Monticello Live

An aeronautics engineer and decorated civilian veteran of Desert Storm, a leader in the health and fitness industry, an award-winning teacher, a successful insurance executive, and the president of a preventive health and wellness company have been selected to receive the 2011 Alumni Awards for Achievement and Merit from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Dale Burton of Melbourne, Fla., vice president of programs for Northrup Grumman Corporation; Randy Risher of Houston, Tex., president and founder of The Risher Companies specializing in fitness and wellness; Ginny Chambliss of Rison, the 2010 Arkansas Rural Teacher of the Year; William “Bud” Bulloch of Monticello, owner of Bulloch Insurance Agency, Inc.; and Dr. Larry Proctor of Ruston, La., chief executive officer of B.E.A.M. Preventive Health and Wellness Company, will be honored at a dinner October 28 as part of UAM’s homecoming celebration.

Monticello businessman P.Q. Gardner will receive the Continuing the Connection Award presented annually to the individual who best keeps alive the connection between Arkansas A&M and UAM.

“This is an outstanding group of individuals who have distinguished themselves in education and business,” said UAM Chancellor Jack Lassiter. “We are pleased to honor them for their accomplishments.” (more…)

Registration for the 19th Annual UAM Golf Classic has begun.

The four-man scramble to benefit the UAM Golf programs will be held on Monday, October 3 at Harbor Oaks Golf Club in Pine Bluff. Registration is $80 per player or $320 per team.

Teams will be flighted after the tournament into three flights. First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded in each of the three flights as well as an additional “closest to the pin” award.

Tee time is scheduled for 1:00 PM at Harbor Oaks. Refreshments and a post-play meal will be provided to all participants, as well as a UAM Golf T-shirt.

Teams or individuals may register at anytime prior to the start of play on October 3. For more information, or to register your team, contact Chris Ratcliff at (870) 460-1058.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello has been designated a “Military Friendly School” by G.I. Jobs, the magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life. The 2012 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members and veterans as students.

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Dr. Robert Weih (center), professor of spatial information systems in the School of Forest Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, recently became the fourth recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Arkansas GIS Users Forum.

A pioneer in spatial information systems education in Arkansas, Weih was recognized for his “outstanding contributions and long-standing commitment to the Arkansas geospatial community. Candidates for this award include those whose pioneering spirit and demonstrated dedication have contributed greatly to GIS in Arkansas and whose example serves as an inspiration to others.” Weih joined the UAM faculty in 1994. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Northern Arizona University, a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota, and a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. Pictured with Weih are (left) Jonathan Bailey, a senior SIS major from Malvern, and (right) Auddy Doss, a senior SIS major from Monticello.

Jay Jones, vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, has been named the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus of Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas.

Jones will be recognized at a formal reception during the fall conference of the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges October 16-18 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. (more…)

Dr. Philip A. Tappe has been named dean of the School of Forest Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and director of the Arkansas Forest Resources Center (AFRC) of the UA System’s Division of Agriculture.

The announcement was made today by UAM Provost David Ray and Dr. Mark Cochran, UA System vice president for agriculture. (more…)

Video gaming is the new language that crosses age and cultural barriers, says Bryan Fendley, director of academic computing at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. “It’s how many people already interact, communicate and relate to each other; it’s really not about playing games – it’s a culture shift.”

With that in mind, Fendley has developed and will teach an online course in video game development this fall. The course, which has no prerequisites and is open to students in all academic disciplines, is designed to teach the fundamental concepts of programming to create animated movies and simple video games.

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Fourth District Congressman Mike Ross held a Town Hall meeting at the Fine Arts Center on the UAM campus, Monday morning.

A crowd of 60+ listened closely as the Representative gave his opening remarks and reiterated he had come to hear what was on the people’s minds. He then opened the floor for questions.

Congressman Ross answered and informed the crowd on several matters, including jobs, Social Security, the debt crisis, immigration, proposed new rules for wages of workers in the agricultural industry, education and the Pell grant programs, the importance of vocational training and the immediate outklook for the housing industry.

In closing, Ross stated he always felt welcome and enjoyed his visits to the Monticello area.”

The Arkansas Baptist State Convention would like to introduce you to the new Campus Minister at the BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministry)  at the University of Monticello.  

