Tech ActionW i n t e r 2 0 1 1

Col. Carl Baswell inducted into Hall of Distinction. See pages 4-5.

John Ed Chambers III continues a family tradition of service to Arkansas Tech.See pages 4-5.

Director of Alumni Relations Angela DeWitt BondsCoordinator of Young Alumni Alison ParksCoordinator of Alumni Communications and Activities Kelly Thornton BostickAlumni Office Administrative Assistant Terry Holland-Finley

Tech Action is published quarterly by the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association, 1313 N. Arkansas Ave., Russellville, AR 72801. It is sent to alumni, parents, friends and faculty/staff of Arkansas Tech University. We welcome manuscripts and photographs from our readers. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like your originals returned. Parents, if your son or daughter attended Tech and is no longer living at this address, please notify our office of his or her new address. Address updates can be submitted to the Arkansas Tech Office of Alumni Services by calling (479) 968-0242 or by sending e-mail to alumni@atu.edu.

Cover Photograph Steve NewbyContributing Photographers Steve Newby, Liz Chrisman, Felisha Weaver, Ashley Schurtz, Pam CooperE-mail address alumni@atu.eduWeb site www.techties.atu.edu

Editorial Committee Angela DeWitt Bonds, Jayne Jones, Julie Nebben Morgan, Susie Nicholson, Sam Strasnerpublications/creative Services Felisha WeaverAsst. Director of New Media Carrie Harris Phillips

Philip Alexander ‘89 12/11

Doug Brown ‘06 12/11

Jimmy Cunningham ‘75 12/11

Robert Ford ‘86 12/11

Dixie Gossett ‘70 & ‘74 12/11

Tommy Johnston ‘91 12/11

President: Jim Murphy ‘71 President-Elect: Shirley Drewry Dodd ‘59

Raymond Molden ‘96 12/11

Cara Hammond Witherspoon ‘78 12/11

John Carter ‘02 12/12

Molly Fleming ‘09 12/12

Leslie Miller Harris ‘08 12/12

Ronda Hawkins ‘92 12/12

Ann Irwin ‘83 12/12

Steve Pfeifer ‘71 12/12

Kendall Tabor ‘89 & ‘92 12/12

Angie Wyatt ‘03 12/12

Katherine Nunn Bowden ‘54 12/13

Sue Chiolino ‘68 12/13

Brenda Metcalf Hipp ‘63 12/13

Steve Kesner ‘77 12/13

Tayler Melton ‘10 12/13

Todd Sweeden ‘76 12/13

Jim White ‘78 12/13

Vickie Yates ’79 & ‘89 12/13

Brian Bass, Ozark Campus Rep.

Tech Action, Volume 47, No. 1. Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association, Alumni House, Russellville, AR 72801

Alumni Association Board of Directorstech

catch up with an old friend today

www.techties.atu.edu

Tech Action

Hall of Distinction: Our best and brightestThis issue of Tech Action includes the announcement of

three new members of the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction

— James Bibler, Dr. Jack Hamm and Lyndall Stout.

Higher education is truly a life-changing experience,

and the achievements of these three individuals are

further proof of the opportunities that are available to

graduates of Arkansas Tech.

The Hall of Distinction, which inducted its first class in

1965, provides our university with a chance to recognize

excellence within the Tech Family. Upon the addition

of three new inductees this spring, there will be 168

members of the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction.

If you know someone whom you believe is a candidate

for the highest honor that Arkansas Tech can bestow

upon an alumnus, here are some guidelines to keep in

mind when preparing a nomination.

There are five categories for induction: Distinguished

Alumnus, Distinguished Service, Distinguished Alumni

Service, Outstanding Young Alumnus and Distinction in

Intercollegiate Athletics.

Nominations may be made by any graduate, any

current or former member of the faculty or administration

of Tech, any currently enrolled full-time student at Tech or

any member of the Hall of Distinction.

Nominations may not be made by a family member

of the nominee. No incumbent member of the Board

of Trustees, faculty, staff or administration is eligible for

nomination for any category of the Hall of Distinction.

Nominations must be made in writing and delivered to

the Office of Alumni Services of Arkansas Tech University

by Oct. 1 each year.

Hall of Distinction inductees are selected by the

Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees, and the induction

ceremony takes place at spring commencement each year.

For complete details and a nomination form, please

visit www.techties.atu.edu.

You will read more about Mr. Bibler, Dr. Hamm and

Ms. Stout in the spring 2011 edition of Tech Action. In the

meantime, enjoy this issue of the magazine, remember to

keep us updated when you have a change of address and

always feel free to drop by the Alumni House at 1313 N.

Arkansas Ave. in Russellville and say hello.

Angela DeWitt Bonds ‘95

Director of Alumni Relations

2 Tech Action

Alumni News

3Winter 2011

Arkansas Tech will add three new members to its

Hall of Distinction during spring 2011 commencement

ceremonies at Tucker Coliseum on Saturday, May 14.

James Bibler will be inducted under the

Distinguished Alumnus category, Dr. Jack Hamm will

be inducted under the Distinguished Alumni Service

category and Lyndall Stout will be inducted under the

Outstanding Young Alumnus category. Selection for the

Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction is the highest honor

that the university can bestow upon an alumnus.

James Bibler

After starting out as a lumber stacker, Bibler rose

through his family’s company and became president of

Bibler Brothers, Inc. in Russellville at the age of 33.

The company became a division of Great Northern

Nekoosa in 1973, but 13 years later Bibler purchased all

of the stock in Bibler Brothers, Inc. His action saved the

mill and the jobs of those who worked there.

From 1986-98, Bibler led major renovations of the

mill, brought state of the art equipment online and

oversaw the construction of a new office facility just

south of the mill on Arkansas Avenue in Russellville.

Bibler sold 90 percent of the company to Freeman

Brothers, Inc. in 1998, but he remains active in the

business.

Jack Hamm

Hamm graduated from Tech in 1964 with a Bachelor

of Science degree in mathematics and physics. He

went on to earn a Master of Science degree in applied

mathematics (1968) and a Ph.D. in mathematics (1972)

from the University of Missouri at Rolla.

Shortly after attaining his terminal degree, Hamm

joined the mathematics faculty at Arkansas Tech. He

remained for 36 years, rising to the rank of dean of

the School of Systems Science (1982-2001) and vice

president for academic affairs (2002-08).

Upon his retirement, Hamm became the first faculty

member in Arkansas Tech history to receive the title of

Distinguished Professor.

Lyndall Stout

Stout has been nominated for three Emmy awards

as a local television anchor and reporter during a

career that has included stops in Denison, Texas,

Little Rock and Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She was recognized

by the Arkansas Press Association for outstanding

documentary reporting.

Today, Stout is back in her native Oklahoma and

working as the host and senior producer for SUNUP, a

weekly agriculture television program that airs on public

broadcasting stations throughout the state.

Bibler, Hamm, Stout chosen for top honor

Lyndall Stout

Dr. Jack Hamm

James Bibler

4 Tech Action

Cover Story

A FAMILY TRADITIONChambers continues legacy of service to Tech

His family ties make him an

important link to Arkansas Tech

University history.

His business acumen and

knowledge of the area make him a

valuable leader for Arkansas Tech

today.

His position as chairman of the

Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees in

2011 will allow him to help shape the

future of an institution that has leaned

on his family for guidance for more

than eight decades.

When John Ed Chambers III was

appointed to the Tech Board of

Trustees in January 2007, it continued

a tradition that dates back to the

earliest days of Arkansas Tech.

The story began in 1925, about the

same time the school’s name changed

from the Second District Agricultural

School to Arkansas Polytechnic

College. That was when Judge John

Ed Chambers of Danville was first

appointed to the board of trustees.

He continued on the board until

1937, and Judge Chambers served on

the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees

again from 1939-53 and from 1955-63.

During those nearly four decades

of involvement, Judge Chambers

helped Arkansas Tech transition

from a small agricultural school to a

modern college.

None of the decisions he made

more dramatically affected Arkansas

Tech than when he nominated and

championed Joseph W. Hull to become

the eighth president of Arkansas Tech

in 1932.

