Dental Hygiene Information Sessions Coming Up

Several informational sessions are scheduled for persons interested in the Dental Hygiene program offered at ASUMH through the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The four sessions, scheduled for October 9, November 13, December 11 and January 8, will be held from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. in room H108 of the Health Sciences Building on the ASUMH campus. For more information, contact Mason Campbell, Health Sciences Coordinator, at (870) 508-6266.

ASUMH Students Win National Award

Nina Huddleston of Mountain Home won first place nationally at the 2009 Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California. Huddleston took first place in Client Service, an event that involves role playing a customer service situation with a panel of three judges. Jesse Wilcoxson, also representing Arkansas State University – Mountain Home, placed ninth in Future Business Executive. This event consists of submitting a cover letter, resume and application and completing two interviews with a panel of judges.

Phi Beta Lambda is the collegiate arm of Future Business Leaders of America. Almost 1800 students from two- and four-year colleges across the United States, Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands attended and competed at the National Conference. Both Huddleston and Wilcoxson earned the right to complete in Anaheim by placing at the state PBL competition at Hot Springs in April.

Recent CNA Graduates

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home recently held a ceremony honoring graduates of the certified nursing assistant program. Graduates completed 99 hours of course work and passed a skills and knowledge test to graduate. Instructor JoAnn Thomas presented the graduates with their certificates. For information on upcoming classes or scholarships, contact ASUMH Continuing Education at 508-6106. Pictured standing (back row) left to right are Magan Davenport, Lara Boyd, Brian O'Neil, Gayle Kruse, and Instructor Jo Ann Thomas. Seated (front row) left to right are Catherine Coon, Carolyn Hart, Mia Ott, Christina Fust and Terri Sisk.

Wood Turning Exhibit in ASUMH Library

The Arkansas State University Mountain Home library will feature the work of Ray Seef, a local wood turner, through June. Seef, who moved to Mountain Home from Cincinnati, worked for over 40 years as a tool and die maker working with metal.

About his hobby, Seef said that he combines his previous metal working experience with wood turning because he makes all of his own cutting tools and most of his own machines. The resulting beautiful art pieces demonstrate his skills using different woods and metal inlays. According to Eileen Burg of ASUMH, the pieces are “an artistic expression that showcases both Seef’s metal working and wood turning skills.”

For more information on the display or the ASUMH library, contact Eileen Burg, Director of Library Services at ASUMH, by calling (870) 508-6130. The library’s hours are Monday – Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. during the month of June.

Chancellor's and Vice-Chancellor's List for Spring 2009

ASUMH Spring 2009 Chancellor’s and Vice-Chancellor’s Lists Released


Arkansas State University-Mountain Home has released the Spring 2009 Chancellor’s and Vice Chancellor’s List.

The honor roll lists are based on the following criteria:
Chancellor’s List: Full-time students whose grade point average for the semester is 4.0.
Vice-Chancellor’s List: Full-time students whose grade point average for the semester is within the range of 3.60 through 3.99.

ASUMH Spring 2009 Chancellor’s List


Amie Acosta, Harrison
Donna Alexander, Flippin
Terry Arnold, Mountain Home
Kristina Ballantine, Flippin
Craig Batterton, Viola
Zachary Beck, Mountain Home
Amanda Beshears, Mountain Home
Aaron Broderick, Gainesville, MO
Dean Carpenter, Mountain Home
Sarah Cheever-Mobley, Yellville
Janet Cockrum, Clarkridge
Jeremy Crespino, Yellville
Clinton Cunningham, Mountain Home
Jeffrey DeFoor, Mountain Home
Shasta Doshier, Yellville
Richard Emanuelson, Mountain Home
Holly Fry, Flippin
Christina Fust, Lakeview
Hunter Green, Mountain Home
Hannah Gregg, Mountain Home
Stephanie Hammond, Mountain Home
Carol Hart, Viola
Benjamin Heimericks, Mountain Home
Rachel Hoff, Mountain Home
Margaret Holland, Lakeview
Nina Huddleston, Mountain Home
Melody Jenkins, Mountain Home
Verneen Johnson, Mountain Home
Bronda Kennedy, Gassville
Kelsey Kennedy, Mountain Home
Gayle Kruse, Gassville
Denise Kucginski, Mountain Home
Ralph Lowe, Elizabeth
Peggy McCullough, Yellville
Samantha McNulty, Ash Flat
Justina Miller, Gassville
Chad Morris, Mountain Home
Rebecca Novak, Midway
Marika Patterson, Mountain Home
Julia Raines, Gassville
Paul Richter, Norfork
Victoria Root, Norfork
Chance Rose, Flippin
David Sator, Bull Shoals
Amy Shelton, Mountain Home
Stacey Stone, Mountain Home
Grace Tallman, Mountain Home
Aaron Wade, Flippin
Candace Walsh, Mammoth Spring
Emily Wheelis, Horseshoe Bend
Jesse Wilcoxson, Gassville
Jennifer Wojcik, Lakeview
Correna Wood, Flippin
 
