Lyon College professor gives presentation at conference in Switzerland
Dr. James Martell, associate professor of French and comparative literature at Lyon College, recently presented his research on the United States, the United Nations and global governance at the Pierre du Bois Annual Conference 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The conference, titled “Love, Hate and the Fate of International Organizations: The Psychological Life of Global Governance (1900-present),” brought together scholars from around the world to examine the psychological, political and historical dimensions of international organizations and global governance.
Martell participated in a panel titled “Projection onto the Forum: Fear, Sovereignty and the Deliberative Stage,” where he presented work from his ongoing book project examining “foiled reflections” in the context of the United States and international organizations such as the United Nations. His research explores how a psychoanalytical approach informed by French theory can help illuminate the complex relationship between the United States and the U.N.
The conference was organized by scholars at the Geneva Graduate Institute and featured interdisciplinary discussions on the past, present and future of international organizations.
New Hires Named At Center For Early Learning Solutions
The Center for Early Learning Solutions (CELS) at Forward Arkansas has hired Danell Hetrick and Mollie Hill. They will oversee the center’s pilot programs focused on addressing providers’ needs, and the Early Childhood Governance and Finance Project (ECGFP), a two-year initiative supported by the New Venture Fund and the Walton Family Foundation.
Before joining CELS as early learning operations and analysis manager, Hetrick spent more than a decade at a private liberal arts college as vice president for student life and dean of students, and director of academic support. A graduate of Arkansas State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, she holds a certificate of grantsmanship from the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Missouri.
Hill will work as the center’s early learning initiatives manager. She is a former literacy coach with the Arkansas Department of Education and a literacy specialist for the Batesville School District. For more than a decade, Hill was an elementary school and early childhood classroom teacher. She holds a bachelor’s in early childhood education and a master’s in curriculum and instruction rom Arkansas State University.
Conlee Serves As Panelist At Arkansas Rural Development Conference
Black River Technical College (BRTC) Foundation member and St. Bernards Healthcare’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Services Josh Conlee was a panelist in the opening session of the Arkansas Rural Development Conference.
Conlee spoke on rural healthcare, how it is changing, and why rural care matters to the community. The opening session was moderated by Lynn Hawkins, chair of the Arkansas Rural Development Commission.
ASU System Charles L. Welch Presidential Scholars Named
Five graduates of Arkansas State University System two-year institutions have been selected as 2026 Charles L. Welch Presidential Scholars.
The Presidential Scholars program was created in 2024 to honor the legacy of Welch, president emeritus of the ASU System, for his nearly 13 years of service. The annual program honors a deserving scholar from each ASU System two-year institution who transfers successfully to an ASU System four-year university. Each of this year’s honorees will receive a $1,000 stipend.
The 2026 Welch Presidential Scholars are:
• ASU-Beebe — Emma Lee Joplin of Mountain Home. She received an associate of science degree in agriculture, associate of science degree in liberal arts and sciences and a technical certificate in agriculture. She will transfer to Arkansas State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agriculture studies. She was a member of the ASU-Beebe Agriculture Club, Trio and Student Life.
• ASU-Mountain Home — Ty Tilton of Gassville. He received an associate of science degree in business and will transfer to A-State to pursue his bachelor’s and master’s degrees with a focus in healthcare administration. He was student government association president and was a member of the Fran Coulter Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa and the TrailBlazer baseball team.
• ASU-Newport — Eli Jamar Tate of Concord. He received an associate of arts degree in secondary education and will transfer to A-State to pursue studies as a physical education educator. He was an ASU-Newport Student Ambassador, was in the student government association, and helped create the “Blue Coat” leadership program on campus.
ASU Mid-South — Cedarius Sanders of West Memphis. He received an associate of arts degree and will transfer to A-State to pursue studies in mechanical engineering. He was selected Trio Student Support Services Most Valuable Player for his contributions to campus life, was an ASU Mid-South Student Ambassador and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies. He is an ASU System Student Leadership Institute graduate.
ASU Three Rivers — Savanna Null of Malvern. She received an associate of arts degree in general education and will transfer to Henderson State University to pursue studies in psychology. She was a member of the ASU Three Rivers Honors College and a graduate of the inaugural Arkansas State University System Student Leadership Institute.
First Community Bank Raises $35,000 For Youth Ranches
First Community Bank recently hosted its 29th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at The Course at Eagle Mountain, bringing together 144 golfers and nearly 50 local businesses in support of the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches. The event raised more than $35,000, increasing the tournament’s lifetime contributions to more than $517,000.
The annual tournament benefits the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe, stable and nurturing homes for children throughout the state.
WBU Presents 2026 Founders Awards
Williams Baptist University has presented its 2026 Founders Awards to graduating seniors Treasure Jenni and Mason Andrews. The two were honored May 9 at WBU’s commencement exercises by Williams President Dr. Stan Norman.
Jenni, who is from Russellville, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Christian ministries. Andrews is from Walnut Ridge, and he earned the bachelor’s degree in liberal arts.
The Founders Award is one of the highest honors bestowed upon students at WBU, and it is awarded annually to one female and one male graduate. It recognizes students who best exemplify the university’s core ideals of integrity, leadership, and intellect. Recipients of the Founders Award are selected through a campus-wide nomination process involving university faculty and staff.
Students Receive $20,000 In Doctor Of Physical Therapy Scholarships
Two Arkansas State University doctor of physical therapy (DPT) students have received $20,000 scholarships.
The “Bridging the Gap: Arkansas Physical Therapy Underserved Community Service Scholarship,” which originated in 2023, is designed to help students in the state pursue a career in physical therapy. For the past three years, numerous A-State students have received this scholarship. This year, two students were selected. The recipients are Adyson Jones of Doniphan and Macy McCormic of Imboden.
To receive this scholarship, students must demonstrate a financial need, a commitment to underserved communities, their long-term vision to impact the health of underserved communities they are interested in, their goals as a physical therapist, how the award will help them achieve their goals, and provide evidence of prior community commitment.
Recipients of this scholarship commit to working for two years in an underserved community in the state, completing the circle of the title of the award by helping to bridge the gap in access to quality care.