Judge Chambers had previously

been instrumental in bringing Hull

to Danville to teach agriculture, and

when Tech needed a new president

there was no doubt whom Chambers

wanted for the job.

“My grandfather saw the vision that

Dr. Hull had much beyond Danville,”

said John Ed Chambers III. “It was an

unbelievable step for him to go from

teaching agriculture in Danville to

serving as president at Arkansas Tech.

My grandfather had great belief in Dr.

Hull and his abilities. Dr. Hull was a

great man, a great promoter and I’m

very proud to have known him.

“I still remember little things

Dr. Hull would say, like ‘you build a

sidewalk where the students want

to cross. I don’t try to make them

go anywhere.’ He was a marketing

person, and I felt like he catered to

the needs of the students.”

Hull remained president at

Arkansas Tech until 1967. He is the

longest-serving president in the

history of the institution. He served

long enough, in fact, to work with the

second generation of the Chambers

family on the Tech Board of Trustees.

John Ed Chambers II was first

appointed to the board in 1965. He

served in that capacity until 1967, and

again from 1987-88.

The family tradition continued in

1994 when John Ed Chambers III was

suggested for a spot on the Arkansas

Tech Board of Trustees by Jim Pledger

and Gov. Jim Guy Tucker made the

appointment.

Chambers’ first term on the

Tech Board of Trustees was defined

by the Strategic Plan of 1995, a

document that called for Arkansas

Tech to utilize shared governance

between administration and faculty

and moderately selective admissions

standards to grow the university in a

thoughtful and deliberate way.

John Ed Chambers John Ed Chambers II John Ed Chambers III

5Winter 2011

Cover Story

As a result, enrollment at

Arkansas Tech increased 131

percent from 1997-2010.

Chambers also aided in the

planning of two landmark facilities

on the Arkansas Tech campus —

the Ross Pendergraft Library and

Technology Center and the Doc

Bryan Student Services Building.

Chambers’ term ended in 1999

and that could have been the end

of the story, but Gov. Mike Beebe

appealed to Chambers to consider

another appointment on the Tech

Board of Trustees in 2007.

Chambers, who serves as

chairman and chief executive officer

for Chambers Bancshares, Inc., was

unsure if his schedule would permit

such a commitment. Arkansas Tech

President Dr. Robert C. Brown was

able to help convince him.

“Everybody’s time is precious,

and when times are tough you have

less time,” said Chambers. “When I

was first appointed to the board this

time I told Dr. Brown I wasn’t sure if

I could give him the time he needed.

He told me, ‘Johnny, your county

needs you to help us. You know the

people and the banking industry,

and you can help us with that

knowledge.’ Being able to sit down

with him helped me understand how

these young people need our help to

make sure they have the resources

they need.

“I think it’s the same reason my

grandfather served and the same

reason my father served,” continued

Chambers. “Arkansas Tech was the

school for this area then, and I think

it still is today.”

Chambers is joined on the 2011

Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees

by Leigh Whiteside of Russellville,

Charles Blanchard of Russellville

and Tom Kennedy of Little Rock.

“The people who serve on the

board are generous with their time,

and they are people who care

about the future and the welfare

of Arkansas Tech,” said Chambers.

“They want the very best, and it’s

easy to work with people like that.

And when you have a leader like Dr.

Brown, it makes you want to work

to support his vision.

“Serving on the board is a lot like

being a coach — you’ve got to have

a good team,” continued Chambers.

“And you need a good quarterback.

Our quarterback is Dr. Brown, and

he really puts together a lot of great

people who are so easy to work

with.”

The Chambers family tradition

at Arkansas Tech also includes

a long track record of generous

financial support for the university.

That support has included gifts for

scholarships for students in the

Chambers family’s beloved Yell

County.

“The endowment was set up

such that we could send anywhere

from 10-15 kids each year to

Arkansas Tech,” said Chambers. “It

was set up for people who needed

it, and it was designed for people

who showed a desire to stay, fight it

out and graduate.”

The Chambers family’s

dedication of time and resources

to Arkansas Tech University was

immortalized in February 1966 when

Chambers Cafeteria was dedicated

on the Russellville campus.

Equally lasting on the Arkansas

Tech campus will be the example

of leadership set by the Chambers

family.

“I don’t see anything but good

things in the future for Arkansas

Tech,” said Chambers. “It will be

tougher, but the tough get tougher

when things are really bad. I think

the state will be more stressed

because of its budgets, so we will

have to work harder in getting

donations for scholarships and

other needs.

“I think with the vision that’s

been established, I don’t see why

Arkansas Tech won’t continue

to grow,” continued Chambers.

“Leaders are graduating from

Arkansas Tech University. It’s a

place you can love, respect and

want to help.”

Wilburn honored for service to boardDean Wilburn of Harrison, outgoing chairman of the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees,

was recognized by Tech President Dr. Robert C. Brown during the board’s regular monthly

meeting at the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center on Thursday, Jan. 20.

Wilburn (photographed, right) received a plaque in appreciation of his decade of service

to the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees. Brown also presented Wilburn and his wife, Kathy,

with lifetime passes to intercollegiate athletics events at Arkansas Tech. Mr. Wilburn served

on the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees from 2001-2011.

Alumni Feature

6 Tech Action

“This is Where My Roots Are”

Larry Brown rushed for a school-record 3,603 yards

as a member of the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys football

team from 1968-71.

His combination of power and speed made him a star

for the 1971 Wonder Boys, perhaps the greatest team in

Arkansas Tech football history.

But all of the rushing yards, the championships, the

adulation — none of it compared to one 30-yard walk

that Brown made on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010.

Four decades after his last game as a Wonder Boy, he

rose from his chair on the floor of Tucker Coliseum and

went to the podium to receive his Bachelor of Professional

Studies degree during fall commencement ceremonies at

Arkansas Tech.

They were the most meaningful 30 yards in a long and

improbable journey for the man known during his playing

days as the ‘Marianna Mauler.’

“I’m elated,” said Brown a few days before receiving his

degree. “I run with the alumni and I know all the alumni,

but I want to actually be a graduate of Arkansas Tech.

There are so many people who have been so supportive of

me, and they’ll be there at graduation. That’s what makes

you so proud. I’m 60 years old, but I still had the fortitude

to go ahead and do it. I think it’s a carry over from my

early days.”

The fact that Brown returned after four decades and

earned his degree is impressive. The fact that he is alive to

do so could be described as a miracle.

Brown suffered heart attacks in 1996 and 1999. After

his second heart attack, doctors had to replace the

femoral artery in his left leg.

By September 2002, Brown was back to his favorite

free-time activities of hunting and fishing.

He went out alone on a snake hunt one afternoon,

choosing to leave his cell phone behind because he only

intended to be gone for a few hours.

Three days later, he was found semiconscious under a

mesquite tree.

He had left his interior light in his truck on, which

drained his battery and left him stranded 30 miles

from civilization with no means of communication or

transportation.

Brown was airlifted to a hospital in time to save his

life, but he had no blood flow to his left leg. It had to be

amputated, and he was fit with an artificial leg.

It marked the third time in life that Brown had to learn

how to walk.

Brown was 7 years old when he dropped a bag of

marbles and ran into the road to retrieve them. He was

struck by a car. Multiple broken bones took his ability to

walk.

He not only recovered and walked again; he grew

strong enough to gain a football scholarship to Arkansas

Tech.

Four decades later,Brown earns degree

Alumni Feature

7Winter 2011

“I’m the oldest out of nine kids,” said Brown.

“Growing up, if the food ran out and I was still hungry,

my mom told me to get up and cook it. Because I had

to work so hard after I had the injury as a kid, I got so

strong physically and so mentally tough. I wanted to be

competitive, and I had to work to get there.”

After playing as a freshman on the 1968 Arkansas

Intercollegiate Conference champion Wonder Boys,

Brown rushed for a team-leading 1,118 yards in 1969.

He averaged 5.8 yards per carry the following season

and led the 1970 AIC champion Wonder Boys with 1,192

rushing yards.

