ASU Mid-South and the Te ible, Ho ible, No G d, Very Bad Year And How Great It Was
Year that must not be named 2020 Chancellor’s Report A Note about This Report
Waking up with gum in his hair is just the beginning of the trials and tribulations encountered by the petulant Alexander, who has been earning the sympathy of readers since 1972. In the enduring children’s book by Judith Viorst, we are reminded that people of all ages have terrible, horrible times, and Alexander offers us the commiseration we crave as well as a reminder that things may not be all that bad.
When we reflect on 2020, we are quick to note that, on the surface it seems like a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year. But as we look inward, we recognize, as Alexander did, that things are really better than they seem.
With respect, we borrow the title from Ms. Viorst’s timeless writing, add a touch of Dr. Seuss’ Grinch, and the sentiment of young Alexander, as we remember 2020 in our Chancellor’s Report. Just a Regular, Normal Kind of Year
2020 began on a hopeful note - as every new year does – with no clue that this could be the beginning of a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year. The President of the U.S. was impeached, then acquitted. Great Britain left the European Union (they’d been threatening to do so for over a year). Academy Awards were accepted, then declined. Elon Musk named his baby boy X AE A-12! Normal stuff.
And, at ASU Mid-South, we excitedly and busily planned and prepared for the 5th Anniversary of the Tommy Goldsby Memorial Wild Game Dinner, the incredible and tremendously successful signature event that raises funds for concurrent student scholarships. Toward the end of February, Dr. Debra West, Chancellor, called together the Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Safety Committee for a meeting to discuss a new and dangerous virus that was hitting China hard and spreading quickly to other parts of the world, including the United States. The decision to call the committee together was not to cause alarm, but to discuss strategies in the event that this novel coronavirus began to impact our campus and community. That meeting was held March 3, 2020.
A Better Than Normal Night
The Tommy Goldsby Wild Game Dinner of March 7, 2020, was one of the last large gatherings to be held in the Mid-South, maybe even in Arkansas. It was certainly one of the most successful. Few events greet guests with a mermaid serving drinks while suspended from a farm shop ceiling. And that wasn’t even the high point of the evening. We remember well the delectable food, excellent drinks, and lots of hugs and handshakes. There was an abundance of “social” and no “distancing”. At the end of a miraculous evening, we celebrated raising more than one million dollars, in just the past five years, for the Thomas B. Goldsby Scholarship for Concurrently Enrolled Students.
Later, we learned that ASU Mid-South’s talented Graphics Designer, Pete Sullivan, would share national honors for the invitation he created for the Goldsby Dinner. ASU Mid-South was recognized alongside other prestigious institutions, including the Auburn University School of Industrial and Graphic Design, Boston University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Maryland College of Art. Sullivan won two honorable mentions in the esteemed competition.
This was going to be a very good year.
If you’re always trying to be normal, you’ll never know how amazing you can be. – Maya Angelou
We were preparing to be amazing. We just didn’t know it. Converting Classes, Creating Communications And Just Like That...ZOOM How we pivoted to remote learning in our pajamas
With little notice, like all other schools and colleges in Arkansas, and essentially over a weekend, classes at ASU Mid-South were compelled to switch to remote operations because of the coronavirus pandemic. Instructors had to pivot quickly to determine how to best deliver course materials while still being available for assistance to students. Some faculty utilized programs, like PowerPoint, to deliver content, while others strapped on Go Pro cameras to film lectures and deliver videos that show hands-on instruction. Instructors worked with students many, many hours to help them complete the spring semester and put them on a path to success for the fall semester. Some instructors even went so far as calling individual students, who were technologically challenged, and explaining classroom material by phone, just to make sure those students had enough access to instruction to complete the semester.
But not all classes could be completed virtually….. What other things were affected by the pandemic and the shift to a non-classroom environment?
Not all community college programs are great candidates for total virtual delivery. Some programs have a hands-on component that requires in-person instruction. Such programs at ASU Mid-South were forced to pause for a few weeks and then return to campus during the summer, in order to complete the hands- on portions of their classes. Certain programs, including Aviation Maintenance Technology, Machining, Mechatronics (Industrial Maintenance), Emergency Medical Technology, and Certified Nurse Assistant programs all returned to campus with social distancing, face mask protocols, and other CDC-recommended practices to finish out the spring semester.
But the Bigger Story Is….. “The bigger story really has been our adaptability and nimbleness with technology,” said Jeff Gray, Vice Chancellor for Learning and Instruction. “Our faculty has become expert at finding resources and best practices to better deliver content to our students.”
Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it is less good than the one you had before. – Elizabeth Edwards “The pandemic has certainly challenged all of us to rethink the traditional classroom. We have known that our students want flexibility, and this has forced us to expedite solutions to meet that expectation. Many of our new technologies in use today were only in the early stages of investigation before COVID-19 hit.”
Instructors in every program are embracing the use of technology to deliver classroom content. In many cases, instructors are working across multiple delivery methods in a single class.
“There’s definitely no such thing as a ‘normal’ day anymore,” remarked Mark McClellan, Lead Faculty for History and Acting Associate Vice Chancellor for General Education. “You could be teaching a face-to-face class with multiple students opting for virtual class delivery, multiple students in quarantine, and multiple students who have opted for online-only delivery. You definitely learn to work on the fly!”
Many of the instructors have been able to use this time to experiment with different ways of delivery to find what methods work best for different of students.
For Mario Martinez Cabrera, math instructor, that has meant spending the summer creating a series of videos and recorded content for teaching college algebra. He has used student feedback to develop improvements to the content and the way it’s delivered. Cabrera believes he’s actually seen improvement in student performance using the recorded content.
“Students spend more time on their homework, because they can watch a video and then re-watch portions of it on a particular concept while doing homework. I think they love having resources available to them. They can find what works best and when they do, it’s very rewarding.”
Erin Gordon, Lead Faculty for Natural Science, is thankful for a BOSCH grant that supplied Apple iPad Pro devices in the science classrooms in 2019. The device has allowed her to record content, and also use the iPad to make annotations on her lecture slides. Using Canvas, ASU Mid-South’s Learning Management System, students can access class content and even take exams using their cell phones.
Gordon has also seen student engagement improve. “Some students are just shy about asking questions in the classroom setting. But they are more open to asking questions through email,” she stated.
Instructors have gained much knowledge about a post- pandemic classroom. McClellan commented, “It opens you up to possibilities in teaching that you may not have considered before, because you just didn’t realize you needed it before the pandemic.”
Cabrera agrees, “You have to have the willingness to try new teaching styles. I believe the way we deliver education from now on will be different.”
Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it is less good than the one you had before. – Elizabeth Edwards Hot Spots Virtually impossible made virtually certain
By April, the possibility of a global pandemic had become a reality. We were experiencing fear, uncertainty, ever-changing timelines, and confusing directions. The only thing that seemed clear was that this would certainly be a difficult year. How could we avoid trampling traditions and still make the best of our students’ unprecedented circumstances?
Virtual Graduation When students learned that the 2020 Commencement Program could not be held with the traditional pomp and circumstance, they were noticeably disappointed. So, the Advancement and Student Affairs teams put their creative heads together to produce a graduation program that would be incredibly special. Engaging our graduates in planning and executing the program made for a remarkable virtual experience, which was both historic and memorable for all involved. The virtual ceremony, with much ritual and celebration, was streamed online, shown live on social media, and broadcast on our local cable TV station.
Stephanie La'shelle Crayton
Associate of Arts Certificate of General Studies
Magna Cum Laude Phi Theta Kappa Sigma Kappa Delta
Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what is possible; and suddenly you’re doing the impossible. – Francis of Assisi Summer Classes All Online In spite of the hope that warmer weather would slow the spread of COVID-19, cases in our region continued to surge, and ASU Mid-South quickly developed an online offering of classes for summer semester. We were even able to strategically and cautiously form plans to help our students complete some of the in-person learning lost during the spring semester shut-down. Our allied health programs, diesels program, and aviation program managed to safely conduct in-person instruction and allowed most students to complete their semester work.
Online Tutoring For many community college students, the extra nudge from tutoring and other academic support is exactly what they need to stay on course. ASU Mid-South is known for its on-campus tutoring team, but in a remote environment, such critical support was unavailable. We promptly identified the problem and launched TutorMe – an online tutoring platform that enabled our students to meet with a coach at a convenient time. We saw the positive results of increasing such access, and it was pivotal in providing academic support to the most students in the most effective way.
Campus Hot Spots and Parking Lot Wi-Fi Along with the quick shift to remote instruction, another hurdle to jump was ensuring reliable access to internet service for our students. The ASU Mid-South IT Department quickly went about measuring available bandwidth service around our campus, and community partners joined in promoting all available spots in our service area. Helping students manage through the maze of challenges was truly a community effort.
Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what is possible; and suddenly you’re doing the impossible. – Francis of Assisi Saharan Dust Storm How we uncovered new ideas
Just when scientists announced we were safer from COVID-19 when we were outdoors, the atmosphere over Africa sent massive clouds of dust wafting across America. One positive aspect of this 2020 anomaly was that beautiful sunsets were created by the Saharan dust. Other positives were dusted off at ASU Mid-South!
ASU Mid-South Mobile App: a Win-Win for Students and Communications In August, ASU Mid-South launched its new mobile app. Geared to help students meet each other and develop a sense of community, the app helps better manage communications and general announcements.
“We’ve been so pleased to see some of the ongoing student conversations that have popped up in the feed,” commented Diane Hampton, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement. “Students getting quick answers to questions, setting up study groups, and making friends are some of the reasons we wanted to launch as the new semester started. It helps to establish the habit of using the app to access information.”
Anyone can download the app by going to the iStore of the Google Play Store. Information, including general announcements and calendar events, are available. However, only students, faculty, and staff receive the full app experience. Students can access classes, set up appointments with advisors, and even take exams using the app to get to their classes.
“Access to dependable WiFi has been an obstacle for some of our students, and not every student owns a computer, but everyone has a cell phone. If you have a phone, you have the access you need for your classes,” said Hampton.
The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from the old ones. – John Maynard Keynes Project Success ASU Mid-South was recently selected to participate in Project Success, a program offered by the Federal Student Aid Office of the U.S. Department of Education. This program is aimed at strengthening student outcomes and institutional performance at Minority Serving Institutions. ASU Mid-South was paired with Ascendium Education Solutions, Inc. to implement three key strategies aimed at improving student persistence and completion.
The strategies are the following:
1. Promoting financial literacy through the provision of GradReady® Online Financial Literacy Training;
2. The provision of an Emergency Aid Program to provide modest grants to low-income students facing an unforeseen financial emergency that, left unaddressed, could cause them to leave college;
3. Providing a paid internship program to create and expand opportunities for students to gain work experience at local businesses, at nonprofits, and in campus departments, while still enrolled in college.
Project Success is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Education and will run through September 2022, with potential for a three-year renewal at the end of the current project period.
Drive-thru Testing and Diploma Pick-up What do you do when you need to offer services, but you need to keep people distanced and safe?
You set up a drive-thru solution!!!
Using the diesel truck bays in the Marion Berry Center on the north side of campus, the team in our testing center was able to provide testing services during the summer. Students, who needed to take placement exams, were able to do so in the convenience of their cars. Each student was handed an iPad from which they could log in and complete their exams.
The drive-thru testing worked so well, we recycled the idea to distribute diplomas to students who graduated this year! Students drove in on one side of the building, received their diplomas from a member of the ASU Mid- South leadership team, who were dressed in commencement regalia. After receiving a diploma, a warm congratulations, and maybe posing for a photo, graduates drove out the other side of the bay. It was a unique way to celebrate the accomplishments of our 2020 grads.
The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from the old ones. – John Maynard Keynes Murder Hornets How we took the STING out of 2020
It seems that Mother Nature knows just how to kick us when we’re feeling down. As if 2020 wasn’t already scary enough, the news reported that fierce-looking deadly hornets, dubbed Murder Hornets, had entered the United States for the first time ever. But at ASU Mid-South, we were preparing to protect our own nest.
TRIO Grants Arkansas State University Mid-South has been selected to receive continued funding under the Federal TRiO Student Support Services Program. The amount for the first year of the five-year grant will be $335,086, and Mid-South expects more than $1.675 million in total funding for the program. The purpose of the Student Support Services Program (SSS) is to increase student retention and graduation rates, facilitate transfer from two-year to four-year colleges, and foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of low-income and first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities.
Title III Grant Application Funding Arkansas State University Mid-South’s Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant application was funded at 100% of total project costs by the U.S. Department of Education. We were awarded $2,250,000 ($450,000 per year) over the next five years to support technological advances aimed at increasing enrollment, retention, and student access.
The college will use the funds to transform instructional and service delivery through improved technology. The main grant objectives are improving and expanding online instructional delivery for all programs; developing and implementing more robust online student services, such as admissions, tutoring, and retention management; and updating and strengthening the college’s information systems technology curriculum to include a programming option.
This Title III grant funding will provide ASU Mid-South with the ability to develop online resources, making college more accessible and students more successful.
A problem is a chance for you to do your best. – Duke Ellington PPE Donation On March 25, Allied Health Faculty at ASU Mid-South met on campus to inventory and donate their supply of N-95 masks, nitrile gloves, and other protective gear to the Crittenden County Department of Emergency Management. County Judge Woody Wheeless and Emergency Management Director Bud Spears expressed their tremendous gratitude for the donation of these urgently needed items.
We are grateful to Sheena Bass, Yolanda Simon, Lisa Vaugh, Glenn Faught, and Kelly Gaines for doing the heavy lifting. Thank you also to our outstanding Science Faculty – Dr. Ray Hawkins, Dr. Craig Lafferty, Erin Gordon, and Grace Troutman for providing additional personal protective equipment (PPE).
ADHE Performance Funding – Productivity Update In 2017, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) implemented a productivity-based funding model for state-supported institutions of higher education. This model was designed to encourage accountability to students by focusing on their success through the achievement of their educational goals.
For the fourth year in a row, ASU Mid-South reported productivity gains. In our results for year four, we reported a 1.81% productivity increase, which equates to an additional $72,838 for fiscal year 2022. Mid- South is one of only three, two-year colleges that has reported productivity gains each year of the formula’s existence. For a college of our size, this is a monumental testament that our commitment to student success is truly a fundamental part of our mission and culture.
ASU Mid-South Distributes CARES Act Funds ASU Mid-South received funds through the federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, which allows us to provide emergency financial-aid grants directly to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. Allowable expenses include those associated with the cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare. Funds may not be used for other purposes.
$427,707 Amount of Funds Received & Distributed for Emergency Financial Aid 280 Total Number of Students Who Have Received Funds to Date
A problem is a chance for you to do your best. – Duke Ellington Tiger King And how we showed our stripes
The 2020 Netflix phenomenon has nothing on our phenomenal faculty and staff at ASU Mid-South.
NISOD Excellence Award for Faculty: Brad Roe & Johnny Powell (not pictured) Diesel Maintenance Technology faculty team, Brad Roe and Johnny Powell, each received faculty awards for their dedication to their profession and their love of students. Together, they have worked to bring stability and expert content to the diesel program. The transportation sector has long been a major driver of our local economy and this program is in direct support of that sector.
NISOD Excellence Award for Staff:Emilee Sides The Staff Award went to Emilee Sides, former Assistant to the Chancellor and current Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance. Emilee’s nominator cited what we all know to be true about her: She is always pleasant to deal with, efficient in her responsibilities, and well-respected by everyone on campus. As an organization, we are fortunate to have the commitment and dedication of each of these individuals on our team.
ACC Outstanding Faculty: Erin Gordon Natural Science Lead Faculty, Erin Gordon, has a wonderful, positive attitude and friendly, personable demeanor. The rapport she has with students is remarkable, and it is obvious how much they enjoy being around her. Erin is truly an outstanding teacher, always seeking to present concepts in ways that keep her students interested and help them to learn and retain the difficult subject matter she teaches. She is a wonderful example of a teacher who meets students where they are and knows exactly what to do to help them become successful.
ACC Outstanding Staff: Claudia Ohneck Claudia Ohneck, former Program Compliance Officer, and now Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, has such a positive and helpful attitude and is always willing to go the extra mile for fellow employees. She always exhibits the highest level of professionalism and integrity, as she works to ensure the processes and documentation for grant programs remain transparent and accountable. Claudia has been an asset to our college in every role in which she has served and she is very deserving of this recognition.
Do not judge me by my success. Judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. – Nelson Mandela Greyhound Basketball The Greyhound men finished up the season 25-8, having achieved their fourth consecutive 20-win season in early February. The Greyhound’s all-time leading scorer, point guard Jalen Lynn, scored his 1,000th career point in a February 3 matchup against Crowley’s Ridge College JV. Teammate Zach Byrd set two records of his own the same night, earning the single game record for rebounds of 20 and the season record for double-doubles at eight. Later in February, Zach became the first Greyhound player to record a triple-double in a Greyhound victory over UA–Cossatot.
Lynn was named to the NJCAA Division II All-American Basketball Team and signed to play for University of Arkansas Pine Bluff.
Byrd was the 11th player in program history to earn All-Region honors in both his freshman and sophomore seasons, capturing All-Region Second Team honors both years. He was recruited by the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas.
Greyhounds Christian White and Garret Finley signed with Central Baptist College (CBC) in Conway, Arkansas, for the 2020-21 season.
The Lady Greyhounds, in their first year with Head Coach Mercedes Corona, battled injuries most of the year and ended their season 7-19, despite averaging 61 points per game.
Due to COVID-19, the NJCAA has limited the 2020-21 season to 22 games beginning in the spring semester.
Great Colleges to Work For 2020 Once again, ASU Mid-South has been recognized by the Chronicle of Higher Education as a Great College to Work For. Only 79 of 221 participating colleges received this honor, and ASU Mid-South was the only two year college in Arkansas
2020 to be recognized. This year, we received recognition in the Facilities, Workspace & Security category. Kudos to Ed Cook and the Maintenance Team, as well as to Ross Proctor and his amazing security staff for helping us to achieve this honor at a Recognized particularly challenging time for all workplaces. Their dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed.
