Steve Fellers

Golf tourney supports foundation scholarship

A golf tournament to support the Christopher Castleberry Memorial Foundation Business Scholarship will be held May 23 at DeGray Lake Golf Course. Tee-time for the two-man scramble is 9 a.m.

The foundation awards an annual scholarship to a senior at Fountain Lake High School and a business student at Henderson State University. Castleberry was a 2006 graduate of Henderson State who died in 2010. All proceeds from the tournament benefit these scholarships.

For more information, email nlbrumley@wyattfieldservice.com.

New scholarship honors Staffords

A scholarship honoring Ellis and Beatrice Stafford has been established and will be awarded annually to Gurdon High School seniors planning to attend Henderson State University.

Beatrice Stafford graduated from high school in Gurdon when she was 16, and was a 1961 Henderson graduate with a degree in elementary education. She earned her master’s degree in 1971. Ellis Stafford also attended Gurdon schools and worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad for many years.

The scholarships were established by two of their children: Harold Stafford, a 1970 Henderson graduate, and Phillip Stafford.

The inaugural Ellis and Beatrice Stafford Scholarships were awarded to four Gurdon seniors May 7 during an awards assembly at the school. The recipients are Susana Loarca, Alia Williams, Angela Yang, and Tykeida Jones.

Beatrice Stafford attended segregated schools in a one-room school building in Gurdon. After graduating from high school, she attended Arkansas AM&N in Pine Bluff. But lack of funds brought her back home after one year. She married Ellis Stafford in 1941.

Beatrice was employed as a domestic worker until 1954 when she was hired by the Gurdon hospital to cook, clean, and do other tasks. She soon returned to college. After graduation, she taught at Bell High School for Black Students. After the integration of Gurdon public schools in 1970, she taught there until her retirement.

In 2000, Beatrice was inducted into the Gurdon School District’s Hall of Fame for her achievements in educational excellence. She died on March 18, 2015.

Ellis Stafford left school when he was in sixth grade following the sudden death of his parents. He entered the job market to help care for his siblings and himself. In 1941, after his marriage to Beatrice, Ellis went to work for Missouri Pacific Railroad.

He was laid off from the railroad in 1950 and went to work at the Reynolds Aluminum plant in Gum Springs. He was soon called back to Missouri Pacific, where he worked until he retired in 1982 as a maintenance foreman. Ellis died on Feb. 8, 2009.

Alumnus president-elect of pediatrics association

Dr. Richard F. Jacobs, a 1973 graduate of Henderson State, is president-elect of the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs (AMSPDC). Jacobs is the Robert Fiser Jr. MD Endowed Chair in Pediatrics and professor and chair of the department of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

At Henderson, Jacobs earned his B.S. degree in biology, and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, ROTC, and student government. He was honored as a distinguished alumnus in 2003.

Jacobs is also pediatrician-in-chief at Arkansas Children’s Hospital where he is an infectious disease physician who sees pediatric patients in inpatient and outpatient settings. In addition, he teaches third- and fourth-year medical students, residents, and physicians at UAMS.

Jacobs participates in two NIH-funded clinical research projects: the antiviral study group and the pediatric pharmacology research unit network. In May 2008, ACH and UAMS held an investiture ceremony to name Jacobs as the inaugural recipient and steward of the Robert H. Fiser Jr. MD Endowed Chair in Pediatrics.

He has been affiliated with ACH and UAMS since 1982.

The mission of the AMSPDC is to pursue optimal health of children through the development of successful academic pediatric departments across North America.

 

Johnson receives Westminster scholarship

Shayla Arlean Johnson, a 2010 graduate of Henderson State University, has received a Westminster Kennel Foundation scholarship. She is currently studying veterinary medicine at the Tuskegee University in Alabama.

While attending Henderson, Johnson worked at three different veterinary clinics in Arkansas. She had always had a love for animals and knew that she would become a veterinarian.

In June 2014, she traveled to Nicaragua for one week with World Vets to spay and neuter stray cats and dogs in the rural region of Grenada. She also assisted in a summer research project while taking an online course on animal welfare and canine rehabilitation. 

As a third year veterinarian student, Johnson has been involved in numerous on-campus organizations, such as American Association of Equine Practitioners, Veterinary Business Management Association, Student Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, while holding executive positions.

Johnson is also deeply involved in the local humane society of Macon County, organizing adoption fairs and fostering rescued strays. She is interested in being a mixed practitioner, focusing on companion medicine and incorporating equine medicine into her practice.

Johnson is one of six veterinary students selected by their school to receive the Westminster scholarship. She received the award in February at the Westminster Dog Show in New York City.

