnings of a fine sculpture collection with works by internationally acclaimed sculptors, and that’s something the surrounding community needs to know about, said gallery assistants Bridget Duncan and Jessica Medeiros. “We think people don’t really understand that the gallery in Windgate is open to anyone and everyone,” Duncan said. “You don’t have to be an art student or a student at all. The art is here for everyone. Just come in. There’s always something amazing to see.” “We have these pieces by internationally renowned sculptors whose works are on display in major museums around the world,” Medeiros said. “We
welds together and injects with pressurized air creating curved pieces that appear inflated. Dominating the space inside the gallery are two heads by Jun Kaneko. Combining cast bronze, enamel paint, and stainless steel, the “Unnamed Heads” in Windgate face each other. A wooden sculpture by Little Rock artist Robyn Horn faces the front of the building. “Flying Away and Falling Apart” is carved from a single piece of wood. The smallest piece in the collection, “Bronze Female Figure with Arms Raised,” is just 7 inches tall. The Windgate Charitable Foundation provided a $15.5 million grant for the building and challenged the UAFS community to raise $2.5 million in private support to establish an endowment for the facility.
Diverse styles, materials, sensibilities bring texture and expression to Windgate
HANDS
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UP!
WELCOME WEEK Helping students make new friends, calm their nerves and get plugged into the university and its resources are at the heart of Welcome Week activities. New Lions show they are ready to leap into a new chapter in their lives.
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN
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COMMUNITY ELECTION CENTRAL: Students, faculty, and community members mix at the first Election Fair hosted by the American Democracy Project.
Voter Ed with a UAFS Twist The UAFS chapter of the American Democracy Project has taken the lead in Sebastian County in providing voter education through pre-election town hall-style forums. In the spring semester, ahead of party primaries, students in ADP hosted and directed three
announced, and one for the candidates for Fort Smith at-large District 5 position. Then ADP students kicked off the fall semester with their first Election Fair, held in conjunction with the annual Campus Block Party. The fair brought several candidates or
engaged in the democratic process. We want them to be proactive and engaged,” said ADP advisor Dr. Williams Yamkam, assistant professor of political science. Both political candidates and local media outlets have reacted positively to the forums,
“We use a deliberate model with students at the center.” – DR. WILLIAMS YAMKAM representatives of their campaigns to the campus to share with students information and literature about the November elections. “The ultimate goal of our presentations, whether for the Political Lions, Policy Lions, or Civic Lions, is to give our students enough information to empower them to be more
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Yamkam said. Candidates are glad to have a platform like the forums, and media outlets have produced stories about the events. Are the events popular with others beyond the campus? Yamkam said a turnout for the first mayoral forum, held at noon, drew an audience of 218, suggesting the events are important to community mem-
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN
forums: one for the Democratic candidates for Sebastian County county judge, one for Republican candidates for state Senate District 8, and one for the two candidates who had announced they were running for Fort Smith mayor at that time. Over the summer they hosted mayoral candidates again, this time after a third candidate
bers as well as students. Andrew Yardley, a senior who was the lead moderator for this summer’s forum for candidates for Fort Smith Board of Directors, said the faculty advisors let students lead the way in planning the forums. Yamkam helped to line up the participants and let them know what general topics the forum would cover. Then he expected students to research the issues and write the questions. “The professors that work with us tell us to come prepared, to write as many questions as we can, and to email them. Then they would help us determine what questions were good and what ones were biased. They kept us on topic, too,” he said. Yardley, a media communications major with a minor in political science, has an internship with ADP this semester. He said he became interested in political debates watching the presidential debates in 2016. “I saw the loaded questions they asked in the debates, and I promised myself if I ever had the chance to participate in something like that, I wouldn’t ask unfair, loaded questions. People want to know where the candidates stand; they don’t have time for bad questions,” he said. Yamkam is glad to have the help of an intern. “The events we hold are very cumbersome to plan,” he said. And there are plenty of events ahead. Policy Lions is going to launch a series of discussions around the topic Majority Rule vs. Minority Rights, he said. “Politicians in Arkansas have learned to do the people’s
Enterprise COMMUNITY
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN; ILLUSTRATION BY LAUREN WESTFALL
business while the majority party has found a way to rule but to give voice to the minority party.” He’s also hoping to gather a panel of commentators to talk about the lessons learned after November’s midterm elections. The events will put a Republican and a Democrat on the stage at one time to show the importance of civility while also giving students an inside look at how party politics work in practice. Yamkam said he is pleased with the increasing level of enthusiasm for the American Democracy Project on campus. “We use a deliberate model with the forums and the Election Fair with students at the center. We want the students to be exposed to and excited about the electoral process,” he said.
Shop Alumni at Christmas Each year, Christmas shoppers are reminded to shop small and shop local. This year, we’d like to offer one more suggestion. When you are looking for one-of-a-kind items, lastminute gifts, or consumables, consider buying from UAFS alumni entrepreneurs in the neighborhood.
Fort Smith Coffee Co.
Clinger Holsters, owned by alum, Chris Tedder, ’10, is featuring their V3 Stringray holster as a Christmas special item. It is their most popular product, and a sure-fire success as a gift for any sharpshooter in need of concealment. 1316 E. Main Street, Van Buren.
Fort Smith Coffee Company is launching its winter drinks menu on Thanksgiving week, and will be participating in the Nov. 3 Holiday Open House. Hot drinks at the café opened by alumni Kaity, ‘09, and Gabriel, ’08, Gould, will be 20 percent off then. Take a break from your shopping and enjoy handcrafted specialty beverages, with syrups made in-house. 1101 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith.
Local tech repair shop, Gadget Grave, brainchild of Cole Thornton, ’06, is taking off $25 from the price of any phone for the holidays with the use of coupon code 424160, valid until Dec. 31. 4900 Rogers Ave., suite 103i, Fort Smith.
weather, participants undertook a three-mile rucksack march, symbolizing the burden people suffering from depression carry with them each day.
