THE KEYSTONE
A PUBLICATION OF ASUMH
»Creating New Opportunities
NEW CENTER FOCUSES ON EXPANSION OF PROGRAMS
»Brendan Kelly MEET THE NEW SYSTEM PRESIDENT FOR ASU
Redefining Success
EDUCATION
A TESTAMENT TO THE VALUE OF TECHNICAL
WHEN IT FEELS LIKE HOME, IT HEALS LIKE HOME.
Nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, Baxter Health truly is a place to work where you vacation, a place where employees are treated like family and patients are treated like guests in their home, and a place where there is a smiling face at every corner.
There’s a place for you in the Baxter Health Family. A variety of job opportunities are available, from full time to part time in clinical and ancillary departments. Baxter Health is proud to support those wishing to begin their career or advance it by continuing their education, with scholarships and educational assistance available.
View all jobs and apply online at www.workwhereyouvacation.com, or contact a Baxter Health Recruiter for more information.
KIM BEAVERS, NURSING RECRUITER (870) 508-1070 | kbeavers@baxterregional.org
MIRANDA BRADLEY, HR RECRUITER (870) 508-1067 | mbradley@baxterregional.org
2 From the Chancellor
A warm welcome from Bentley Wallace, Ed.D.
4 Campus Happenings
News and updates from around campus.
10 A New Era Dawns
Visionary leaders and community partners celebrate growth and innovation.
14 Giving Back
New Czeschin–Newth Workforce Development Center boosts advanced training and local industry collaboration.
17 Alumni Highlight
Justin Evans finds success and satisfaction through ASUMH’s expanded machining program.
21 A New Chapter
Major funding boost to transform ASUMH Health Sciences Department.
26 CIS Department
Innovative faculty join forces to enhance technology education at ASUMH.
29 College Degrees
ASU-Mountain Home offers diverse learning programs to accommodate various learning styles, educational goals, and the evolving marketplace, ensuring quality instruction tailored to student needs.
32 In Loving Memory, Clay Berry
Honoring a life of service, education, and devotion to family and community.
On the cover: Alumni Justin Evans at the Czeschin–Newth Workforce Development Center. Photography by James Moore.
Publisher Sarah Knight
Custom Publication Writer Dwain Hebda
Custom Publication Copy Editor Melinda Lanigan
Contributing
All effort has been made to make this publication as complete as possible. The publishers cannot and do not guarantee the correctness of all that is available to them, and errors will be corrected in subsequent issues if reported by letter to the company. ASUMH distributes 30,000 copies of The Keystone magazines bi-annually. Over 29,000 copies are mailed to residents in Baxter and Marion counties with the remaining copies distributed to locations within the two counties, including high schools, chambers/visitor centers, doctor offices, hospitals and financial institutions. Copyright July 2024 Wheelhouse Publishing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. Wheelhouse Publishing | (501) 766-0859 | WheelhousePublishing.com
Greetings,
Welcome to the fall 2024 edition of The Keystone. We are so excited to bring you the latest updates and achievements from ASU-Mountain Home. It is an honor to serve as your chancellor, working alongside our dedicated students, faculty, staff, and community members. Our commitment to excellence in higher education remains unwavering.
This issue of Keystone highlights some significant milestones and developments at ASUMH. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Brendan Kelly, who brings a wealth of experience and visionary leadership as the new president of the Arkansas State University System. Dr. Kelly’s dedication to academic excellence and community engagement aligns perfectly with our mission and goals.
One of the most exciting recent developments at ASUMH is the opening of the Czeschin-Newth Workforce Development Center. This state-of-theart facility will play a crucial role in preparing our students for successful careers in various industries. By providing hands-on training and education, we are ensuring that our graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of the modern workforce.
In this edition, you will also find inspiring stories from our alumni, showcasing their remarkable achievements and the impact of their education at ASUMH. Our alumni continue to make us proud, and their successes are a testament to the quality of education and support they received here.
We are also pleased to share news about recent fundraising efforts and grants that have been awarded to ASUMH. These contributions are vital in helping us enhance our programs, facilities, and student services. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors and partners for their unwavering support and generosity.
Thank you for your continued support of ASUMH and our students. Your encouragement and commitment to education make all the difference in our journey towards excellence.
All our best,
BENTLEY WALLACE, E d. D. Chancellor Arkansas State University Mountain Home
THE KEYSTONE
A PUBLICATION OF ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY MOUNTAIN HOME
key·stone noun \’kē-,stōn\
: a large stone at the top of an arch that locks the other stones in place : something on which other things depend for support
VISION
Creating Opportunities~Changing Lives
ASUMH will provide expertise and resources to create opportunities and change lives.
MISSION OF ASUMH
The mission of ASUMH is to LEAD through educational opportunities.