In 1971, Brown’s team-high 990 rushing yards

helped the Wonder Boys finish with an overall record of

12-1 and reach the NAIA national championship game.

Arkansas Tech won the AIC title for the third time

during Brown’s four-year career.

Brown entered the U.S. Marines after completing his

football eligibility with the Wonder Boys. He returned

to Arizona, where he had spent time as a youth, and

began working in the copper mines.

He moved on to a career with the Arizona

Department of Corrections. He worked in that field for

more than two decades and eventually attained the

positions of unit captain and chief of security.

For most, the hunting accident would have been too

much to overcome.

Surviving 108 degree heat for three days with no

shelter and little water was difficult. The physical

therapy and emotional struggles that followed the

amputation of his left leg were even more trying; so

much so that they caused him to consider ending his

life.

But just as was the case 40 years earlier, Arkansas

Tech and Russellville provided Brown with a safe haven.

He returned to Russellville, and surrounded by the

support of friends and former teammates such as Jim

Murphy, Brown started a new life.

He began enrolling in the courses necessary to

complete his degree at Arkansas Tech in 2008.

“It was a lot easier the second time around based

on what my attitude is and what my focus is,” said

Brown. “I was a young kid back then with an ability to

play football. Those memories brought me back here.

There are a lot of traditions at this school, and I hope

we can keep those instilled in people. I felt it the first

time I came here as a junior in high school. That’s what

compelled me to come here.”

And it was that same love for Arkansas Tech and for

the Arkansas River Valley that drew Brown back there.

“I knew before the accident with my leg that I

wanted to retire in Russellville,” said Brown. “The

people here in this community have always been

supportive, and it’s always been heartfelt. I still have a

lot of great friends that have supported me, and I talked

to (Arkansas Tech President) Dr. (Robert C.) Brown

about coming back to school.

“I had taken some classes at a university in Arizona

while I lived out there and I could have finished up

there, but it was so much more meaningful to graduate

from Tech because this is where my roots are and this is

where I wanted to be.”

Alumni News

8 Tech Action

Alumni Board welcomes eight new membersEight individuals have been elected to serve a three-

year term on the Arkansas Tech University Alumni

Association Board of Directors.

Those elected in voting via the fall 2010 edition of

Tech Action magazine will serve on the alumni board from

January 2011 through December 2013.

The newest members of the alumni board are:

*Katherine Nunn Bowden of Russellville, Class of 1954

*Sue Chiolino of Russellville, Class of 1968

*Brenda Metcalf Hipp of Little Rock, Class of 1963

*Steve Kesner of Fort Smith, Class of 1977

*Tayler Melton of Yellville, Class of 2010

*Todd Sweeden of Russellville, Class of 1976

*Jim White of Rogers, Class of 1978

*Vickie Yates of Pottsville, Class of 1979 and 1989

The Arkansas Tech Alumni Association Board of

Directors consists of 25 non-compensated members

representing both the Russellville campus and the Ozark

campus.

Major responsibilities for alumni board members

include supporting the mission of the Tech Alumni

Association and the university, aiding in the cultivation of

private donations to the university and attending between

three and four meetings per year.

Jim Murphy of Russellville is president of the Arkansas

Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors for 2011, while

Shirley Drewry Dodd of Russellville is the president-elect.

For information about nominating an alumnus for

service on the alumni board, call (479) 968-0242 or send

an e-mail to alumni@atu.edu.

Jones to chair Cattlemen’s Beef BoardArkansas Tech University alumnus

Tom Jones was elected 2011 national

chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef

Board during the Cattle Industry

Annual Convention and Trade Show in

Denver, Colo., Feb. 2-5.

A third generation farmer, Jones

earned a Bachelor of Science degree in

agriculture business from

Arkansas Tech in 1982.

He and his family produce cattle

and hay in Pottsville.

As chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, Jones

will lead a group of 106 committee members appointed

by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and responsible for

overseeing the organization’s $80 million annual beef

checkoff program.

“My goal without any equivocation is for people to

have more than enough confidence in this checkoff so

that when this industry makes a decision to make the

checkoff better, producers will know it’s a valid program

that they can support,” said Jones in a news release from

the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.

According to the Cattlemen’s Beef

Board, the beef checkoff program

was established as part of the 1985

Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1

per head on the sale of live domestic

and imported cattle, in addition to a

comparable assessment on imported

beef and beef products.

Funds are used to increase demand

for beef through promotion, research,

consumer information, industry

information, foreign marketing and

producer communications.

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board is perhaps best known for

the “Beef, It’s What’s For Dinner” advertising campaign

that it launched in 1992.

In addition to his work with the Cattlemen’s Beef

Board, Jones is also in his second term as secretary/

treasurer for the Arkansas Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

He has served on the AFB board for eight years.

Jones’ service to his alma mater has included a term as

president of the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association Board

of Directors.

Today’s Tech

9Winter 2011

Arkansas Tech University President Dr. Robert C.

Brown is under contract to maintain the position he has

held since 1993 through June 30, 2013, following action

by the Tech Board of Trustees on Thursday,

Dec. 16, 2010.

The board voted unanimously to extend Brown’s

contract by one year upon completion of its annual

evaluation of his performance as president.

Arkansas Tech has added 45 academic programs

of study, made a $180 million investment in its

infrastructure and awarded more than 17,000 degrees

under Brown’s leadership.

Enrollment at Arkansas Tech has increased by

131 percent since 1997 to its current figure of 9,814

students, and Tech has posted a school record

enrollment in each of the past 12 years.

“Every board member was 100 percent positive in

their comments about Dr. Brown,” said Dean Wilburn,

who served on the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees from

2001-2011. “We’ve got the best university and college

president in Arkansas. All you have to do is look at

where this university started 17 years ago and where it is

today to see that we have the right person for the job.”

Brown’s tenure has also seen the addition of a

satellite campus in Ozark and the move to NCAA

Division II athletics.

“I am very gratified and appreciative of the

confidence the Board of Trustees has placed in me and

my administration,” said Brown. “The good results we

have achieved are the result of collaboration by the

outstanding faculty, administration, staff and student

body at Tech. We are all convinced that the best days of

our university are in the future.”

Trustees extend president’s contract

Two veterans of the Arkansas Tech University faculty

were appointed to leadership positions within the

university in recent months.

Dr. Hanna Norton, associate professor of journalism

at Arkansas Tech, was promoted to assistant vice

president for academic affairs.

Norton had previously served as head of the

Department of Speech, Theatre and Journalism. In her

new role, she will oversee expanded distance learning

initiatives at Arkansas Tech.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jeffrey Woods was named head of the

Tech Department of History and Political Science.

Woods, associate professor of history at Arkansas

Tech, served as interim head of the department during

the 2010 spring and fall semesters.

Both of their appointments followed a nationwide

search.

Norton holds three degrees from the University of

Georgia. She earned her Ph.D. in 2001 and joined the

Tech faculty as an assistant professor later that year.

The student body selected Norton as Arkansas Tech

professor of the year in 2006-07. She was promoted to

associate professor that spring.

Norton served as president of the faculty senate in

2008-09. At spring commencement in 2009, she was

presented with a Faculty Award of Excellence in the

teaching category.

Woods joined the Arkansas Tech faculty in 2000 as

an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate

professor and granted tenure in 2006, and in 2009 he

received the Arkansas Tech Faculty Award of Excellence

in the scholarship category.

Founder and director of the Arkansas Digital History

Institute, Woods has authored two books: “Richard

Russell, Southern Nationalism and American Foreign

Policy,” which was published in 2007; and “Black

Struggle, Red Scare: Segregation and Anticommunism

in the South, 1948-68,” which was published in 2004.

Woods holds a bachelor’s degree from the University

of Kansas (1992), a master’s degree from the University

of Arkansas (1994) and a Ph.D. from Ohio University

(2000).

Norton, Woods accept new leadership roles

Today’s Tech

10 Tech Action

Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, chancellor of Arkansas Tech-Ozark

Campus, has been honored by the Girl Scouts-Diamonds

of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas for her contributions to

the field of education.

