Lyon College showed its

Scottish pride on Saturday,

April 14. -

The campus was filled with

kilts, bagpipes, and activities,

all to celebrate the Arkansas

Scottish Festival’s 33rd annual

event. -

Clan Avenue was active all

day, with representatives of

each participating Scottish

clan ready to share their heri-

tage with newfound mem-

bers, or anyone who desired

to listen. On and off through-

out the day were sheepherd-

ing demonstrations, Highland

dancing, the Highland

Games, and the constant

sound of bagpipes. -

The festival also held a vari-

ety of competitions for piping,

drumming, and clans. Lyon

junior Elliot Smith won

‘Professional Piper of the Day,’

and several others took home

awards, trophies, and scholar-

ships. -

Clans MacLeod, Donald,

Donnachaidh, Douglas, and

33rd annual Arkansas Scottish Fest held at Lyon

Students recognized at Honors Convocation

Lyon College held its annual

Honors Convocation April 17

in Brown Chapel to recognize

students for their academic,

athletic, and spiritual achieve-

ment and their service to the

campus community. -

The convocation’s awarding

began with freshman Angelica

Holmes who was recognized

with the Emerging Leader

Award for her demonstration

of commitment, initiative, and

service.

Seniors Jacob Didion and

SPRING 2012, I SSUE 5 APRIL 27, 2012

Professor of the Year 2

France Nichols trip 3

Book Fair 3

Graduating Seniors 3

Mortar Board initiates 4

Scottish Fest photos 5

Lyon alum’s success 7

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Tommie Ricker

Staff Writer

Molly Young

Staff Writer

Cambell were recognized for

‘best’s in attire, booth, hospital-

ity, participation, and ‘best clan,’

respectively. -

Despite a few mishaps, such as

the sheep getting loose on cam-

pus, the festival went off with

little hitch, and the impending

storms remained at bay.

Continued “Student Organiza-

tions…”on page 4

Library to host rave for finals week

event on behalf of the senior

class. She discussed Encela-

dus, a moon of Saturn which is

mostly ice but for a few “tiger

stripes” which radiate heat. As

she described how the moon

acquired these heated marks,

through pressure and currents

and other forces, she called to

her fellow seniors to do the

same. By taking all the forces

which act upon them and trans-

forming it into something spec-

tacular, Nancy said that the

seniors could truly make some-

thing of their lives.

book and the Highlander re-

spectively. -

The Supplemental Instruc-

tion program introduced a new

award this year, awarding

sophomore Jonathan Dannatt

the SI Leader of the Year

award. -

Throughout the event, the

different department heads

recognized the individual

student who excelled within

their field of study. These and

other recognitions may be

found listed on the Lyon web-

s i t e . -

Nancy Love spoke at the

Nancy Love were each

awarded the Outstanding Stu-

dent Leader award. The Stu-

dent Volunteer of the Year

Award went to junior Jordan

Faulkner. -

BCM and FCA were also

recognized for their service

project, Anti-Slavery Aware-

ness Week, with the Program

of the Year award. The Or-

ganization of the Year Award

went to the Red Cross Club.

Juniors Jessica Jones and

Lilly Hastings were both rec-

ognized for their outstanding

work as editors for the year-

The library will once again host a rave on

April 30, in the library lobby.

This rave will last for ten minutes, and will

begin at 10 p.m. that Monday night. The

raves, first started during last semester’s

exam week, are meant to help students re-

lieve some of the tension of finals week. -

Only students, staff, and faculty of Lyon

College are encouraged to join the rave, re-

lieve some stress, and have some fun danc-

ing. -

The glowing light sticks will be available in

the lobby. -

Bonny Tucker will be the DJ for the night,

and has been collecting new tunes for the

exciting ten minute rave. -

And for any new-ravers out there, it would

be wise to get there a little early to secure a

good spot!

Information submitted from Mabee-Simpson

Library Assistant Director, Camille Beary

SPRING 2012, I SSUE 5 P AGE 2

Dr. Patrick Mulick was named the 2012

Alpha Chi Professor of the Year Tuesday

at the annual Honors Convocation held in

Brown Chapel. -

Mulick is an associate professor of psy-

chology, and he also serves as the

Spragins House resident faculty mentor.