ASUMH Spring 2009 Vice-Chancellor’s List


Addie Acuff, Bull Shoals
Kayla Alkire, Mountain Home
Jeremy Alman, Norfork
Dannielle Barnes, Harrison
Misha Batterton, Viola
Ellen Bergman, Yellville
Nathan Blanton, Lakeview
Kimberlee Booth, Salesville
Justin Braunagel, Gassville
Trudy Bucci, Mountain Home
Dylan Budolfson, Salem
Jennifer Carriere, Norfork
Zafer Ceto, Salesville
Jennie Clark, Gamaliel
Catherine Coon, Jordan
Donald Cox, Mountain Home
Zane Crawford, Mountain Home
Arthur Crider, Mountain Home
Alexandra Denton, Flippin
Nathaniel Dixon, Salem
Loretta Dudgeon, Mountain Home
Ashton Erwin, Norfork
Brandon Fenwick, Mountain Home
Tyler Gardner, Mountain Home
Elisabeth Gilley, Yellville
Bruce Hendricks, Gepp
Lawson Herron, Mountain Home
Tosha Herron, Mountain Home
Rita Hoppis, Gassville
Dorothy Howell, Lakeview
Brenda Huckabee, Gamaliel
JoAnna Jarosz, Calico Rock
Batool Javed, Mountain Home
Jamie Lanham, Mountain Home
Geneva Loots, Midway
Heather Lydon, Mountain Home
Danielle Mortensen, Mountain Home
Abigail Meyers, Mountain Home
Jay Newport, Flippin
Anthoney Paxton, Mountain Home
William Phillips, Gassville
Hilary Reginald, Norfork
Latonia Richardson, Norfork
Jan Robert, Salesville
Jessica Romine, Mountain Home
Cynthia Royer, Gamaliel
Darci Schmidt, Bull Shoals
Justin Schroder, Mountain Home
Kristina Sellers, Gassville
Brittany Smith, Salem
Titus Smith, Isabella
Cody Stafford, Oakland
Samantha Starkey, Yellville
Kristina Story, Mountain Home
Austin Strain, Clarkridge
Anthony Teegarden, Norfork
Sarah Thomas, Mountain Home
Lesley Trinh, Mountain Home
William Tunstall, Mountain Home
Ryan Vann, Mountain Home
Heather Watson, Mountain Home
Randy Webster, Mountain Home
Jessica Weichmann, Yellville
Christi West, Lakeview
Michael Wilkerson, Mountain Home
Kail Wilkes, Flippin
Elizabeth Wiltshire, Gassville
Kayla Wood, Sturkie
Cindy Wyatt, Saint Joe
Noah Wyatt, Saint Joe
Debra Yowell, Gassville

ASUMH Celebrates Commencement 2009

Commencement was held on the beautiful campus of ASUMH on May 11, 2009. With the Mountain Home Symphony Orchestra playing, guests arrived for the 7:00 p.m. ceremony. Harvey Hughes, ASUMH Advisory Council Chairman, welcomed the crowd to the event. The invocation was presented by Bill Hughes of the Baptist Collegiate Ministries organization at ASUMH. Dr. Leslie Wyatt and Howard Slinkard brought greetings from the Arkansas State University system and Board of Trustees. Special music was presented by Dr. Robert Dyer and Carol Gresham. Honors student Grace Tallman was the featured speaker. Projected numbers of degrees to be conferred for 2009 were 42 from ASU-Jonesboro on the ASUMH campus, 194 two-year degrees at ASUMH, 52 Technical Certificates and 264 Certificates for Proficiency. These numbers will not be final until reports are filed with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Nick Morrow, faculty association president, and Jessica Clanton, faculty member of the year, served as Grand Marshals.

