First National Bank, UAFS partner on new College of Business program

First National Bank of Fort Smith and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith continue their partnership with the creation of a Collegiate Ambassador Board for the purpose of providing 12 College of Business students each academic year the chance to learn more about the financial sector.

Specifically, the program’s mission is to “educate students on the various departments and activities within a financial institution, provide the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge serving as an advisory board member and provide insight and the opportunity for feedback on the bank’s marketing strategies,” according to a statement from the bank.

“We believe it will be beneficial for these students to learn how a bank operates,” Sam T. Sicard, First National Bank vice president, said in the statement. “When they’ve completed their year with us, they will have experience that can translate to their career after graduation.”

Steve Williams, dean of the UAFS College of Business, said the bank continues to be a “major supporter of the university” with this new program that will provide students a unique chance to learn more about banking operations. Williams said the students will also join with the bank in support of the bank’s community work, citing the Day of Caring — a day in which employees of a company volunteer to do repair or clean-up work at area social service agencies — coordinated by the Fort Smith United Way.

Members of the Ambassador Board will attend monthly bank board sessions featuring various First National Bank representatives. Williams said up to three sessions will be held on campus for all College of Business students, and that the 12 students in the program will conduct a “culminating event” at the end of the academic year in which they creatively report what they learned to other College of Business students.

The program announced Monday (Sept. 14) is the second student involved program with which the bank has partnered. In April 2006, Sam Sicard, president of First Bank Corp., and the bank’s board of directors announced a pledge of $1 million to create a “Scholarships of Distinction” for outstanding business students.

Williams said the students who receive the scholarships are required to serve on a recently formed student leadership council within the College of Business.

“They are broadly tasked to be the voice of College of Business students” and to represent the university, Williams explained.

The 12 members selected for the new Collegiate Ambassador Board are:
Jeremy Brown — Muldrow, Okla., an accounting major.
William Greene — Fort Smith, an accounting major.
Charles Harsfield — Fort Smith, a business administration major.
Ashley Jones — Central City,  an accounting major.
Stephanie Longley — Fort Smith, majoring in accounting and business administration.
Connie Morales — Fort Smith, an accounting major.
Ashton Peters — Alma, a marketing major.
Kyle Putman — Van Buren, a business administration major.
Tamara Reno — Booneville, majoring in accounting and business administration.
Joshua Rogers — Fort Smith, a business administration major.
Ashley Watkins — Mulberry, majoring in accounting and business administration.
Chingman Wong — Van Buren, majoring in accounting and business administration.