Blondin was one of four individuals recognized at the

organization’s Women of Distinction 2011 gala on Jan. 27

in Fort Smith.

According to the Girl Scouts-Diamonds of Arkansas,

Oklahoma and Texas organization, the Women of

Distinction awards are designed to “honor outstanding

women for their contributions to their communities and

who inspire girls to live life to the fullest and to make the

world a better place.”

Blondin joined the Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus

administration in 2004. She was elevated to the position of

chancellor in 2006.

Enrollment at Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus has

increased by 435 percent since Blondin joined the staff

in 2004. Her leadership has allowed Arkansas Tech-Ozark

Campus to develop new academic programs that meet the

specific needs of the area that it serves.

Blondin volunteers with the United Way of the Fort

Smith Area board, the St. Edward Mercy Hospital Board of

Advisors, the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas

River Valley Area Council (ARVAC) and Keep Van Buren

Beautiful.

Girl Scouts pick Blondin for annual award

As Arkansas Tech University concludes its

centennial celebration, the 100th anniversary

of the school’s first academic year will be

recognized at the Centennial Convocation on

Friday, April 29.

The convocation will begin at 10 a.m. in

Tucker Coliseum. The public is invited and

encouraged to attend.

Arkansas Tech held its first day of classes

on Oct. 26, 1910, and the first academic year

in school history came to an end in spring

1911.

The convocation will be a celebration of the first 100

years of Arkansas Tech and a time to look forward to the

century to come.

Other events scheduled for that weekend include

baseball games between Arkansas Tech and Harding

at Tech Field in Russellville, softball games between

Arkansas Tech and Christian Brothers at the Chartwells

Women’s Sports Complex and a combined band and

choir concert.

The concert, which is scheduled for Sunday, May 1,

will include the premiere of two commissioned pieces in

recognition of the Arkansas Tech Centennial.

The choral piece, “Doors of Daring,” was composed by

Andrea Ramsey, a member of the Arkansas Tech Class of

2000. “Celebration” was written for band by Philip Parker,

who serves as associate professor of music at Arkansas

Tech.

Alumni and friends are also reminded about the

centennial time capsule that is being planned this spring.

“Students, faculty, staff, alumni and university friends

are asked to submit suggestions for items to be included

in the time capsule,” said Julie Morgan, on-campus

coordinator for the Tech Centennial.

For more information about the closing events of the

Arkansas Tech Centennial, contact Morgan at

jmorgan@atu.edu or (479) 968-0332.

Centennial Convocation set for April 29

Today’s Tech

11Winter 2011

The longest-serving faculty member in the history of

Arkansas Tech University is returning to the classroom

on a full-time basis.

Dr. Richard Cohoon, who has served on the Arkansas

Tech faculty since 1960, will step down as dean of the

Arkansas Tech College of Natural and Health Sciences

on June 30, 2011, and return to duties as professor of

geology beginning July 1, 2011.

Cohoon has been dean of what is now known as the

College of Natural and Health Sciences for 23 years.

He submitted the request for his change of

assignment to Arkansas Tech Vice President for

Academic Affairs Dr. John Watson on Dec. 3, 2010,

and it was approved by the Tech Board of Trustees on

Thursday, Dec. 16.

“It has been my privilege to serve as dean of the

School of Physical and Life Sciences and later the

College of Natural and Health Sciences for a total

of 23 years,” wrote Cohoon in his memo to Watson.

“One of the most pleasant aspects of this service has

been working closely with the senior administrators

of the university, my fellow deans, several excellent

department heads and many of the faculty.

“I look forward to focusing more of my energy,

professional knowledge and abilities on the study and

teaching of geology,” continued Cohoon. “I especially

look forward to teaching classes in mineralogy and

petrology during the 2011-12 academic year.”

Watson said that a national search for a new dean

of the Arkansas Tech College of Natural and Health

Sciences will begin during the spring 2011 semester.

Cohoon stepping down as dean, will teach

Dr. Georgena Duncan,

professor of history at Arkansas

Tech University, was honored

for her 35-year career at

Arkansas Tech University with

a retirement reception at

Witherspoon Hall on Tuesday,

Dec. 7, 2010.

“We’ve been colleagues

for a long time,” said Dr. John

W. Watson, vice president for

academic affairs, following

the presentation of a plaque

to Duncan. “I’ve enjoyed my collaborations with you

and enjoyed working with you. I wish you the best in

retirement.”

Duncan joined the Arkansas Tech faculty in 1975.

She served as dean of the Arkansas Tech College of Arts

and Humanities (then known as the School of Liberal

and Fine Arts) from 1996-2009.

“There are so many of us who are here because

Georgena hired us,” said Dr. Micheal Tarver, dean of the

Arkansas Tech College of Arts and Humanities. “I am

very appreciative of the guidance you have given us.”

A professor of history

at Arkansas Tech, Duncan

returned to the classroom

in July 2009 following her

resignation as dean.

She also accepted a special

assignment with the Office of

Academic Affairs in conjunction

with the English as a Second

Language Academy at Tech at

that time.

“Georgena has meant a lot to

me,” said Dr. Jeff Woods, associate professor of history

and head of the Department of History and Political

Science at Arkansas Tech. “She was the second person

I met when I came to Tech, and she has always been

warm and welcoming. I am very indebted to her.”

Although she is retiring from full-time teaching,

Duncan will continue to assist Arkansas Tech in its ESL

Academy.

Duncan holds a baccalaureate degree from the

University of Arkansas and a doctorate from the

University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.

Colleagues bid Duncan a happy retirement

Today’s Tech

12 Tech Action

What would you say to a group of young people who

made a decision to give of themselves, give of their time

and give of their energy just because they wanted to?

Families in need in the Arkansas River Valley had a

simple yet heartfelt two-word response to that question

during the 2010 holiday season — thank you.

Arkansas Tech University students donated 400 food

kits to help the less fortunate during the fourth annual

Helping Halls program.

Resident directors from the Arkansas Tech Office of

Residence Life helped distribute the food to those in need

at the Salvation Army location on Weir Road in Russellville

on Monday, Nov. 22.

“We all wanted to cry when the food came in,” said Lt.

Ashley Robinett of the Salvation Army. “A week and a half

ago our food pantry was empty. Now we have enough to

feed the people counting on this food for Thanksgiving

and Christmas.”

At $11 per kit, the gift represents a $4,400 donation

from the pockets of Arkansas Tech students to the

community.

The kits include many of the staples of a holiday meal

— turkey gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing,

boxes of mashed potatoes, canned cranberries, pie filling,

pie crust and marshmallows.

Every residence hall on campus met or exceeded its

goal for the program. Jones Residence Hall, which had a

goal of 19 food kits and collected 80 food kits, was the

winner of a competition to see which hall could donate

the most.

“I was shocked by the amount of food we collected,”

said Melanie Skocy, a graduate assistant from Channahon,

Ill., who helped oversee Helping Halls 2010 for the

Arkansas Tech Office of Residence Life. “I think it shows

how much pride Arkansas Tech students have in the

Russellville community and how willing they are to help

the community. It was amazing to watch students take $20

bills out of their pockets and give them to this effort.”

Staff members from the Salvation Army collect turkey,

ham and chicken to complete each set.

“It is a blessing to be able to provide this food to

those who need it,” said Lt. Josh Robinett of the Salvation

Army. “I came back from a board meeting and food was

everywhere. It was great to see the kids from Arkansas

Tech do that for our community.”

The Helping Halls program began in 2007 with a

donation of 123 food kits. That number grew steadily in

2008 (176 food kits) and 2009 (235 food kits).

The goal for 2010 was to collect at least 200 food kits

and attempt to match the 2009 total.

“It seems each year that we think we will not be able to

top the previous year’s total, especially after an awesome

year in 2009 with 235 food kits,” said Kevin Solomon,

assistant director of housing at Arkansas Tech. “To gather

400 sets is truly amazing. Helping distribute the food is a

great way to end Helping Halls because our student staff

members get great satisfaction from delivering the food

and receiving personal thanks from the people who really

need this gift.”