Core Public House
Clinger Holsters
Gadget Grave
awareness on May 3. Despite rainy
Holiday sweets are nice, but your body will thank you for some real food. Carrot Dirt, owned by Jessica and Brandon Parker, both ’09, has a taste for something a little different: fresh juices made from high quality fruits and vegetables. Be sure to try their variety of flavors to find your next favorite. 4300 Rogers Ave., suite 32 Fort Smith.
Bookish, the amazing new bookstore owned by grad Jennifer Battles, ’96, and friend Sara Putman, will be participating in the Holiday Open House on Nov. 3. Shoppers are invited to visit their beautiful store for giveaways, drawings, and refreshments! 115 N. 10th Street, Fort Smith.
Corps and the Student Veterans Remember,” an event for suicide
Carrot Dirt
Bookish
The Reserve Officer Training Organization hosted “A Walk to
grad Casey Millspaugh, ’11, provides unique and classic flavors for your holiday snacking and gifting. Call 479-441-9533 for information.
Fort Smith Popcorn Co.
Who doesn’t love quality popcorn, especially when you can have it delivered to you on Thursdays? The Fort Smith Popcorn Company, owned by
Proud of being Arkansas born and brewed, Core Brewing Company under the direction of owner and founder Jesse Core, ’96, cares about its community. Come for the high quality beer and stay for the company. 701 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith. Indie
Two sisters, Naomi Lee, ’17, and Constance Elmore, ’14, are living the dream and sharing it with discerning Fort Smith region shoppers who are looking for something perfect to wear to holiday parties. Looking for something unique to put under the tree for that special someone? You might find it at Indie. 4300 Rogers Ave., suite 54, Fort Smith.
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IN PERSON David Pollman
UAS Program Answers Need in Community Unmanned aerial systems have the potential to change everything from the way farmers harvest their crops to the way emergency managers deploy resources after disasters. And besides, they’re cool. OK, so David Pollman didn’t exactly say drones are cool, but it was the clear undercurrent in everything he said about the UAS program he is creating at UAFS. Pollman describes himself as a military guy with five years in the Navy. That’s where he got his start with unmanned aircraft in 2008. Pollman’s father was in the Navy before him, so his early years covered some miles. Born Key West, Fla., he moved with this family to Rota, Spain, where his mother was born. He grew up in central Florida. He joined the Navy in 2005 and deployed to Iraq. At that time he was attached to the elite SEAL Team 3, where
FIRST IN FLIGHT: David Pollman says flying unmanned aircraft is the easy part; the challenge lies in gathering and interpreting data.
evidence while maintaining the chain of evidence and observing other protocols needed to build cases against insurgents. The team had a Raven for reconnaissance that was Pollman’s first exposure to small UAS. But it was later when he deployed for a private company training ser-
higher education wasn’t something the graduate of EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University saw coming. “I never thought I’d be working at a university,” he said. “I thought of myself as a bluecollar guy. But I like what I’m doing. I like having the opportu-
“I want UAFS to be the leader, the center for excellence, in determining best practices for the use of unmanned aircraft in Arkansas.” – DAVID POLLMAN his role was site exploitation and detainee operations. In other words, he was a member of the military police. The SEALs would hit a target, clear it, and set up a perimeter. Then Pollman was responsible for searching the site and collecting
vice members in the use of UAVs that he knew he’d found what he wanted to do. “I realized this was something with a huge potential for growth. I had the bug, and I just stayed with it,” he said. Despite that, working in
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nity to shape the way we’re going to prepare students for the workforce, to say this is what I think we should train to, this is something we can prepare students for with this degree.” He likes the diversity of students he’s seen in his course,
and he’s eager to work with high schools students in concurrent credit courses. He’s also interested in helping with community ventures, like filming 5-K races and mapping infrastructure needs. “It’s unquestionable that automation and UAS will play a key role in how things are accomplished across multiple industry sectors in the near future,” Dr. Ken Warden, dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology, said. “This technology touches everything. UAFS, with the expertise of Director Pollman, intends to lead the effort to increase these skills in our communities.” The industry is at its beginning, and the FAA has imposed limits on unmanned aircraft, like maintaining a line of sight between the pilot and the craft, Pollman said. Once the FAA’s ASSURE (Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence) program establishes ways to integrate UAs into the national airspace, the sky really will be the limit. Using UAs is about more than flying, Pollman cautions. Students must know how to use different payloads – cameras, sensors, and other tools – and how to interpret the data they collect. Ultimately Pollman wants to connect with law enforcement, FEMA, state-level emergency management, and emergency responders to determine best practices for using unmanned aircraft in responding to natural disasters or other civic emergencies. “I want us, UAFS, to be the leaders in this, to be the state’s center of excellence,” he said.
Stephanie Long IN PERSON
Sweet Vision Stephanie Long’s father, an avid Rolling Stones fan, gave each of his children a song from the legendary band to describe them. For his daughter, he chose “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” Long begs to differ. At age 21, she is a budding entrepreneur, director of operations for a regional frozen custard chain in northwest Arkansas, and fulltime student at UAFS. “If I have a vision in my head, you can’t tell me no,” she said. One of those visions was of The Cake Occasion, a smallbatch bakery located in Springdale that Long opened in 2015 while a student at Springdale High School. Long has developed the business while attending Brightwater, the culinary school at Northwest Arkansas Community College. Through the first five months of this year, Long’s company has already exceeded sales from 2017. Having grown up baking with her mother, Long had wanted to own a bakery from a young age. But during her time at NWACC, she learned about making artisan foods and saw an opportunity to open a business to address an unmet need in northwest Arkansas. “They were teaching us to do artisan foods where everything is local and fresh, and we’re missing baked goods stores that do that in our area,” she said. “I wanted to bring that concept alive.” She just celebrated her company’s three-year anniversary, highlighted by her recent participation in the Women’s
Business Enterprise National Council’s (WBENC) nationally competitive student entrepreneur program held last summer in Detroit. The conference ended with a pitch competition, and though Long didn’t win, the experience was what mattered to her.