L ifelong Learning
E nhanced Quality of Life
A cademic Accessibility
D iverse Experiences
1600 S. College St., Mountain Home, AR 72653 870-508-6100 | ASUMH.edu
FALL 2024
VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 1
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND PRESIDENT
Christy Clark, Chair
Steve Eddington, Vice Chair
Bishop Robert G. Rudolph, Jr., Secretary
Paul Rowton, Member
Price Gardner, Member
Gary Harpole, Member
Jerry Morgan, Member
Dr. Brendan Kelly, President
ASUMH CABINET
Dr. Bentley Wallace
Chancellor
Dr. Tamara Daniel
Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Waynna Dockins, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
Christy Keirn, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement
CONTACT
Admissions/Registrar (870) 508-6104
Bookstore (870) 508-6114
Cashier (870) 508-6125
Center for Workforce Education/ Community Education (870) 508-6106
Development (870) 508-6191
Financial Aid & Scholarships (870) 508-6195
Norma Wood Library (870) 508-6112
Security (870) 508-6300
Testing (870) 508-6209
2023-2024
ASUMH BOARD OF VISITORS
Sonny Elliott, Chair
Stewart Brunner, Vice Chair
Renata Byler, Secretary
Cheryl Davenport
Allyson Dewey
Ron Peterson
Jackson Rhoades
Dr. Ray Stahl
Sara Zimmerman
ASUMH FOUNDATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Susan Stockton, President
Sandy Irby, Vice President
Jerry Don Cunningham, Secretary
Mel Coleman
Heather Knight Loftis
Joe Miles
Kathy Loyd
Rob Finley
Geoff Smith
Shawna McClain
Katie King Risk
Jodi Strother
Shaunda Goodwin
Tom Czanstkowski
Laney McConnell
Allen Moore
ASU System Taps New President
Experienced leader to guide ASU System amid evolving higher education landscape
by DWAIN HEBDA
Brendan Kelly, president of the University of West Georgia since 2020, has been selected as the third president of the Arkansas State University System. The ASU Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve Kelly at a meeting June 5 in Little Rock.
“We are excited to welcome Brendan Kelly as our new system president,” said Trustee Price Gardner of Little Rock, who chaired the search process, via media release. “We believe Dr. Kelly’s experience and outstanding record of achievement throughout
his career will continue the growth and development of our system and lead us in addressing the ever-changing challenges facing higher education and our focus on student success.
“(Dr. Kelly) has been described as a visionary, talented communicator and a person with the ability to elevate the reputation of the institution and further its mission. Our board looks forward to the opportunity to work with him.”
Prior to joining UWG, Kelly was chancellor at the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg and Greenville from 2017-2020 and was appointed as interim president of the University of South Carolina in 2019. He was vice president of university advancement and president of the UWF Foundation Inc. at the University of West Florida in Pensacola from 20132017, where he led a successful $50 million capital campaign. His teaching career spanned 13 years in Florida and Michigan in communication arts.
His focus at UWG has been innovative programming both inside and outside the classroom with an emphasis on creating valuable life and career outcomes for students, with a commitment to launch and advance student careers upon graduation. He serves on the board of directors of multiple regional and state economic development entities, as well as the Atlanta Regional Higher Education Consortium.
While leading and implementing the “Becoming UWG Strategic Plan,” Kelly led UWG to record-breaking fundraising efforts, including the largest gift in institutional history, and oversaw an enrollment resurgence. The UWG campuses in Carrollton, Newnan and Douglasville have a combined 12,769 students. Its spring enrollment was 11.4% higher year over year, while its graduate enrollment surged 41%.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to lead the ASU System because it represents one of a handful of roles in the United States in which one has the ability to influence and shape higher education throughout an entire state,” Kelly said in a release.
“Additionally, I am grateful to each member of the ASU Board of Trustees for their faith in me to offer leadership to a university system that has the capacity to provide access to high-quality higher education to the vast majority of Arkansans and many more beyond the state borders. This is an opportunity to support the economic evolution of the state at large.”
Kelly, whose start date has not yet been finalized, replaces former ASU-Mountain Home Chancellor Dr. Robin Myers, who is serving as interim system president. The previous permanent president was Dr. Chuck Welch, who left the system in January after nearly 13 years to become president and CEO of the American Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU) in Washington, D.C. ■
Whimsical Works Invigorate Community Recreational Trail
Sculptures to grace ASU-Mountain Home and City of Mountain Home Art Walk
ASU-Mountain Home and the City of Mountain Home are excited to unveil approximately 15 new sculptures by celebrated sculptor Dale Rogers this August. The exhibit will feature whimsical, large-scale metal works crafted from stainless steel and Cor-Ten steel, blending iconic and geometric shapes.
These distinctive sculptures will be displayed along the Art Walk for six months, inviting the community to engage with the art and vote for their favorite pieces. The chosen pieces will become permanent fixtures along the James and Sally Moore Recreational Trail at ASUMH and the Shirley Baker Nature Trail in McCabe Park.