Blagg Named Outstanding Advising Admin for 2009

ASUMH's Rosalyn Blagg Receives Statewide Award for Advising

Rosalyn Blagg, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at ASUMH, was recently awarded the Outstanding Academic Advising Administrator for 2009 by the Arkansas Academic Advising Network. The group promotes and supports quality academic advising in institutions of higher education to enhance the educational development of students. Blagg was chosen by her peers from academic advisors of two-year and four-year institutions who are members of the network.

The Arkansas Academic Advising Network is a member of the National Academic Advising Association which was formed in 1977 and has over 10,000 members representing all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and several other international countries. Members represent higher education institutions across the spectrum of Carnegie classifications and include professional advisors/counselors, faculty, administrators and students whose responsibilities include academic advising.

Blagg holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and a Master of Science in Education from Arkansas State University.

PBL Team Wins Big at State Conference

Members of ASU-Mountain Home FBLA-PBL recently attended the Arkansas State Leadership Conference in Hot Springs. Each student entered competitive events covering a variety of business subjects and competed against students from other two- and four-year colleges across the state.

Jesse Wilcoxson, who served as the 2008-2009 State President of PBL, ended his term in office at the conference. He will continue to work with the Arkansas PBL Executive Council in an advisory role for 2009-2010. At the conference, Wilcoxson placed first in Future Business Executive and Justice Administration. He will compete at the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California this summer.

Other ASUMH winners include Nina Huddleston, first in Computerized Accounting and third in Client Services; Rachel Hoff, second in Computer Operating Systems; Andrea Clark and Amy Shelton, second in Chapter Theme Display: Scrapbook; Jennifer Elumbaugh, third in Free Enterprise Project; and Amanda Wood, fourth in Word Processing and fifth in Computer Applications.

The ASUMH PBL Chapter received the Gold Chapter Award of Merit. This recognition is given to those chapters who complete and document more than twenty activities in the areas of progress, service and education. The chapter was also recognized as a contributor to the Arkansas FBLA-PBL Foundation and its Annual Business Report placed fourth in the state.

Pictured from left to right are Rachel Hoff, Jesse Wilcoxson, Nina Huddleston, Amanda Wood and Jennifer Elumbaugh.

New Scholarship for Single Parents

Martha Grant and Ed Coulter

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home announces the establishment of a new scholarship for single parents by Martha A. Grant, CPA. The scholarship provides $1,000 a year for a non-traditional student with a small dependent child. The gift will continue over four years.

Grant, who is a practicing Certified Public Accountant in Mountain Home, is familiar with the challenges students with small children face. As a single parent herself, Grant knew education was the only way she and her child could build a better life for themselves. After attending a small community college in Northern Arkansas, Grant earned both her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree while raising her son. “It was a long hard road, but I always knew that I would be blessed to have a good education.” Grant’s son attended ASU-Jonesboro and Grant said that the ASU system is important in her life. “I am very happy to be able to give back. Goal setting is so important, and community colleges allow students a chance to make accomplishments toward their future goals.”

About the scholarship, ASUMH Chancellor Ed Coulter said, “I can’t tell you how much a gift like this can mean for a student who is a single parent. We appreciate Martha Grant very much for what she will do to Create Opportunities and Change Lives at ASUMH.”
For information on this and other scholarships at ASUMH, contact Joyce Rone, Director of Financial Aid at ASUMH, at 870-508-6124.

Denim & Diamonds

A crowd of two hundred decked out in their best denim and diamonds for an evening of music, dancing, food and fun to celebrate ASU-Mountain Home and the Vada Sheid Community Development Center. The popular dance band, The Loose Ends, played at the Baxter County Fairgrounds Friday, April 17 from 6:30 until 11:30. During the event, $20 bought a chance to win a $2,000 diamond donated by Carter’s Jewel Chest. Photos on the website http://denimdiamonds.shutterfly.com/ may be ordered.

Groundbreaking at ASUMH

On Friday, April 11, residents of the Twin Lakes Area gathered with officials including former Senator Dale Bumpers and Representative Marion Berry to break ground at the site of the Vada Sheid Community Development Center on the campus of Arkansas State University-Mountain Home.

