Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
People & places
GRANT HELPS LOW-INCOME STUDENTS
A $157,500 grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates will help low-income students enrolled at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith continue their education when faced with financial emergencies.
UAFS was one of 32 colleges and universities to receive the Dash Emergency Grant, through which UAFS will integrate emergency grants helping students beginning in the fall. After application in case of financial emergency, the student will receive a grant of no more than $1,000 within a few days of meeting the criteria.
BRADFORD ATTAINS EAGLE SCOUT
Jacob Bradford of Harrison, 14, has attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He is a member of Troop 60 in Harrison, and the son of Carol and Wes Bradford.
For his Eagle Scout project, Bradford constructed an outdoor barbecue grill for the First Presbyterian Church of Harrison, the charter organization for his troop.
SERNA PROMOTED AT UAFS
Edward Serna, formerly chief of staff and associate vice chancellor for external funding at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, has been promoted to chief of staff and vice chancellor for strategic initiatives, effective July 1.
Serna will oversee the implementation of the university’s new five-year strategic plan to transform the university into national model for preparing students for workforce mobility. Additionally, Serna will be responsible for handling special projects for the chancellor’s office. He will oversee the offices of public information, grants administration, government and community relations and international relations.
JBU’S EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RANKS BEST IN NATION
The American Enterprise Institute ranked the executive council of John Brown University in Siloam Springs — a group of student leaders who promote meaningful discussions about today’s issues — the best in the nation. The council, in its inaugural year, works to build a campus environment that welcomes students of all majors and political affiliations.
The council includes student leaders Bailey Payne, a junior philosophy major; Matt Logan, junior, business administration; Michael Schultz, senior, international business; Cooper Richardson, junior, management; Payton Hubbard, senior, management; Nick Le, senior, accounting; Phillip Todd, senior, international business; and Caleb Maine, senior, international business. The team focused this year’s discussions on topics on economic policy, global development, and Christianity and politics, and held events such as the movie screening of Poverty Inc., a debate series between the College Republicans and College Democrats, a book club about foreign policy and culture and a presentation by Michael Hendrix, the senior director at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
The University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, Baylor University and Azusa Pacific University rounded out AEI’s top five listing.
CLIFFORD, PARKER JOIN ADVISORY BOARD
Ed Clifford and Karen Parker will join the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
(UAMS) Northwest Regional Campus advisory board to support efforts to expand academic medicine in the region. Their threeyear terms began July 1.
Clifford, chief executive officer of the Jones Trust of Springdale — which includes the Jones Center for Families and Center for Nonprofits — is a member of several volunteer boards, including the Arkansas Arts Council and Northwest Arkansas Council. He also chairs the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust.
Parker retired from Walmart in 2016, where she was a senior manager for the Walmart Foundation overseeing the Northwest Arkansas Giving Program, the national and state Giving Programs and the Associates in Critical Need Trust. She also worked in merchandising at the retailer.
Daniel Ferritor takes over as chair as Ann Rosso’s term ends and she resumes life membership on the board.