The Foundation has awarded $1.34 million in 139 veterinary school scholarships, now valued at $15,000, to students since 1990. The Foundation was established in 1971 as a charitable trust organized for the benefit of humane education, humane work, and history, art and memorabilia.

Henderson celebrates Founder’s Day

— Joining the Henderson State Academy of Scholars are, from left: Lori Stewart, Chris Horton, and Dr. Johnnie Roebuck.

Henderson State University celebrated Founder’s Day with an academic convocation on Oct. 2. Three alumni were inducted into the Henderson Academy of Scholars, which is comprised of Henderson graduates who have gained distinction in their professional fields. Joining the academy this year are: Chris Horton, Dr. Johnnie Roebuck, and Lori Stewart.

Faculty excellence awards were presented to: Dr. Bernie Hellums (Teachers College), Michael Taylor (fine arts), Dr. Steven Todd (liberal arts), Janice O’Donnell (science and mathematics), Dr. Ajay Aggarwal (School of Business), and Dr. David Bateman (Outstanding New Faculty Member).

Chris Horton
Chris Horton is the Midwestern States director for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). He works with the established state sportsmen’s caucuses in the Midwest region by providing counsel and information on legislation and assists in management and infrastructure development within the caucuses to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Horton received his B.S. in biology from Henderson in 1995 and his M.S. in fisheries science from the University of Arizona in 1997. Horton, his wife Kim and two children live in Bismarck.

Horton serves as point of contact for inquiries from legislators and conservation organizations interested in establishing state caucuses. He also serves as a liaison for the Midwestern regional members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC); assists the caucuses and governors with identifying and addressing priority issues; provides comments on behalf of CSF to federal policy proposals in the 16-state region; and performs many other duties.

Horton served as associate director of conservation for the Bass Angler’s Sportsmen Society (B.A.S.S.) from 2003 to 2007 and as conservation director from 2007 to 2010. As associate director, he served as the company’s fisheries biologist, assisting with tournament fish care and fish health issues, and he worked with state and federal agencies on regulatory proposals and aquatic habitat projects.

As director of conservation, he served as the company’s point of contact on aquatic resource conservation issues and represented B.A.S.S. and its 500,000 members on several national boards and committees.

Dr. Johnnie Roebuck
Dr. Johnnie Roebuck, while serving as a special education teacher and administrator, earned her master of science degree in education in counseling at Henderson State University. While serving as special education supervisor at the Dawson Education Cooperative, she realized she could help her students best by returning to college to prepare for developing school leaders. After earning her educational specialist and doctor of education degrees from the University of Arkansas, she was hired by Henderson in 1990.

Roebuck was instrumental in securing a grant from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation that formed a P-16 partnership with service-area public schools to improve teaching strategies and the development of school leaders. Originally known as the Teacher Professional Development Partnership, the highly successful partnership is now self-supporting and is known as the HSU Partners in Education.

Before her retirement from Henderson in 2007, she served as a professor, dean of the Graduate School, and coordinator of the Educational Leadership Program. Among her many accomplishments at Henderson was developing the program for the M.S.E. in Educational Leadership and helping gain approval for the Education Specialist in Educational Leadership.

Roebuck served two terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives where she was a distinguished leader. One of her many successes was legislation establishing the Arkansas Professional Licensure Standards Board for educators. The board established the Arkansas Code of Ethics for Educators and the procedures for receiving, considering and investigating complaints. During her final term in the House, she served as majority leader. In fall 2011, she sponsored landmark legislation that resulted in the Teacher Excellence and Support System (TESS). TESS is receiving national recognition.

Appointed by Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, Roebuck serves on the Southern Regional Education Board. She remains actively engaged in the improvement of educator preparation.

Lori Stewart
Lori Stewart is a lifelong resident of Arkadelphia with deep ties to Henderson State University. Henderson is a family tradition. Both of her parents attended Henderson in the late 1940s.

Stewart graduated from Henderson with a business management degree in 1987. Her husband Randy graduated in 1986, and her daughter Spenser O’Brien graduated in 2011. Her son Jacob also attended Henderson.

Stewart has been in the housing industry for 37 years. Her career began in the property management business managing and/or owning private, commercial and subsidized properties including USDA Rural Development, HUD, Tax Credit and HOME programs. In 2003, Stewart Properties was organized, and Stewart acquired an Arkansas Brokers License and formed Stewart Real Estate.

Other associated businesses include: Stewart Construction of Arkansas; Stewart Farms; and Stewart Services.

Stewart is a director and current president of the Affordable Housing Association of Arkansas, founding board member of CASA of Clark County, past president of Clark County Home Builders, and currently serves on the HSU Business Advisory Council.