COMPASSION WITHOUT LIMITSTech students far exceed goal for ‘Helping Halls’ program

13Winter 2011

Today’s Tech

Nutt Hall at Arkansas Tech University has been named

the 2009-10 residence hall of the year in its region by the

National Association of College and University Residence

Halls (NACURH).

Residence halls on college and university campuses in

Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and the country of

Mexico were eligible to win the award.

Nutt Hall at Arkansas Tech was selected based upon its

residents’ involvement in their building, their campus and

their community during the 2009-10 academic year.

“I believe that it was the philanthropy shown by the

residents and the number and quality of the programs

offered by the resident assistants that distinguished Nutt

Hall from the other nominees,” said Gwen Young, area

coordinator in the Arkansas Tech Office of Residence Life.

BEST IN REGIONTech’s Nutt Hall earns honor

Nutt Hall provides on-campus housing for 338

Arkansas Tech students each semester. Originally

known as Summit Hall and constructed in 2002, it

was re-named in honor of Arkansas Tech benefactors

John W. Nutt and Joie Thompson Nutt in 2007.

Arkansas Tech University physical education

students were recognized at the Arkansas Association

for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

(ArkAHPERD) Conference in Little Rock in November

2010 for organizing the most successful collegiate

Hoops for Heart program in the state.

The Hoops for Heart event at Arkansas Tech last

spring raised the most money of any such program on

any college campus in Arkansas during the 2009-10

academic year. Approximately 5,000 schools participate

in Hoops for Heart to benefit the American Heart

Association on an annual basis.

Tech Hoops for Heart program tops in state

Development Corner

14 Tech Action

1960. The year when John F. Kennedy won the

Presidency, the laser and a heart pacemaker were invented,

Cassius Clay won his first match, OPEC was formed, and

the United States announced that 3,500 American soldiers

were going to be sent to Vietnam.

That was the world into which the graduating Class of

1960 entered, and in many cases, their journey after Tech

was defined by the Vietnam War.

With that in mind, the Class of 1960 memorialized

fellow classmate Jim Cartwright with a reunion gift to

the Arkansas Tech Foundation when they gathered to

celebrate the Class’ 50th anniversary at Tech’s 2010

Homecoming.

Jim Cartwright of Mountainburg, a business

administration major at Tech, served as Cadet Major

of the ROTC Brigade during his senior year, and was

commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army

upon graduation.

Capt. Cartwright made the ultimate sacrifice for our

country when his duty took him to Vietnam. A combat

fatality, Captain Cartwright was the only graduate from the

ROTC program at Tech to die in Vietnam.

“The Jim Cartwright Memorial Fund will help ease the

hardships of veterans of current wars in establishing new

lives through education,” said Class of 1960 member Bill

Harmon. “It will provide temporary loan assistance for

those who have applied for Veteran Educational Benefits to

attend Tech but are awaiting those benefits to begin.”

Members of the Class of 1960 were recognized at

Homecoming as “Alumni Gold” and were presented a

certificate and gold letter opener from Arkansas Tech

President Dr. Robert C. Brown, as well as a notebook of

class information and memorabilia.

The Class Reunion committee of Major General (Ret.)

Bill Harmon, Dr. Hilda Turner, and Dr. Robert Edwards

planned reunion activities with the Alumni Office.

Class of 1960 remembers a fallen friend

IN MEMORY/HONOR OF (October 1, 2010 through January 31, 2011)The following individuals made gifts to Tech in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one

In Honor of Bill Abernathy Faye Abernathy

In Memory of Heartsill and Polly BartlettBill and Suzanne Harmon

In Honor of Kenneth Bowden Bill and Suzanne Harmon

In Memory of Firman Bynum Travis and Lou Adams Bill and Suzanne Harmon

In Honor of Sarah CottonDavid and Dana Moseley

In Memory of Joyce DempseyTravis and Lou AdamsAgnes AlfordMarshall and Betty ColeBetty LienhartJohnny and Julie MorganDavid and Dana Moseley

In Memory of Nona DirksmeyerCarol Martin

In Memory of Michael DuranFabricio and Karen Duran

In Memory of Samantha Hale Mike and Shauna Donnell

In Honor of Bill and Suzanne HarmonJohnny and Julie Morgan

In Memory of Sam Hindsman Ferne Shinn Anderson

In Memory of Jim Ed McGeeJohnnie and Carolee Hamilton

In Memory of Sandra Hodges James Collins John Gilbreath Ernest and Jamie HodgesCarol MartinRobert and Dorothy NorthupBob and Judy TaylorJames and Lea Witt

In Memory of Harlan McMillanRichard and Mary CohoonDavid GarrettJohnnie and Carolee HamiltonBill Pullen

In Memory of Lena RexingerDolores Beene

In Memory of Selma Smith Bill and Suzanne Harmon

In Memory of Elgin Spence Johnny and Julie Morgan David and Dana Moseley

In Memory of Christina Stinnett Joann Hays Bobby and Linda Rush

In Memory of Audrie Stonecipher Johnny and Julie Morgan

In Memory of Thomas Tate Barbara Tate

In Memory of Roy and Mary Taylor Mary “Doy” Branch

In Memory of Mike “Bear” Womack Nelda Womack

Jim Cartwright

Arkansas Tech Class of 1960

Development Corner

15Winter 2011

The Class of 2011 Gift Committee has officially

kicked off its spring campaign.

The mission of the Class of 2011 Campaign is to

heighten students’ awareness of the Tech Loyalty Fund

prior to their graduation.

The Class Gift Campaigns, established in 2005,

encourage students to reflect on what the generosity

of others has meant to them. The hope is that today’s

Tech students will begin a tradition of giving so

tomorrow’s Tech students can enjoy the same benefits

they have received.

The Class of 2010 raised more than $1,800, the

largest gift in the five-year history of the program. To

date, the senior class program has raised $7,000 for the

Arkansas Tech Foundation.

Class of 2011 Committee members were selected

in early September and spent last fall developing an

educational campaign on philanthropy and the Tech

Loyalty Fund. This year, the committee chose “Invest in

the Now” as its the slogan.

Members are asking their classmates to make

their first gift of $20.11 to Tech. High participation by

the class rather than a specific dollar amount is the

principal goal of the campaign.

Photographed are the following members of the

Class of 2011 Tech Loyalty Fund Committee: (back row,

from left) Lydia Grate, Keyvan Sierra, Gentry Tubbs and

Tesa Murray; (front row, from left) Travis Flowers, Dana

Florian, Brad Gwatney and Danielle Jolie.

Also part of the committee but not photographed

are: Laura Beth Anderson, Lade Lamina and Jenny

Vining.

For more information about participating in the Tech

Loyalty Fund, visit www.atu.edu/givetotech or call

(479) 968-0405.

Class of 2011 collecting for gift to Tech

The Arkansas Tech University Alumni and Friends

Travel Group has planned four trips for 2011.

The travel group is open to any alumnus or friend

of Arkansas Tech. For more information about how to

become involved, call Dana Moseley, director of gift

planning, at (479) 964-0532.

The Tech Tourists will begin their travels on April 1

by staying close to home for a tour of Garvan Woodland

Gardens in Hot Springs.

The group will head to London and Paris for an eight-

day trip beginning April 7.

Just as the weather starts to heat up at home, the

Tech Travel Group will seek cooler temperatures during

the “Northern National Parks” tour July 29-Aug. 5

(photographed). Stops will include Yellowstone National

Park, Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park.

The 2011 travel season will conclude Sept. 25-Oct. 4

with a tour of Spain. The adventure will include visits to

Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.

Tech Tourists making plans for busy 2011

Class Notes

16 Tech Action

Marriages

Brandon Keith Holland (BIOL ’07) and Sarah Nicole

Freeman (NURS ’09) were married Dec. 18, 2010.

Elizabeth Lopez (ECED ’09) and Maverick Dunn

(ALUM) were married Oct. 2, 2010.

Christopher Martin West (MGMT/MKTG ’09) and

Megan Rebecca Middlekauff were married July 24, 2010.