“I was just going for the experience,” she said. “I knew that by being around like-minded individuals, we would be able to help grow and expand our businesses together. After getting to know all the girls, it became more about cheering them on
Pride Power
S
ervice is at the core of Lion Heart, an organization
Fort Smith, 64.6 Downtown, UAFS Alumni and Rightmind Advertising. Long is also gaining management experience through her work at Shakes Frozen Custard, where she serves as director of operations. In that role, she travels to franchises in Missouri, Florida and Texas and trains new managers and owners. At the store in Fayetteville, she is in charge of many of the day-to-day operations and is currently implementing a new operations manual for the entire company. In January, Long transferred to UAFS, where she participates in Mentor Connections, to round out her baking expertise with a business degree. She likes the school’s community feel. “I love UAFS,” she said. “I feel like the people on campus actually care that I’m here.” Long plans to graduate from UAFS next May and to start more businesses in the future. She is also looking at buying a storefront for her bakery. “I like the idea of start-
for members of the
campus family and of the wider community who want to give back. Membership is open to students, faculty, staff, and friends of the university. Those requesting help might need volunteers to organize a nonprofit’s 5K run, usher at public events, or pitch in on a cleanup effort. Members can work on the projects that are important to them and fit in their schedules. “I love Lion Heart because it builds partnerships between the campus and the community,” said Lauren Serna, director of donor relationships for the UAFS Foundation and wife of Interim Chancellor Edward Serna. “We accomplish important projects while helping our students become informed and responsible leaders now and in the future.” Those who are interested in joining Lion Heart or those who would like to request help for an upcoming project can find forms online, by going to the university’s main page, UAFS.edu,
“I love baking for people, and I want to keep doing it.”
and searching for LionHeart.
– STEPHANIE LONG
UAFS Chancellor Paul Beran,
Janice Beran, wife of former described the importance of
and pushing them to be the best they could possibly be as the owner of their business.” Long took the lessons learned in Detroit to the pitch contest held in conjunction with the Prime River Valley Professional Summit in Fort Smith in September, where she placed first and won $1,000 for her efforts. Sponsors were Rotary
ing businesses, making them sustainable, and moving on to another one,” she said. “But I still want to be a part of all my businesses. It’s not all about the money for me. I take pride in the transactions with my customers and making it personalized. I love baking for people, and I want to continue doing it.”
Lion Heart: “It’s through the efforts of ordinary people that we can do extraordinary things.”
—John Post FALL | WINTER 2018 THE BELL TOWER 13
ATHLETICS
FUN TIMES: UAFS basketball player Chris Crawford reads to students at a Fort Smith elementary school.
AD Hopes to Infect Athletes with Leadership culture,” he said. “I can’t reach every studentathlete, so I try to pick 35 or so who will make an impact,” Janz said. The group includes freshmen and seniors, team captains and people “who should be team captains but don’t know it yet.” One night a week through
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the semester, Janz gathers the students. He feeds them dinner and gives them a chance to talk about leadership. “I tell our kids all the time you have to be able to learn and able to lead. If you can do those two things you will always have a job, and probably a good job. The people across the street,”
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN
Athletic Director Curtis Janz describes a culture of servant leadership like a good virus. Through his Lions Leadership Academy for student athletes, he hopes to identify leaders and potential leaders on every team, teach some lessons, and let the participants “infect their teams and spread the
he said pointing to the campus’s academic buildings, “can take care of the learning side. We can take care of the leadership part, the character part.” Janz said he begins the course by challenging students to identify three principles that will be their “North Star.” “I tell them GPS is a great thing to have when you want to go someplace people have been before. But when you want to go somewhere no one has ever been, you need to have a compass. Every new season is an unknown, a place no one has
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN
Lion Pride ATHLETICS
ever been before. You’re going to need to know where true north is.” Janz integrates curriculum from Habitudes, developed by his friend Tim Elmore at Growing Leaders in Atlanta. “The kids are hungry for it,” Janz said. The lessons are geared specifically to today’s young adults; they aim to tell stories through illustrations instead of words. Dylan Hunt, a junior baseball player, said the Lions Leadership Academy has a diverse group of students, which has helped him to realize there are many different styles of leadership and different people will respond to different kinds of leaders. He said he uses the lessons he’s learning every day. “I have learned how to better communicate with people during practice, in the classroom, and everywhere in life.” He said he also knows that, as a student-athlete, he represents the university everywhere he goes. “As a leader, I have to make sure to do good in school, work hard at practice, and try to carry myself well.” His coaches, he said, lead by example. Instead of sitting in the shade watching, “our coaches work hard and grind out every single day with us.” Ellie Lehne is a basketball player majoring in organizational leadership with a minor in biology. She plans to continue her studies and become a chiropractor. Lions Leadership Academy has taught her communication, trust, transparency, account-
“I tell our kids all the time you have to be able to learn and able to lead. If you can do those two things you will always have a job.” ability, loyalty, and respect. These characteristics are crucial to success on the basketball court, she said. “Our team this year has a lot of new faces, so learning to
trust and respect each other is going to bring us success this season.” Janz believes that leadership alone is not enough. This semester he plans to concentrate
on servant leadership. “It can’t just be in the classroom; it also has to be in the community. We have to be in the community.” In addition to asking for community service, Janz again this year will take student-athletes to the National Cemetery to see evidence of service to the country. They will spend an hour or more walking in the cemetery, which he knows will be new to many students. He will try to get some active military members to discuss their service with the students, providing many with a new understanding of servant leadership.
RESPECT: Each year Athletic Director Curtis Jamz take student-athletes to the National Cemetery in Fort Smith as part of his lesson in servant leadership.
FOLLOW THE LIONS ON FACEBOOK: TeamUAFS | UAFS Lions Athletics | UAFS Cheer | UAFS Women’s Basketball | UAFS Men’s Basketball
FALL | WINTER 2018 THE BELL TOWER 15
ATHLETICS Lion Pride
Alumni Coaches Roaring for Season
INVOLVED: Justin Bailey, new Lions head basketball coach, interacts with players at a September training session.