His name is Phillip Slaughter and he is presently pastor at Jennie Baptist Church outside of Lake Village. He is a graduate of UAM and loves south Arkansas. His wife Rose is also a UAM grad. They are an awesome team and have one child, John Michael who was born in February of this year. So stop by the BCM building (across from the football field) on the UAM campus and say hi.

Dr. Marvin W. Fawley, assistant dean for science and research in the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, has been selected to receive the Luigi Provasoli Award for authoring the outstanding paper published in the Journal of Phycology in 2010.

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The concert choir of the University of Arkansas at Monticello will give three performances in Little Rock next spring.

The choir will appear with other university choirs from across the state in a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the Robinson Center Music Hall on Saturday, February 25 at 8 p.m. and again on Sunday, February 26 at 3 p.m.. The choirs will perform with nationally known soloists as well as Maestro Philip Mann and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Sometimes called the “Ode to Joy,” Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is one of the best-known and best-loved works ever composed.

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Finding better methods of carbon management and optimal use of forest biomass are the subjects of four research projects currently being conducted by scientists in the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s School of Forest Resources.

The projects include a study of agroforest systems for bioenergy crop production by Hal Liechty, Matthew Pelkki and Donald White; a comparison of feedstocks grown with and without fertilization by Jamie Schuler; the characterization of in-forest woody biomass by Pelkki; and an evaluation of carbon market financial returns by Pelkki and Schuler.

All four projects were recently recognized by the Southern Forest Research Partnership’s “Forestry Research In The South” newsletter. (more…)

When I was growing up my grandmother was a master at having an old adage appropriate for any occasion. Most have proven to be true. Two of my favorites are “What goes around comes around” and “History repeats itself”. Both apply to this week’s story.

Last Friday evening at the Trotter House, the UAM Agriculture Department held a “tomato dinner” to promote their project involving “Heirloom tomato” varieties. It was a huge success and reminded me of a series of articles I wrote a few years ago about the evolution of the tomato industry in Drew County.

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The University of Arkansas at Monticello awarded degrees to the following students at May commencement exercises: (more…)

Officials at the University of Arkansas at Monticello are hoping a grant from Connect Arkansas will help lift the state from its current rank of 49th in the deployment and accessibility of broadband high-speed internet. Scott Kuttenkuler, dean of students, and Bobby Hoyle, director of information technology at UAM, began work on a grant proposal a year ago focused on increasing awareness of the importance of high-speed internet. The original proposal was confined to southeast Arkansas, but after submission to Connect Arkansas, was expanded to include 57 of the state’s 75 counties. (more…)

The School of Education at the University of Arkansas at Monticello will host its third annual “Read-Write-Paint A Lot Summer Day Camp” for third and fourth graders August 4-5.

The two one-day camps are being conducted in partnership with the Monticello and Drew Central School Districts. The camp for third graders is scheduled for August 4 while fourth graders will meet August 5. Both sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m . in the Drew Central High School art room.

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Members of the UAM School of Nursing’s 2011 graduating class were honored at a pinning and capping ceremony last week at the Fine Arts Center. (more…)

UAM Graduation, Welcoming Announcements are being uploaded, now.

Please check back later.

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Ten welding students at the UAM College of Technology-McGehee were recognized by Governor Mike Beebe recently for completing the Arkansas Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) program, which prepares students for employment. The CRC is a credential sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services and is promoted by Governor Beebe for individuals in the state seeking employment. The CRC credential is based on demonstrated skills in mathematics, reading, and locating information that demonstrates to potential employers that the recipient possesses the basic workplace skills required for employment.

The 10 students earning the credential are seeking either technical certificates or associate degrees in applied science with an emphasis in welding. The students earned the credential through the UAM-CTM Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative, which invested a portion of grant funding into the welding program in 2010-11.

Pictured from left (front row) Bob Ware, UAM-CTM vice chancellor; Adagio Cheeter, Datron Esters, Derrick Devine, Dr. Karon Rose, Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative director; LaWarn Rodgers, director of the UAM-CTM Career Pathways Initiative and a commissioner of the Department of Workforce Services; Governor Mike Beebe, Martha Barrett, UAM CPI counselor, Sharmar Jackson, Javion McGehee, Bryant Spratt, Sharon Cantrell, UAM-CTM assistant vice chancellor; (second row) Brandon Boykin, Nickolas Cole, Brian Hensley, Eric Jefferson, UAM-CTM welding instructor; Terrance Johnson, and Duan Taylor. (Not pictured: Nicholas Bailey, Octavious Brown, and Damion Brown.)