The Vada Sheid Community Development Center is on the northern boundary of the campus. The building’s design includes a 1,600-seat auditorium and stage, convention and banquet space, college library, classrooms, outdoor amphitheatre and art gallery space. It will be both an academic support facility for students and an outreach facility available to the community for events, concerts, graduations or conventions.

The 60,000 square-foot building will be the largest on campus and will serve as a cultural center for Baxter County. The building will bear the name of the first woman elected to the Arkansas State Senate, Vada Webb Sheid of Mountain Home. Sheid died in February of 2008, just two months before the scheduled groundbreaking ceremony. The Wilcox Group, an architectural firm out of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Nabholz Construction of Conway, Arkansas, will serve as designers and general contractors on the project.

Commenting on the proposed center, Ed Coulter, Chancellor of ASUMH said, “From this day forward when we look at the Vada Sheid Community Development Center, we will remember the impact Vada Sheid had on Mountain Home and the way she took the lead in helping this area grow economically. It is my hope that this Center will be of great economic benefit to the Twin Lakes Area for many years to come.”

Funding for the construction of the proposed $16 million facility is ongoing. Donations include a gift of $500,000 from Jim McClure for the Convention Center, $250,000 from First Security Bank for the Amphitheatre and Fountain, $200,000 from Jim and Jill Gaston for the Bumpers Great Hall, $100,000 from Dr. Peter and Betty Dykstra for the Auditorium Stage and Auxiliary Area and over $90,000 from ASUMH employees for the Entrance Tower.

On the day of the groundbreaking ceremony, a luncheon was held in recognition of donors. Dr. Christy Preis, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at ASUMH, gave the invocation and Bob Knight, a member of the original ASUMH Advisory Council presented a challenge from the group for the sale of the auditorium’s chairs. The group has developed a recognition plan whereby patrons may name chairs in the auditorium in honor or memory of a designee for $1,000. Jim Gaston introduced the luncheon speaker, Honorable Dale Bumpers, former Senator from the State of Arkansas.

At 1:00, the groundbreaking ceremony began with a welcome and introductions by Dr. Ed Coulter, Chancellor of ASU-Mountain Home. Larry Nelson, CEO of First Security Bank, Mountain Home, gave the invocation and Oksana Pavilionis performed a violin instrumental of America the Beautiful. During the ceremony, a proclamation from the Mayor’s office was read by Dr. Joe Tullis, Chairman of the ASUMH Advisory Council. The proclamation declared April 11 as Arkansas State University-Mountain Home/Vada Sheid Day and called upon the people of Mountain Home to join their fellow citizens to celebrate the special event. The document also praised Representative Marion Berry and Senator Dale Bumpers for their support of ASUMH.

Richard Sheid, son of the Center’s namesake, Vada Sheid presented remarks, as did ASUMH student Elizabeth Howell, ASUMH faculty member Shawn Dennis, and Dr. Jim Purcell of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. From the Arkansas State University System, Mike Gibson represented the ASU Board of Trustees and Dr. Les Wyatt, ASU System President, introduced the speaker, U.S. Congressman Marion Berry.

Following the program, ceremonial groundbreaking photographs were taken of various groups including the family of Vada Sheid, donors and Campaign leadership, ASUMH faculty and staff, ASUMH students, ASUMH administrators and board members, Advisory and Development Councils, the founding ASUMH Advisory Council and local officials.

Carol Gresham, Vice Chancellor for Development at ASUMH said, “This is such a historical day in the life of ASUM. We appreciate so much the support we have had from the community since 1995 when this campus was the dream of so many. Today one more dream becomes a reality here at ASUMH.”

ASUMH Students Speak About March of Dimes

Pink and denim was the theme when ASU-Mountain Home Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) members recently visited two local preschools to talk about healthy eating, exercise and volunteerism.

ASUMH PBL members partnered with Open Arms Learning Center and Noah’s Ark Preschool to raise money and awareness of the March of Dimes. After learning about the food groups in the food pyramid, the preschool students “marched” for the March of Dimes. During their march, they turned in change they collected during the week. According Nina Huddleston, coordinator of the event, “Change for America’s Babies is a fun, exciting way to help the March of Dimes give every baby a healthy start.” Each child went home with a certificate, information for their parents on the importance of taking folic acid, and a coloring page.

Working together was a natural fit for the two organizations. Shannon Key, owner of Open Arms and Noah’s Ark, schedules a community service activity for her students twice each year. FBLA-PBL has been united with the March of Dimes for nearly 40 years. During that time, FBLA-PBL has consistently ranked as the top clubs and organizations fund-raising partner, raising over $15 million dollars.