It wasn’t the summer Athletic Director Curtis Janz was anticipating. “It was a difficult summer,” Janz said just after the 20182019 year began. “I put in a lot of 14-hour days, but at this time in the summer, I am super excited.” Janz’s summer took an unexpected detour when both men’s basketball coach Josh Newman and women’s basketball coach Elena Lovato stepped down from their posts, Newman to take over as head coach at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Lovato returned to Division I Mississippi State as an assistant coach.
HELPING HAND: New women’s head basketball coach Tari Cummings pitched in on Move-In Day, demonstrating service leadership.
16 THE BELL TOWER FALL | WINTER 2018
Janz said he went out to find the best people he could for the positions – and ended up with two UAFS alumni and former basketball players. Justin Bailey, ’07, head for the basketball Lions, is a Fort Smith native, Northside graduate, and former UAFS player and coach. In addition to his playing and coaching experience, Bailey has a master’s degree in higher education. Bailey said he is proud to have a chance to lead the Lions after the team made its fourth national tournament appearance in five seasons and set a school record for single-season wins last year. “I am happy and excited to be a part of this team’s experience,” he said. Asked about his goals for the team, Bailey said he tells players academics come before athletics, but that he still has an eye to winning. Although the roster lost a lot of students to graduation, he said he still hopes to win the conference tournament and return to the NCAA Division II tournament this year. Pocola native Tari Cummings, ’99, takes over the Lady Lions. Cummings played basketball at Westark from
News and Notes ATHLETICS
1997-1999, and she was an assistant coach under longtime head coach Louis Wharton for four seasons. Most recently she was an assistant coach at Division I Tulsa. Cummings said she called all the members of the team the
ers “are going to know I’m hard but I’m fair.” Like Bailey, she emphasizes the student in student-athlete. “Someday, the ball is going to stop bouncing, and you’re going to need something to fall back on. So you’re here to get your
Janz says new coaches #BleedBlue
New Faces IN ADDITION TO NABBING TWO FIRST-TIER HEAD basketball coaches this summer, UAFS added several other new faces to the athletic program. “Our culture could have gotten weaker over the summer, but it didn’t. I really think we’re on the launch pad of something special. It might take a couple of years to get there, but we’re going in the right direction,” said AD Curtis Janz. MASON RHODES,’18, coach, men’s and women’s cross country
night before her appointment was announced. “I wanted them to hear it from me and not the media,” she said. “I’m big on relationships, and I want to get to know every one of them.” She said she plans to set the bar high for the team, but play-
education by way of basketball.” Janz said the department’s culture got stronger over the summer. “These two will represent not just UAFS, UAFS athletics, or UAFS basketball – they will represent Fort Smith and the River Valley extremely well,” he said.
SHA’HADA ARTBERRY, strength and conditioning coach GARY PRESTON JR., assistant coach, volleyball MACY AYULO, ’16, assistant coach, volleyball AARON PROCTOR, assistant coach, men’s basketball KAELYNN BOYD, assistant coach, women’s basketball HALEIGH LANKSTER, assistant coach, women’s basketball DUSTON GREEN, assistant coach, men’s basketball SHAWN JOY, assistant coach and pitching coach, baseball
ALUMNI LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP Support future Lions with a gift or a memorial in honor of a loved one to the Alumni Legacy Scholarship.
uafsalumni.com/scholarship For more information, contact Rick Goins, Director of Alumni Affairs, 479-788-7026.
welcom New students,
tons of stuff, 18 THE BELL TOWER FALL | WINTER 2018
me home PHOTO ESSAY
FOR NEW STUDENTS, MOVING into a dorm room can seem exciting, scary, and logistically complicated. But every year, 150 returning students, staff, and faculty volunteer to be part of the Chancellor’s Move-in Crew to show new students that at UAFS no challenge is too big because there’s always someone to help.
pouring rain:
What could go wrong? FALL | WINTER 2018
HANDOFF: Parents drive overstuffed vehicles to UAFS and turn their offspring, no longer children, over to the blue-shirted crew who will help them settle in. Who knows where all those belongings came from or if they will be used in the semester ahead? What’s important today is making sure the new space is home sweet home.
20 THE BELL TOWER FALL | WINTER 2018
FALL | WINTER 2018 THE BELL TOWER 21
SUCCE DEGREE OF
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP: It’s more than just a completer degree.
ESS Helping Students Look Deeper and Lead Better
ALTHOUGH LEADERSHIP HAS been a desired human characteristic since our ancient ancestors valued the most successful hunters, as a rigorous academic field, leadership is just about 20 years old, according to Dr. Kristin Tardif, assistant professor in the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership program. Its history on the UAFS campus is even shorter, but that doesn’t mean the major isn’t demanding and useful. “Joe and I take our teaching seriously, and so does Professor Buck,” Tardif said, speaking about colleagues Dr. Joe McCoy, assistant professor, and Justina Buck, instructor, in the BSOL program. “We have a proposal in to the dean right now to strengthen the program.” As an example of bolstering the coursework, Tardif said she is working to upgrade the current global challenges course, which covers topics like population and natural resources, to a global complexities class that would look at more advanced issues like turbulence and ways of knowing. She’d also like to use this class as an opportunity to add a study-abroad component to the degree. Dr. Ken Warden, dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology, said employers want a program like the BSOL. “When CEOs are asked what they need to bridge the workforce skills gap, responses about leadership and communication outnumber technical skills responses two-to-one,” Warden said. “The BSOL program combines a highly talented faculty with a rigorous curriculum to ensure we’re hitting the mark. This program is top-notch.” Tardif believes the degree’s internship experience and capstone project add value and rigor to the program as well. Because many of the students in the program are working full time, they often tie their projects to real issues in their companies. One student’s project was so good that it earned him a promotion and a transfer to a larger facility. Justin Johnson, operations manager for Trane Custom in Fort Smith, graduated with a BSOL in December FALL | WINTER 2018 THE BELL TOWER 23
TEAM WORK: Students have 20 spaghetti sticks, a yard of tape, a yard of string, and a marshmallow. The task: Build a tower strong enough to support the marshmallow.