“ASU-Mountain Home is thrilled to partner with the City of Mountain Home to bring this first major exhibit to the ASUMH-City of Mountain Home Art Walk,” said ASUMH Chancellor Dr. Bentley Wallace. “Dale Rogers’ brilliant and fun sculptures will delight visitors of all ages.”
Dale Rogers, known for his sophisticated and recognizable metal sculptures, began his career in 2002 and has since exhibited across the United States. His work, including the acclaimed Big Dog Show, has been widely celebrated and supported various causes.
More information is available on the ASUMH and Dale Rogers Studio website, dalerogersstudio.com.
SPORTS
National Recognition in NJCAA Division II
ASUMH TrailBlazers baseball ranked 20th nationally
The TrailBlazers posted a 32-15 season in their second year of competition. They were ranked in the nation’s Top 20 for four weeks this season. As of July 1, they have had 16 players move to four-year institutions to continue playing baseball. Three former TrailBlazers will play at the Division I level next year. In their first season of postseason eligibility, they finished third in the region, making the regional tournament in Enid, Oklahoma.
“I’m extremely proud of these guys. They have shown grit and determination and have battled the odds,” said Coach Spencer Adcock. “What I am most proud of is the fact we had 27 guys graduate this spring and held a team GPA of 3.21 for the year. As we continue to grow, these guys have laid a very solid foundation for the future TrailBlazers to build on.”
ACCOLADES
ASUMH Students Shine at SkillsUSA State Competition
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH) had 21 students compete in the state’s SkillsUSA competition in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They brought home five gold medals and two silver medals in mechatronics, automotive services, and welding. SkillsUSA is a national association that prepares students for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations.
Medalists from ASUMH include:
» Mechatronics (Secondary, High School) Team A: Luke Foster & James McCrory (Gold)
» Mechatronics (College) Team C: Jacob Estes & Timothy Hicks (Gold)
» Automotive Service Technology (College): Gaige Bentley (Gold)
» Welding (College): Aaron Anderson (Silver)
» Automotive Parts Specialist (College): Dylan Wiyrick (Silver)
Charity Golf Classic Raises $29,670 for Technical Center
Community support enhances educational programs
ASU-Mountain Home recently received a $29,670 donation from the Mountain Home Charity Golf Classic sponsors. The funds, raised during the June 8-9 tour nament at Big Creek Golf and Country Club, will support the ASUMH Technical Center's equipment and program needs.
The Czeschin-Newth Workforce Development Center at ASUMH collaborates with local industry and employers to develop essential technical programs, also serving area high schools through a secondary center arrangement.
Over the past eight years, the golf tournament has contributed over $200,000 to ASUMH's Technical programs.
ASUMH Joins National Effort to Combat Campus Food Insecurity
ASUMH is now officially a partner in the Swipe Out Hunger network. Swipe Out Hunger is the leading nonprofit addressing hunger among college students, promoting on-campus solutions, policy and advocacy pathways, and community-building practices. The organization works closely with leaders to ensure students have access to meals and to address student hunger with sustainable legislation and policies.
Swipe Out Hunger’s national movement spans more than 750 colleges in all 50 states and Canada, enabling 12.3 million nutritious meals to date.
DONATION
CAMPUS
A NEW ERA DAWNS
ASU-Mountain Home celebrates the opening of the Dr. Robert L. Myers Technical Education Campus and Czeschin-Newth Workforce Development Center
»When Dr. Robin Myers arrived at the ASU-Mountain Home campus in 2012, the school’s technical program — arguably the heart of a twoyear institution’s curriculum — was a decidedly modest affair.
“It was just a small welding program on our main campus,” said Myers. “That’s all we had in terms of the technical occupational arena.”
During the next 12 years at the helm, Myers set out to change that offering. Showing a deft touch for articulating his vision and forming the partnerships to bring them to reality, the program and its facilities expanded. In May, the fruit of that work at last ripened, as Myers was joined by dignitaries, supporters, faculty
and friends to dedicate the Dr. Robert L. Myers Technical Education Campus and the Czeschin–Newth Workforce Development Center at ASUMH.
“I think what you’re seeing is part of that wildest dream,” Myers said. “Putting those other programs in place as we’ve done here at the technical center has just made a huge difference in our ability to serve the businesses and industries in our region.
“Having my name associated with this is just a great honor for me. I’m beyond humbled by the institution making that
designation and very pleased with the progress that’s going on there.”
From humble beginnings, the technical education center has grown to include a range of education programs, including marine manufacturing, mechatronics, machining, automotive systems repair, welding and commercial truck driving. ASUMH leadership was quick to praise the community partners that helped make the campus possible.
“I think that the development, expansion and grand opening of that space is a perfect example of how community colleges, their industry partners and employer partners work together in not just workforce development but economic development,” said Dr. Bentley Wallace, ASU-Mountain Home chancellor. “Regional economic growth and those strategies you have growing existing businesses can’t occur without sufficient workforce development. It goes hand in glove.