FBLA-PBL is the largest business career student organization in the world. The collegiate division, PBL, reaches over 11,000 college students. Exclusive membership and career recognition programs are designed for members to provide personal and chapter development opportunities. PBL’s commitment to community service is found in its motto: Progress, Education and Service.

Topping Out Ceremony Held for VSCDC

On April 3, the top beam in the Vada Sheid Community Development Center on the campus of Arkansas State University-Mountain Home was ceremonially raised. The official topping out ceremony took place at noon and offered the community and university family a chance to celebrate this milestone in construction.

In building construction, the topping out, or topping off, is a ceremony held when the last beam is placed at the top of a building. The term may also refer to the overall completion of the building’s structure. While common in England, Germany and Poland, the origins of the ceremony are obscure. A tree or leafy branch is placed on the topmost beam, often with flags and streamers tied to it. The last girder to be hoisted is painted white and signed by all the workmen involved. At ASUMH, it is tradition that students, faculty and staff also sign the beam.

The Vada Sheid Community Development Center will be the largest building on the ASUMH campus. The 65,000 square-foot building will serve as a cultural center for Baxter County and the surrounding area. The facility will include an auditorium, convention space, banquet hall, the Dale Bumpers Great Hall for displays of fine art, an outdoor amphitheatre and fountain. The building will bear the name of the first woman elected to the Arkansas State Senate, Vada Webb Sheid of Mountain Home.

Financial Aid Info Session Coming Up

The ASUMH Financial Aid staff will be at the Baxter County Library on April 29, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. to answer questions about financial aid. Funds are available to attend ASUMH in the fall! Please bring your 2008 tax return and any W-2 forms to receive help in filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA). For questions, call 508-6124.

Spring Enrollment Up at ASUMH

Enrollment numbers for the spring 2009 semester at ASUMH show an increase of 8.5% in full-time enrollment, according to the Registrar’s office. As of class day 11, which is the reporting day that the Arkansas Department of Higher Education uses to validate enrollment, the full-time enrollment numbers were 857.7, compared to 790.3 in spring 2008. Headcount was reported as 1,305 for spring 2009, and 1,231 in spring 2008.

“We are thrilled with enrollment numbers this spring,” said Ed Coulter, Chancellor of ASUMH. “The increases we are seeing are the result of a committed effort by our faculty, staff and administration. A special thanks to Registrar Roz Blagg, Recruiter Jamie Johnston, and Pathways Program Director Jackie Edmonds and his staff who worked hard to get numbers to their highest level ever. Thanks are also due to faculty for the increase in online programs and other new initiatives that they have helped make available to our students.”

About headcount, Blagg elaborated, “We are always encouraged and delighted when our headcount number increases. To us, headcount represents a group of people to whom we offer opportunity for a life-change through education. We believe in what we have to offer, we are passionate about reaching out to those who need us, and we are proud of our product – our students.”

“It is always good when students take the opportunity to further their education,” said Dr. Pat Bailey, Vice Chancellor for Academics at ASUMH. “We certainly think that with the addition of seven-week classes and more online courses, we are breaking down barriers to help those who might not have otherwise been able to attend college. Arkansas is ranked 49 out of 51 in the number of citizens with earned bachelor’s degrees, and it is our goal to produce more graduates to help grow our economy and to bring better paying jobs to the state. Our main purpose is to help students get jobs or get better paying jobs.”

VSCDC Named in Omnibus Bill

Appropriation Approved for Vada Sheid Community Development Center

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home will receive an appropriation of $427,500 for the construction of the Vada Sheid Community Development Center, according to United States Congressman Marion Berry's office. The news came with the passage of the omnibus appropriations bill containing millions of dollars for numerous state and local priorities for Arkansas.

The omnibus appropriations bill combines nine of the twelve annual spending bills for fiscal year 2009. "The Vada Sheid Community Development Center is an important project that will benefit the entire Mountain Home community," said Congressman Berry. "Vada Sheid spent her lifetime committed to improving education and our community and this facility will be a tribute to all of the great work she did for Mountain Home."

"The support of Congressman Marion Berry and that of Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor is truly phenomenal. In the past I have been known to do cartwheels at news like this. I guess I need to go into sky diving to demonstrate my sincere appreciation for this group. They truly understand the economic impact this project will have on our area and the boon it will be for our entire community," said ASUMH Chancellor Ed Coulter.