2016. Johnson said getting a bachelor’s degree was part of his career plan, and he was glad that he could build his school schedule around his work schedule. He also appreciated the fact that the curriculum challenged him. Far from being a walk in the park, the coursework caused him to re-evaluate the way he communicated with his staff. He discovered he wasn’t as great a supervisor as he thought. Instead, he realized his management style was “bulldoz24 THE BELL TOWER FALL | WINTER 2018
er-like,” and he learned through his studies that “different people respond to different styles of management.” Today Johnson is working on a dual global MBA as part of a program between Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and Alliance Manchester Business School in England. When he graduates in two years, it will be with an MBA from both universities. McCoy and Tardif said there are many military veterans in the program. Because
many veterans have had more responsibility than nonmilitary students of similar age or point in their careers, the vets can provide real-life perspectives on topics as they come up. John Grimsley, ’17, retired from the Marine Corps after 23 years of service. It wasn’t long before he realized that his experiences as a leader would not get him the kind of job he wanted if he didn’t have a degree behind him.
Nevada Railroad Materials, where he said he uses the skills he learned in his BSOL studies “daily.” Scarlette Bourne, ’18, also a veteran, is the security officer, training officer, and human resources officer for the Department of Justice in Fort Smith, working with U.S. Attorney Duane “Dak” Kees for the Western District of Arkansas. She said she started working on her degree in 2014 and graduated in 2018, working full time all the while and taking most of her classes online. She had some trouble deciding what major she wanted to pursue. She considered information technology and business administration, but she wanted something broader. When her advisor suggested organizational leadership, she knew she found her program. Although she still has the job she started the program with, Bourne believes she does her job significantly better since she completed her studies. “I can honestly say that I have become a better advisor to my U.S. attorney on situations we’re dealing with,” she explained. “I’ll also say because of the knowledge I learned in Dr. Tardif ’s program, he trusts me much more.”
Grimsley, who prefers to learn from professors’ experiences more than from textbooks, said the curriculum has helped him to seek and find potential in others. “It was through Dr. Tardif that I gained insight of how to really judge another,” he said. “In the Marines, I only gave one chance for success before I dismissed a failure. Dr. Tardif taught me how to look deeper and seek out the success of each individual.” Grimsley now is a plant manager for
“In the Marines, I only gave one chance for success before I dismissed a failure. Dr. Tardif taught me how to look deeper and seek out the success of each individual.” —John Grimsley, ret. USMC She said she’d recommend the BSOL program to people like her who don’t want to get tied down to a specific job or field. McCoy said each semester brings new challenges, but he knows the students will grow from their coursework. “We don’t exactly know how (the class) is going to go, but very soon some students are engaged,” he said. “There are some others we have to grab and help them get to the level we know they can hit. At the end of the semester, some will come back and say, ‘I didn’t know I could do this. This has changed my job; this has changed my outlook.’ That’s the thing that drives us. We’re actually making a difference with these students.”
BALDOR: Students pursue the BSOL degree through the College of Applied Science and Technology.
FALL | WINTER 2018 THE BELL TOWER 25
Building
Leaders Students have countless opportunities to practice leadership
Leadership development comes in many shapes on the UAFS campus. “For a medium-sized college, we are evolving an array of diverse leadership opportunities, and that allows lots of students to engage,” said Dr. Lee Krehbiel, vice chancellor for student affairs. “The important thing is that we do it in a lot of different ways because not everything is right for everyone.” Of course, opportunities for leadership development can arise anywhere on campus or off, but some ways are more formal than others. Registered Student Organizations
Perhaps the way that engages the most students with potential leadership opportunities is participation in RSOs. In the second week in September there were 101 official RSOs with another 10 or so going through steps to be registered, said Stephanie London, director of student activities, coordinator of assessment, and student and campus life. Organizations range from small to large, from very structured to less so and appeal to a wide range of interests. “People are looking for a way to be connected,” London said. “When they connect to an RSO, they connect to other members, they connect to an advisor, and that gives them someone they can turn to if they need something.” Every RSO has at least three formal leadership positions, a president, vice president, and treasurer; some have many more. But even those who aren’t officers will still encounter opportunities to learn leadership skills. “Student leaders in RSOs learn planning skills, marketing skills, general communication skills. They learn negotiating skills and listening skills. Some of these are things they can put on their resumes,” she said. London, a 2006 graduate of UAFS, said her own experiences in RSOs helped her in her first job after college. “I didn’t realize everything I had gained until I got to my first job and was called on to do tasks. I realized I could do things, sometimes even things people who had been there longer than I couldn’t do. I could do it because RSOs are student-led and student-run.” An underappreciated lesson for students in RSOs is the opportunity to try something and fail, she said. Students have to learn “it’s OK to make mistakes. It’s OK if you don’t always reach your goal. These experiences are things you
take with you in life. I’m glad I was able to fail, even though it was hard at the time. The failures really were successes because they were the ways you were about to grow.”
nities with about 280 students engaged in Greek life. They offer more organized leadership potential than some RSOs, and members can be part of a programming board that sponsors events like Greek Week and Anti-Hazing Week. Members average more community service house, raise more philanthropic dollars and have more leadership opportunities than other students groups, according to university literature.
Resident Assistants
Beth Eppinger, director of housing and residential life, thinks resident assistants learn many important leadership skills, especially being calm under pressure and being a role model. Starting with a two-week training session in August, RAs go through a variety of roleplaying scenarios. They practice everything from how to defuse a roommate disagreement to how to talk to someone who is depressed and may be considering suicide. “An RA doesn’t know when a situation will pop up in the residence halls, but they are expected to respond while keeping themselves safe,” she explained. In training, students are asked to think about the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat. “A thermometer reacts to the environment whereas the thermostat controls the environment. We want the RAs to be thermostats.” RAs are expected to be role models through their actions, she said. They can’t enforce rules if they don’t follow them. How they handle their own school work should show a good example to others. Eppinger said she knows it’s hard always to make the right decision. “That’s why we spend a lot of time in training talking through what to do if a friend or peer is engaging in unhealthy behavior.”