“The strategic economic planning that’s happening in our region, and there have been some developments where we’ve taken big steps forward as a community, is about leadership. We have actively engaged employer partners, and we are incredibly fortunate to have futurethinking partners, both in industry and at the civic level, who see these opportunities as not just something to benefit the college or one or two employers but the entire region.”
Of the many community stakeholders who helped make the new center a reality, two were especially lauded for
“ We definitely understand not everybody is four-year college material, and they don’t have to be. Nowadays, technical careers are a very good way to build a career and earn a very good living.
— Laura Newth
their outstanding support of the mission, the Czeschin and Newth families. The families’ steadfast and generous support of the center resulted in both being permanently affixed to its operation in the name of the original building at the technical campus.
“Education has always been important to my husband, Kenny, and me, and we’ve always believed in the value of hands-on learning,” said Laura Newth. “We’ve always wanted to give back, and we had an opportunity to do that through this project. We definitely understand not everybody is four-year college material, and they don’t have to be. Nowadays, technical careers are a very good way to build a career and earn a very good living.”
Moving to Mountain Home in 1998, the Newths were never far removed from the college. Their three McDonald’s restaurants employed many students through the years, some of whom moved into management positions following graduation and many others for whom working at the restaurants was a great starting point in advancing their lives and careers.
For over two decades, Laura was a dynamic presence at the college, serving on ASUMH’s Foundation Board of Governors and on the Coulter Celebration of Lights committee as well as engaging students through a variety of activities including speaking to classes and participating in Career Day activities. Through this, she sought to inspire students and show them what they could achieve with the right support and determination. Her early support for the Women’s Business Leadership Class at ASUMH and her consistent contributions to projects for business students demonstrated her unwavering commitment to their success.
The couple also contributed directly to the college by giving their resources. In 2010, they established an endowed scholarship at ASUMH, the primary criteria of which was the student had to be gainfully employed while attending college, working no less than 20 hours a week. In 2022, the
Newths again supported the college with a gift naming the Kenny and Laura Newth Disc Golf Course on the main campus.
Asked what message she’d like to see endure from the couple’s philanthropy and investment in future generations of ASUMH students, Laura went straight to the point.
“Pay it forward,” she said. “Be grateful and appreciative, always know where you came from and just pay it forward for another person to have that opportunity.”
The Czeschin family has been associated with the ASU-Mountain Home Workforce Development Center since it opened on Highway 62 West in 2014. The 20,000-square-foot building, owned by
the Czeschins and Ultimate Auto Group, was acquired by ASUMH through a lease agreement when Ultimate built a new Buick dealership closer to other dealerships in the Ultimate Auto Group family.
The new building not only expanded the school’s existing welding program but provided space for new curriculums including mechatronics, machining and automotive systems repair. The existing service bays in the back of the building were left intact, allowing the college to step immediately into automotive services instruction and to convert the service drive into welding labs easily.
In 2016, the Mountain Home Charity Golf Classic, a long-running tournament
sponsored in large part by Yelcot and the Czeschins, directed the tournament’s proceeds to the ASUMH Technical Center and its program needs. Over $200,000 has been raised for technical programs and state-of-the-art equipment needs at ASU-Mountain Home through the Charity Golf Classic. In 2023, the Czeschins provided a significant gift to enable the purchase of the CzeschinNewth Workforce Development Center, which secured its place as a second campus of the college.
Sara Czeschin Zimmerman has been a member of the ASUMH Board of Visitors since 2015, serving as secretary, vice chairman and chairman. Yelcot has supported the college extensively through the years and is a proponent of its computer information systems program, hiring many of its graduates. Clint Czeschin has served on the program’s advisory board for a number of years.
For their numerous contributions to ASU-Mountain Home, the Czeschin name will be linked to the success of students at ASU-Mountain Home and the growth of the workforce in the Twin
Lakes Area. The college would like to express its gratitude to the late Calvin and Sissy Czeschin, and their surviving children, Sara, Clint, Karen and Betsie, for their generous support of ASUMH through the years.
As all three visionary parties — Myers, Newth and Czeschin — dedicated the facility to which each had devoted so much, Wallace summed up their shared contributions as essential components of bringing the dream to reality.
“Several years ago, Dr. Myers saw the future and knew that the college would have to expand if we were going to be able to adequately serve employers in our area. He had the vision but needed a place for it to be fulfilled,” Wallace said. “The Czeschin and Newth families recognized a moment in time where need and opportunity intersected. As they have been known to do, they once more stepped in to support our community in a meaningful and impactful way. The campus and the learning that happens here are a direct result of that collective vision and commitment to elevating those around us.” ■
Vision & Investment
Fueling expansion of ASU-Mountain Home’s technical programs
by DWAIN HEBDA
The expansion of ASU-Mountain Home’s technical programs via the new Czeschin–Newth Workforce Development Center on the Dr. Robert L. Myers Technical Education Campus happened thanks to visionary leadership, strategic planning and committed faculty and staff.