"My sincere appreciation to Marion Berry and the other members of the Arkansas congressional delegation for this allocation, which comes from Transportation and Housing and Urban Development funds. While we continue
to reach toward our goal of fully funding the Vada Sheid Community Development Center, this puts us closer to our goal of $4.2 million, which will enable us to keep Nabholz Construction Company on campus to complete the interior of the auditorium. We are working every day to obtain the balance of the funds needed so that our dream can continue on schedule."

College Goal Sunday

Joyce Rone assists applicant with FAFSA	LeQuita Foster with a student
Linda Lauer works with a family on FAFSA paperwork	Waynna Dockins greets students at College Goal Sunday
Juanita Bauer helps out at College Goal Sunday

Over 70 people attended College Goal Sunday at ASUMH on Sunday, February 22 and received assistance in filling out the Federal paperwork for financial aid. Volunteers were on hand from 2:00 until 4:00 and assisted participants from as far away as Salem, Horseshoe Bend, Yellville and Viola. For information on Financial Aid, contact Joyce Rone at 508-6124.

Dental Hygiene Program Coming to ASUMH

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH) and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) are partnering once again to bring a new health sciences program to North Central Arkansas. Through the partnership, a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree will be available locally beginning with the Fall 2009 semester. The Mountain Home Christian Clinic will serve as the clinical site. Funding for the new endeavor is being provided by UAMS' Area Health Education Center (AHEC) North Central.

Dental hygiene marks the third program that ASUMH has collaborated with UAMS to bring to North Central Arkansas. The two institutions formed a consortium three years ago along with Baxter Regional Medical Center to offer an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care degree and most recently to enhance ASUMH’s paramedic program.

Dr. Pat Bailey, ASUMH's vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, said, “The plan for offering dental hygiene is different than other programs available through our partnership with UAMS.” Bailey said, while all the requirements for the degree will be available locally, the general education component will be available through ASUMH and the dental hygiene courses will be provided through UAMS. Students successfully completing the program will be graduates of UAMS.

Mountain Home is designated as only the third location in Arkansas where dental hygiene instruction will be available, with the other sites being Little Rock and Fort Smith.

Bailey noted, "The relationship established over the past four years with Dr. Ron Winters, Dean of UAMS' College of Health Related Professions, and the outstanding success our students have achieved through our other partnership programs with Arkansas' only academic medical center played a significant role in bringing the dental hygiene program to our campus."

ASUMH's respiratory care students continue to perform as well as those at the UAMS campus. "We have shown that distance is not a barrier to the success of our students, and we feel confident dental hygiene students will perform admirably," she said.

Bailey said the efforts to bring the dental hygiene program to Mountain Home are in response to requests from dentists across the northern tier of the state who have struggled for years in recruiting hygienists. "Their challenges in securing hygienists are no different than BRMC experienced in its attempts to recruit respiratory therapists. We are so very pleased to respond to this workforce need and provide local training opportunities for students who have long expressed interest in this profession," she said.

At a recent information session at ASUMH, Bailey said the room was filled with students who have indicated their interest in pursuing this program over the past several months. These students learned the initial class size will be limited to five seats, and they will apply to the program through UAMS. However, ASUMH's Health Science Coordinator Mason Campbell will serve as the local contact for those interested in the program and as the local advisor for those accepted into the program.

"It’s an exciting time at ASUMH as we embark on this venture with UAMS with the support of the Mountain Home Christian Clinic and funding available through the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) North Central," Bailey said.

For further information, contact Campbell at (870) 508-6266.

Donation from Warren Haley Announced

Warren Haley

Local Educator Makes Gift to ASUMH
Vada Sheid Community Development Center

The Vada Sheid Community Development Center at ASUMH will include a conference room bearing the family name of a Mountain Home native who recently made a gift to the university in honor of his parents. Warren Haley, whose gift includes both a monetary donation and a donation of arts and antiquities, asked that the gift be in memory of Bryan and Ruby Haley, his father and mother.

Haley, who returned to Mountain Home in 1992 to care for his ailing mother after a long career in education, said his gift to ASUMH allowed him to pay tribute to his parents while supporting the work the college does locally. “Education has been my life,” said Haley. “I was elated when the property was obtained and the college became a reality here in my hometown!”

