MonticelloLive

The University of Arkansas at Monticello will offer a new course in conversational Spanish on Saturdays beginning January 13, according to Dr. Mark Spencer, dean of the UAM School of Arts and Humanities.

The course will meet for nine Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is designed for individuals who deal frequently with the area’s growing Hispanic population. “I would highly recommend this course for anyone planning a career in social work, law enforcement, education or health-related professions,” said Spencer. “It is becoming essential for individuals in these areas to be able to interact with our Spanish-speaking population.”

According to Spencer, no previous Spanish skills or course prerequisites are required.  The course provides three hours of college credit. For more information, contact the School of Arts and Humanities at (870) 460-1078.

Endowed scholarship

There isn’t much that can surprise Barry Hall after more than three decades as a public school teacher and administrator in southeast Arkansas.

But Hall admits to being totally shocked when University of Arkansas at Monticello Chancellor Jack Lassiter stood up before a group of state and regional educators last week to announced the creation of the Barry Hall Endowed Scholarship.

Hall’s wife, Annette, as well as Hall’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cleatous J. Hall of Monticello, and his aunt, Audrey Blasingame of Searcy, presented the $20,000 endowment to the UAM Foundation Fund. Lassiter made the announcement at the Southeast Arkansas Education Forum hosted by the UAM School of Education and the Arkansas Department of Education.

“This is a fitting honor to someone who has dedicated his life to education,” said Lassiter. “Barry Hall has created a lasting legacy by touching the lives of so many young people. Now that legacy will continue with this endowment, which will provide scholarships to deserving young people for generations to come.”

The endowment will be used to fund the Barry Hall Endowed Scholarship, to be presented annually to a graduate of Monticello High School majoring in teacher education. Scholarship recipients must have a grade point average of 3.0 or above and the scholarship will be awarded based on merit and need.

Hall spent 32 years in public school education after graduating from UAM (then Arkansas A&M College). He began his career in Crossett as a science teacher at Norman Junior High School. He spent one year as the physical education instructor for all four of Crossett’s elementary schools before moving to Monticello to become principal of Drew Central Elementary while also serving as a driver’s education and civics teacher at the high school.

Hall served as Drew Central High principal from 1968 to 1972 before moving across town to Monticello High School, where he held the principal’s post for 25 years. He served as assistant superintendent for transportation and athletics for the Monticello School System from 1997 until his retirement in 2003. His wife, Annette Hall, has been a member of the UAM music faculty since1972 and chair of the department since 1983. 

“A lot of things have happened to me in my career that were momentarily rewarding,” said Hall, “but the most rewarding things have come after my career was over, when students I’ve known come back and express their gratitude for helping them. I get the most satisfaction from seeing former students succeed.

“I think that’s why this scholarship is so gratifying and humbling,” he continued. “Looking back, if I hadn’t had a scholarship, I couldn’t have gone to college. So this means a lot to me.”