HSU grad named Arkansas Teacher of the Year

Henderson grad Ouida Newton, who serves as a math teacher at Poyen High School, is the 2015 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, the state Department of Education announced Friday.

“Newton has a strong teaching history and outstanding accomplishments, making her a deserving teacher for this recognition,” state Education Commissioner Tony Wood said.

Newton has a bachelor’s degree in education from Henderson State University at Arkadelphia and a master’s degree in library and informational science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. During her 34-year career, she has taught Algebra I and II, sixth-grade science, pre-algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus, trigonometry, transition-to-college math, physics, and Algebra A and B.

Newton also has served as a library media specialist, math coach, curriculum supervisor, class sponsor, senior Beta Club sponsor and Teachers of Tomorrow supervisor. She previously taught in the Searcy School District and the Pulaski County Special School District.

In addition to teaching math to grades seven through 12 at Poyen High School, Newton teaches algebra, trigonometry and introduction to computers at the College of the Ouachitas in Malvern.

Last year, Newton was named the Arkansas Rural Education Teacher of the Year and Arkansas Middle Level Math Teacher of the Year.

She received a $1,000 award from the Walton Family Foundation when she was named one of 15 regional finalists for Teacher of the Year. The foundation presented her with an additional $14,000 award in a ceremony Friday.

Also, SMART Technologies of Canada gave Newton the 2015 Teaching Excellence Award, which comes with technology products for the classroom and training.

State law allows the Arkansas Teacher of the Year to take a year of paid administrative leave for professional development and to serve as a non-voting member of the state Board of Education.

Distinguished Alumni honored

— From left: Charles Gibbs, Bridgette Shannon, Emma Watts, Lonnie Watts Jr., and Henderson President Glen Jones.

Henderson State University honored four new Distinguished Alumni at a banquet Oct. 24 in the Garrison Center Grand Ballroom. The event was part of homecoming week at Henderson.

This year’s honorees are: Emma Williams Watts, who recently retired as an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith; Lonnie Watts Jr., a retired professor of sociology at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith; Charles Gibbs, president of CRG Investment Corp.; and Bridgette Blackman Shannon, an accomplished chemist.

First awarded in 1972 to honor outstanding graduates, the Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor Henderson bestows on it graduates. Honorees have made outstanding achievements and contributions in their career, community, education, politics, social service, and humanities. Each year, the Henderson Alumni Association Board of Directors selects these distinguished alumni to represent the university.

Emma Watts
Emma Watts received her degree in business administration from Henderson in 1975, followed by her master’s degree in education in 1978 and a master’s degree in business administration in 1991, both from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. She also received certification in secondary and adult education in 1978.

Watts taught in the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith’s Department of Business for 21 years, and in the College of Applied Science and Technology for 10 years. She received the Whirlpool Master Teachers Award in 1998 and was advisor of the Black Student Association.

She has participated in many community organizations and projects, and received several honors and awards.

Watts is married to Lonnie Lee Watts, and they have five children and eight grandchildren.

Lonnie Watts Jr.
Lonnie Watts earned his degree in sociology from Henderson State in 1975, and received his master’s degree in sociology in 1978 and master’s in business administration in 1992, both from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

Watts taught at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith for 25 years, serving in several positions before retiring in 2013. He was chair of the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Anthropology from 2002-2006.

Watts has served on a variety of boards and committees and has been active in several civic and professional organizations.

He is married to Emma Watts. They have five children and eight grandchildren.

Charles Gibbs
Charles Gibbs is a 1960 graduate of Henderson State with a degree in psychology and participated in the ROTC program.

After working for the American Red Cross until 1964, Gibbs joined Southwestern Bell Telephone. In 1979, he went to work for A.G. Edwards & Sons and began a career in the securities industry. He later worked for Paine Webber, Investment Management & Research, Spelman & Co., and Expert Witness (Securities) Various Law Firms. In 1980, he became president of CRG Investment Group, a position he still holds.

Gibbs has received numerous sales awards, and has been involved with several community service and civic organizations.

Bridgette Shannon
Shannon earned her degree in chemistry from Henderson State in 2002, and received her master’s and doctorate degrees in chemistry from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. She was the first African-American female to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry at UA.

Shannon has worked at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS), University of Arkansas-Fayetteville Department of Chemistry, L’Oreal USA Manufacturing, and Corning Inc.

She was featured in Fast Company and Essence magazines and received the Little Rock Mayor and Board of Director’s Award, both in 2011. Shannon was a World Technology Awards Corporate Finalist in 2012.

Shannon is married to Dr. Simon Shannon and they have two children.