First-time freshmen with ACT scores between 16 and 18 in mathematics or an English score below 19 could save an entire semester’s tuition by participating in the Summer Incentive Program at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Incoming freshmen with qualifying ACT scores must enroll in Intermediate Algebra (MATH 183) or Fundamentals of English (ENGL 133) during one of two summer terms. Students who make a grade of “C” or better in those classes and complete 12 credit hours with a 2.0 grade point average in the 2011 fall semester will receive a tuition credit (less mandatory fees) for the 2012 spring term. Students must attend UAM in the 2012 spring semester for the award to apply.

Class space in the math and English courses is limited. Students will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Summer terms run from May 31 to June 27 and from July 5 to August 3. To enroll in MATH 183, contact Dr. Morris Bramlett, dean of the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences at (870) 460-1016. To enroll in ENGL 133, contact Dr. Mark Spencer, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at (870) 460-1078.

Members of The Voice staff are (from left, seated) Douglas Boultinghouse of Woodlawn, editor-in-chief and a senior journalism and speech double major; Brittany Gilliam Sears of Wilmar, co-editor of arts and entertainment and a senior speech communication major; (standing, from left) Susan Pruitt of Monticello, commentary editor and a senior English major; Joe Hayslip of Star City, staff writer and a junior art major; Dr. Ron Sitton, faculty advisor; and Shane Glass of Monticello, around campus editor and a senior English major.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello’s online campus newspaper, The Voice, brought home 11 awards from the 2011 Arkansas Collegiate Media Association conference held April 18 in Conway.

The 11 wins, a record for the UAM publication, included a series of firsts for the student staff. The Voice took first and second place in the Best Web Edition category, marking the first time the staff reached the top spot in its eight years of publishing. ACMA also awarded The Voice with the inaugural General Excellence Website award.

The day also marked the first time students competed and won in the individual general excellence divisions. Senior Around Campus Editor Shane Glass took the second place award in the Reporter of the Year category and senior Editor-in-Chief Douglas Boultinghouse received third place in the Editor of the Year category.

“I appreciate the recognition from ACMA,” Glass said. “I feel honored to be awarded as such and hope I continue to hone my skills as I progress.” (more…)

Forestry students from the University of Arkansas at Monticello edged Stephen F. Austin and the University of Georgia to win the 54th annual Association of Southern Forestry Clubs Conclave competition held in Athens, Georgia, March 17-19.

UAM foresters have now won the competition of technical and physical forestry skills 31 times, 22 more than their closest rival, Stephen F. Austin. UAM finished first in technical events and second in physical events to win the overall competition.

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The University of Arkansas at Monticello has earned Tree Campus USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation.

The designation was awarded based on UAM’s “dedication to campus forestry management and environmental stewardship,” according to John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation.

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University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart is proud to announce the names of the undergraduates who earned a place on the chancellor’s list for the fall 2010 semester. Students must earn a 4.0 grade point average in at least 12 hours of classes during a regular term to be named to the chancellor’s list.

Dean Michael Vayda of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences; Dean William Schwab of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences; Dean Dan Worrell of the Sam M. Walton College of Business; Dean Tom Smith of the College of Education and Health Professions; Dean Ashok Saxena of the College of Engineering; and Dean Jeff Shannon of the School of Architecture are pleased to recognize the undergraduate students on the dean’s list of their respective colleges and schools. Students on the dean’s list represent the top 10 percent of students in their college, enrolled in 12 or more hours during the semester. All students on the chancellor’s list are automatically on their college’s dean’s list as well.

Dean Cynthia Nance of the School of Law is proud to recognize the law students named to the Law School dean’s list. A law student must earn a 3.0 grade point average for the semester and be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours to qualify for the Law School dean’s list.

