NEA Business Notes: A-State confers 2,335 degrees during fall commencement
Arkansas State University welcomed a new class of alumni on Dec. 13 during fall commencement exercises, as 2,335 degrees were conferred by Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Dr. Calvin White Jr., and Dr. William McLean, senior vice provost for academic affairs.
The degrees were awarded during two ceremonies which took place at First National Bank Arena on the university campus.
The first ceremony featured students from the College of Agriculture, Neil Griffin College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions, and University College.
Graduates who walked during the second ceremony were from the Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics, College of Education and Behavioral Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science, and College of Liberal Arts and Communication.
Angela Island Wins ‘Leave A Legacy’ Scholarship
Angela Island of Jonesboro has been awarded the Leave A Legacy Scholarship at Black River Technical College. She is a 1999 graduate of Rosa Fort High School.
The Leave a Legacy Scholarship was founded by the May 2015 Practical Nursing class, who had a goal to leave a legacy for future BRTC nursing students. They saw the financial hardships nursing students face during the last semester of the nursing program due to licensure fees, and decided to create the scholarship to help offset the cost of the fees. Each graduating class has continued the legacy through fundraising and continued donations to the scholarship.
Dr. John Thompson Chosen For The Mission Physician Award
Physicians practicing within the St. Bernards Healthcare system awarded Dr. Jon Thompson their 2025 Living The Mission Physician Award, an honor given to a doctor who best represents the St. Bernards mission.
The award, announced at St. Bernards Medical Center’s annual medical staff meeting on Dec. 8, involves a selection process driven by the voices of St. Bernards team members. A committee selects three finalists from numerous nominations. The medical staff then votes for a winner via secret ballot. Dr. Tasha Starks, assistant vice president for quality and safety at St. Bernards, described Thompson as an “exceptional clinician, teammate and leader.”
Thompson works as a hospitalist, a role that takes the lead in directing and coordinating patient care during hospital stays.
Colleagues noted Thompson’s willingness to “go back into a patient’s room multiple times” to ensure they understand their care plan. One nomination highlighted his compassion during a patient’s final moments.
A native of Northeast Arkansas, Thompson graduated from Harrisburg High School before attending the University of Arkansas for his bachelor’s degree, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Civil Air Patrol Marks Renewed Presence In Mississippi County
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Arkansas Wing hosted its change of command ceremony for its Northeast Arkansas wing, the 120th Composite Squadron, on Dec. 15, at the Arkansas Aeroplex, celebrating its renewed presence in Mississippi County and the official expansion of its Northeast Arkansas operations.
As a total force partner and auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP serves the nation with three core missions: emergency services, cadet development and aerospace education. The CAP Arkansas Wing previously operated at the Blytheville Air Force Base prior to its closure in 1992, and this event marks a return to those historic grounds.
Senior member meetings will now be held at the Arkansas Aeroplex, and the expansion will increase opportunities for youth leadership, flight training and hands-on learning, according to the organization. As the future home of the National Cold War Center, the Aeroplex will also offer expanded educational programming focused on aerospace history.
Stefanie Leacock Receives Biology Teaching Award
The National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) has named Stefanie Leacock, director of research at the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, as the recipient of the 2025 Four-Year College and University Biology Teaching Award.
The national award honors creativity and innovation in undergraduate biology education, recognizing excellence in curriculum development, instructional strategies and laboratory utilization that have been successfully implemented and shown to enhance student learning. The award is sponsored by NABT’s Four-Year College and University Section.
Eric Atchinson To Serve On National Higher Education Committee
The U.S. Department of Education has selected Arkansas State University System Vice President for Strategic Research Eric Atchison to serve as a primary negotiator on the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee.
The AHEAD Committee members will advise the department on several key areas created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act related to financial aid and specifically the new Workforce Pell Grant program.
The committee will address changes in institutional and programmatic accountability measures, including loss of direct loan eligibility for certain programs with low earnings outcomes for two out of three years, and financial value transparency and gainful employment.
It will also establish the program eligibility requirements for a new workforce Pell Grant for students enrolled in programs that last eight to 15 weeks, are transferable to a recognized postsecondary credential or degree, and are approved by the state governor.
His previous national service includes participating in stakeholder engagement sessions related to the redesign of the Institute for Education Sciences and representing state higher education agencies and public four-year institutions during two terms on the National Postsecondary Education Cooperative.
First Community Bank Launches Arkansas Weather Network Partnership
First Community Bank is the sponsor of the newly launched Arkansas Weather Network (AWN), a digital weather platform founded by Zachary Hall and James Bryant. The platform officially launched Dec. 13.
Hall and Bryant, known across the region for weather updates and social media reach, have built followings that extend far beyond Arkansas. They have amassed a digital audience of hundreds of thousands of followers who rely on their expertise, accessibility, and community-minded approach to storm coverage and day-to-day forecasting.
Through its digital network and forthcoming app, Arkansas Weather Network will provide 24/7 streaming coverage of severe and routine weather, connecting viewers through live reports, educational features, and easy-to-access mobile updates.
Arvest Foundation Awards Grant To St. Bernards Development Foundation
The Arvest Foundation has announced a $4,000 grant to St. Bernards Development Foundation. The grant will serve as a match donation for the organization’s Giving Tuesday campaign.
Arvest Bank employees joined Kevin Hufstedler, community bank president for Arvest Bank in Jonesboro, to present a check from the Arvest Foundation to Lydia Parkey, president of St. Bernards Development Foundation, Michael Givens, administrator and chief operating officer for St. Bernards Medical Center, and Alden Weeks, development manager.
Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 to encourage people to do good and has since grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.
Riceland Scholars Program Starts In Collaboration With A-State
The College of Agriculture at Arkansas State University, in collaboration with Riceland Foods, has launched its inaugural group of Riceland Scholars. This will provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to be exposed to educational, real-world challenges at a world-class facility.
Eight faculty and student teams from the College of Agriculture, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the Neil Griffin College of Business submitted proposals addressing specific marketing and engineering initiatives. The teams were invited to “pitch” their project ideas to Riceland executives earlier this semester.
Five faculty and student teams were selected to complete their projects. College of Agriculture was awarded for their “Riceland Cooperative Membership Survey project,” submitted by Dr. Jacob Manlove, associate professor of agricultural economics, along with student Wade Jones.
The Neil Griffin College of Business was awarded for its submission, “Leveraging Emotional Intelligence Assessment to Improve Leadership Effectiveness and Cultivate Prompt Workforce,” led by Dr. Matthew Hill, associate professor of finance, associate dean of research, and director of graduate programs, and student Samita Rana Maga.