Arkansas achievers

Katie Cullum, a county extension agent in White County, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences at its 2011 annual session. The award is the highest presented by the association and recognizes her commitment to clients through programs such as the Strongwomen strength-training program. Jonathan Benson of Fort Smith, a freshman at the University of Arkansas, has been selected as the 2011 Boyer Fellow in the Sam M. Walton College of Business. The fellowship provides $12,500 a year and requires demonstration of financial need and the potential to be a leader. Benson is the son of James and Sharon Benson and a 2011 graduate of Fort Smith Southside High School. Cpl. Bobby Duff, a police officer with Arkansas State University, was named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for Arkansas in a ceremony in Little Rock in October. He was cited for his involvement in foiling an armed robbery at a restaurant while off-duty. He has been an officer for ASU’S Police Department since 2007. Dr. Tanja Mckay, an associate professor of entomology at Arkansas State University, has been selected as the winner of the Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching sponsored by the Entomological Society of America. She was recognized at the organization’s annual scientific meeting in Reno, Nev., in November. Mckay teaches all entomology classes at ASU and developed a class in forensic entomology. She also is the assistant director of the environmental science program. The Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police presented awards at its 44th annual convention. The awards recognize individuals for exceptional service to law enforcement, their city and the state. The recipients are:

Mayor Carolyn Mcgee of Dardanelle was named Mayor of the Year. Officer Daniel Oller of the Hope Police Department was named Officer of the Year. Chief Gary Kelley of the Marion Police Department was named Chief of the Year. Dr. Eddie Glover, president and chief executive officer of U.S. Compounding in Conway, was named the National Community Pharmacists Association 2011 Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year. The award recognizes an independent pharmacist for exemplary leadership and commitment to independent pharmacy and their communities. Bill Mccomas, a science education professor at the University of Arkansas, has been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to teach and conduct research at Dublin City University in Ireland. The six-month exchange program began in January. Mccomas holds the Parks Family Professorship in Science Education in the department of curriculum and instruction in the College of Education and Health Professions. The Arkansas Association of Two-year Colleges announced the winners of the Academic All-star Scholarships at its annual conference. The 22 winners each received two scholarships: one worth $500 to complete their associate degrees and a second full-tuition scholarship to any of the 11 Arkansas public four-year universities to complete their bachelors degrees. The students and the colleges they are attending are: Timothy Tucker, Arkansas Northeastern College, Bly-theville. Scott Luffman, Arkansas State University, Beebe. Ashley Rodman, Arkansas State University, Mountain Home. Alicia Taylor, Arkansas State University, Newport. Brittany Hembrey, Black River Technical College, Paragould. Chris Adams, College of the Ouachitas. Edgar Morales, Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas, DeQueen. Dena Jo Hurt, East Arkansas Community College, Forrest City. Patricia Crume, Mid-south Community College, West Memphis. C.J. Knabe, National Park Community College, Hot Springs. Kris Hollingsworth, North Arkansas College, Harrison. Brandi Peters, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville. Anna Mickler, Ozarka College, Melbourne. Taryn Parker, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, HelenaWest Helena. Roshanda Taylor, Pulaski Technical College, North Little Rock. Tisha White, Rich Mountain Community College, Mena. Lisa Sipes, South Arkansas Community College, El Dorado. Nicole Wilkinson, Southeast Arkansas College, Pine Bluff. Akelia Russell, Southern Arkansas University Tech, Camden. Linh Tran, University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. Rosemary Paredes, University of Arkansas Community College at Hope. Shelly Jack, University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. Arkansas Achievers is an opportunity to give recognition to those for their achievements. Civilian and military achievements are accepted. Please follow these guidelines: Achiever(s): 1) Must be an Arkansan or have graduated from a school in Arkansas. 2) Received an award, scholarship, medal or promotion. Pageants, deans’ lists, graduations or military enlistments are not accepted. No Photographs Please. To submit an Achiever mail information to: Arkansas Achievers, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203.