ROTC
The UAFS ROTC program has been active since 2007 preparing young men and women to be leaders even if they don’t stay with the program to graduate as commissioned officers. A year ago, Victor Kongphouthakhoun described his understanding of the ROTC program this way: “I thought the program was there to make soldiers, but I learned it was there to make leaders.” The program teaches critical thinking through hands-on experience. “Other programs teach students about critical thinking and problem-solving. We give (ROTC students) problems to solve. If you can solve problems, you are going to be valuable wherever you go,” said Maj. Jason Hogue, when he was an assistant professor of military science at UAFS.
“We are evolving an array of diverse leadership opportunities, and that allows lots of students to engage.”
Greek Life
UAFS has three sororities and four frater-
First Bank Corp. Collegiate Ambassadors Board
Students in this program in the College of Business are selected by First Bank Corp. through an application process. Those selected serve on an advisory board for the bank where they have the opportunity to meet in a board environment that includes a review of the financial performance of the bank, said Dr. Latisha Settlage, associate dean and professor of economics. During their term on the board, students must complete marketing research and host a financial literacy event. They also are expected to participate in the United Way Day of Caring to experience community service. FALL | WINTER 2018 THE BELL TOWER 27
ALUMNI Drop Us a Line
1950s
Fort Smith.
Please take a moment to tell us
Conaly Bedell, ’56, is cycling off
Jennifer Enslow, ’92, is cycling
what’s been going on since you
the Alumni Advisory Council after
off the Alumni Advisory Council
left UAFS, Westark, or Fort Smith
6 years’ service.
after 6 years’ service.
Junior College. Tell us about your job, your family, your hobbies,
1960s
your adventures, your plans –
Jimmie Lincks, ’68, is rolling off
whatever you want to share with
the Alumni Advisory Council after
others.
5 years’ service.
Feel free to include a hi-res
Lap Bui, ’93, is cycling off the Alumni Advisory Council after 6 years’ service.
2000s Cody Faber, ’09, and his wife,
photo. Then make sure we have
1970s
your full name (If your name has
Mike Daniels, ’77, is joining the
elyn Frances Aneomalia Faber, on
changed, include the name you
Alumni Advisory Council.
Aug. 14, 2018. She was 18 inches
used when you were here.) and
Sharon Daniels, ’78, is joining
long and weighed 6 pounds and
the year you graduated or at-
the Alumni Advisory Council.
11 ounces.
tended classes. Email your class
Casey, welcomed a little girl, Ev-
Amy Douglas, ’01, is a talent
notes to alumni@uafs.edu or mail
1990s
to Alumni Affairs, UAFS, P.O. Box
Randall Swaim, ’96, accepted
has been accepted into the
3649, Fort Smith, AR 72913.
a position as the transportation
Leadership Fort Smith class
manager for the city of
of 2019.
acquisitioner for OK Foods and
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Ms. Senior Arkansas Hopes to Change Minds In 2012, Sherry Marshall, ’03, knew she had some messages she needed to share, but she didn’t know how to get the word out. Then she heard an answer. “I heard a voice tell me to enter the Ms. Senior Arkansas pageant, just as clear as anyone,” Marshall said. “But I looked around, and no one was there. It was the Holy Spirit telling me that I needed to do this.” Although she did not win the contest in her first attempt, she remembers that first run as a learning experience. In 2017, she was crowned Ms. Senior Arkansas. For any senior lady considering the pageant, Marshall has this advice: “Just do it. You won’t regret it. Don’t spend
lots of money on a gown and jewelry; I didn’t. Remember that you always have a talent. They (contestants) aren’t all singing and dancing.” Marshall says there is such a sisterhood among the senior competitors that contestants can’t help feeling welcomed and
28 THE BELL TOWER FALL | WINTER 2018
glad to meet other great people. She used her platform as Ms. Senior Arkansas to bring attention to the plight of alienated grandparents, those who are denied the opportunity to see their grandchildren. She hopes to change state law to strengthen grandparents’ rights. She also hopes to improve the way many in our society look at senior citizens. She said she wants to change young people’s perception of seniors as “spent” and unable to learn and grow. As they age, people pass into what she calls “the age of elegance,” and they deserve to be treated with the same respect as others. As activities director at Legacy Heights Retirement home in Van Buren, she knows
how much respect can accomplish. Marshall attended Westark Junior College for one year in the 1970s. After she started her family, she postponed her studies for nearly 30 years, but she graduated with an associate degree in gerontology in 2003. Her philosophy is simple: “Be kind, and help everyone you can,” she said. She still values the advice her father shared. “If you have a problem, ask yourself the question, ‘Is there anything I can do about it?’ If the answer is yes, then do it. If the answer is no, then shut up about it, stop complaining. Put your faith in God, and he will see you through.” —Allison Carlson
Hannah Osborn, ’08, has accepted a position as Lead Analyst at
Jennifer Battles and Sara Putman left their teaching jobs to open Bookish in downtown Fort Smith.
Tyson Foods and will relocate to Rogers from Central Arkansas. She also is beginning a four-year term on the Alumni Advisory Council. Katie Kratzberg, ’07, is the new advancement director at Christ the King Catholic Church in Fort Smith, AR. Dalene Vaughan Hobbs, ’04, has enrolled in the master of education program of educational leadership at John Brown University. She expects to graduate in May, 2020. Adam Shaw, ’07, has accepted a new position as business development manager for the West Coast at Weldon, Williams, & Lick in Fort Smith. THE READ STUFF
Teachers Reveal Their Bookish Side
Eric Smithson, ’09, chair of the Alumni Advisory Council, married Jessica Moore, ’09, on March 3, 2018. Eric is senior manager at ArcBest Financial Services. John and Sarah Lovett, ’07, on April 12, 2018, welcomed their son Blake at 8 pounds and 19.75 inches. Susan Mastin-DeWoody, ’00, was promoted to vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer at Oklahoma Baptist University.
