Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
School news
MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
Several local students are 2017 summer graduates of Missouri State University in Springfield. Brik Brauburger of Bella Vista received a master’s degree in business administration; Megan Trammell of Lowell, bachelor of applied science; Amy Broadwater of Rogers, master of science; and Denae Beliles of Fort Smith, master’s degree in business administration.
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Paul Wilson of Rogers, a student at Pittsburg (Mo.) State University, has been selected to provide leadership in the Transfer Ambassador Program at Kansas State University. The Transfer Ambassador Program is a leadership organization for transfer students at K-State. These students host events through the year to help students get to know one another, become familiar with campus resources and build awareness for transfer student needs and concerns in the campus community.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT FORT SMITH
Jacob Keys of Cedarville received a $4,000 scholarship from the We Care Foundation to help him with his studies at University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.
The We Care Foundation awarded the scholarship to Keys in exchange for him serving as a counselor at Camp Dream Street, a oneweek camp for children who have suffered or are currently suffering from cancer and other blood-related diseases. The scholarship bestows $500 each semester for eight semesters and will go toward purchasing books for Keys, who is pursuing an associate’s degree in welding before continuing towards a bachelor’s degree in biology.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
Lizeth Martinez of Prairie Grove and Liliana Pleitez of Lowell, both freshmen at the University of Arkansas, have been chosen to enter the Honors College Path Program this fall.
Martinez is a kinesiology major. She is the daughter of Maria and Ignacio Martinez of Prairie Grove and a graduate of Prairie Grove High School.
Pleitez is a pre-nursing major. She is the daughter of Yanira and Raul Pleitez of Lowell and a graduate of Rogers New Technology High School.
The Path program is a mentoring initiative that recruits talented high school students from underrepresented populations and helps them achieve academic success at the University of Arkansas. The program pairs students with peer and professional mentors, who help them achieve success in the classroom and explore opportunities to secure scholarships and financial aid, study abroad, conduct research and get involved in campus leadership.
Thanks to lead gifts from Nick and Carolyn Cole, Lee and Beverly Bodenhamer, and former Honors College Dean Bob McMath and his wife, Linda, this year’s senior class is the first Path cohort to receive academic scholarships, awarded based on continued engagement with the program, commitment to leadership and honors status.
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
The University of Central Arkansas in Conway held commencement Aug. 11 at the Farris Center, and a number of local students were awarded degrees.
Alma: Zachary Brown, doctor of physical therapy; Courtney Craft, master of science; Emily Taylor, master of science; Alexandra Aldridge, bachelor of science.
Bentonville: Melissa Bagby, master of science; Cole Cable, bachelor of business sdministration; Mary Chandler, master of science; Chelsea Coffelt, master of science; Allison Davis, master of science in education; Jason Keech, doctor of physical therapy; Sophia Roehl, bachelor of business administration; Olivia Roehl, master of business administration; Brett Shrable, bachelor of science; Kaitlin Smith, bachelor of science; Ann Marie Watson, master of science.
Berryville: Asia Youngblood, bachelor of science.
Centerton: Scott Baird, master of science in education; Chandra Brotherton, educational specialist.
Farmington: Leslie Peters, bachelor of arts; Audrey Rodgers, bachelor of science.
Fayetteville: Annemarie Beck, master of science; Joshua Kuehn, bachelor of science; Hanna Qedan, master of science; Lindsey Roe, master of science.
Fort Smith: Colin Browning, bachelor of science; Robert Carson, bachelor of business administration; Tiffany Diaz, bachelor of science in nursing; Monika Finney, master of science; Jennifer Jay, bachelor of science in nursing; Sarah Kinder, bachelor of arts; Nicholas Lensing, doctor of physical therapy; Caitlin Neil, master of science; Audrey Paladino, master of science; Stephanie Sharum, doctor of physical therapy.
Harrison: Sarah Davis, master of science; Carley Dodson, bachelor of science.
Lavaca: Caitlin Staton, master of science.
Paris: Madeline Eckart, master of science; Layton Nehus, bachelor of arts.
Rogers: Audel Garcia, bachelor of arts; Wesley Northey, doctor of physical therapy.
Springdale: Julie Boatright, educational specialist; Jodie DeRose, master of science; Shelby Ellison, master of arts in teaching; Jessica Gutierrez, master of science; Alicia Hamley, bachelor of arts; Elana Hillbrand, master of science; Jeremy Hopper, bachelor of music; Brandon McKinney, doctor of physical therapy; Elizabeth Pianalto, master of science.
Subiaco: Mackenzie Schluterman, doctor of physical therapy; Cody Strahan, master of science in education.
Tontitown: Kimberly McElroy, master of science.
Waldron: Jordan Catlett, master of science; Justin
Helton, doctor of physical therapy.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT FORT SMITH
The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith selected 26 students to represent the university as campus ambassadors for the 20172018 school year. Campus ambassadors serve the school’s admissions office in representing the school for prospective students on campus life, degree programs and other offerings.
Ambassadors include Maddy Armer and Justin Martin, both of Cedarville; Meagan Dooly of Farmington; Jaime Hernandez, Estefani Garcia-Caramo, Asher Parvu and Anna Parvu, all of Fort Smith; Ian Carter and Alexis Looper, both of Greenwood; Savannah Cartmell and Michelle Hamrick, both of Huntsville; Lauren Becker of Mountainburg; AnnMarie McCollum of Mulberry; Rachel Hamilton and Shenny Martines, both of Paris; Allie Van Houden of Pea Ridge; Jessica Davis and Casey Stamps, both of Prairie Grove; Madisyn Fullerton of Siloam Springs; Gina Southchay of Van Buren; and Darci
Hays of West Fork.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Four individuals associated with Northwest Arkansas Community College were honored during the annual conference of Arkansas Community Colleges in Little Rock Oct. 15-17.
Barbara Rademacher, a professor of mathematics since 2000, was honored as the outstanding faculty member from NWACC.
Erin Hollingsworth was honored as the outstanding full-time staff member from NWACC. Hollingsworth has grown from a student worker to administrative assistant, to recruiter, to academic advisor, to her current role as director of career services. She also works with students in with the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County, Learning, Improvement, Fun and Empowerment (LIFE) program, Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter, Odyssey of the Mind and Saving Grace.
Rodney H. Bailey, a 2011 graduate of the respiratory therapy program, was honored as the outstanding
alumnus from NWACC. Since graduation, he has worked with patients in the intensive care unit of Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, and volunteers with the Farmington Fire Department and teaches advanced and pediatric CPR and life support for the American Heart Association.
Beatrice Becerra was honored as the academic all-star from NWACC. She is involved in many activities, including Honors, the Eagle View newspaper, Service Learning, Phi Theta Kappa and Art Club. She works part-time as a tinkering lead at Scott Family Amazeum and volunteers at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Helping Hands, all in Bentonville.
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The department of music at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro presented the first choir concert of the fall semester Oct. 17 in Fowler Center’s Riceland Hall. Local choir members included Kieu Ngo of Bentonville, alto I; and Laine Hilliard of Harrison, tenor II.