They live in Conway.

Chance Kendall Wright (NURS ’09) and Kalie Laine

Knight were married Oct. 16, 2010. Chance is employed

at Northwest Medical Center. They live in Fayetteville.

Births

Matt Pinkerton (COMP SCI ’96) and Briana Rich

Pinkerton (COMP SCI ’97), a son, Mattix Christopher,

Nov. 7, 2010.

J.W. Stratton (ECON ’01) and Christa Stratton (ECED

’02), a daughter, Ruth Ann, Jan. 18, 2011. Ruth Ann has

two siblings: Eli (6) and Mary Margaret (4). They live in

Russellville.

Stephen Banning (HEPE ’02) and Maranda Banning

(ALUM), a son, Ryan Clark, Aug. 18, 2010. Ryan has

one sister, Paige (4). Stephen is a health and physical

education teacher and coach at Clarksville Junior

High School. He recently earned a master’s degree in

educational leadership from Harding University.

John Carter (ECON ’02) and his wife, Erin, a son, Jayce

Cole, Nov. 23, 2010.

Melissa McMinn Freeman (ACCT ’03) and her

husband, Jeffrey, a son, Aaron Jeffrey, Nov. 15, 2010.

They live in Dover.

Stephanie Parker Duffield (INST ’05) and Luke

Duffield (ALUM), twin daughters, Stella Jane and

Audrey Claire, June 28, 2010.

Jeremy Ragland (HIST ’05) and his wife, Laura, a son,

Trenton Charles, June 25, 2010.

Lori Gray Kirtley (ECED ’06 & M.Ed. ’08) and her

husband, Carl, a son, Keaton Gray, Jan. 15, 2011.

Keaton has a brother, Cale (2).

Cassie Cothren White (HEPE ’06) and her husband,

Nick, a daughter, Alexandra Brooklyn, May 6, 2010.

Alexandra has one sister, Jennifer Nicole.

James “Mike” Wilkins (AGBU ’06) and Whitney Heflin

Wilkins (ECED ’07), a daughter, Emily Ann, Dec. 5,

2010. They live in Russellville.

Joshua S. Brown (HEPE ’07) and his wife, Robin, a son,

Tucker Carlton, Nov. 8, 2010. Joshua is a coach and

teacher at Star City High School.

Kim Dyer McCormick (MLED ’07) and her husband,

Rustin, a son, Remington Shane, Jan. 21, 2011.

Ian Nelson (’08) and his wife, Joanie, a son, Reid Henry,

Dec. 3, 2010. Reid has a brother, John (6).

Stefanie Poole Turner (ECED ’08) and Kyle Turner

(ALUM), a daughter, Tinley Paige, Dec. 27, 2010. They

live in Pottsville.

Nathan McElhaney (MECH ENGR ’09), a daughter, Ella

Claire, Dec. 29, 2009.

1940s

Martha Spillers Newton (’40) celebrated her 90th

birthday with a reception at the Russellville Depot on

Jan. 29, 2011.

Frances Bollinger Burleson (HOME EC ’41) and Clay

Burleson (ENGR ’42) celebrated their 65th wedding

anniversary at their home in Kerrville, Texas, on Jan. 19,

2011.

1950s

Patsy Marshall Kerley (BUED ’59) has volunteered with

Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, Kan., for 17

years.

Elbert “Tom” Townsend (POL SCI ’59) is retired from

the U.S. Air Force and from teaching. He and his wife,

Margrette, celebrated their wedding anniversary on Dec.

18, 2010.

1960s

David Snellings (MATH/PHYS SCI ’62) and Betty

Niemeyer Snellings (ART EDU ’62) celebrated their

50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 5, 2010. David is

retired from Arkansas Nuclear One and the Arkansas

Department of Health. Betty is a retired school teacher.

Class Notes

17Winter 2011

Jack Wood (MUED ’63) has become an amateur civil

war historian since retiring in 2001. Jack volunteers at

the Mariners Museum in Newport News, Va.

Delvin Williams (HIST ’64) is retired from the U.S.

Marines and Sundstrand Aerospace. He buys and

restores classic automobiles, some of which he

sells and some of which he keeps for his personal

collection.

John Gibson (ACCT ’66) is president and chief

executive officer of the Morrilton Area Chamber

of Commerce and the Conway County Economic

Development Corporation.

Richard Petronis (BUS & ECON ’66) was selected

as Kappa Delta Rho fraternity advisor of the year for

2010. Richard is a professor of business at Tarleton

State University (Texas), where he teaches business,

employment, and international business law at the

graduate and undergraduate levels.

1970s

Roger Wattam (MUS ’70) has become an

accomplished amateur tennis player during his

retirement years. Roger is a member of two local

tennis teams that have advanced to regional play in

Hilton Head, S.C., and Mobile, Ala., this spring. He

also aids his wife, Pat “Prissy” Wattam (MUED ’73) in

her real estate business.

Leo Knoernschild (FISH/WLDLF ’71) retired Nov. 1,

2010, following a 39-year career with the Arkansas

Game and Fish Commission as a field biologist in

the Piney Creek Wildlife Management Area in Pope,

Johnson and Newton counties.

David Toward (HEPE ’71) retired from the

Hillsborough County School System (Fla.) after 34

years as a teacher, coach and administrator. He

and his wife, Cindy, live in Tampa, Fla. They have a

daughter, Sherry, and a grandson, Dylan.

Class Notes

18 Tech Action

Bob Sivils (MUED ’72) and Glenna “Dee” Daniels

Sivils (ELED ’72) retired in Sallisaw, Okla., after 38

years of teaching. They celebrated the birth of their fifth

grandchild on Dec. 18, 2010.

Pat “Prissy” Jones Wattam (MUED ’73) was selected

to receive the lifetime achievement award from RE/

MAX International during the real estate company’s

convention in Las Vegas in March 2011.

John Clark (RPA ’74) is chief executive officer and

general manager of the Philmont Scout Ranch near

Cimarron, N.M. He also serves as national director of

the Boy Scouts of America High Adventure program.

His wife, Janice Clark (’72), works with the Philmont

Staff Association and helps with their four grandkids.

David Shinn (PSY ’75) is dean of transfer education at

John Wood Community College in Quincy, Ill.

John Peacock (HEPE ’77) is assistant superintendent of

the Whitehouse Independent School District (Texas). He

is married with four grandchildren.

Leila Alston (MED TECH ’79) was elected president

of The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas for 2011. She

lives in Little Rock.

1980s

Jerry Evans (RPA ’81) joined the sales team at Cogswell

Motors in Russellville. He has previously worked in sales

and management during an 18-year career at Cogswell

Motors. His wife, Jeania Standridge Evans (ELED

’83), has taught at Center Valley Elementary School in

Russellville for 29 years.

Deborah Qualls Lewis (BIOL ’81) received the 2010

Olav Smedal Conservation Award in recognition of her

work as curator of the Ada Hayden Herbarium at Iowa

State University and her expertise in the flora of Iowa.

Mary Jean Thompson Daniel (ELED ’82) was promoted

to head start director for Community Services, Inc., in

Garland County.

Susan Byler Antonetti (MUED ’83) was appointed wind

ensemble coordinator and instructor of flute for the

University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Her husband, John

Antonetti (BIOL ’84), is an educational consultant for

Colleagues on Call.

Mary Bane Lackie (JOUR ’84) relocated to Islamabad,

Pakistan, where she serves as chief of party for a

USAID-funded higher education project.

Class Notes

19Winter 2011

Sarah Martin Bankhead (ELED ’85) was nominated

as a spotlight employee by the staff at Lyon Magnet

Elementary School in Waukegan, Ill. Sarah is in her

third year as assistant to the principal at the school.

Previously, she was a classroom teacher for 22 years.

Karen Hayre Brown (PSY ’85 & HIST EDU ’04) and

Kenny Brown (ECON ’88) celebrated their 25th

wedding anniversary on Sept. 25, 2010. They have

two children: Katelyn and Kendall.

Cara Kinzey (ECON ’89) is an information technology

supervisor for Home Depot in Atlanta, Ga.