Haley received his BA degree from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia and his MSE degree from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. He completed additional post-graduate work in Adult Education and Adult Psychology at UCA, Memphis State University and the University of Arkansas. Professionally, Haley has served as Director of Adult and Continuing Education Programs for the Harris County Department of Education in Houston, Texas. Haley also was Supervisor of Program Evaluation and Special Projects for Houston Community College and Supervisor of Adult Education for the Arkansas Department of Education. He spent many years as Director of Special Education for Emotionally Disturbed Adolescents and Adults for Arkansas Mental Health services in Little Rock and Benton.

As a young educator, Haley taught at Flippin Public Schools and was a counselor, teacher and choral music director. He also served as music and youth director at First Baptist Church in Paris, Arkansas. Haley has also served his local church, First Baptist Church of Mountain Home, as Director of the Singles Ministry and Director of Support Group Ministries.

Active in the community as a volunteer, Haley serves on the Arkansas State University-Mountain Home Advisory Council. He has been an active member of the Mountain Home Kiwanis Club and formerly served as President of the organization. He was a member of the Harris County Department of Education’s Board of Directors in Texas and served on the Texas Education Agency Special Projects Review Committee. In addition, Haley was a member of the Texas Governor’s Council on Education.

A leader in Arkansas, Haley has served on the advisory boards of the Arkansas State Council for Adult Education, the state Library Services Advisory Board, the Right to Read Task Force and the Adult Education Staff Development Council for Arkansas. He is a popular workshop leader and conference presenter and has extensive participation in workshops, seminars and conferences throughout the United States. Haley’s awards, honors and special recognitions are numerous.

An avid antiquarian, Haley’s collection of rare Japanese cloisonné, Sumida pottery, and other artifacts will be donated to Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. Many of the pieces will be on display in the Community Development Center. He hopes that by exhibiting the collection on the campus, it will continue to inspire a study of the Arts in the Twin Lakes Area.

The Vada Sheid Community Development Center will be the largest building on the ASUMH campus. The 65,000 square-foot building will serve as a cultural center for Baxter County and the surrounding area. The facility will include an auditorium, convention space, banquet hall, the Dale Bumpers Great Hall for displays of fine art, an outdoor amphitheatre and fountain. The building will bear the name of the first woman elected to the Arkansas State Senate, Vada Webb Sheid of Mountain Home. A topping out ceremony is scheduled for mid-March.

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home was established in 1995. Associate degrees are awarded by ASUMH, along with certificates of proficiency and technical certificates. Through ASU-Jonesboro, students may also obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree on the ASUMH campus. There are approximately 1,500 students during the fall and spring semesters that benefit from teaching and learning activities on the campus at ASUMH. For more information on the Vada Sheid Community Development Center, contact Carol Gresham, Vice Chancellor for Development, at (870) 508-6116.

Community First National Bank Issues Scholarships

Community First National Bank's Community President Robert Bahn was on campus recently to issue 20 scholarships of $100 each to ASUMH students. The bank sent letters to students and offered scholarships to the first 20 who stopped by Community First National Bank (CFNB) and applied. The only stipulation was that students were currently enrolled at ASUMH and were graduates of Mountain Home High School. "We had a very good year in Mountain Home last year and we are excited about sharing our good fortune with students at ASUMH. Community First National Bank is always trying to do things in our community to make this a better place to live."

Pictured with Dr. Ed Coulter, Chancellor, and CFNB Community President Robert Bahn are scholarship recipients Devin Gardner, Mercedes Brown, Stephanie Hodges, Samantha Hodges, Sun Kim, Lea Kueka, Sabier Miller, Ashley Kasinger, Ashley Gaines, Jake Ables, Jason Phillips, Justin Braunagel, Erica Frank, Eric Stetler, Hunter Green, Lance Haflich and Kyle Carpenter. Not pictured are recipients Alisha Tappan and Lindsey Queen. Bahn is a 1973 graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

Nursing Students at ASUMH Assist in Disaster Relief

Students from ASUMH with George Rutherford of the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Team	Cathy Leppold and Amber Kemp visit with Liberty Zastrow and Monica Collins in a local shelter.
LPN Students from ASUMH	LPN Student Group President Jaclyn Huddleston washing baking pans.