In November of 2017, two friends began to create a gem in downtown Fort Smith. The former English teachers from the Alma School district were looking for a new challenge. Jennifer Battles, ’96, had thought about opening a small bookstore for a couple of years, and Sara Putman was more than willing to be her business partner. So they jumped headfirst into their new passion, Bookish, an independent bookstore at 115 N. 10th St. in downtown Fort Smith. Battles described her decision to pursue her new ambition. “I knew that to do this well it would require my full-time attention. … I treasure the friendships I made with colleagues and administrators [and] the relationships I built with students, but it was time to go.” Putman was also committed, and she quit her teaching job as well. “So many people have told me how ‘brave’ I was, but honestly, I felt like the way was paved. I had no other option than to do whatever I could to see this thing through.” Battles and Putman attended the American Bookseller Association’s Winter Institute in January to help make connections and learn something creating their store. In July, they started working to remodel their space and turn it into the beautiful place it has become. Both believe their time spent teaching has helped prepare them for owning a bookstore: They are knowledgeable about what they are selling and have a real love for it. Battles carries some wisdom with her since her time at the university. “One classroom lesson I will always remember is taking ownership of my learning and doing whatever is needed to learn what I need to learn.” She said she applied that lesson to opening the bookstore. Both Putman and Battles dreamed big to make Bookish come to life. Their mission is to serve a need that Fort Smith had for a long time: to provide a place where people can come to discover great books in a unique atmosphere and fall in love with reading. They hope to impact the community by encouraging a love for learning and thinking big, as they did, to accomplish wonderful things. They hope that their engagement in the Fort Smith community will inspire others to contribute as well. —Allison Carlson FALL | WINTER 2018 THE BELL TOWER 29
ALUMNI News & Notes
Scholarship Gets Roarin’ Boost THE THIRD ANNUAL ROARIN’ on the River Low Country Shrimp Boil set some mighty records on June 30. The event drew a record number of attendees, 208, and raised a record amount, $18,000, for the Alumni Legacy Scholarship Endowment. Chambers Bank was the presenting sponsor. Other local businesses and individuals sponsored tables. Silent auction items, a gift certificate pull, and a bean bag tournament sponsored by Beall Barclay created a new level of fundraising success. The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is awarded to a prospective student who has a parent, spouse, or sibling who graduated from UAFS.
Emily Treadaway,
Alumni Advisory Council
’09, works for The
OCTOBER 2018
CALL to recruit and support foster parents. She is a volunteer youth leader at Grace Community Church and belongs to the Junior League.
2010s
Eric Smithson, ’09, chair Shawn Cozzens, ‘90, secretary Christopher Cluck, ‘05 Mike Daniels, ‘77 Sharon Daniels, ‘78 Sandy Dixon, ‘85 Taylor Goodson, ‘15
Maddie Gilliam, ’18, and Dusan Stojanovic, ’16, announced their engagement on Sept. 2, 2018,
anniversary of working with ABF
from Bay St. Louis, Miss.
in their Cargo Claims Department.
Edwin Washington, ’11, was
Dustin Crossland, ’17, has ac-
promoted to registrar and direc-
cepted a position as a financial
tor of student services at Alder
advisor at Mutual of Omaha in
Graduate School of Education in
Irving, Texas. He is engaged to
Redwood City, Calif., which oper-
Adrianna Mott.
ates teacher residency programs
Kenny Whitehead, ’16, was of-
throughout California and
ficially licensed as a CPA and is a
Tennessee.
senior accountant at Beall Barclay
Katie Jetton, ’16, in December
& Company, PLC.
2017, she celebrated her one-year
Patrick Charlton, ’12, and Sara
FINDING BEAUTY
Lifetime Work Takes Artistic Turn For Can Tran, ’17, welding is more than simply joining two pieces of metal: It’s an art form. The UAFS graduate and Fort Smith resident found a unique platform for his art when he returned to school in 2015 to pursue an associate degree in welding. When Tran welded together a picture frame for a class project, he took it a step further. “I thought, ‘Why don’t we put something in the frame?’” Tran said. Tran, a lover of art, saw an opportunity to create some-
Tony Jones, ‘16 Katie Kratzberg, ‘05 Jeremy May, ‘07 Hannah Osborne, ‘08 Warren Rapert, ‘81 Brock Schulte, ’08, ‘14
thing unique with the welding equipment at his disposal. He rolled together thin pieces of steel to form a flower, which he welded inside the frame. After that, he was hooked. “In my years working at Rheem, I always enjoyed welding small images,” he said. “I always saw that welding was more than putting two pieces of metal together, and it could be used to create complex images. After graduating from UAFS, I reached the age of retirement and decided to continue to use my welding skills to create im-
30 THE BELL TOWER FALL | WINTER 2018
ages because it was enjoyable for me to do.” Since then, Tran has created 11 artworks with welding equipment at the university. He’s recreated UAFS and other athletic logos, portraits of presidents, and landscapes. One landscape work Tran completed, depicting a tropical sunset from his native country of Vietnam, includes a fusion of different art and welding techniques such as painting and TIG and MIG welding. Tran continues to create his work in the welding laboratory at UAFS, made available to him by welding instructors even after he graduated with his asso-
ciate degree in welding in 2017. This degree marked his second credential from UAFS following a degree in machine technology from the university in the ’80s when it was still Westark College. After that, he worked at Rheem for 40 years before returning to school to earn his welding degree. In addition to graduating, he also retired in 2017. Tran does not sell his creations. Instead, he gives them out as souvenirs to his friends and welding instructors. “These are souvenirs for myself and my life,” he said. “To people, welding is viewed as hard work. But it’s also art. It’s fun to create artwork through welding.” —John Post
News & Notes ALUMNI
Bayles were engaged on June
Danielle Kristen Emery, ’17, and
16th at Crystal Bridges Museum.