It also took a lot of money — funds used for renovation and expansion to the cost of equipment — that came from a variety of sources. Benefactors included individuals and businesses making contributions large and small, as well as a bevy of grants landed by the department. The most recent of these, a $450,000 grant from the Delta Regional Authority, was announced just a few weeks ahead of the May dedication of the new cutting-edge facility.
“ As business leaders, we should be taking every opportunity to grow this resource for the benefit of our respective businesses. As community leaders, we should promote and support programs that increase the skills, marketability and earning power of our local workforce as a whole.
— Brian Ross, Danfoss Plant Director
“We’re absolutely thrilled with the new facility and the departments that are located in there,” said Dean of Technology and Health Sciences Karen Heslep. “The grants and other donations we have received have allowed us to not only finish the space but also to purchase the equipment that will support our students.”
Since January 2022, the college has received more than $1.6 million in grants, $650,000 of it from two grants from the Delta Regional Authority and the remainder from a single Arkansas Office of Skills Development award. Grant money has been used to launch its marine manufacturing program, and the most recent award will help launch the school’s extrusion and injection molding program.
“We are incredibly proud of being able to provide these programs,” Heslep said. “(This grant) will allow us to purchase some equipment that we need and combine it with some existing equipment that we have so we can add training and extrusion and plastic injection molding to the curriculum. We’ll be working with local employers to help us determine what that curriculum needs to be, how we need to deliver it and when.”
Local businesses not only have a say in the development of ASUMH educational programs, but some have stepped up to donate expensive equipment to help make these programs happen. Such was the case with local manufacturers Baxter and Danfoss, the latter donating a $100,000 extruder to the school last year.
“In our experience, our local area does
not have a deep well of skilled engineers, engineering techs and maintenance techs,” said Brian Ross, plant director with Danfoss on the company’s decision to make the donation. “It’s very expensive to go outside this area to recruit, import and then retain individuals with those skills. We view the technical center as an excellent resource to grow that base locally and help us avoid those costs.
“As business leaders, we should be taking every opportunity to grow this resource for the benefit of our respective businesses. As community leaders, we should promote and support programs that increase the skills, marketability and earning power of our local workforce as a whole. This keeps good people local.”
Never one to rest on her laurels, Heslep said ASUMH leadership is already identifying what comes next for the tech center and its programs.
“We know we need to make some advances in our machining program, specifically with our CNC equipment,” she said. “There are definitely some new things out there that people are talking to us about, and there are things under consideration. It won’t be long until we have another mission, where we’re on the path of the next big project. That’s what keeps things interesting.” ■
(From left) Dr. Robert L. Myers, Laura Newth, Mayor Hillrey Adams, Sara Czeschin Zimmerman, and Dr. Bentley Wallace, ASUMountain Home chancellor.
TWIN LAKES
Hometown Hero
Local earns and applies degree in familiar surroundings
by DWAIN HEBDA
There was a time not long ago when Justin Evans thought leaving North Central Arkansas was the only way to pursue his career. Evans, 28, grew up in Mountain Home, had plenty of family there and knew there was a demand for the type of skilled work-with-your-hands type of work he wanted to do. However, upon graduating from
Mountain Home High School in 2014, he didn’t see a local, well-defined path from high school to the workplace that would gain him the necessary skills in the field of his choice.
“When I graduated high school, (ASUMountain Home) did not have a machining program,” he said. “I originally moved to Little Rock to pursue that, but I didn’t
finish because I was 19 and I was more worried about working, being young and running around and stuff.”
His progress stalled, Evans would spend seven years away before someone told him of the investment ASUMH had made to improve and expand its technical programs.
“The tech center, when I left, existed mostly just as a welding program. I remember looking online and being like, ‘I wonder if they offer machining yet?’ I saw machining on there and I’m like, ‘No way,’” he said. “I think what impressed me most was the small class size. The class I went to in Little Rock was like 30 kids, and for one instructor, that’s a lot. In Mountain Home, I was one of six in my manual machining class.
“In my opinion, the only way to learn machining is to do it. There’re a lot of theories, techniques and different things you can study, but at the end of the day, you have to have machine time. ASUMountain Home had enough equipment for a small class to get that hands-on exposure. They also let me transfer my existing credits, so it just made a lot of sense for me to come back here and finish.”
Inspired, Evans returned home in 2021 and enrolled in the program while working the second shift at a big box hardware store. He finished his degree in late 2022 and was quickly hired by a local company that was eager to put his skills to use.
“I had an interview with the company I work for now, and the boss said, ‘Well, we don’t need you right now.’ I’d brought
Edward Haddock SVP, Small Business Lending
some things I made and I was like, ‘Here’s my degree from ASUMH, here’s what I know and here are some things I made,’” Evans said with a grin. “The first thing he did was he picked up the stuff I brought and said, ‘You made this?’ I said, ‘Yeah,’ and he’s like, ‘You’re hired.’”
After working in research and development as well as machining, the company wanted to apply Evans in other technical areas. They sent him back to ASUMH to round out his skillset.
