Criminal Justice Grad

cepted into the master’s degree program in American Studies at Northeastern State University. Tony Jones, ’16, passed the Arkansas Bar Exam in April 2021. Steven Stone, ’19, graduated in May from UA Fayetteville with a master of education degree in Higher Education and has accepted a position as a financial aid student success specialist at Northwest Arkansas CC. Angela Havro, ’15, started new job as a software support analyst for Fort Smith Public Schools on April 16. Spencer Hart, ’15, was promoted to senior pricing analyst at ABF Freight. JD Clayton, ’18, released his new single “Dance Another Dance.” Joseph, ’17, and AnnMarie McCollum, ’18, Pope got married April 24, 2021. Dylan Karber, ’15, accepted a new position as senior analyst, sales financial planning at Tracfone Wireless. Mason, ’18, and Erin, ’20, Rhodes welcomed their son, Barrett Hunter Rhodes, into the world on April 29, 2021. Erin Rhodes was promoted to Logistics manager at Tankersley Foodservice. Laura Millican, ’17, graduated with an MBA with a specialization in marketing and social media marketing from Saint Leo University. Tyler Armstrong, ’17, is the volunteer coordinator with the Fort Smith International Film Festival as well as the founder and the vice president of the Downtown Fort Smith Arts Walk. Kristen and Remington Pate, ’16, welcomed Brooks Remington Pate, their first child, on May 8. Brooks arrived at 8 pounds 9 ounces, and 20 ½ inches. Tia Teague, ’17, has accepted a position as a contract speech therapist at HOPE Therapy and at Hackett Schools. Zack Gramlich, ’15, graduated in May with his master of science degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University. Chasse Daniels, ’18, graduated in May with an MBA and a graduate certificate in project management from Missouri State University. Daysi Rosales, ’17, graduated with her master’s degree from Harding University. Tony Phanouvong, ’17, started a new position as senior tax accountant at Tyson Foods. Bailee Crenshaw, ’19, continued her career as a tax accountant at Hanna Oil & Gas on Aug.16. Brittany Brazil, ’14, has been married since 2015 and had her first son in August of 2020. Brook Fruits, ’10, got married in 2011 and welcomed her first son in 2019. Cara Boyd, ’16, was hired by Fort Smith Public Schools in June of 2016 at Sutton Elementary. She got married in March of 2017. She has had two babies in 2018 and 2020. She is starting her sixth year at Sutton Elementary. Chandler Papasan, ’15, has been married for 5 years. Cheyenne Boots, ’15, got mar-

EVERYDAY HERO

UAFS Criminal Justice Grad Shines as Community Protector

Andy would say it was no big deal, but his sister Darcy sees it differently.

“He is a lifesaver,” she said recently.

Andrew Gibson and sister Darcy Parker are alumni of the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, classes of 2011 and 2016, respectively. They are talking about one of those potentially life-changing events.

On May 4, Prairie Grove police officer Tyler Franks and his partner Andrew Gibson responded to a domestic call, something police know is always unpredictable. On this occasion, violence broke out.

Franks entered the scene first. The suspect fired three rounds from a shotgun and a semiautomatic pistol, according to the Prairie Grove Facebook page. Franks was struck in both legs. Gibson pulled his partner to safety and placed two tourniquets on Franks’ left leg, which authorities have said saved his life. Franks’ left leg ultimately was amputated, and he continues his rehabilitation.

Gibson is a graduate of the Criminal Justice program at UAFS. He said it was always his plan to pursue a career affiliated with law enforcement. His father started as an auxiliary deputy and then became a police officer, retiring from that position.

“I was introduced to law enforcement at a young age and always looked up to them as the go-to protectors of the community,” he said.

Gibson believes his Criminal Justice degree prepared him for his career in two ways.

“It laid the foundation for understanding common practices in corrections, the justice system, and law enforcement in general,” Gibson said.

But he also learned skills that are harder to measure.

“I also established friendships through networking with classmates and professors who helped fast track me into law enforcement,” Gibson said. “I greatly value my education from UAFS and wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”

The law enforcement community greatly values Gibson and his partner Franks.

In September, the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police named Franks and Gibson the 2021 Motorola Solutions Officer of the Year.

Darcy Parker, who works in the UAFS Testing Center, is not surprised about the award or the events that led to it.

“I was not surprised at all by the way he reacted,” she said. “Andy’s always been quick on his feet. No matter what he does, I’m always proud of him! He’s a lifesaver, vital to the safety of the area, and protecting the community comes easily to him.

“He’s a wonderful little brother!”

ried last year and is a new home owner. Cindy Popa, ’15, is a new grandmother as of September. Morgan Smith, ’13, recently became engaged to Josh Karsten, ’14. The two met while attending UAFS and have been together for 10 years. Daniel Bibiano, ’16, and Giau Pham, ’16, recently married after Giau graduated with her doctorate of physical therapy from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. David A. Trotter, ’16, published a book, Birthrights: Book One of the Last Son of the Feromage Saga. His artist is Aaron Moschner, ’13. Stephen Cranford, ’14, started a new position as director of facili-

SIBLINGS: Darcy Parker, UAFS Testing Center coordinator, is proud of her little brother Andy Gibson. ties management at Encompass Health. Brittany Potts, ’15, started a new position as territory sales manager at Tempur Sealy International. Meagan Price, ’14, started a new position as owner agent of Farmers Insurance. Ryan McMahan, ’11, started a new position as director of sales at Zengistics.

Alex Glennon (now Schneider),

’16, got married on Sep 17, 2021. Tony Phanouvong, ’17, married Kim Phu,’16, on Oct 3, 2021. Hunter Cabe, ’13, started a new job at Walmart as a manager in Global Procurement, focusing on Facilities and Maintenance, on Sep 27, 2021. Travis Schluterman, ’13, and Staci Shluterman, ’15, got married on

RACHEL RODEMANN PUTMAN September 25, 2021. Lauren Andrews, ’18, passed her AANP certification and has accepted a position with Mercy Rural Health Clinic in Paris, AR. Ashley Hill, ’19, received a job as a special education paraprofessional at Poteau Public Schools

Allison Thomp-

son, ’19, became engaged to Chris Strasser and planned to be married on Dec. 4, 2021. Megan Nichols, ’15, was promoted to market executive for Regions Bank. Kevin, ’18, and Ashlee, ’17, Wein, welcomed their baby girl, Poppy Jean Wein, into the world on Nov. 11, 2021.

Kayla Sidwell,

’18, and husband, Tyler, welcomed Jensen Tyler into the world on Oct. 30, 2021. Brice Jones, ’10, has a new position as vice president of Industrial Sales at Bauer Compressors Inc. Trae Norton, ’11, was promoted to partner at RMP Law. Meagan Bowling, ’12, married Daniel Fudge, ’12, on March 14, 2021. Nikki Dapson-Yardley, ’18, completed her Master of Science in Education from Arkansas State University. Allie Wilson Deacon, ’16, and her husband Adam welcomed the birth of Davis Deacon, their first son, who weighed in at 7 lb. 15 oz. on Feb. 19, 2021. Logan Emery, ’17, started a new position as the regional sales director for Sugar Creek Farms. Jeff Jamell and Felicia Jamell, both ’15, welcomed Violet Grace into the world on Feb 24, 2021. Michael Peters, ’12, has a new position as child care licensing specialist at Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Remington Pate, ’16, has a new position as North America workplace health & safety client lead recruiter at Amazon. Allie Deacon, ’16, has a new position as ambulatory sales representative at Medline Industries. Courtney Burdick, ’16, and her husband welcomed Emmett Scott Burdick into the world March 2, 2021. Jennifer Work, ’17, and her husband welcomed Bentley Allen Work into the world on March 1, 2021. Chasse Daniels, ’18, accepted Jeff Goines, ’16, proposal of marriage at Treasure Falls in Pagosa Springs, CO, on March 9. Kayla, ’18, and Ryan, ’19, McCutcheon were married , and they welcomed Raiden Brian McCutcheon into the world on March 18. Luis Aguilar, ’15, was promoted to assistant vice president of finance at Citizens. Brittany Christian, ’14, joined J.B. Hunt Transport Services as a driver recruiter in September. Monica Cortez, ’14, started a new position as media clerk at Fort Smith Public Schools in November. Carlos Ceron, ’15, proposed to his fiancé Breanna Peace on the beach near Miami, FL on Nov. 22, 2020. He planted the ring in a seashell, which he made sure Breanna “found” while they were seashell hunting. LueDE Yang, ’15, started a new position as an equipment maintenance technician with Tesla in November at their facility in Sparks, NV.

Hannah, ’14, and Travis, ’12,

Sandifer announced the birth of