Practical Nursing students at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home have been busy assisting with disaster relief efforts in the community. The students have assisted in preparing food for delivery to local disaster recovery teams and to shelters in the area. George Rutherford, a member of the Southern Baptist Convention's Disaster Relief Team from Judsonia, Arkansas, commented that the students "have served as the muscle for their team at Eastside Baptist Church." They have moved cans of food, pressure washed cooking equipment, and helped to prepare meals for delivery. Rutherford reported that the team at Eastside Baptist has prepared an average of 250 meals at breakfast, 625 meals at lunch, and 715 meals at dinner each day. They will be in the community as long as there are chain saw crews working, and even after local shelters close.

Students who are participating in the disaster relief include Amber Kemp, Debra Yowell, Kayla Alkire, Rebecca Barbour, Michele Faso, Zachary Estes, Heather Lydon, Jaclyn Huddleston, Tosha Herron and Kristie Story. Instructors leading the group are Beverly Crabb and Cathy Leppold.

Update on Financial Aid from Director Joyce Rone

Joyce Rone, Director of Financial Aid

FROM THE DESK OF JOYCE RONE
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY-MOUNTAIN HOME

During this time of economic uncertainty, I would like to take the opportunity to assure returning and potential new students attending the Arkansas State University-Mountain Home campus that financial aid funds will be available to help with the costs of tuition, fees, and books for the upcoming fall, 2009 semester.

At this point in time, the federal financial aid funds are very secure and will be available for students to obtain. Federal financial aid funds include: Pell Grants, Supplemental Grants (SEOG), College Work Study and student loans. Contrary to some recent reports, the federal student loan program is on solid ground.

For qualifying graduating seniors, we have funds set aside for the academic distinction scholarship. The application for this scholarship is available on our ASUMH Financial Aid website or from your local high school counselor’s office. High school seniors should also check with their counselor for other scholarship applications they have available.

In addition, ASUMH has a general scholarship application for all students which includes approximately sixteen separate scholarships. This application is also available on our web page (www.asumh.edu) or can be picked up at the Financial Aid Office located on the third floor of Roller Hall. There is a scholarship preview book (private donors who have notified our office) available in the reception area students may review and choose all scholarships they are interested in.

All students should search out scholarship web sites for additional private scholarship applications. One good web site is: www.fastweb.com.

NOW is the time to begin applying for both federal financial aid and scholarships. Most scholarships have early deadlines. The Federal financial aid application (FAFSA) is available to be completed on the web at: www.fafsa.ed.gov. Information from the 2008 tax return will be required. This application takes several weeks to process. Early application is encouraged.

The staff of the Financial Aid Office at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home would like to encourage all who are planning to attend college or those who are just considering the possibility to come by our office if you have any questions regarding the availability of financial aid funds. There are several special events planned during the early spring to assist students in completing financial aid applications. Watch for these special announcements and the dates.

Right now is the perfect time to decide to attend college and further your education. Financial assistance is available!!

ASUMH Awards Over $2.3 Million in Financial Aid

According to officials in the Office of Financial Aid at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, over $2.3 million in financial aid monies have been disbursed so far for the spring 2009 semester from Title IV aid, which includes Pell Grants, supplemental grants and student loans, as well as scholarships, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Workforce Investment Act (WIA), and Rehab benefits. Joyce Rone, Director of Financial Aid at ASUMH, anticipates that the total financial aid disbursements at ASUMH for the entire academic year will reach $5.5 million through summer.

“What is interesting about this figure, is that approximately $3.25 million of these monies are paid out of Pell Grant funds. The federal Pell grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. The maximum Pell Grant award will be increased by $600 beginning the fall 2009 semester, so I believe we will see the total amount disbursed from Pell Grant funds go even higher next year. Approximately 80% of the students attending ASUMH receive some type of financial assistance. Our office makes a determined effort to assist students in completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application or in finding other sources of financial aid.”

Students who intend to apply for financial aid are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. Rone stated that while the FAFSA may seem like a lengthy document, it is not as difficult to complete as some would think and that anyone in the community needing assistance to complete this form should contact their office for help.

“The Financial Aid Office at ASUMH serves the whole community. Of course, we would like everyone to attend ASUMH, but we are here to help any student through the paperwork process, regardless of where they enroll.”

For more information on financial aid or to schedule an appointment for assistance with the FAFSA document, contact Juanita Bauer at (870) 508-6195.