Logan Emery, ’17, have both
Lora Turner, ’13, is teaching sixth
enrolled in the MBA program
grade math at Dewey (Okla.)
at John Brown University. They
Middle School.
expect to graduate in December
Mayra Esquivel, ’16, accepted a
2020.
position as a legal case manager
Chris Howard, ’15, recently gradu-
at Catholic Charities of Arkansas
ated from SMU in Dallas and now
in June 2018.
practices corporate law in that
Sara Williams, ’17, has accepted
area. He occasionally speaks at
a position as a staff accountant at
UAFS to students considering
Cross Pointe Insurance Advisors.
going to law school.
Austin Lloyd, ’18, worked as a
Aundrea Hanna, ’13, passed the
summer inflight intern at South-
Arkansas Bar Exam and opened
west Airlines.
her firm, Aundrea Stone Hanna,
Carla Acosta, ’18, moved to Char-
PLLC, in Fort Smith in February
lotte, N.C., to accept a position in
2018.
advanced development program
Randi Spears, ’11,
operations as part of the man-
Married Mike Decker
agement trainee program with
on March 3, 2018, at
Ingersoll Rand.
Bell Park in Green-
tions, advertising, and public rela-
Daniel Tu, ’17, received his master
wood.
tions at the University of Alabama
of accountancy degree from the
Colton Pace, ’14, passed the
in 2014. She is the content man-
University of Arkansas at Fayette-
Arkansas Bar Exam.
ager at Outdoor Cap Company in
ville in May 2018 and accepted a
Spencer Meares, ’16, is engaged
Bentonville. Her blog, hatswork.
position as a tax accountant with
to Madeline McGhee.
com received the Promotional
Tyson Foods in July 2018.
Nathan Lipe, ’13, president of the
Products Association Internation-
Rosa Lopez, ’17, accepted a
NWA chapter of the UAFS Alumni
al (PPAI) Gold Pyramid Award.
position as securities and legal
Association, has been appointed
Minzhi Chen, ’15, has been pro-
operations analyst with Walton
chair of the Arkansas Optometric
moted to senior tax accountant
Enterprises.
Physicians Political Action Com-
FROST, PLLC.
Tony Phanouvong, ’16, accepted
mittee.
Amanda Harris Kennedy, ’13,
a new position as a tax accoun-
Lara Millican, ’17, is pursuing a
recently received her Rule XV
tant with Tyson Foods. He is also
master’s degree in business ad-
Student Practice Certificate from
Britney Lee Bruce, ’13, welcomed
the treasurer for the UAFS NWA
ministration with a concentration
the Supreme Court of Arkansas
her second daughter on May 14,
Alumni chapter.
in Marketing at St. Leo University.
allowing her to represent clients
2018. Harper Aaryn Bruce was
Jennifer Bradley, ’15, started the
Ryan Millican, ’14, is pursuing
in court with the supervision
7 pounds, 11 ounces, and 19.25
Unheard Of Theatre Company
a master of fine arts degree in
of a licensed attorney.
inches.
and Podcast Network with Jacob
graphic design at Academy
Taylor Goodson, ’15, is joining
Ethan Adamson, ’12, was
Lensing, ‘15. They are currently
of Art University.
the Alumni Advisory Council.
promoted from loan officer to
producing an original show
Emily Potter, ’13, completed a
Tony Jones, ’16, is joining the
branch manager at First Financial
entitled ILY, written by Jennifer,
master’s degree in communica-
Alumni Advisory Council.
Mortgage.
to debut in September 2018, in Chicago. Quynh Nguyen, ’16, moved to Austin, Texas, to accept a service
It Wouldn’t Be Christmas without Santa
advocate specialist and customer
Make plans to bring the youngsters to Little Lions Meet Santa on Dec. 8 at the Blue Lion at UAFS
relations position at a Farmers
Downtown. With cocoa for the Little Lions and coffee for the big cats, a light breakfast will be served.
Insurance headquarters.
Crafts, face painting, balloon animals, and other activities will keep the little ones happy until it’s time
Jourdan Scoggins, ’11, returned to
to sit down with The Big Guy. Parents will be able to print out a souvenir photo after the event.
UAFS as an advising coordinator.
FALL | WINTER 2018 THE BELL TOWER 31
ALUMNI News and Notes
ASPIRING ENTREPRENEUR
Learning How to Learn
CONCEALED: Alum Chris Tedder offers a specialty product.
Chris Tedder, ’10, learned more
than just what was taught in the classrooms at UAFS. “I had to learn how to learn,” he said. He explained that college taught him to take responsibility for his failures and to persist until he achieved success. This mindset sparked a fire to make his own company from scratch. Tedder said he wanted more than to be an employee for someone else. He wanted the freedom to work his own way. When Arkansas expanded its concealed carry law, he saw a growing need for holsters that would meet the legal requirements. He knew he could fulfill that need, and he knew that
he could do it better than the competition. So he began the business Clinger Holsters in Van Buren. Tedder gives this advice to the aspiring entrepreneur: “You need to be in a place where you can start a business.” People who are a little too eager to start their own business can slip. No foundation means no success, Tedder said, emphasizing the importance of having a solid footing that can hold you steady the higher you climb. Tedder completed his bachelor’s degree in information technology with an emphasis on programming and graduated in May of 2010. —Allison Carlson
“I respect and admire your choice to help others even when you don’t have to. You have helped me more than you know, and I will not let you down.”
– Jonathan Kiger, UAFS Senior
It’s not the amount of your gift that’s important – it’s the power of giving. To make a gift online: giving.uafs.edu
Office of Annual Giving 32 THE BELL TOWER FALL | WINTER 2018
Giving may be easier than you think.
There are ways you can support the university today while still providing for your family and preserving your assets for retirement. For more information on how to create a lasting legacy, please visit uafslegacy.org or contact us at 479-788-7033.
Request your free guide to planning your will and trust.
Office of Planned Giving
The Bell Tower
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RAINING RAINBOWS COME TOGETHER: Sometimes all you need is a little rain to have new friendships bloom. And if a little rain is good, surely a downpour is even better.
RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN