tech action: spring 2009
DESCRIPTION
Arkansas Tech University: Alumni Magazine: Spring 2009TRANSCRIPT
Tech ActionS p r i n g 2 0 0 9Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association
Col. Carl Baswell inducted into Hall of Distinction. See pages 4-5.
TechAction
2 Tech Action
catch up with an old friend today
www.techties.atu.edu
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 [email protected].
Cover & Inside Photography Steve Newby Contributing Photographer Antonius ArmandE-mail address [email protected] site http://alumni.atu.edu
Editorial Committee Angela DeWitt Bonds, Jayne Jones, Julie Nebben Morgan, Susie Nicholson, Sam StrasnerAsst. Director of New Media Carrie Harris PhillipsSports Information Director Ben Greenberg
Stan Graves ‘70 12/09
Alvin Lievsay ‘72 12/09
Stephanie Strack Mathis ‘94 12/09
Sharon Dixon Steele ‘74 12/09
Peggy Lawless Walter ‘80, ‘87, ‘06 12/09
Kellye Holley Cannon ‘80 12/10
President Claude Smith ‘76 President-Elect Howard Ritchie ‘70 Past President Tom Reynolds ‘70
Shirley Dodd ‘59 12/10
Randy Joe Hamilton ‘76 12/10
Mike King ‘74 12/10
Layton Lee ‘92 12/10
Jim Murphy ‘71 12/10
Donna Cotton Parker ‘73 12/10
Chad Weisler ‘92 12/10
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
Raymond Molden ‘96 12/11
Cara Hammond Witherspoon ‘78 12/11
Brian Bass, Ozark Campus Rep.
*Class year, term expiration
Tech Action, Volume 45, No. 2. Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association, Alumni House, Russellville, AR 72801
We need your current e-mail addresses
Alumni Association Board of Directorstech
The world that we live in continues to grow smaller and
smaller. Advances in communication have made it possible
to remain in constant contact with friends, family and
business partners.
At the Arkansas Tech Alumni Office, we always work to
ensure our communications are interesting and informative.
Tech Action is now in its 45th year of sharing the latest news
from Arkansas Tech with our alumni and friends.
And while Tech Action continues to be our primary means
of communication with our constituents, we are also in
touch with emerging methods of sharing Tech news.
Within the past 24 months, we have developed a
presence on social networking sites such as Facebook,
MySpace and Twitter. We have also recently redesigned
TechTies (www.techties.atu.edu) so that it now serves as the
primary online home for the Tech Alumni Association.
If you have not visited TechTies in recent weeks, click on
it today. Not only can you catch up with old classmates, but
the new TechTies offers users updates on Tech news and an
opportunity to submit class notes for the Action.
The Alumni Office’s next major objective in our efforts
to utilize modern technology is to increase the quantity and
quality of our e-mail address database. There is no more
cost effective or instant form of communication than e-mail.
As time goes on, our ability to obtain more valid e-mail
addresses for our alumni and friends will determine if we are
able to become less dependent upon mailing printed pieces.
The cost savings associated with shifting toward more
digital communications could be significant and allow us to
dedicate those resources to other projects.
So, we are asking all Arkansas Tech alumni and friends
to send us their e-mail addresses. Rest assured that we will
not share your e-mail address with a third party, nor will we
overwhelm your inbox with a constant stream of messages.
What we will do is add your updated e-mail address to
our database and then communicate with you when there is
an upcoming event that we believe you would be interested
in attending or a piece of news that we want to share.
The end result will be that Tech alumni and friends
will be better informed and our Tech family will be better
connected.
If you have any questions, please call the Alumni Office at
(479) 968-0242.
Otherwise, you can send an e-mail to [email protected]
and we will save your e-mail address in our database.
We hope that you enjoy this edition of Tech Action. Best
wishes to all for a great summer!
Angela DeWitt Bonds ‘95
Director of Alumni Relations
3Spring 2009
AlumniNews
Homecoming 2009 plans rounding into form
What You Can Look Forward To........
Friday, October 16
Homecoming Golf Classic 11 a.m. LunchRussellville Country Club Noon Shotgun Start
Ladies Event at Lake Point Noon Alumni & Friends Reception 8 p.m.-MidnightRussellville Country Club
Saturday, October 17
Young Alumni Softball Tourney 8 a.m.-2 p.m.Pleasant View Park
Tailgate/Reunion Groups Pre-GamePlaza Outside Thone Stadium
Arkansas Tech vs. West Georgia 6 p.m.Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field
And Much More.......
Check www.techties.atu.edu throughout the summer for updates
and more fun activities for Arkansas Tech Homecoming 2009!
Call (479) 968-0242 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Plans are well underway to make this
year’s Centennial Homecoming a special
event as we celebrate the 100th birthday
of Arkansas Tech.
In addition to the events listed at
right, members of the Class of 1959 are
planning their 50-year reunion.
The committee wishes to invite all
former students who were members of
the class at any time.
Tentative Class of 1959 reunion
plans include a dinner or luncheon,
group seating at the football game and
the presentation of a class gift to the
university.
For more information about the Class
of 1959 reunion, contact Bob Edwards
at (479) 967-8720 or by e-mail to
Check your mail this summer for more
Homecoming 2009 information!
CoverStory
4 Tech Action
Col. Carl Franklin BaswellDistinguished Alumnus
2009 Hall of Distinction
Thirty-two years of active duty in the United States Armed
Services followed by a successful career in the private sector
have provided Colonel Carl Franklin Baswell with a lifetime of
memories and experiences few can match.
His service to the United States took him to far away places
like Panama and Korea, and to some of the most noteworthy
datelines of World War II. He received the Bronze Star, the
Purple Heart Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal with Oak Leaf
Cluster and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
He has even participated in the famous running of the bulls
in Pamplona, Spain.
But his heart never strayed too far from his alma mater,
Arkansas Tech.
Col. Baswell received the highest honor that Arkansas Tech
can bestow upon an alumnus on May 16 when he was inducted
into the university’s Hall of Distinction.
Baswell was the 100th individual to enter the Hall of
Distinction under the Distinguished Alumnus category.
Coincidentally, his induction fell during the 100-year
anniversary of Arkansas Tech University.
“I don’t think I’m worth it,” said Baswell. “I’m very proud to
be the 100th, and to represent not only myself, but the Class
of 1942.
“My only regret is that I could not have some of my
fellow Class of 1942 members here for the ceremony, but
my buddies from that group are all gone, most of them for a
number of years,” continued Baswell. “I’ll always remember the
presentation and the bio that was read at the ceremony. I’ll be
back here in the fall to watch football and watch our university
continue to grow and prosper.”
Col. Baswell was born on May 18, 1922, in Heber Springs to
Ross and Ruby Baswell. He graduated from Heber Springs High
School in 1940, and it was a fellow Heber Springs graduate
who persuaded Baswell to attend Arkansas Tech.
“There was a young man from Heber Springs by the
name of Charles Ward, and he was the editor of the Arka Tech
(newspaper),” said Baswell. “He had encouraged me to come
over to Tech, and I received a scholarship because I graduated
third in my class. I went over in 1940, and to sustain myself I
worked in NYA (National Youth Administration) at Arkansas Tech.
“I remember we were permitted to earn up to 15 cents per
hour, and we could earn up to $17.50 per month. Fifteen of
that went toward our subsistence, and we got to put the other
$2.50 in our pocket.”
In addition to the countless improvements to Tech’s
campus and facilities, Baswell noted one other difference
between the Tech he attended in the early 1940s and the one
he visits today.
CoverStory
5Spring 2009
2009 Hall of Distinction“When I attended Tech, I don’t recall any students owning
automobiles,” said Baswell. “Now you go over there, and it
looks like the parking lot at Little Rock National Airport. There
just weren’t many automobiles around in those days, and so
everything we did was done right there on campus.”
Baswell participated in intramural sports and was the
scorekeeper at Wonder Boys’ basketball games in the armory,
now known as the Stroupe Building. He studied engineering at
Tech, a field that had captured his attention at a young age.
“When I was growing up and just very small, they were doing
the preparation for the possibility of putting a dam out on
the Little Red River,” said Baswell. “The engineers were here
doing that work, and they took me out to the work site and I
had an opportunity to watch them do their drilling. I became
interested, and I wanted to be an engineer.”
Baswell graduated from Tech in 1942, just a few months
after the event that helped determine the course of his life and
the lives of many young men from that era.
“I was at Tech when Pearl Harbor happened,” said Baswell.
“I can remember coming out of the Rialto Theater in downtown
Russellville on Dec. 7, 1941, and someone told me that Pearl
Harbor had been bombed. I didn’t even know where that was.
I had only left Arkansas once before I joined the Army, but
once I got in I was able to travel and see things I’d never seen
before. I liked that travel, and I decided right there and then
that I was going to make the Army a career.”
He entered the United States Army as a volunteer soldier
on Sept. 13, 1942. Baswell took basic training at Camp Callan,
Calif., and was sent to Camp Davis, Wilmington, N.C., to attend
Officer Candidates School.
On April 21, 1943, Baswell was commissioned as a second
lieutenant in the United States Army Air Defense Artillery. The
following weeks and months saw him serve on active duty in
Panama. He returned to the United States in the fall of 1943
and was given a branch transfer to the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers based on his education at Arkansas Tech.
Baswell was assigned to the 9th Armored Engineer
Battalion, 9th Armored Division, Fort Polk, La. With World
War II entering its critical final stages in the European theater,
the division was sent to England and made an administrative
landing at Normandy, France, in September 1944.
Three months later, Baswell was wounded during the largest
land battle that the United States participated in during World
War II, the Battle of the Bulge.
Approximately 119,000 men, including 19,000 Americans,
perished in the battle. Baswell was evacuated to England until
near the end of the war in 1945.
“As a young lieutenant like I was, you’re not too high up on
the totem pole,” said Baswell of his World War II experience. “I
was just focused on what I was doing.”
The years after WW II brought a wide variety of experiences
to Baswell’s life. He helped oversee the reconstruction of
numerous destroyed bridges on the German Autobahn, served
in the Korean War and returned to the United States in 1951 as
regimental operations officer for the engineer specialist school
at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He later taught at Fort Belvoir,
Va., and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in civil
engineering from Texas A&M University in 1956.
He then served a stint with the Army Corps of Engineers
in the Little Rock district office, where he helped with the
construction of the Greers Ferry Dam near his hometown of
Heber Springs, the same project that had inspired him to
become an engineer as a young boy.
From there, he went on to Oklahoma and Missouri, where
he worked on the construction of United States Air Force
missile sites during the height of the Cold War.
Assignments at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas and the U.S.
Army’s European headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany,
followed. After more than a quarter-century of service, Baswell
achieved his career goal when he was promoted to Colonel in
1969. He retired in June 1974 after 32 years of active duty.
Col. Baswell entered the private sector after his retirement
from the U.S. Armed Services. He was director of international
operations for KLEE KG, a German international construction
and service firm, from 1974-92. Today, he remains an active
engineering and business consultant.
“People ask me, if I had it to do over again, what would
I do differently,” said Col. Baswell. “I wouldn’t do anything
differently. If you change one thing, you make a mistake
somewhere else. I wouldn’t change any of it.”
6 Tech Action
TechCentennial 100th Birthday Bash
Arkansas Tech marked its 100th birthday with
a Centennial Celebration Weekend April 16-19.
Events included a combined concert from the
Tech choir and band, a preview of a new exhibit
about the university’s history at the Arkansas
Tech Museum, a Centennial 5K Run and the
100th Birthday Bash inside Tucker Coliseum.
Like most other events inside the Natural
State this spring, rain played havoc with the
weekend’s schedule. However, nothing could
dampen the enthusiasm and spirit of Tech
alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends
as they turned out to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of a place that means something
special to each of them.
Enjoy these photos from the Centennial
Celebration Weekend, and make plans now to
join us Oct. 16-17 for a Centennial Homecoming
that promises more fun, more memories and
more time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of
Arkansas Tech University.
100...And Still Going Strong
7Spring 2009
TechCentennial100th Birthday Bash
TechCentennial
8 Tech Action
tech Tech Timeline: 1930-1949Throughout the duration of the Arkansas Tech University centennial celebration, Tech Action will take a look back at some of the
events that have shaped the institution during its first 100 years. In this issue, we look at the 1930s and 1940s.
June 1930High school-level academic work ceases on the campus.
February 1931A crowd of 3,000 packs the Armory to see Will Rogers perform on the Tech campus.
April 1931Women’s dormitory named Parker Hall in honor of Bessie Parker, a professor in the Home Economics Department.
Fall 1931Arkansas Tech wins its first Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) football championship with an overall record of 7-1-2 and a conference record of 5-0-2.
January 1932J.W. Hull named the school’s eighth president.
Fall 1933Remodeling work on the residence hall now known as Wilson Hall (named for Judge R.B. Wilson, a Board of Trustees member who was instrumental in bringing the school to Russellville) is completed.
May 23, 1934The name of the school newspaper is changed from the Tuba Agricolae to the Arka Tech.
October 1934A new home grandstand at Buerkle Field is completed.
January 1935President Hull and his family move into the new President’s Home. Today, the building serves as the Alumni House.
October 1935Caraway Hall is dedicated on Dad’s Day in honor the late U.S. Senator Thaddeus Caraway.
Fall 1935Tech (8-0-1 overall, 6-0-1 conference) is AIC football champ.
August 1936Construction of the new library, now known as Tomlinson Hall, is completed. It was named in honor of Professor Everett Tomlinson, teacher of horticulture, science, botany and biology, in 1954.
August 1937Construction of a new physical education building and student commons building is completed. Student Eugene Rowden won $1 for suggesting the name chosen by the students for the new building — Techionery.
September 1937Lights are installed at Buerkle Field and Tech hosts its first night football game.
September 1939Hughes Hall (named for Professor Claude Hughes, teacher of agronomy) opens as a dormitory.
Fall 1939Arkansas Tech (7-0-2 overall, 2-0-2 conference) wins the AIC football title.
March 1940Construction of Williamson Hall is completed. It was named in honor of band director Marvin Williamson in 1954.
February 1941Life magazine publishes an article about 104 National Guardsmen from Arkansas Tech who were called up as a group to go into training with the 206th Coast Artillery.
Fall 1945Arkansas Tech begins a golden age of Wonder Boys football by winning the AIC championship with an undefeated record of 8-0 overall and 6-0 in conference. Tech goes on to win five consecutive AIC football titles from 1945-49, accumulating an overall record of 42-5-1 during those years.
1947Dean Hall is constructed. It was named in honor of Professor Herman Dean, teacher of engineering, in 1954.
February 1947Radio station KXRJ makes its debut on the Tech campus.
May 1948The Board of Trustees approves a recommendation that Arkansas Tech should become a four-year, degree-granting institution. The third year of college work was offered for the first time since the 1920s in 1948-49, and the fourth year of college work was offered in 1949-50.
July 1948The post-World War II “trailer cities” that sprang up on the campus to house veterans studying at Tech and their families hit their peak with 151 mobile homes in three locations. By June 1955, the university had constructed enough permanent housing facilities to remove the last of the mobile homes from campus.
1949The class offerings at Arkansas Tech are re-organized into eight academic divisions — agriculture, business administration, education, engineering, fine arts, languages and literature, science and mathematics and social studies — and one vocational division.
Winter 1949Arkansas Tech (17-4 overall, 13-3 conference) captures its first AIC men’s basketball championship. The Wonder Boys go on to capture seven consecutive AIC crowns between 1949-55.
J.W. Hull
Tech President, 1932-67
Alfred J. Crabaugh
Tech Academic Dean, 1929-69
9Winter 2009
WILL YOU SHARE YOUR TECH MEMORABILIA?
Call (479) 968-0332 or visit www.atu.edu/centennialto learn how you can share your Tech-related items and memories
during the Arkansas Tech Centennial Celebration
AlumniNews
10 Tech Action
Alumni Board presidents take the podiumArkansas Tech University commemorated its 100-year
anniversary and its musical heritage with a combined band
and choir concert at Witherspoon Auditorium on Thursday,
April 16.
The concert included appearances by four guest conductors
(photographed, from left) — H.L. Shepherd of Russellville,
Claude Smith of Searcy, Tom Reynolds of Sherwood and Ron
Bailey of Hot Springs.
Smith is the current Arkansas Tech Alumni Association
president, while Bailey, Reynolds and Shepherd are among the
organization’s past presidents. All four men are products of
the Arkansas Tech Music Department.
To view video and hear audio from the concert, visit
www.arkansastechnews.com and search for “Centennial
Concert.”
Alumni Association ready for the ballparksThe Arkansas Tech Alumni Association will continue its
growing summer-time tradition of visiting both of our state’s
minor league baseball stadiums during the coming months.
Tech alumni and friends will converge at Arvest Ballpark in
Springdale on Saturday, June 13, for a 7 p.m. game between
the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and the Arkansas Travelers.
The festivities will begin in Springdale at 6 p.m. with an
all-you-can-eat buffet of hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans,
potato salad and soft drinks. Tickets for the evening at Arvest
Ballpark are $20 per person. Children age 3 and under will be
admitted free.
On Saturday, Aug. 8, the Tech Alumni Association will make
its annual trek to Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.
First pitch between the Travs and the visiting Northwest
Arkansas Naturals will be at 7:10 p.m., but the fun will start at
6 p.m. with an all-you-can-eat buffet of traditional picnic fare.
Tickets for the game and buffet in North Little Rock are $15 for
adults, $10 for kids 10 and under and free for children age 2
and under.
Call (479) 968-0242 or send e-mail to [email protected] for
more information or to purchase your tickets to both events.
Have you seen the new and improved TechTies? Check it out today.
www.techties.atu.edu
Night with the Nats: Saturday, June 13
Night with the Travs: Saturday, August 8
11Spring 2009
AlumniNews
Final exams bring students, alumni togetherTwenty-nine Arkansas Tech graduates continued one of the
Alumni Association’s richest and most beneficial traditions by
volunteering their time to provide Tech students with donuts,
coffee and lemonade during final exams week at the close of
the spring 2009 semester.
Among the alumni who gave of their time were:
Jennifer Brigance Aday (‘02), Jeff Aulgur (‘08), B.J. Bayer (‘01),
Larry Brown (‘72), Brittny Brough Daubenheyer (‘03),
Jock Davis (‘50), Shirley Drewry Dodd (‘59), Baldy Faulkner (‘67),
Tommy Fields (‘07), Monique Forehand (‘07), Emily Fulmer (‘08),
Luke Heffley (‘94), Tonya Ballard Hurley (‘89), Lu “Tee” Jin (‘08),
Carolyn Kistler (‘08), Jessica Soar Lambert (‘00),
Azura Morgan (‘09), Courtney Mullen (‘08), Jim Murphy (‘71),
Carrie Harris Phillips (‘05), Justin Price (‘01), Howard Ritchie (‘70),
Jennifer Enderlin Saxton (‘99), Corinne Smith (‘02),
Brandie Soar (‘04), Janna Thompson (‘03),
Brittany Vanderpool (‘08), Jimmy Warren (‘04) and
Alice Bean Wells (‘88).
The Arkansas Tech Alumni Office coordinates the donut
project at the end of every semester. To volunteer, call
(479) 968-0242 or send e-mail to [email protected].
Jimmy Warren
B.J. Bayer, Baldy Faulkner
Lu “Tee”Jin, Jock Davis
Brandie Soar, Jessica Soar Lambert
Tommy Fields
Shirley Drewry Dodd
Brittny Brough Daubenheyer
Today’sTech
12 Tech Action
Tech wins second straight SIFE regional title
Kreimeier, Stolarz named Tech’s top seniors
Arkansas Tech successfully
defended its Students in Free
Enterprise (SIFE) regional
championship in competition at
Dallas, Texas, on Friday, April 3.
After a full day of observing
SIFE teams from 52 universities,
the panel returned with the
decision that Arkansas Tech was a
regional champion for a second consecutive year and for the
fourth time since 2003.
“Our team did exactly what I expected them to do,” said Dr.
Linda Bean, who has served as the Arkansas Tech SIFE team
faculty advisor since its inception in 2001. “They performed
professionally and I was very pleased with how we presented
ourselves. The students did wonderful. They stayed up late
on Thursday night putting the finishing touches on our
presentation, and it all paid off.”
SIFE is an organization for business students with member
universities in 41 countries. In the United States alone, there
are 15,398 students currently active in the organization on 646
campuses.
SIFE teams create economic
opportunities in their communities
by organizing outreach projects
that focus on market economics,
entrepreneurship, personal
financial success skills and
business ethics.
During the 2008-09
academic year, the Arkansas
Tech SIFE organization has participated in programs that
educated members of both the on-campus and off-campus
communities about cultural differences in business, job
interview skills, the basics of banking, the current state of
the economy, environmental responsibility, student loans and
résumé writing.
Arkansas Tech SIFE members have also gone into the
community to teach computer skills to senior citizens through
the Area Agency on Aging, partner with local retailer Bath
Junkie for a marketing plan and help students at Pottsville High
School organize a career fair.
For more information about the Tech SIFE program, contact
Dr. Bean at (479) 968-0393 or [email protected].
Matt Kreimeier of Stuttgart and Christina Stolarz of
Murfreesboro are the outstanding senior students at Arkansas
Tech University for the 2008-09 academic year.
Kreimeier received the Alfred J. Crabaugh Award for
outstanding male senior and Stolarz received the Margaret
Young Award for outstanding female senior during the
university’s annual Student Leadership Recognition Banquet
at the Chambers Cafeteria East Dining Hall on
Monday, April 20.
Kreimeier majored in information technology. He served as
chairperson of the Student Activities Board (SAB), as a resident
assistant and as a member of the Student Government
Association and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).
“This award means so much, it’s hard to sum it all up,” said
Kreimeier, son of Theresa and Marvin Kreimeier of Stuttgart.
“It’s been great to have the support of our faculty and staff, as
well as the students that I work and study with every day. When
I first came here, I was scared and did not do too much. But I
got involved, and it has caused me to want to go on and earn a
master’s degree in student affairs.”
Kreimeier’s role as SAB chair made him a leader for some
of Tech’s most high-profile events, including spring concerts in
2008 and 2009 and the Family Day 2008 concert.
Stolarz majored in both accounting and management/
marketing at Arkansas Tech. She served as president and
vice president of the Marketing Club and as a member of the
Presidential Leadership Cabinet.
“This honor makes everything worthwhile because it
tells me that I really did make an impact on my fellow
students,” said Stolarz, daughter of Diana and Tom Stolarz of
Murfreesboro. “I’ve loved my time here at Tech and would not
trade it for anything. I’ve grown so much, and it has made me
more confident in myself. I feel ready to go out in the work
force and be successful.”
Stolarz is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and was on
the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup team from Arkansas
Tech that reached the semifinal round of competition in 2008.
She was active in the Student Government Association, the
Residence Hall Association, the Accounting Club and Students
in Free Enterprise.
Today’sTech
13Spring 2009
Shure crowned as 54th Miss Arkansas Tech
Student group donates computers to schoolA technology recycling drive
by a group of Arkansas Tech
University students has resulted
in the donation of 18 refurbished
computers to Johnson County
Westside High School in Coal Hill.
Tech students used parts from
donated computers collected in
January to build the 18 desktop
computers.
The group, known as ATU
CONNECT, was involved in a
year-long project to collect laptop
computers, refurbish them and send
them to children in Guatemala.
But when several functional desktop units were donated for
recycling in January, the group decided it wanted to help a local
school as well.
“It blows my mind that we
were able to answer the needs of
the students at Johnson County
Westside in just a few days,” said Dr.
Pat Buford, head of the Arkansas
Tech Department of Electrical
Engineering and faculty advisor to
the ATU CONNECT group.
“The students at Coal Hill were
so thankful and grateful,” continued
Buford. “They were anxious to help
us unload the van, and the next
period’s class walked in the room
with their mouths wide open in
surprise.”
For more information about
assisting in the ATU CONNECT effort or donating a used laptop
computer for the Guatemala project, call (479) 968-0338 or
send e-mail to [email protected].
Junior Naomi Shure of Alma won the 54th annual Miss
Arkansas Tech University Scholarship Pageant at Witherspoon
Auditorium on Friday, March 6.
Shure won the swimsuit competition and the CenturyTel
interview competition She tied with junior Shanna Collins of
Pottsville for the Nona Dirksmeyer Talent Award.
Shure was also presented with the audience appeal award
and the Miss Congeniality prize.
The daughter of Bill Shure and Julia Cress, Shure gave a
vocal performance of “And I Am Telling You” as her talent. Her
critical issue was promoting domestic violence awareness.
With the crown comes a two-semester tuition scholarship to
Arkansas Tech, $3,000 in gift certificates from area merchants
and the opportunity to represent Tech in the Miss Arkansas
2009 Pageant this summer in Hot Springs.
In all, More than $8,000 in scholarships and $7,000 in
gifts were presented to 12 contestants in the 2009 Miss Tech
Pageant.
Hannah Williamson, a freshman from Russellville, was first
runner-up. Sophomore Whitley Robertson of Pottsville (second
runner-up), freshman Victoria Costley of Russellville (third
runner-up) and Collins (fourth runner-up) rounded out the top
five.
Arkansas Tech wins prize at Governor’s CupArkansas Tech captured the prize for best undergraduate
agriculture related business plan in the 2009 Donald W.
Reynolds Governor’s Cup.
Arkansas Tech’s winning entry was submitted by
(photographed, from left) Nathanael Hancock, Kyle Davis
and Kyle Castro. Dr. Stephen Jones, assistant professor of
management, served as the group’s faculty advisor.
Tech’s team won the award and a $5,000 prize for their
Earth N’ Vessels idea, which would offer environmentally-
responsible methods for waste disposal and composting.
Today’sTech
14 Tech Action
National Symphony Orchestra picks ParkerPhilip Parker, associate professor of music at Arkansas
Tech University, has been selected to compose a piece for the
National Symphony Orchestra.
Parker, a member of the Tech faculty since 1977, is one
of three music education professionals nationwide selected
to compose a chamber music work this year as part of the
National Symphony Orchestra’s American Residency program.
Once complete, Parker’s piece will be premiered by
the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy
Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Parker will
be present for both the rehearsal and performance of his
composition.
“I’m a percussion teacher more than a composer,” said
Parker. “It’s always been something I enjoy when I have the
spare time. For me, it’s all about fun.”
Parker has composed more than 40 pieces of music. His
works have been performed at conventions of the International
Clarinet Society, the International Trumpet Guild and the
Percussive Arts Society.
A past composer-in-residence for the Fort Smith Symphony,
Parker’s awards have included an Arkansas Arts Council
fellowship, two prizes from the National Flute Association and
the Arkansas Tech Excellence in Scholarship award.
Tyler White of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln
and John Fitz Rogers of the University of South Carolina at
Columbia were the other composers chosen to create a piece
this year for the National Symphony Orchestra’s American
Residency program.
For more information about the National Symphony
Orchestra, visit www.nationalsymphony.org.
Rickard awarded professor emeritus statusFormer faculty member Dr. Donald E. Rickard
was granted the title of professor emeritus by the
Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees during
its March meeting.
Rickard taught physical science at Arkansas Tech
from 1967-98. According to the letter of nomination
for emeritus status from Dr. Jeff Robertson, head of
the Tech Department of Physical Sciences, Rickard taught more
than 18,000 students during his 31 years at the university.
Rickard taught courses in physical science,
astronomy, chemistry, physics and radiation physics.
His community service included serving on the
panel that drafted the original emergency plan for
Arkansas Nuclear One.
Rickard is photographed here from the 1968
Agricola yearbook, which was published at the end of his first
year at Arkansas Tech.
School of Business honors two retireesTwo members of the Arkansas Tech School of Business
faculty with a combined 39 years of service to the university
were honored with a retirement reception on April 30.
Dr. Joe Moore and Dr. Richard Smith, both of whom hold
the title of professor of economics, received parting gifts
and well wishes from a room full of students, colleagues and
friends at the Chambers Cafeteria West Dining Room.
Moore has been a member of the Tech faculty for 21 years,
while Smith has given 18 years of service to Arkansas Tech.
As of publication date, Moore and Smith were the only two
members of the Tech faculty to announce their retirements at
the end of the spring semester.
Dr. Ronald Nelson, head of the Tech Department of
Electrical Engineering, retired after the fall 2008 semester.
15Spring 2009
Today’sTech
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Arkansas Tech University
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Arkansas Tech renames its academic divisionsArkansas Tech University will experience the first major
adjustment to the naming of its academic divisions in a
quarter-century following action by the institution’s Board
of Trustees during its regular monthly meeting at the Ross
Pendergraft Library and Technology Center on March 19.
Under the new designations, the academic divisions
at Arkansas Tech University will be organized within seven
colleges:
• College of Professional Studies and Community
Outreach (previously the School of Community Education and
Professional Development)
• College of Arts and Humanities (previously the School of
Liberal and Fine Arts)
• College of Natural and Health Sciences (previously the
School of Physical and Life Sciences)
• College of Applied Sciences (previously the School of
Systems Science)
• College of Business (previously the School of Business)
• College of Education (previously the School of Education)
• Graduate College (previously the Graduate School)
“This action is very important because we want the terms
we use to reflect contemporary usages around the country,”
said Tech President Dr. Robert C. Brown. “That is especially
true on our Web site, which has become our chief tool in the
recruitment of prospective students.”
It is the most significant adjustment to the designations of
the academic divisions since 1985, when the current names
were introduced. The new designations go into effect July 1.
As part of the reorganization, the Department of
Emergency Administration and Management will be renamed
the Department of Emergency Management. It will become
part of the College of Applied Sciences. The department was
previously placed under the School of Community Education
and Professional Development umbrella.
Also, the Department of Mathematics will move from the
School of Systems Science to the College of Natural and
Health Sciences and the Department of Social Sciences and
Philosophy will be renamed the Department of History and
Political Science.
ClassNotes
16 Tech Action1970s
Marriages
Pamela Annette Owens (COMS ’94) and Stephen Scott
Brixey were married on March 21, 2009. Pamela is employed
by Wingfoot Commercial Tire Systems LLC. They live in Fort
Smith.
Christopher Phillips (REC/PARKS ADMIN ’98) and Dr. Amy
Fallon were married on May 9, 2009. They live in Bryant.
Brandy Rachelle Waters (BIOL ’02) and Nathan Aaron
Hopkins were married on Oct. 4, 2008. They live in Conway.
Tara Michelle Hawkins (PSY ’04) and Michael Christopher
Dorminy (MGMT/MKTG ’05) were married on April 25, 2009.
They live in Rogers.
Alan Floyd (NURS ’05) and Janelle Johnson were married on
May 2, 2009. They live in Little Rock.
Lyonette Hale (SOC ’07) and Matt Carpenter were married on
March 21, 2009. Lyonette works for the Arkansas Department
of Community Corrections as a probation/parole officer. They
live in Morrilton.
Births
Christin Jones Holmes (ELED ’98) and her husband, Chad,
a son, Adam Keil, Feb. 16, 2009. Adam has two brothers,
Jacob (6) and Evan (4), and one sister, Emma (2). They live in
Morrilton.
Joel McEntyre (COMS ’98) and Alexis Styles McEntyre (SPH
’00), a son, Chayce Barrett, March 10, 2009. They live in
Bentonville.
Johnathan Foster (MGMT/MKTG ’99) and Stace Stokes Foster
(ELED ’00), a son, Zachary Logan, April 2, 2009. Zachary has
one sister, Abigail (3).
Jeremy Goss (ACCT ’02) and his wife, Crystal, a son, Nicholas
Drayden, March 14, 2009. They live in Conway.
Ross Moudy (AGBU ’02) and Melissa Bruce Moudy (ECED
’04), a son, Eli Bruce, March 13, 2009. Eli has one sister, Karsyn.
Wilson Overbey (AGBU ’02) and Mandy Wish Overbey
(ALUM), a son, George Samuel, April 8, 2009.
Alicia Malone Robinson (MGMT/MKTG ’03) and her husband,
Mitchell, a son, Race Michael, Jan. 30, 2009. Race has one
brother, Restin (2). They live in Dardanelle.
Matt Osburn (HIM ’04) and Jacque Croxton Osburn (HIM
’06), a son, Nathan Ryan, March 10, 2009.
Marti Wilkerson (SOC ’70), associate professor of
rehabilitation science at Arkansas Tech, received the 2009
Delta Sigma Omicron Lyman B. Harris Award. The honor goes
each year to an individual who has worked to improve the lives
of those with disabilities in the attainment of higher education
goals.
Dr. Robert McAfee (HIST/POL SCI ’71) was the keynote
speaker at Clarion University’s third environmental congress
on critical perspectives on energy, environment, technology
and water development. The conference was held March
31 and April 1. Robert serves as climatologist to Gov. Mike
Beebe’s Commission on Global Warming.
Don Crook (ACCT ’73), chief financial officer at Hanna Oil
and Gas Co. in Fort Smith, was the guest speaker for the
Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of
Arkansas-Fort Smith on April 24.
Todd Sweeden (BUAD ’76) was selected to serve on the 2009
Russellville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Todd is
owner of Sweeden Florist.
Col. Frank Theising (POL SCI ’76) and his wife, Debbie
Dickerson Theising (’76), have retired after more than 32
years of active duty with the U.S. Army. They will reside near
Ozark.
1940s
Doyle W. Rogers (’40) was named to the Arkansas Business 2009
Power List. He is the chairman of Rogers Bancshares in Little
Rock.
1950s
Emmett Wade (BUAD ’50) celebrated 60 years of continuous
membership in the American Legion in April.
1930s
Loren T. Denton (ART ’37) and Sybil Sorrels Denton
celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on May 8, 2009.
Loren is retired from the Internal Revenue Service.
1960s
John Grant (HEPE ’62) and his wife, Etta, celebrated their 50th
wedding anniversary with a reception on April 4, 2009. They
live in Alma.
ClassNotes
17Spring 2009
Dianne Siler Edwards (JOUR ’80) was chosen for the 2009
Russellville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Dianne
is owner and publisher of About the River Valley magazine.
Joe Alpe (RPA ’81) became executive director of the
Russellville Housing Authority on March 17, 2009.
Wilson Moore (ECON ’81) was named to the Arkansas Business
2009 Power List. He is the Arkansas president and commercial
bank executive for Bank of America in Little Rock.
John W. Stottman Jr. (ACCT ’82) was elected co-chairman of
the Federal Tax Institute Committee of the Arkansas Society of
Certified Public Accountants. John is an individual practitioner.
Randy Philpot (ACCT ’83) of Beall Barclay & Co. in Fort Smith
was named to the Arkansas Business 2009 Power List. He is the
firm’s managing member.
Melanie Topham Guinn (ACCT ’85) was hired by Beall Barclay
& Co. as a staff accountant. She will provide specialized tax,
accounting, audit and consulting services to the firm’s clients.
Tonya Russell (ENGL ’85) was the luncheon speaker at the
Western Arkansas Child Care Conference at the University of
Arkansas-Fort Smith on April 25. Tonya has been the director
of the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education at
the Arkansas Department of Human Services since 2004.
Holly Ruth Gale (MUS ’86) was inducted into the Russellville
Arts Center Beaux Arts Academy on April 17. Holly is an
assistant professor of music at Arkansas Tech.
Gregg Long (’86) received Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation. Gregg is a project
manager at Crafton Tull Sparks and was selected to serve
on the 2009 Russellville Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors.
Jeffrey S. Nufer (ACCT ’86) of Shoptaw, Labahn & Co. in
Russellville was elected director of the Arkansas Society of
Certified Public Accountants.
Brad Payne (ECON ’86) was named president of Mohave
State Bank in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. He joined Mohave State
Bank in March 2008 as its executive vice president and chief
credit officer. Brad has 23 years of experience in the banking
industry.
Randy Campbell (PSY ‘87) was one of three Russellville High
School alumni recognized during the school’s third annual
Night of Champions in February.
Jim C. Petty (ACCT ’87) of Strategic Realty in Van Buren was
elected president of the Arkansas Society of Certified Public
Accountants.
John Terry (BUAD/ECON ’87) completed requirements to
become a group kickboxing instructor. He is an instructor and
co-owner of River Valley Martial Arts in Russellville.
Donna Brunson (HEPE ’88) was one of three Russellville High
School alumni recognized during the school’s third annual
Night of Champions in February.
Charlie Melton (’88) coached the Scranton Lady Rockets to
the 2009 Class 1A state basketball championship. Scranton
defeated Kingston 48-27 on March 14 to complete a 40-3
season. In May, Charlie coached Scranton to the Class 1A state
softball title with a 2-0 win over Nemo Vista. Charlie is married
to Paula Haynes Melton (BUED ’89), and their daughter Tayler
Rae is a student at Arkansas Tech.
Douglas Butler Jr. (BUAD ’89) was selected as the 2008 Award
of Excellence winner for national accounts sales with the
International Paper Container of the Americas division.
David Frueauff (ECON ’89) was named to the Arkansas Business
2009 Power List. He is the president of Charles A. Frueauff
Foundation Inc. in Little Rock.
Rodney Parks (ECON ’91) was appointed to the State of
Arkansas Banking Board by Gov. Mike Beebe. Rodney is director
of development at Philander Smith College in Little Rock.
Brenda Sturdivant Beard (ELED ’92) was named 2009
Arkansas School Counselors Association Middle School/Junior
High Counselor of the Year. She has served in the Ozark School
District for 17 years, and she has worked as a junior high
counselor for five years.
Julia Langford (MATH ’92) was the big winner at the 2009 Lake
Dardanelle Big Bass Classic April 25-26. She caught a 7-pound
bass, which was good for a total of $10,500 in prize money.
Dr. Jim Ameika (CHEM ’77) and his wife Karin Ameika (ART
EDU ’77) have developed and marketed Kona Cloud Coffee
Estates brand coffee over the past 12 years. The beans come
from a 120-acre plot in Hawaii and are processed in Jonesboro,
where Jim is also a cardiovascular surgeon.
Leila Alston (MED TECH ’79) received a Josetta Wilkins Award
in recognition of her volunteer efforts to defeat breast cancer
in Arkansas.
1980s
1990s
ClassNotes
18 Tech Action
2000s
Dr. Russell Allison (AGBU ’00) completed the American
Orthopedic Association Kellogg Leadership Series. He lives
and practices in Russellville.
William Fisher (HEPE ’00) was promoted to vice president of
lending services at Petit Jean State Bank. He has worked at the
bank since 2001.
Kurt Corbin (HEPE ’01) was hired as defensive tackles coach
for the football program at Stephen F. Austin University in
Nacogdoches, Texas. He moves over from the University of
Tennessee-Chattanooga, where he served as linebackers coach
in 2008. Kurt has also held coaching positions at Northwestern
State University (La.), Arkansas Tech and the University of
Arkansas-Monticello.
Benyard Jones (M.Ed. ’01) was named defensive line coach
for the football program at Youngstown State University in
Youngstown, Ohio. Benyard was previously the defensive
coordinator at Arkansas Tech for two years and served a total
of seven years as a full-time member of the Tech coaching
staff.
Jennifer Brigance Aday (AGBU ’02) was elected president of
the Arkansas Women in Agriculture board for 2009.
Jamie Little Minton (COMS ’03) was part of a team at Pinnacle
Business Solutions in North Little Rock that received the
Information Integrity Coalition silver award for Excellence in
Information Integrity. Jamie is a programmer for the company,
which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield.
Wendy Reynolds (PSY ’03) was named the Area Agency on
Aging of West Central Arkansas employee of the month for
February 2009. Wendy is a case manager in the Russellville
office.
Erik Enderlin (EAM ’05) received a certificate of
commendation in February in recognition of his work as an
officer with the Kansas City Police Department.
R. Lance Bartlett (MECH ENGR ’06) received Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation. He is
an engineer for the civil department at Crafton Tull Sparks.
Tawnya Shelton (M.Ed. ’06) was named 2009 Arkansas School
Counselors Association Secondary Counselor of the Year.
Tawnya is a counselor at Alma High School.
Kirk Hall (ELEG ’08) accepted a position as an electrical
engineer with the utility department for the city of Benton.
Donny Rogers (ECON ’92) obtained a securities license to
supervise branch activities. He is senior vice president and
asset management location manager for Arvest Bank in the
Fort Smith region.
Jennifer Taff King (ENGL ’94) was named 2009 Arkansas
School Counselors Association Northwest Region Multi-Level
Counselor of the Year. Jennifer is a counselor for the Mulberry/
Pleasant View Bi-County School District.
Jennifer Carter Modersohn (HIST ’97) has opened a law
office in Russellville. Jennifer received her law degree from the
University of Arkansas-Little Rock in 2000.
Jared Wood (ECON ’97) was selected to serve on the 2009
Russellville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Jared is
president of Regions Bank of Russellville.
Todd Cooley (ENGL ’98) was hired as offensive coordinator
for the football program at Northwestern State University in
Natchitoches, La. Todd moves to NSU from the University of
Central Arkansas, where he served as offensive coordinator
from 2005-08. Todd has also served as an assistant coach
at Arkansas Tech, Ouachita Baptist and Northeastern State
University (Okla.).
Tina Cornwell (MUED ’98 & M.Ed ’05) achieved National
Board Certified Teacher status. She is a band director at
Dardanelle High School.
Amber Brady (MGMT/MKTG ’99 & ACCT ’04) was promoted
to senior accountant with Beall Barclay & Co. of Fort Smith.
Tonya Brasher Hernes (ELED ’99 & M.Ed. ’06) achieved
National Board Certified Teacher status. She teaches third
grade at Dardanelle Elementary School.
Kylie Jones (ELED ’99) joined Moore and Co. Realtors as a
sales associate.
Chris Watson (HEPE ’99) coached the Danville Lady Little
Johns to the 2009 Class 2A state basketball championship.
Danville defeated St. Joseph 38-32 at Summit Arena in Hot
Springs on March 13 to cap a 33-3 season and the Lady Little
Johns’ first state basketball title.
Walter Woodie (HIST/POL SCI ’99 & M.A. ’08) will receive
the 2009 Arkansas Activities Association Distinguished Media
Service Award during the Arkansas High School Coaches
Association/Arkansas Officials Association Hall of Fame
Banquet in Hot Springs on July 10. Walter is an independent
journalist, a high school sports historian and a social studies
teacher at Van Buren High School.
Obituaries
19Spring 2009
Friends We’ll Misstech
Robert L. Ragland (ENGR ‘33) died Aug. 8, 2008. Robert was
a veteran of World War II and served in the government for
37 years. He retired in 1974 as contracting officer at the Pine
Bluff Arsenal. Robert was preceded in death by a daughter, Gail
Patterson. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Gerry Ann
Rountree Ragland; and sons, Charles Ragland, Clyde Ragland
and Don Ragland. Robert lived in Fayetteville. He was 94.
Harry B. “Hunk” Anderson (MATH ‘38) died March 23, 2009.
Harry served the U.S. Army at the Aberdeen Proving Ground
(Md.) from 1940-77. He garnered a reputation as an expert
in propellants and explosives and authored several technical
reports and studies. Survivors include his wife, LaRue G.
Anderson; daughters, Terri Ward, Jonell Hook and Holly
Thompson; sister, Allie Cullen; and brother, U.S. Anderson.
Harry lived in Parkville, Md. He was 91.
Janice Thacker Howell (ART ‘38) died Aug. 22, 2008. Janice
volunteered at the Tulsa Psychiatric Clinic (Okla.) and was
later employed by the Mary Ruby Dress Shop in Tulsa. She
was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil R. Howell, and
stepson, Gary R. Howell. Survivors include daughters Fritzi
Allsopp Prather and Bette Allsopp Geldon, and stepdaughter,
Jeri Howell Dopler. Janice lived in Tulsa. She was 89.
Jean D. Thatcher (AGRI ‘40) died March 11, 2008. Jean was a
veteran of World War II. His survivors include his wife, Bernice
Thatcher; son, Robert D. Thatcher; daughter, Susan Moore;
brother, H.K. Thatcher; and sister, Betty Sue Baker. Jean lived in
Cabot. He was 88.
Lawrence Hanan (SOC STUDIES ‘60) died April 29, 2009.
Lawrence was a former planning director for ARVAC and a
veteran of the U.S. Navy. Survivors include his wife, Elsie
Hanan; daughters, Kathryn Seiter and Carol Hanan; and
brother, John Hanan. Lawrence lived in Russellville. He was 76.
Garry Brewer (HIST/POL SCI ‘65) died April 4, 2009. Since
1988, Garry had adjudicated the claims of disabled workers
while serving as an administrative law judge. He served on the
Arkansas Transportation Commission from 1973-85. Survivors
include his mother, Sylvia Jewel Brewer; sons, Dr. Stephen
Brewer and Barry Scott Brewer; and sisters, Margie Robertson
and Bobbie Brewer. Garry lived in Morrilton. He was 67.
Brenda Lee Floyd (ELED ‘85) died Feb. 11, 2009. She taught
third grade at Berryville Intermediate School for more than 21
years. Survivors include her husband, Kelly Floyd; son, Allen
Floyd; daughter, Lynn Faught; parents, Ethlyn and Jack Overall;
and brother, Russell Overall. Brenda lived in Berryville.
She was 51.
Linda Lou Sorrels (ELED ‘85) died Jan. 13, 2009. Linda retired
as principal at Pottsville Elementary School. Her 15-year career
in education also saw her teach kindergarten, third grade and
sixth grade. Survivors include her husband, Joe E. Sorrels; son,
Brent Sorrels; daughter, Brooke Sorrels; mother, Loretta Boyce;
brother, Danny Joe Boyce; and sister, Tammy Skelton. Linda
lived in Pottsville. She was 57.
Cecil Carney (ELED ‘00) died Oct. 1, 2008. He was a substitute
teacher in the Fort Smith School District. Survivors include his
sons, Christopher Carl Carney and Jeffery Paul Carney; parents,
Naoma and Paul Carney; sister, Paulette Purvis; and brother,
Gary Don Carney. Cecil lived in Fort Smith. He was 55.
William “Bill” N. Bailey (ALUM) died May 2, 2009. Bill retired as
president of McLarty Leasing of Little Rock in 1984. Survivors
include his wife of 58 years, Betty Fern Bailey; son, William “Bill”
Bailey; daughters, Suzanne Ogle, Peg Palmer and Liz Burch; and
brother, Butch Bailey. Bill lived in Rogers. He was 79.
Ann Churchill (ALUM) died March 30, 2009. She was a former
Pope County Woman of the Year, founder of the Pope County
Senior Companion Program and former director of the Head
Start Centers at Appleton and Arkansas Tech University.
Survivors include her husband, Jamie Churchill; sons, Jeffrey
Churchill and Tres Churchill; daughters, Judith Churchill, Janis
Rowlands and Christia Churchill; and brother, Billy Paris. Ann
lived in Dover. She was 73.
Dr. Edward Cook (ALUM) died Feb. 20, 2009. He worked as a
radiologist in Wichita, Kan., for 30 years. Survivors include his
wife of 46 years, Bernice Cook; and daughters, Cindy Cook and
Shayna Cook. Ed lived in Wichita. He was 66.
Jesse Donaldson (ALUM) died March 20, 2009. He was
a member of the Clarksville City Council for 25 years and
assistant chief of the Clarksville Fire Department for 41 years.
Survivors include his son, Greg Donaldson. Jesse lived in
Clarksville. He was 68.
Robert “Bob” Halasek (ALUM) died Jan. 19, 2009. He was
employed by Pratt’s Lawn and Landscape. Survivors include his
wife, Judy Halasek; son, Robert Trent Halasek; daughter, Andrea
Nayle Halasek; mother, Erma Halasek Slavens; and sister, Kay
Halasek. Robert lived in Georgetown, Ky. He was 55.
Charles Edward Wilson (ALUM) died May 4, 2009. He served
in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a retired small
business owner. Charles was preceded in death by his wife
of 46 years, Vera Wilson. Survivors include his daughter, Tish
Nisbet. Charles lived in Little Rock. He was 83.
Development Corner
20 Tech Action
Flower, Gwatney earn 2009 Spark Awards
Sophomores Travis Flower of Harrison (left) and Brad
Gwatney of Vilonia (right), photographed with Tech Vice
President for Development Jayne Jones, are the recipients of
the 2009 Student Government Association Spark Award.
The Spark Award is made possible through a gift to the
Arkansas Tech Foundation by 2005 graduate Holly Burrow,
who wanted to reward SGA senators who are not paid officers.
Music award created in memory of StallingsPatrick Combs of Hot Springs is
the first winner of the Dr. Dix Stallings
Outstanding Senior Bandsman Award at
Arkansas Tech University.
Combs received his award at an end-
of-year band concert at Witherspoon
Auditorium on Sunday, May 3.
A four-year member of the Arkansas
Tech University band, Combs has served
on the band council, as a marching band
squad leader, as a section leader and
as a counselor at Arkansas Tech Band
Camp.
He was also president of Kappa
Kappa Psi, Tech’s band service fraternity.
The Dr. Dix Stallings Outstanding
Senior Bandsman Award is in memory
of the former vice president of
development and friend of the Tech
Music Department. Stallings was a 1955
Tech graduate and an employee of the
university from 1974-95.
The award was created by
Dr. Stallings’ family and friends. His wife,
Sue Stallings of Russellville, was on hand
to present the award to Combs.
Scholarship established in honor of CooperA group of Arkansas Tech alumni and friends have created a
scholarship in honor of Hal Cooper, who is celebrating 30 years
as the university’s director of bands.
Dr. Cynthia Hukill, who recently completed her first year
as head of the Tech Music Department, made the surprise
announcement of the Hal Cooper Band Scholarship at the
band’s end-of-year concert at Witherspoon Auditorium on
Sunday, May 3.
“I can think of no higher honor than for my name to be
attached to the opportunity for someone to be a bandsman at
Arkansas Tech,” said Cooper. “I must accept this recognition
on behalf of the music faculty and administration at Arkansas
Tech, who are all committed to the success of our students.”
For information about contributing toward the Hal Cooper
Band Scholarship, or any other private scholarship at Tech, call
(479) 968-0400.
First Gary K. Burris Award goes to HinesMichael Hines is the first recipient
of the Gary K. Burris Outstanding
Accounting Scholar Award.
Hines, a senior from Russellville, was
announced as the winner during the
School of Business’ end-of-year awards
ceremony on Wednesday, April 23.
The award is named in honor of
the late Gary Burris, who earned an
accounting degree from Tech in 1962
and was the first Tech alumnus to pass
the certified public accountant exam.
His wife, Kaay Burris, presented Hines
with the award.
Your gift makes a
difference
To contribute toward
any of these awards
and scholarships, or to
learn more about other
giving opportunities,
call (479) 968-0400.
DevelopmentCorner
21Spring 2009
Green and Gold Fund: Team behind the teamsEveryone who has an association with Arkansas Tech
University knows of the school’s rich history not only in the
field of academics, but also the field of athletics.
Dating back to the start of athletic competition at Tech in
1911, we have enjoyed many successful teams and seasons
that all of our alumni can be proud of. The Green and Gold
Fund is based on this sense of pride and tradition.
Arkansas Tech Athletics encourages student-athletes to
reach their maximum potential not only on the field of sporting
competition, but in the arenas
of academics and personal
development as well.
We continue to produce
champions on the fields and
courts of play, and you can
read more about their many
exploits on pages 22-23 of
this edition of Tech Action.
Often less publicized, but of even greater long-term value,
are the life lessons that our student-athletes learn.
First, there is the manner in which they excel in the
classroom. We have placed 655 student-athletes on the Gulf
South Conference Academic Honor Roll since 1995.
But the learning does not stop at the classroom door, or
even on the practice fields and courts.
During the 2008-09 academic year alone, our student-
athletes identified themselves as champions in the community
by giving 1,650 hours of volunteer service.
That kind of learning changes not only our young men and
women, but the world in which they live. My role affords me
the opportunity to meet these young people, and I am pleased
to report that they are proudly continuing the Tech tradition.
The Green and Gold Fund was established as an avenue
for Tech alumni, former athletes, corporate and business
partners, parents and friends to help defray the cost of annual
scholarships and operating expenses (books, equipment,
recruiting, travel, facilities and athletic training) for current
student-athletes.
This auxiliary funding is necessary to remain competitive in
NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference.
Green and Gold Fund members are an important part of
the Tech family, and their support is critical to the success
of the athletics department.
As each year goes by, private funding for our 10 athletics
programs is becoming more critical due to the escalating costs
associated with higher education and the competitive nature
of bringing the best qualified student-athlete to our campus.
Over the last five years, the value of a scholarship has
steadily increased.
For Arkansas Tech
Athletics, this rise in value
accounts for an increase of
approximately $267,000 over
that same five-year period.
The total cost of
scholarships allowed by
the NCAA in all sports for
Arkansas Tech now exceeds $1
million per year. All indications are the cost of competing will
continue to rise in coming years.
If we want the Wonder Boys and Golden Suns to continue the
winning tradition that we are all so proud of, we must give our
coaches and student-athletes the tools they need to succeed.
We want to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to
each and every one to become a part of the Green and Gold
Fund and become champions in your own right as we continue
to offer the best educational and athletic experience possible
at Arkansas Tech University.
Together, we can add to the proud athletic legacy at
Arkansas Tech and produce high-quality graduates who can
become champions in their communities.
For more information about the Green and Gold Fund,
please feel free to call me at (888) 275-8321 or e-mail me at
GO TECH!
Kelly Davis
Director of Corporate and Athletic Relations
Class of 1981
Kelly Davis
Director of Corporate and
Athletic Relations
TechAthletics
22 Tech Action
Wonder Boys reach NCAA Tourney 2nd RoundArkansas Tech capped its best
men’s basketball season in more
than a decade by reaching the
second round of the NCAA Division II
Tournament, finishing with an overall
record of 23-9 and claiming the
first Gulf South Conference men’s
basketball title in school history.
“We were able to accomplish what
we accomplished because of the
character of this group of guys,” said
Arkansas Tech head men’s basketball
coach Mark Downey at a postseason
luncheon in the Wonder Boys’ honor.
“They listened and did what we asked
them to do. That is special because
you don’t always get that.”
It was Tech’s best campaign since 1994-95, when the
Wonder Boys went 29-6 and reached the NAIA National
Tournament semifinals.
“It made me proud to see the
way these young men represented
Arkansas Tech,” said Steve Mullins,
Arkansas Tech athletic director..
“And it wasn’t just on the floor. It
was around the arena, in the press
conferences after the games, in
restaurants and in the airports.
They wore Arkansas Tech with pride
and served as ambassadors for our
university.”
The Wonder Boys’ historic year
came just two years after a 2006-07
season that saw them finish with an
overall record of 6-21 and a 1-13
record in GSC play.
That season two years ago was the last in a string of seven
consecutive sub-.500 seasons for the Tech men’s basketball
program. In the two years that have followed, the Wonder Boys
have posted a cumulative overall record of 41-20.
Thursday, Aug. 27 at Northeastern State Tahlequah, Okla. 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5 Incarnate Word Russellville, Ark. 6 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 10 *at West Alabama (GSC-TV Live) Livingston, Ala. 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26 *Arkansas-Monticello (Family Day) Russellville, Ark. 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 *at North Alabama Florence, Ala. 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10 *Southern Arkansas Russellville, Ark. 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17 *West Georgia (Homecoming) Russellville, Ark. 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24 *at Henderson State Arkadelphia, Ark. 3 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31 *Delta State (Senior Day) Russellville, Ark. 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7 *at Harding Searcy, Ark. 2 p.m.
2009 Arkansas Tech Football Schedule
*Denotes Gulf South Conference game | Times are Central and are subject to change. | Home games are played at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field
PHOTOGRAPHED:
Top: Coach Mark Downey
Right: Brandon Friedel
School record 17 wins for Tech tennis team
Arkansas Tech recorded one of its most successful
women’s tennis seasons ever in 2009 by establishing a new
school record for wins in a season.
The Golden Suns finished with an overall record of 17-5
and a berth in the Gulf South Conference Tournament. It was
Tech’s second consecutive trip to the postseason, and the
Suns continued their history-making season by defeating West
Alabama in a consolation match at the GSC Tournament. The
win was Tech’s first-ever postseason women’s tennis victory.
TechAthletics
23Spring 2009
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let
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mail class notes to Tech Alumni Office, 1313 N. Arkansas Ave., Russellville, AR 72801 or e-mail to [email protected].
Suns repeat as GSC West softball championsArkansas Tech captured its second consecutive Gulf South
Conference West Division softball championship and made it all
the way to the championship game of the GSC Tournament for
a second straight year during the 2009 season.
The Golden Suns posted an overall record of 42-20 to
establish a new school record for softball wins in a season.
Tech is now 83-38 over the past two seasons after winning just
12 softball games in 2007.
Tech won 13 of its final 15 games, including a 1-0 victory
over nationally top-ranked Alabama-Huntsville in a winners’
bracket contest at the GSC Tournament. It was the Suns’
first-ever softball victory over a No. 1-ranked team.
Two days later, after a series of rain delays shortened the
event to a single-elimination tournament, Valdosta State came
from behind to defeat Arkansas Tech 5-3 in the title game.
The loss ended an historic season for the Golden Suns,
who set 51 new team and individual records over the course of
the 2009 softball season and became just the third GSC West
softball program to ever record consecutive 40-win seasons.
Tech’s Grappe named All-AmericaAmanda Grappe, a 6-foot senior forward from Benton, became the 14th Arkansas Tech
women’s basketball player to earn All-America status when she was named a Women’s
Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division II first team All-American in March.
Grappe averaged 19 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while leading the Suns to a 19-9
record in 2008-09. She leaves Tech as its 10th all-time leading scorer with 1,738 career points.
Grappe was named the 2008-09 GSC West Division player of the year. The Suns were 82-36
with two 20-win seasons and two NCAA Division II Tournament appearances during her career.
Tech ActionArkansas Tech UniversityAlumni AssociationAlumni HouseRussellville, AR 72801
Arkansas Tech University Alumni Association
Volume 45 No. 2
TECH HOMECOMING
Join us October 16-17
as we celebrate 100 years of
Arkansas Tech with a Homecoming
to remember!