“I was truly surprised and honored to

have won the Alpha Chi Professor of the

Year award,” Mulick said. “I believe that

this award is so special because it is voted

on and given by the students. I’m very

grateful for their recognition.” -

Junior Jon-Michael Poff made the an-

nouncement on behalf of the honor soci-

ety, which each year recognizes a mem-

ber of the faculty for his or her dedication

to the campus community and academics.

Poff read some of the nominations sent

in by students. One student said Mulick

“had always gone out of his way to

help…with classes, scheduling issues,”

and more, and another

student called him “an

amazing instructor who

always keeps what’s

best for his students

first.” Another student

called him a “great role

model,” adding, “He da

boss.” -

Mulick accepted the

award on stage with a

standing ovation from

the audience. It is his

first time to win the

award. -

According to the Lyon College

personnel directory, Mulick

“joined the Lyon faculty in 2007 from

Gonzaga University,” where he had at-

tended as an undergraduate. He currently

serves as the chair of the social sciences

division. -

His research involves “examining the

efficacy of Behavioral Activation in the

treatment of a variety of psychiatric disor-

ders, …examination of prejudice and dis-

crimination of sexual minorities, and ex-

ploring various aspects of sexual coer-

cion.”

here. He was concerned initially,

afraid that students might be un-

comfortable with his open ap-

proach to teaching. However, he

found himself “welcomed by many

different groups of students.”

“It was phenomenal,” Two Trees

said of his immediate acceptance.

He noted that the Lyon community

is much more diverse than he ex-

pected it to be. -

When he arrived at Lyon, Two

Trees was intent on creating a phi-

losophy club if one did not already

exist on campus. Friends of Sophia – the

philosophy club headed by junior Scott

Campbell – did exist, but according to

Campbell, Two Trees played an

integral role in its development. -

“He’s incredibly helpful,”

Campbell said. “He’s been a criti-

cal part in getting the club on its

feet and recruiting new members.”

Campbell added that Two Trees

has come up with successful

events for the club, such as its

now-weekly movie night. -

Campbell expressed interest in

keeping Two Trees around perma-

nently, saying that “Beck’s been

Colleagues warned Dr. Two Trees be-

fore he came to Lyon that he might en-

counter closed-minded students. Accord-

ing to Two Trees, he found the complete

opposite of his expectations. -

“I see students quite willing to take up

the challenge to expand their conscious-

ness here,” Two Trees said. “It’s been

really exciting.”

Two Trees, who taught this past semes-

ter as Dr. Beck’s sabbatical replacement,

had a plan to fully immerse himself in the

Lyon College community during his time doing the same thing for 15 years and

she’s very good at it, but having a second

professor there will allow for more variety

in the program.” -

Two Trees plans to hang around Bates-

ville until the end of May to “soak in Ar-

kansas culture.” After that, he will teach a

six week seminar at the San Francisco

Theological Seminary to Doctorate of

Ministry students. He will then teach two

eight week philosophy classes online for

Bismark State College. -

Two Trees’ main goal is to get his work

published so that he may achieve a more

permanent “Lyon College-like gig.”

Mulick named Alpha Chi Professor of the Year

Dr. TwoTrees reviews his semester at Lyon

Press Release

Samantha Jones

Co-Editor

Photographer: Chandra Huston; www.lyon.edu

THE H IGHLANDER NEWSPAPER P AGE 3

After receiving donations all throughout

the past year, the library selected books

that couldn’t be used by Lyon’s academic

departments to be sold in the fair.

Students and Scottish Fest attendees

quickly took notice of the great deals avail-

able. According to Camille Beary, assis-

tant director of the library, “The weekend

door count saw over 2,250 customers com-

ing through the doors… Over $2,100 has

been raised for the library.” -

The books continued to sell at half price

throughout all of last week, with all re-

maining books being given away to the

Batesville Community Theater for set

If you’ve been by the library at all in

the past few days, it’s likely you’ve seen

the large stands of books for sale in the

lobby. -

The Mabee-Simpson Library Book

Fair was held all last week, kicking off

on Thursday, April 12, to coincide with

the start of the annual Arkansas Scottish

Festival. Students and other guests were

able to purchase donated books for fes-

tively low prices. -

Dr. Catherine Bordeau will be leading

14 students on a Nichols trip to France

this summer. The trip, which Bordeau

describes as an introduction of “students

to the experience of living in France as an

American,” will encompass popular tour-

ist destinations such as the Louvre and

Versailles and historical locations like the

D-Day Beaches. -

In the course prior to the trip, Bordeau

has taught students to “have a functional

vocabulary for travel in France” and to

“be equipped to travel independently in

France.” She taught the students - Sum-

mer Taylor, Victor Wilson, Teah Barham,

Emily Spinks, Lilly Hastings, Elizabeth

Ellis, Matt Boyd, Kris Dunlap, Kathryn

Winfrey, AC Tortorich, Lauren Ramsey,

Phagen Altom, Suzanne Fincham, and

Calah Jackson – about the American expa-

triates in France in the twentieth and

twenty-first centuries and American par-

ticipation in the D-Day invasion. -

The group will arrive in Paris on May

10, and from there they will travel to Caen

and Honfleur before returning to Paris on

May 18. They will visit Versailles on May

21 and depart for Little Rock on May 22.

Senior Victor Wilson said he looks for-

ward to the trip, noting that “as a French

major, [he] finds it prudent to experience a

French-speaking culture.” “Also, cheese is

my life,” he added. -

Senior A.C. Tortorich said he picked the

trip because of his French classes. “I have

studied the French language for three

years in college and another two years

The Highlander asked some graduating

seniors what they would be doing after

graduation and these were their answers:

Elizabeth Fuller: “I am going to be at-

tending a doctoral program in criminology

at Florida State University with the hope

of being in the FBI in the future.”

Maci Powers: “After studying abroad in

Spain, I developed a strong desire to ex-

Library book fair a “rousing success”

France Nichols trip prepped and ready for May

Seniors plan for life after graduation

while in high school. Another reason why

I picked this trip is to learn more about the

French culture on a personal basis,” Tor-

torich said. -

Dr. Schram will be taking students to the

Bahamas on another Nichols trip this sum-

mer. The trip will allow students to learn

about sailing, marine biology, and cultural

aspects of the Caribbean islands. Professor

Peek plans to take a trip to Japan to deepen

students’ understanding of Japanese cul-

ture by visiting historical sites, temples,

and shrines often referred to in Japanese

literature and religion classes. Dr. Rodri-

guez and Dr. Thomas will co-host a trip to

Peru that will give students an opportunity

to study habitat conservation, heirloom

lines in agriculture, plants as medicines,

and evolutionary adaptation and selection.

Samantha Jones

Co-Editor

Madeline Roberts

Staff Writer

Joey Gartin

Staff Writer

perience other cultures. Therefore, for the

year following graduation, I plan to work

and travel. Afterward, I plan to attend

medical school.”

Victor Wilson: “By living on chance, I

plan on flipping a coin to see my future. I

intend to do this on graduation day (since

I do not plan on ever compromising my-

self). Either including being a linguist for

the armed forces, or including being a

student for a bit longer to pursue a gradu-

ate degree, my intended future includes

writing and acting for a living till the end

of time (for I shall never perish). As I

have a new found love for Zelda Sayre,

due to an excellent English professor, I

shall exist on this: “I don't want to live. I

want to love first, and live incidentally.”

Jessica Jones: "After graduation, I am

going to spend some time with my family

and my puppy, Tank. The rest of the plan

isn't set in stone yet, but I am taking a

year off before going to graduate school

for a MA in publishing. I hope to get into

Rice University or Emerson College, but

Continued on page 6

props in their upcoming production of

“Beauty and the Beast.” -

The fair wouldn’t have been possible

without the support of Friends of the Li-

brary. The organization has risen “over

$10,000 for the library so far,” Beary

states, “and this money will go to buy

books and DVDs, to sponsor the annual

chili supper and silent auction, lectures,

book signings, events, and the book sale.”

The library staff wishes to thank both the

Friends and anyone who purchased items

at this year’s fair. The event will return

again in the 2012-2013 academic year.

SPRING 2012, I SSUE 5 P AGE 4

To the thousands of people who attend

the Arkansas Scottish Festival (ASF)

each year, the festival means bagpipes,

kilts, and Scottish games. But it also

means fried Oreos, snow cones, and ice

cream sandwiches. This year, as in many

years past, Lyon College student organi-

zations played an important role in mak-

ing the 33rd annual ASF such a success.

This year, almost twenty student or-

ganizations participated in the weekend-

long event. Some organizations revived

old traditions, such as Tau Kappa Epsi-

lon’s homemade ice cream sandwiches,

and other organizations began new ones,

such as Alpha Psi Epsilon’s fish and

chips combo. -

Director of Campus Life Kim Hinds-

Brush helps student organizations pre-

pare for the festival. “Student groups

at ASF give students who are not in the

pipe band an opportunity to participate in

ASF,” she said. “It also gives them a

chance to raise funds for their group or

local philanthropy.” -

The American Chemical Society

hosted a puppy rental booth this year,

carrying on a years-old tradition. The

society kept half of

the proceeds and

gave the other half

to the Independence

County Humane

Society. Senior

Kanwal Meer, the

outgoing president

of the organization,

said that this was

the most successful

“ r e n t - a - p u p p y ”

event the society

has ever had, bring-

ing in more than

$500. -

Other organiza-

tions sold delicious

treats at the festival.

Alpha Xi Delta, for

example, sold fun-

nel cakes and fried

Oreos, and the Bap-

tist Collegiate Min-

istry sold chocolate-

covered strawberries. The Black Student

Association sold hamburger meals, with

Dean of Students Bruce Johnston and

Professor of Religion Paul Bube staffing

the grills. -

Other organizations, however, raised

money in a variety

of ways. Phi Mu

accepted dona-

tions at its face-

painting booth,

bringing in over

$550 to be split

between the Phi

Mu Foundation

and Children’s

Miracle Network

Hospitals. The

Sigma Tau Delta

English Honor

Society sold back

copies of The

W h e e l b a r r o w

magazine, with

proceeds benefit-

ting the Ozark

Foothills Literacy

P ro j ec t . -

Other student

organizations that

participated in

ASF include APPLE (the Accelerated

Program of Personalized Learning and

Enrichment), Art Student Society, Chi

Omicron, College Republicans, Habitat

for Humanity, Kappa Sigma, Mortar

Board, and Zeta Beta Tau.

places them in the top 35 percent of the

junior class were eligible to apply.

New members are selected based on their

achievements in the areas of Mortar

Board’s three key ideals: scholarship,

leadership and service. -

Once selected, students serve as active

members during their senior year.

The students that

were recognized

include: Ashley

Beaird, Sari Black-

well, Clare Brown,

Tonya Clapp, Matt

Coyle, Landon

Downing Aaron

Far r i s , Jord an

Faulkner, Alonso

Guittierez, Maggie

Batesville, Arkansas – Mortar Board is

a well-known national honor society that

recognizes college seniors for excellence

in the areas of scholarship, leadership and

service. -

The Order of the Tartan Chapter at

Lyon College

i n i t i a t e d

t w e n t y - f i v e

new members

on Wednes-

day, April 11,

2012. -

Lyon Col-

lege students

whose grade

point average

Student organizations bring variety to Scottish Festival

Mortar Board Honor Society initiates new members

Jon-Michael Poff

Staff Writer

Press Release

Ark. Scottish Festival logo; www.lyon.edu

Hance, Megan Hollifield, Marc-Andre

Leblanc, Lauren Mills, Eamon Olwell,

Debbie Onukwube, Sean O'Toole, Jon-

Michael Poff, Zach Smart, Elliot Smith,

Jessica Soule, and Diana Turnbo. -

Honorary membership is a unique recog-

nition reserved for those who have made a

notable contribution over a period of years

and whose influence has extended beyond

the college or university. -

The honorary member is considered a

regular member and may participate in

chapter activities as an active member if

she or he chooses. -

The members chosen for honorary status

include: Dr. Donald V. Weatherman, Mrs.

Lynn Weatherman, Ms. Vicki Webb, Mrs.

Katharine Whittenton. -

Continued on page 6

THE H IGHLANDER NEWSPAPER

33rd annual Arkansas Scottish Festival

P AGE 5

Photos by: Tommie Ricker

SPRING 2012, I SSUE 5 P AGE 6

a million initiated members across the

n a t i o n . -

Mortar Board provides opportunities

for continued leadership development,

promotes service to colleges and univer-

sities and encourages lifelong contribu-

tions to the global community. Some

notable Mortar Board members include

distinguished politician Condoleezza

Mortar Board is the premier national

honor society recognizing college seniors

for outstanding achievement in scholarship,

leadership and service. Since its founding

in 1918, the organization has grown from

the four founding chapters to 229 chartered

collegiate chapters with nearly a quarter of

Mortar Board, continued

Continued from page 3

Rice, Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees

and Suzy’s Zoo creator Suzy Spafford.

Learn more about Mortar Board at

www.mortarboard.org. -

For more information, please contact

Communications Coordinator Caity

Simpson, Chapter President Nancy

Love, or Alumni Chair Ashton Johnson

at mortarboard@lyon.edu.

Graduating seniors, continued

Continued from page 4

my sister's Alma Mater, Sam Houston

State University in Texas, is also looking

pretty good. The end goal is to eventually

be an editor for one of the Hearst maga-

zines, like Cosmopolitan."

Jacob Didion: "After graduation I will be

going with Dr. Schram to the Bahamas for

a Nichols trip. Shortly after that I will be

wed to Monica Day, class of '11. Then I will

start medical school at UAMS in August

while Monica begins her second year at Bo-

wen Law school."

Frances Winfrey: “After graduation, I will

be working at Camp Mitchell as a camp

counselor. After the summer is over, I will

be visiting and applying to graduate schools

for Art Administration. The business side of

art is really interesting, as well as practical!”

ENJOYING THE HIGHLANDER IN PRINT?

Feel free to contact us with any questions, comments, or suggestions.

Have a story idea that you haven’t seen in the Highlander? Students, faculty, and

staff are welcome to submit ideas!

We also welcome guest writers and photographers!

And don’t forget to check out our interactive

online version, available through the school

email and on our Facebook page!

Don’t forget to check out Spring 2012’s Lowlander edition

Seniors Nancy Love and Jacob Didion receive

the Outstanding Student Leaders award.

THE H IGHLANDER NEWSPAPER P AGE 7

TKE and Career Center host social networking lecture

Samantha Jones

Co-Editor

The brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon

(TKE) and the career center hosted a

lecture on social networking on Thurs-

day, April 19. -

TKE brother Fred Kiffer, joined by

Lyon’s Director of Career Development

Vicki Webb, gave a slide show on how to

handle social networking in the business

world. -

“Social networking is huge in daily

life,” Kiffer said. -

He acknowledged that many employers

have caught on to this fact, demonstrated

by the fact that 69 percent of employers

have not hired potential employees based

on what they have seen on a social net-

working website. -

The main reason for this is that social

networking websites revealed that poten-

tial employees had misrepresented them-

selves in job interviews. -

Kiffer set out a few guidelines for social

networking, noting that if one uses social

networking correctly, they may stand a

better chance at being selected for a job.

He said that one should avoid posting

anything offensive, should not argue with

anyone publicly, shouldn’t post all the

time, and should avoid being tagged in

embarrassing photos. -

“If you really want to keep your social

networking among friends, make sure you

have strict privacy settings,” Kiffer sug-

gested. -

Webb explained that while social net-

working may prevent someone from get-

ting a job, it can just as easily help them in

the business world. -

She suggested that students create a

LinkedIN account. LinkedIN is a social

network website for businesses, and, ac-

cording to Webb, if one has a 100 percent

completed profile, that profile will be the

first search result in an internet search

engine. -

“It’s a great place to research companies

and to see if they are hiring,” Webb added.

Lyon alum finds success at St. Benedict’s

Samantha Jones

Co-Editor

Rev. Stuart Higginbotham graduated

from Lyon College with a biology degree,

and a few years later he acquired a parish.

Needless to say, Higginbotham

did not take the orthodox route

after graduation. -

“If you would have asked me

my senior year if I would end

up being an Episcopal priest, I

w o u l d ’ v e l a u g h e d , ”

Higginbotham said, noting that

his degree did not lead him to

his current occupation at all.