“I was doing a lot of 3D printing, working with a lot of robotics, electronics, things that I really had no basis in, so they sent me to the PLC program, which is programmable logic controller, an industry standard in all manufacturing,” he said. “It’s very specialized, and the only way to really learn it, again, is to put your hands on it. The idea was the company would basically be spending the same amount of money to send me to college as they would on two or three visits from a technician.”
Today, Evans finds himself in the best of all possible worlds. Not only is he doing work that interests him, he’s doing it in a part of the state where he feels most at home. He’s also building a future unencumbered by a lot of the issues facing his former classmates who chose different paths after high school.
“The tech center shines for maintenance techs, machinists, mechatronics, welders,” he said. “The people who are going to get the most out of ASUMH are the people who are going to apply themselves. I was constantly being pushed to do better by Nathan Lueck, who runs the tech center, and Jay Stubblefield, who runs the CNC side of the machining course. As a result, I pretty much milked the machining program for everything it was worth.
“Now I’m working in a place I really like, where my family is, I have a skillset in high demand, and I graduated with no student debt because I worked full time while I went to school. That’s obviously not the model for everyone, and it did take me a little longer doing it that way, but I did it.” ■
Shawna Rosson
Katie Schneider
Katie Schneider
A NEW CHAPTER
Major funding boosts ASU-Mountain Home’s Health Sciences Department
by DWAIN HEBDA
»“ I’m proud to deliver investments to Arkansas that support growth and development as well as improve the quality of life for Natural State residents.
—John Boozman, Arkansas’s senior U.S. Senator
ASU-Mountain Home’s Health Sciences Department will soon look and operate very differently thanks to a mammoth infusion of capital from two recent awards which will enhance the college’s educational programs.
A legislative package presented by U.S. Sen. John Boozman, signed into law March 23, will help fund enhanced health education through a $6 million appropriation. The bill provides funding to support the expansion of the ASUMH health care education facility and purchase enhanced technology to develop the medical workforce in the region
“I’m proud to deliver investments to Arkansas that support growth and development as well as improve the quality of life for Natural State residents,” said Senator Boozman in a statement. “These
bills will enhance health services access and workforce capabilities to deliver quality care in addition to expanding our state’s national defense contributions.”
A second award, presented in person by Gov. Sarah Sanders in the amount of $625,175, was announced in May and is earmarked for the college’s nursing program. Awarded via the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the grant will expand the Arkansas Linking Industry to Grow Nurses (ALIGN) Program allowing ASUMH and Baxter Health of Mountain Home to develop an innovative new partnership to create a clinical pre-residency experience.
“We are thrilled to add new nurses into the Baxter Health family through this exciting collaboration with ASUMH,” said Sarah Brozynski, director of education at
Baxter Health. “Our goal is to provide a comprehensive and enriching experience for nurse residents, ensuring they are well-prepared to deliver exceptional care to our patients.”
The $6 million appropriation will go toward expanding facilities and purchasing equipment, said ASUMH Chancellor Dr. Bentley Wallace.
“We’re always looking toward creating a learning environment that perfectly mimics the real world environments where these graduates will work,” he said. “This award will allow us to not only expand the building but also renovate a good portion of the existing building to modernize in a way that better aligns with the way health science education gets delivered.”
The nursing grant will go also toward equipment, specifically state-of-theart simulation equipment and medical manakins. It will also fund a new staff position, that of clinical nursing coordinator, to oversee the clinical scheduling, recruitment, retention of clinical nursing instructors, White Coat Program and student nursing education for the apprenticeship program.
“We are very excited to hear the news
ASUMH and Baxter Health received a grant in the amount of $625,175 on May 13, through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for the Arkansas Linking Industry to Grow Nurses (ALIGN) Program. The award, presented by Governor Sarah Sanders in Little Rock, will allow ASUMH and Baxter Health to develop an innovative new partnership that will create a clinical preresidency experience for students at Baxter Health.
regarding funding for the expansion of the health sciences building and programs at ASU-Mountain Home,” said Ron Peterson, president and CEO of Baxter Health. “With the shortage of health care workforce and the need for additional educational opportunities, this could not have come at a better time.”
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports health science positions, particularly the demand for nurses, will be in high demand as baby boomers age out of the workforce. Wallace praised the partnership with Baxter Health as a cornerstone of the college’s ongoing effort to produce an adequate supply of local health professionals and nurses going forward.
“This partnership is helping us look into the future a little bit,” Wallace said. “Baxter County has such a high percentage of retirees that the need for sustainable workforce in the health care sector is great. We know that we have to continue to look at expansion and growth of the number of students we can accommodate in order to satisfy the demands of employers in the sector. This partnership, like these funds, is critical to that effort.”
ASUMH’s Health Sciences Department offers programs in certified nursing assistant; emergency medical services; emergency medical technician; medication assistant–certified; paramedic technology; practical nursing; pre-nursing; professional medical coding; registered nursing, health professions and health sciences. ■
“ Our goal is to provide a comprehensive and enriching experience for nurse residents, ensuring they are well-prepared to deliver exceptional care to our patients.