1990s

David Kemp (’90) retired from the Russellville Police

Department after more than 20 years of service. He

accepted a position with Hewlett-Packard in Conway.

Marcilla Smith Croslin (ELED ’91) and her husband,

Mike, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on

Oct. 19, 2010.

Dr. Linda Kondrick (M.Ed ’92) was president of the

Mid-South Educational Research Association in 2010.

Burke Larkin (JOUR ’94) was elected to the Russellville

City Council. Burke works as vice president for real

estate development firm Real Practices, Inc.

Staci Carroll Lucius (PSY/REHAB SCI ’94) was named

director of physician practice management for 12

hospitals by Health Management Associates.

Katie Davidson Raines (BUAD ’97) was hired by

Friendship Community Care in Russellville as vice

president of adult services. She and her husband,

James, have two children: Hanna (12) and Zac (8).

Tosha Belford Bradley (BIOL ’99) accepted a

position on the information systems faculty at the

University of Arkansas Community College at Hope.

Amber Brady (MGMT/MKTG ’99 & ACCT ’04)

became senior accountant for P.A.M. Transport in

Tontitown in November.

Cynthia Smithson (ELED ’99 & M.Ed. ELED ’06) was

named assistant principal for the Booneville School

District in grades kindergarten through sixth grade.

Jamie Teal (ENGL ’99) and her family moved to Taif,

Saudi Arabia.

2000s

Josh Jones (HEPE ’01), head football coach at Magazine

High School, and D.J. Crane (HEPE ’01), head football

coach at Danville High School, met in the 2010 Class

2A state championship game. Magazine won 48-20 to

capture its first state title.

Barry Reed (HIST EDU ’01) was named director of the

Ashdown campus for Cossatot Community College.

Geron O. Morgan (ACCT ’03) was promoted to manager

for BKD LLP in Houston, Texas.

Ryan Ritchie (ECON & MGMT/MKTG ’03) began a new

career opportunity as a management consultant with

alt.Consulting in December 2010.

Brad Burl (ART ’04) will serve as the first principal of

the Pine Bluff Lighthouse Charter School.

Eli Drinkwitz (HIST EDU ’04) served as an assistant

coach for the Auburn University football team that

captured the Bowl Championship Series national

championship on Jan. 10, 2011.

Brad Wear (’04) was named 2010 Dardanelle Chamber

of Commerce citizen of the year. He completed his

service as Yell County Judge last year.

Doug Brown (EAM ’06 & M.S. EMHS ’09) was honored

by the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management

for his support of the Pine Bluff Arsenal and the

Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program.

Stephen Rogers (M.S. CSP ’07) began his new duties

as assistant director of residence life at Southern

Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, in January 2011.

Cathryn Gaines (HEPE ’08) was named 2010 dance

teacher of the year by the Arkansas Association for

Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Jeremy Ashcraft (MGMT/MKTG ’09) signed a contract

to play for the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League.

Amanda Woods (ART ’09) is employed by Northwest

Arkansas Community College.

Obituaries

20 Tech Action

tech Friends We’ll MissPaul F. Hogan (AGRI ’38) died Jan. 22, 2011. A veteran of

the U.S. Army, Paul served in World War II and earned the

Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the

European-African Middle-Eastern Theatre Ribbon with

five bronze campaign stars. He retired from the service

in 1962 and entered the private sector. He was director

of personnel services for Tyson Foods at his retirement.

Paul lived in Russellville. He was 93.

George Deane Holderby (ENGR ’40) died Dec. 7, 2010.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, George established Holderby

Engineering, Inc., in 1961. The consulting firm remained

in operation until 2006. George lived in Annapolis, Md.

He was 91.

William Hashbarger (‘50) died Jan. 30, 2011. He served

in World War II with the U.S. Army and was awarded the

Purple Heart Medal. Bill worked for the U.S. Army Corps

of Engineers for 30 years. He was resident engineer

for operations and maintenance of the Arkansas River

Navigation System from Little Rock to the Oklahoma

state line for 18 years. Bill was also a past mayor of

Russellville, where he lived. Bill was 86.

Bob Miller (’51) died Jan. 25, 2011. Bob served in World

War II and the Korean War. Between his time as a medic

in the U.S. Navy and his years in the U.S. Army Reserves,

Bob gave 42 years of military service to his country. He

retired at the rank of Colonel. He was also a coach,

teacher and principal for the public school system in

Memphis, Tenn., for 30 years. Bob lived in Hernando,

Miss. He was 82.

Thomas J. Davidson (’56) died Dec. 25, 2010. Tommy

served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War

and co-founded Tommy Davidson Trucking Company

in 1956. He co-owned the company until 1994. Tommy

lived in Russellville. He was 79.

Carrol Lynch Ward (’58) died Dec. 9, 2010. Carrol began

his career as a teacher and basketball coach at Timbo

High School. Later, he was a corporal with the Arkansas

State Police from 1964-88 and sheriff of Van Buren County

from 1988-92. Gov. Beebe appointed him to serve on the

State of Arkansas Criminal Detention Facilities Review

Committee. Carrol lived in Clinton. He was 74.

Jimmy Baskin (’59) died Nov. 7, 2010. He served as a

military police officer for 20 years and then performed

security inspections of chemical, nuclear and biological

warfare installations on behalf of the U.S. Department of

Defense for an additional 20 years. Jimmy retired in 1999.

He lived in Atlanta, Ga. Jimmy was 76.

Raymond Hershel Mackey (BUAD/MKTG ’59) died Jan.

16, 2011. He was a teacher from 1959-91. The final 28

years of his career were invested as a middle school

science teacher for the Wentzville School District (Mo.).

Raymond served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean

War. He lived in Shiloh, Ill. Raymond was 80.

Merlin Bee Bullock (’61) died Nov. 1, 2010. He was a

long-time field representative for the Arkansas County

Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. He

was lead singer for a band named Merlin Bee and the

Stingers that played together for 25 years. Merlin lived in

Stuttgart. He was 74.

Nadine D. Hicks Simmons (ELED ’61) died Dec. 18,

2010. Nadine taught third grade at Dwight Elementary

School in Russellville from 1961-85. She lived in

Russellville. Nadine was 85.

Dr. Joyce Micklewright Dempsey (’62/FMR FACULTY)

died Nov. 21, 2010. Joyce taught English at Arkansas Tech

from 1964-97. She lived in Russellville. Joyce was 75.

Reginald Walker Talley (BIOL ’70) died Feb. 6, 2011.

Reggie served in the U.S. Navy and had a career as a

county extension agent. He lived in Hazen. Reggie was

69.

Linda “Bird” Bacon Chancellor (ELED ’72) died Oct.

19, 2010. She was a primary school teacher, counselor,

assistant principal and principal during a 30-year career

in education in Russellville, Cedarville, Gentry and North

Little Rock. Linda lived in Santa Monica, Calif. She was

66.

Carolyn Jean Carter Doyel (ELED ’73) died Nov. 15,

2010. Carolyn was a teacher and center director for the

Arch Ford Educational Service Cooperative in Plumerville.

She lived in Little Rock. Carolyn was 59.

Obituaries

21Winter 2011

Lake Allan Lewis (FISH/WLDLF ‘74) died Jan. 23,

2011. Lake began his career with the Arkansas State

Parks Department and the Arkansas Game and Fish

Commission. For the past 20 years, he worked for the

United States Fish and Wildlife Service at Felsenthal

National Wildlife Refuge. Lake lived in Hamburg. He was

59.

Becky Tucker (’81) died Nov. 1, 2010. Becky worked in

the laboratory at Millard-Henry Clinic in Russellville for

the past 10 years. She lived in Russellville. Becky was

50.

Marshall Karnes Hoge (HIST EDU ’97) died Nov.

4, 2010. Marshall was an all-conference offensive

lineman for the 1994 Arkansas Tech University football

team, which won the final Arkansas Intercollegiate

Conference championship. His professional career

saw him serve in education, shipping and real estate

appraisal. Marshall lived in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. He was

36.

