School news in brief

Arkansas Tech creates veterans support network

RUSSELLVILLE — The Arkansas Tech University Office of Veteran Services is developing a new Green Zone project, believed to be the first of its kind in Arkansas, to provide faculty and staff with training to better prepare them to serve the needs of military-affiliated students.

Tech assisted more than 450 students seeking military-related benefits during the fall 2016 semester alone.

“We strive to serve our students as effectively as possible,” said Marsha Oels, coordinator of veteran services at Arkansas Tech. “Doing research and learning more about this program has been exciting because of its potential impact. Programs such as this will not only be of great assistance to our military-affiliated students but to our entire campus community.”

Graduate assistant Alan Parsons is assisting in the development of Green Zone training at ATU. and reached out to colleagues at other schools to learn about similar efforts on their campuses. Oels, Parsons and fellow staff member Shelly Hall attended a Green Zone campus in March.

Next steps include training identified faculty and staff members to serve as trainers when Green Zone is fully active on campus in the fall.

Selig named U of A senior scholar

FAYETTEVILLE — Lakeside High School alum Thomas Selig was among students named first-ranked Senior Scholars during the Sam M. Walton College of Business’ 24th annual awards banquet on April 13.

The senior scholars were presented among undergraduate student awards during the banquet.

Selig also received the outstanding student award for the department of economics, arts and sciences.

Gifts support U of A entrepreneurship hub

FAYETTEVILLE — Two University of Arkansas alumni and their wives are contributing a total of $600,000 for a new entrepreneurship hub to support students from across the campus.

Jerry and Kay Brewer, of Fayetteville, are contributing $500,000 to create the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub. Their son, Clete Brewer, and his wife, Tammy, of Rogers, are contributing another $100,000.

The hub will be located on the historic Fayetteville Square and will support collaborative entrepreneurship and innovation efforts across campus while serving as a starting point for students and their companies to launch their ideas.

“We are very grateful to the Brewer family for investing in entrepreneurship efforts at the university,” said Jim Rankin, vice provost for research and economic development.

“The Brewer Entrepreneurship Hub will provide our students and faculty with an excellent venue for the creation of innovative new technologies and business ventures, which are key to the long-term development of our state and nation.”

McClanahan inducted into honor society

BATON ROUGE, LA. — Margare McClanahan, of Hot Springs, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society.

McClanahan is pursuing a degree in Accounting at The University of Mississippi.

McClanahan is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter.

Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.