Dean’s and Chancellor’s List:

Kelsy Bryant, Animal Science, Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, Freshman, Monticello

Commencement List:

Thomas Williams, Music, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Arts, Monticello

Krystal Witcher, Nursing, College of Education and Health Professions, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Monticello

Story courtesy of MagnoliaReporter.com

Two people were injured Saturday afternoon when a small cannon exploded during the Southern Arkansas- Arkansas Monticello “Boomtown Classic” in El Dorado. (more…)

(left) Mike Abbiatti, ARE-ON executive director, and UAM Chancellor Jack Lassiter (right) flip a ceremonial switch to officially connect UAM to the ARE-ON network.

Shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday, the University of Arkansas at Monticello became the second institution of higher education in Arkansas to officially join the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON).

In a lighting ceremony that brought southeast Arkansas business, civic and education leaders to the UAM Fine Arts Center, Chancellor Jack Lassiter and Mike Abbiatti, ARE-ON executive director, flipped a switch to signal the beginning of a new era in high-speed internet service. (more…)

A new era in high-speed internet service officially begins at the University of Arkansas at Monticello at 3 p.m. October 26.

That’s when UAM Chancellor Jack Lassiter and Mike Abbiatti, executive director of the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON) will officially open the new network at a lighting ceremony in the UAM Fine Arts Center. Lassiter and Abbiatti will be joined via internet by education leaders and ARE-ON officials from Memphis, Little Rock, Russellville, and Fayetteville to explain the implications and impact of the statewide fiber-optic network.

“This is a watershed moment for UAM and for education, not only in southeast Arkansas, but for the entire state,” said Lassiter. “The internet is our window on the world and this new network will make internet access easier, faster and more applicable to the educational needs of our region.” (more…)

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Pictured from left (first row) are Mary Whiting, Debbie Gasaway, Dr. Clay Brown, (second row) Lathan Hairston, Jay Hughes, and Scott Kuttenkuler.

The names and faces are the same, but the job titles and responsibilities have changed or expanded.

In a major administrative reorganization announced recently by University of Arkansas at Monticello Chancellor Jack Lassiter, Dr. Clay Brown, formerly vice chancellor for student affairs, has been named vice chancellor for advancement and university relations. Jay Hughes, formerly dean of students, will replace Brown as vice chancellor for student affairs. Scott Kuttenkuler, formerly director of advancement, will become dean of students and director of governmental relations. Director of Admissions Mary Whiting is now dean of enrollment management while Controller Debbie Gasaway and Business Manager Lathan Hairston have been named associate vice chancellors in the Office of Finance and Administration. (more…)

From MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Allen Sharpe is the new men’s basketball coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Sharpe was introduced at press conferences in Monticello and Little Rock on Tuesday by UAM Athletics Director Chris Ratcliff. Sharpe is the 14th men’s basketball coach in school history and the son of former UAM Coach Gary Sharpe, who coached the Boll Weevils from 1985-91. (more…)

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry, Vic Snyder, and Mike Ross have announced that the Senate and House have passed the Conference Report for the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which contains funding for Arkansas priorities.

Among these priorities is $319,000 for the Center for Integrated Forest Management Strategies at the University of Arkansas in Monticello for forestry research and education activities.  (more…)

Monticello’s Hyatt Field and Cotton Boll Stadium are back in business, following repairs to the base of the stadium lighting fixtures.

Monticello School superintendent Bobby Harper told MonticelloLive that Hyatt Field’s poles have had the welding operation completed, and have been inspected by certified welding inspectors, and that the field is back in service.

Starko Inc. had been contracted to weld 4 inch by 12 inch gussett plates to the base of the 4 light poles at Hyatt Field, with 12 gussetts being attached to each pole.  That began Friday, and continued Saturday and Sunday, until the task was completed.

The next game to be played at Hyatt Field will be Friday night as the Billies take on Little Rock McClellan. (more…)

Drivers on the UAM campus will notice that some streets have been closed to traffic, as of Friday night.

The 2 sections of roadway adjoining the UAM stadium blocked off are; from the stop sign next to Royer Hall and the stadium, to the stop sign next to the agri dept; and from the stop sign by the old swimming pool to the stop sign between the administration building and the stadium.

Royer Hall, a residential dorm facility is also being closed down as a safety measure, as explained in a press release from UAM, posted below.

Access to the UAM campus must now be made from the HWY 425 entrance, in front of Drew Central.  (more…)

The University of Arkansas at Monticello will receive $2.514 million from the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund energy-saving projects for the campus that could result in an annual savings of $300,000 on the university’s utility bills. (more…)