Dr. Martha Nann Clark Dowell (FMR FACULTY) died

Dec. 24, 2010. She served on the physical education

faculty at Arkansas Tech University from 1968-2000.

Martha served as president of the Dames Club at

Arkansas Tech, and she sponsored the Phi Mu sorority

chapter at Tech. Martha lived in Maumelle. She was 77.

Dr. David H. Long (FMR FACULTY) died Dec. 25,

2010. He was a member of the psychology faculty at

Arkansas Tech University from 1974-99 and served as

head of the Department of Behavioral Sciences. David

lived in Loveland, Colo. He was 78.

Dr. Harlan Luther McMillan (FMR FACULTY) died

Jan. 10, 2011. Harlan served on the biology faculty

at Arkansas Tech from 1969-92. He was instrumental

in the creation of the university’s nursing program

during his time as dean of the School of Arts and

Sciences from 1972-78. Harlan held the title professor

emeritus of biology from Arkansas Tech. Harlan lived in

Russellville. He was 84.

Marilyn Bocksnick (ALUM/FMR STAFF) died Dec. 13,

2010. Marilyn worked in the Arkansas Tech Department

of Physical and Life Science for 26 years. She earned

a master’s degree from Tech while working at the

university. Marilyn lived in Atkins. She was 68.

Eldon Franklin Coffman Sr. (ALUM) died Nov.

29, 2010. Eldon was twice appointed an Arkansas

Supreme Court Special Justice. He was chairman of

the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission

from 1996-2003. He was a partner at Daily, West, Core,

Coffman and Canfield in Fort Smith, where he lived.

Eldon was 82.

Tech Athletics

22 Tech Action

The new NCAA Division II athletics conference that

Arkansas Tech University and eight other institutions

will form in 2011 will be known as the Great American

Conference.

The name of the new conference was announced via

press release on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010.

Arkansas Tech University, the University of Arkansas

at Monticello, East Central University, Harding University,

Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University,

Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southern

Arkansas University and Southwestern Oklahoma State

University will be the charter members of the Great

American Conference.

According to a joint statement from the member

institutions’ presidents and chancellors, the name was

chosen to “reflect the diversity of the league’s geographic

regions, from the Mississippi Delta of southeast Arkansas

to the plains of western Oklahoma.”

The Great American Conference will begin competition

in fall 2011. All sports are scheduled to compete for a

conference title during the 2011-12 academic year and

teams will be eligible for NCAA postseason play.

The chief executive officers of the nine member

institutions announced on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, that

they intended to apply to the National Collegiate Athletic

Association for permission to create a new NCAA Division

II conference.

“The intent of the conference is to group together

similar institutions in terms of budgets and goals,” said the

presidents, chancellors and directors of athletics from the

nine institutions in a joint statement in July. “Furthermore,

the conference is intended to be made up of universities

that field an intercollegiate football program. Our most

important goals in this new endeavor are to limit time away

from class and limit our travel costs.”

Will Prewitt, who previously served as the associate

commissioner of the NCAA Division II West Virginia

Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, has been hired

to serve as the Great American Conference’s first

commissioner.

“I grew up around small college athletics,” said Prewitt

in a radio interview with KWKK 100.9 FM in late October

2010. “It’s something that I’ve been around virtually since

I was big enough to walk. Small college athletics can be so

important in a place like Russellville, Ark., Magnolia, Ark.,

or Ada, Okla. I can’t imagine a more exciting professional

opportunity than this one.”

Great American Conference to debut in 2011-12

Sarah Von Lienen has become the fourth All-American

in Arkansas Tech University volleyball history.

Von Lienen was named to the 2010 American Volleyball

Coaches Association NCAA Division II All-America team

as an honorable mention selection.

She joins Stacy Burnett-Mallett (1991), Dong Mei Cui

(1997) and Ningning Liu (2002) as the only All-America

volleyball players from Arkansas Tech.

The award capped one of the greatest seasons in Tech

volleyball history.

Arkansas Tech completed the 2010 campaign with an

overall record of 31-5 and a GSC mark of 11-1. It was the

sixth 30-win volleyball season in Tech history.

Von Lienen, a 6-foot-2 senior middle blocker from

Lakeland, Tenn., finished her senior season with 406 kills

and 91 blocks. Her .341 hitting percentage ranked third in

the Gulf South Conference. She was also third in the GSC

in kills per game (3.76).

The Golden Suns are coached by Kristy Bayer, who

became Tech’s all-time leader in career volleyball

coaching wins during the 2010 season.

Von Lienen named volleyball All-America

Alumni Office

23Winter 2011

Name_________________________________________________ Tech major and year ___________________________________

(include maiden name if applicable) Graduated or attended (circle one)

Spouse’s Name_______________________________________ Tech major and year ____________________________________

(include maiden name if applicable) Graduated or attended (circle one)

Mailing address________________________________________ City__________________________ State_____ Zip __________

Telephone____________________________________________ E-mail ________________________________________

Occupation: His________________________________________________ Hers __________________________________________

News: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I would like to make a donation to the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association Scholarship: $__________

I would like to make a donation in honor of __________________________________________________: $__________

I would like to make a donation in memory of _________________________________________________: $__________

Please make checks payable to the Arkansas Tech Foundation and write Alumni Scholarship in the memo field of the check.

Donations may be mailed to the Arkansas Tech Foundation, 8820 Tech Lane, Russellville, AR 72801

let

us

hear

from

you

mail class notes to Tech Alumni Office, 1313 N. Arkansas Ave., Russellville, AR 72801 or e-mail to alumni@atu.edu.

You Might Ask Yourself: What are these?Have you seen one of these on publications and wondered

“what’s this?”

The images you see to the right are QR (or quick response)

codes. Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader

software can scan the image of the QR code causing the phone’s

browser to launch and redirect to the programmed URL.

The Alumni Association is leveraging this technology on

publications to quickly connect alumni and friends to our TechTies

home page and to our Facebook page for further information about

the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association and events.

Different smartphones and carriers have different applications to

read QR codes.

A list of applications/software is available at:

http://www.mobile-barcodes.com/qr-code-software/

For IPhone users, some popular Free QR apps are RedLaser,

Qrafter and Pic2shop.

TECH TIES CODE

TECH ALUMNI ON FACEBOOK CODE

Tech ActionArkansas Tech UniversityAlumni AssociationAlumni House1313 North Arkansas Ave.Russellville, AR 72801

Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association

Volume 47 No. 1

Back to School:Alumni pitch in

during final examsWhen you’re having a tough week, an encouraging

word and a donut can go a long way.

That’s the philosophy behind the Arkansas Tech

Alumni Association’s ongoing project to provide

refreshments to Tech students during final exams week

at the end of each semester.

The following alumni and friends turned out to help

during final exams for the fall 2010 semester: Chareen

Austin, B.J. Bayer, Larry Brown, Mark Burns, Cass

Capen-Housley, Linda Clarke, Kelly Davis, Shirley Drewry

Dodd, June Drain, Wayne Drain, B.J. Dunn, Claire Dunn,

Bill Eaton, Courtney Farris, Baldy Faulkner, Melissa

Hall, Bill Harmon, Linda Boggs Higgins, Dan Lovelady,

Donna Mixon, Jim Murphy, Steve Pfeifer, Sherry Nordin

Polsgrove, Lindsey Martin Riedmeuller, Howard Ritchie,

Linda Edwards Rush, Blair Sipes, Kendall Tabor, Shanna

Turney, Meagan Votteler, Johnna Bradley Walker, Patricia

Wood and Angela Wyatt.

For information about how to volunteer for the

alumni donuts program, call the Arkansas Tech Alumni

Office at (479) 968-0242 or send e-mail to

alumni@atu.edu.

Kelly Davis, Howard Ritchie

Shirley Drewry Dodd

Bill Eaton Shanna Turney, Courtney Farris Steve Pfeifer, Blair Sipes

Johnna Bradley Walker, Kendall Tabor Claire Dunn, B.J. Dunn

Lindsey Martin Riedmeuller, Linda Boggs Higgins

Linda

Edwards

Rush