—Sarah Brozynski, director
education at Baxter Health
of
NEW FACES DRIVE CIS DEPARTMENT REBOOT
Technology experts join the faculty as the department relocates to the School of Business,
Arts and Sciences
by DWAIN HEBDA
Technology changes almost constantly, and the same appears to be true for Arkansas State University-Mountain Home’s Computer Information Systems department. In the fall term, the department will relocate to the new School of Business, Arts and Sciences and when it does, it will feature two relatively new faces, Dane Husted and Karl Mudra.
“I’m so excited for the fall and to get both of these new instructors in place,” said Shawn Dennis, the lone familiar face who has been teaching at ASUMH for 24 years. “We’re just so fortunate to get the opportunity to have them at our institution because of the wealth of information and perspectives that they bring.”
Husted, who has been an adjunct instructor for two years, brings with him the experience of having lived and worked
“ We’re just so fortunate to get the opportunity to have them at our institution because of the wealth of information and perspectives that they bring. — Shawn Dennis
all over the world in his previous career.
“I was born in Chicago and my parents were pilots, so we went to Australia and Alaska because my dad worked for National Geographic,” he said. “I studied architecture at Washington State, and in college, I studied abroad in Copenhagen. I started my architecture career in California, but I moved shortly after to Florida where I worked in the international art market designing temporary museums and gallery spaces for artists and museums.”
Downsizing of projects due to the pandemic led Husted to Mountain Home where his parents had retired. Now, he’s looking forward to enriching students’ lives as he steps into a full-time faculty role.
“I teach digital design, which is pretty much what architecture is these days,” he said. “I’m looking forward to syncing up our students locally. We really try to get our students as early as high school into the classroom so they can learn a skillset that will be applicable to our local community.”
Mudra brings a different perspective to the classroom as the former CIO of Delta Dental Missouri, a company he served for more than 30 years. The St. Louis-born Mudra said he was looking forward to applying his accumulated wisdom and experience to his teaching.
“Many years ago, I taught folks who were physically handicapped from mostly brain and neck injuries,” he said. “Then, through my career, part of my responsibilities for my organizations was to instruct leaders, staff and board
members on all aspects of technology.
“I’ve also done professional public speaking for most of my life, and I’ve been a committee chair so I’ve had to organize meetings, agendas and presentations. All of that is going to be useful as I get into this new role.”
Most of all, Mudra said, he’s looking to connect the dots between classroom theory and the demands of the workplace, making his students instantly in demand upon graduation.
“I’ve had this philosophy for years about teaching a person how to fish,” he said. “I tie that to keeping all of my communication at a very real-world level. I find that if I can tie real-world examples to technology, it demystifies things. Even very complex subject matter is relatable if you can tell a story that’s relatable for the audience.”
Dennis said the diversity of experience and approaches among the three faculty will give the CIS department the flexibility to meet the needs of an equally diverse student population.
“Five or 10 years ago, we began to see a transition from the traditional student to older students, people in their 20s and 30s,” she said. “Today we’ll serve students who are just looking for a certain job skill or an industry certification as well as those who are looking to earn a degree.
“This challenges us as a department because many of our older students today are already experienced in technology. Having a range of experience among the faculty is a tremendous advantage because it helps us tailor our approach to serve each student according to their needs.” ■
(From left) Dane Husted, Karl Mudra, and Shawn Dennis in the CIS Department in the Integrity First Building.
HOW DO YOU Learn Best?
Education and learning are not one-size-fits-all propositions. Different learning styles, myriad educational goals and a rapidly changing marketplace have transformed the college experience in multiple ways. ASU-Mountain Home understands these differences, offering a variety of learning programs outside of traditional teaching pedagogy. The following details the many dynamic educational programs that seek to reach students where they are and deliver quality instruction to help get them where they are going.
CONCURRENT CREDIT
» Concurrent credit allows students to complete college courses at a reduced cost while still in high school. Concurrent credit also introduces students to the rigors of college coursework, helping them develop important study skills and adapt to the demands of higher education before fully transitioning to college. This strategy is an excellent way to earn a degree without a lot of debt.
“By allowing students to earn college credits
early, it accelerates their progress toward a degree thus shortening the overall cost and duration of their educational journey,” said Stephanie Beaver, dean of students. “Concurrent credit empowers students to achieve their academic and career goals at an accelerated pace, providing them with valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth.”
SECONDARY & TECHNICAL CENTER
» Through its state-of-theart Secondary and Technical Center, ASU-Mountain Home gives students the chance to learn a skill earlier in their academic lives, thereby giving them a head start on careers in automotive service technology, criminal justice, emergency medical tech, nursing services, machining, marine manufacturing, mechatronics and welding.
“Our target audience is high school students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades,” said Nathan Lueck, director of secondary and technical center programs. “Each program uses its own curriculum based on the skills our local industries need or through a nationally recognized curriculum.