After receiving his bachelor’s

degree in 2002, Higginbotham

attended Columbia Theological

Seminary in Georgia. There, he

“delved deeply into theological

studies only to find out [he]

was not Presbyterian.” Higginbotham

found himself questioning his future after

this “odd” realization. -

“There was a part of me that was rising

to the surface, an awareness, and I felt

strongly led to explore life and ministry

within the Episcopal church,”

Higginbotham said of his eventual epiph-

any. -

He finished his masters of Divinity and

then worked for two years as a hospice

chaplain while completing the vocational

discernment process for the Episcopal

Diocese of Atlanta. -

After that, he was sent to the School of

Theology at Sewanee: The University of

the South, where he received a diploma in

Anglican Studies. “I was Anglican!”

Higginbotham said. -

Higginbotham was ordained a priest in

the Episcopal Church on June 29, 2008,

and he began his first pastorate at St.

Benedict’s parish in Smyrna, where he is

now entering his fifth year of ministry.

St. Benedict’s, a new church develop-

ment when Higginbotham started work-

ing there, has grown from 150 parishion-

ers to 820 under four years of

Higginbotham’s guidance. Higginbotham

said that he focuses on “ways to welcome

newcomers and seekers into the Tradition

of the Episcopal Church, encouraging

them to explore a life-long practice of

their faith.” The ministry, according to

Higginbotham, has a focus on spiritual

formation, membership integration, and

pastoral care. -

“It is very enriching work,”

Higginbotham said. He has increased

his focus on becoming a contempla-

tive leader during his time at St.

Benedict’s, often asking himself

“what it means to integrate contem-

plative aspects of prayer and medita-

tion into the ‘every day’ life of parish

ministry.” -

Higginbotham has great apprecia-

tion for Buddhism, and he has spent

his time at St. Benedict’s considering

new spaces for interfaith dialogue as

well as exploring “the richness” he

finds in grounding his leadership in

the practice of prayer and discern-

ment. -

Along with his responsibilities at St.

Benedict’s, Higginbotham has developed

the Obedire Project, which is a

“contemplatively-oriented curriculum

that encourages the life-long practice of

faith.” He also chairs the Commission on

Spiritual Growth in the Diocese of At-

lanta, where he works with a team of

clergy and lay people who offer retreats

“If you would have asked me

my senior year if I would

end up being an Episcopal

priest, I would’ve laughed,”

Higginbotham said.

Continued on page 8

“We hold our Saturdays sac-

rosanct,” he said. -

When he looks back on his

time at Lyon, Higginbotham

recalls being told of the differ-

ence between “learning about

something” and “learning how

to think,” the latter of which he

believes a liberal arts college

fosters. -

“Lyon helped teach me how

to think, how to be aware, how

to analyze,” Higginbotham

said. “I learned to study the

genome of goldfish, isolating

specific growth hormones. But

I also learned how to become

disciplined in my own studies.”

He also noted that despite his

science major, he “filled in” his

schedule with classes he

and workshops throughout the

diocese. -

Spiritual leadership aside,

Higginbotham dedicates much

of his time to his family - wife

Lisa and five year old daugh-

ter Evelyn Clare. “My life is

very focused on being a fa-

ther, husband and priest,”

Higginbotham said, noting

that he strives to lead a very

balanced life. -

With his demands at St.

Benedict’s and other spiritual

endeavors, Higginbotham has

learned to covet the time he

spends with his family. He

finds himself drawn away for

feast days or meetings.

wanted to explore, such as re-

ligion and philosophy classes.

“At this point in my life, I think

God was winking at me,”

H i g g i n b o t h a m s a i d .

He views his degree in “the

study of life” as a second

sphere that allows him to appre-

ciate the complexity of life.

From his time at Lyon,

Higginbotham has come to the

conclusion that college students

should be mindful of their extra

-curricular activities and the

classes they take for the sake of

taking them. -

“Your vocation just might lie

there!” he said.

Alum success, continued

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The Highlander

Newspaper

The Highlander Newspaper

Lyon College

2300 Highland Dr., Box 821

Batesville, AR 72501

Highlander@lyon.edu

Lilly Hastings

Editor-in-Chief

Lillian.hastings@lyon.edu

Samantha Jones

Co-Editor

Samantha.jones@lyon.edu

Tyler Hudgens

Co-Editor

Andrew.hudgens@lyon.edu

Continued from page 7