“Having the opportunity to gain these skills before graduating high school is a gamechanger because students can enter the workforce much sooner than the traditional route.”
WORKFORCE EDUCATION
» ASU-Mountain Home’s workforce development curriculum provides multifaceted opportunities for students looking to improve, start a career or train for a second career. The department gives employees within the community of local industries the opportunity to increase their current skill set and gain new ones. The program is also a valuable resource for local businesses, customizing its training programs to meet certification requirements or other educational goals.
“Workforce education offers a plethora of classes including CDL, welding, automotive, mechatronics, machining, marine manufacturing, leadership and much more,” said April Bentley, director of workforce education. “Instructors in these fields are well-versed in their craft and offer students the opportunity to learn and grow quickly through a hands-on approach to learning that produces field-ready graduates.”
ADULT EDUCATION/ GED PROGRAM
» Helping students get back on track academically is the goal of ASUMH’s Adult Education/GED program. The depart ment served 193 such students last year, help ing learners master basic skills in reading, math and language and preparing them for the workforce.
“The goal of adult education is for students, many of whom are firstgeneration college students, to become independent learners,” said Jenna Robbins, ASUMH’s director of adult education. “Many of our students are brilliant but have been held back in their careers due to their lack of credentials. Being able to attend and complete college vastly improves their quality of life, and it’s a moving experience to see them get a GED and go on to college or to a better job.”
» Learning for learning’s sake could well be the motto of ASU-Mountain Home’s Community Education Department, which hosts classes that are non-credit based. Learners in this curriculum explore a variety of topics to suit their hobbies, interests and passions from watercolor, pottery and scuba diving to tennis, card-making and sign language, among many other courses.
“Community Education goes hand in hand with the college’s programs by offering opportunities through classes that those in our community might not have had the chance to experience otherwise,” said Hannah Shults, community education coordinator. “The classes also promote local businesses and artists and give individuals who have always wanted to teach a skill but never had the opportunity to do so a chance.”
ONLINE LEARNING
» Online programs at ASUMH are a great option for those seeking a degree while still fulfilling life’s other obligations. Students in the online program are subjected to the same academic rigor as learners in seated class settings, while still accounting for the unique needs of the online student.
“Online versus seated is clearly not the same teaching experience, but we have strived to keep the academic resources and quality consistent,” said Dr. Robert Shurley, Dean of Business, Arts & Sciences. “We have extensively trained our online professors in that delivery method. A fully online student will thus have a much different experience compared to one that comes to our wonderful campus but not at the expense of their overall education.”
BELOVED SON, BROTHER, UNCLE, AND FRIEND
Mr. Clay St. George Berry, Veteran
January 22, 1963 - June 16, 2024
Mr. Clay St. George Berry, 61, of Gassville/ Mountain Home passed away Sunday, June 16, 2024. He was the beloved son of Georgia Doty Berry, brother of Eve Berry and Amy Berry Boyd (Brent Boyd), all of whom survived him. He is also survived by adoring nephews and a niece, Anderson Boyd, Joseph Boyd, and Grace Boyd Blair (Jacob Blair) plus loving cousins and countless friends. Clay served as the Financial Aid Director at ASUMH from 2011-2024, dedicating his professional life to helping students achieve their educational goals.
Born in Paragould, Arkansas, on January 22, 1963, Clay grew up in Corning and was a proud member of the CHS Bobcat class of 1981. In 1985,
he graduated with a BSBA from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where he was a third-generation fan and fierce defender of all things Arkansas and Razorback.
Clay served his country in the Navy aboard the USS Yorktown (CG-48) whereupon he saw much of the world. He returned to UofA Fayetteville and began his life’s work securing financial aid for students who otherwise may not have received a college education. His professional life took him to management positions at Hendrix College in Conway, the Student Loan Guarantee Foundation in Little Rock, and finally to Financial Aid Director at ASU-Mountain Home.
On Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 9 a.m.,
Friends, family and co-workers gathered for a celebration of life at ASU-Mountain Home.
Clay was honored and remembered at a celebration of life service on the ASUMountain Home campus, 1600 S. College Street. In keeping with the “Clay Day” campus tradition, attire for the gathering was Hawaiian shirts.
The Clay Berry Memorial Scholarship has been established at ASU-Mountain Home to honor Clay’s memory. For more information, contact Bentley Wallace at 870-508-6101 or email development@ ASUMH.edu. Checks can be mailed to: Attn: Development Office, 1600 S. College Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653. ■
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TERRE WARE
AUTHOR LECTURE SERIES
Lauren Belfer
7:00 p.m. October 1
Best Selling Historical Novelist
Author of A Fierce Radiance and City of Light
GASTON LECTURE, PERFORMING ARTS SERIES
Sean of the South
6:00 p.m. September 17
Sean Dietrich is a columnist, novelist, and stand-up storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Newsweek, Southern Living, Reader’s Digest, Garden and Gun, and more. FALL