Do not judge me by my success. Judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. – Nelson Mandela Megh-xit And a royal return
This year also saw Great Britain’s Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex cut ties with the Queen and pack their bags for the forests of Canada. And in mid-summer, our faculty and staff were also preparing to leave our remote working castles for a return to campus amidst a global pandemic.
2020 Fall Semester Cha – Cha – Cha – Changes “A change is gonna come, Oh yes it will.”
When almost half of your fall enrollment comes from concurrently enrolled students, and your high school partners are starting school a week later than you are, you delay your start date to make things easier for your students.
This year, the first day of fall classes for most students was August 24.
The consequences of the pandemic were evident in the way classes were delivered. Forty-four percent (up from 32% in Fall 2019) of currently enrolled students are enrolled in at least one alternative-delivery course, meaning those courses that are delivered online or in a hybrid model. The hybrid model allows for some traditional in-class meetings, as well as some online delivery. Twenty-four percent of students are enrolled exclusively in alternative-delivery classes, up significantly from just 13% in the 2019 fall semester.
Interestingly, only 24.3% of ASU Mid-South students elected to enroll totally online this fall. However, that is a significant increase over last Protecting yourself fall, when only 7.5% enrolled totally online. This reflects both the types (and your loved ones) of programming we offer, more technical and hands-on, as well as the population of students we serve, largely from rural and/or economically is as easy as 1, 2, 3 disadvantaged households. Stay distant. Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and others. Remember that some people without symptoms may not know they are infected, Offices and classrooms have been outfitted for safety with plexiglass 1 but can still transmit spread virus. screens; hand sanitizer is available throughout buildings; drinking Mask up. Wear a mask over your nose and mouth to fountains have been covered; and seating has been sectioned to allow for reduce your own risk and the risk to those around you. (Note: masks are mandatory at social distancing. At every door, there are sports posters reminding people ASU Mid-South and in most public spaces in 2 the State of Arkansas.) to wear a mask, wash their hands, and stay at least six feet apart from each Wash your hands. other. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds OR use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at last 60% alcohol) to greatly reduce your risk of being infected Processes are in place to guide students and staff through the safety 3 through contact with contaminated surfaces. measures to be taken if they don’t feel well or are worried that they have come into contact with a symptomatic individual.
Everyone here has the sense that right now is one of those moments when we are influencing the future. – Steve Jobs ASU Mid-South Names New Vice Chancellor for Learning and Instruction Effective July 1, 2020, Jeff Gray assumed the role of Vice Chancellor for Learning and Instruction/Chief Academic Officer for ASU Mid-South. Gray’s appointment set the tone for starting the new academic year off on a positive note. “The continuity of leadership, and Jeff’s ability to be immediately effective during these uncertain times, was very important to me and our entire campus,” commented Dr. Debra West, Chancellor of ASU Mid-South.
Jeff brings experience in instruction, grants management, developmental education, and workforce training to this critical leadership role. He has been a member of the ASU Mid- South campus community for twelve years in increasingly responsible roles, ranging from adjunct instructor to administrator. Most recently, he served as Dean of Workforce Education.
“For more than twelve years, I have been fortunate to serve this institution in a variety of roles,” he said. “My broad experience in academic affairs and in grants management has given me the opportunity to develop a deep appreciation for policy and a comprehensive knowledge of best practices in developmental, general, and workforce education. Having held positions in several areas of this campus, I have also developed an approach to management and leadership that is based on a servant leadership philosophy and am always willing to perform any task I set out for others myself.”
Gray began his professional career at Mid-South in August 2007 as an adjunct instructor, teaching developmental English. He became a full-time instructor in 2008, and later was promoted to Lead Instructor of Communications, Developmental Communications, Fine Arts, and Humanities, a position he held until July of 2016. That fall, he accepted the position of Project Manager for the Arkansas Delta Accelerating Pathways Together (ADAPT) grant, awarded to the five-college Arkansas Delta Training and Education Consortium (ADTEC), of which ASU Mid-South is a member.
Most recently, in 2018, Gray accepted the role of Dean of Workforce Education, a position which provided unique opportunities to work directly with the various programs, curricula, and regulatory agencies in our Workforce Education Division, including those within the ASU Mid-South Secondary Technical Center.
“Jeff’s broad experience, proven track-record, approachability, leadership philosophy, understanding of our campus culture, and dedication to our students and to our college are strengths that I certainly admire and appreciate in our new Vice Chancellor,” said Dr. Debra West, Chancellor.
Everyone here has the sense that right now is one of those moments when we are influencing the future. – Steve Jobs Asteroid 2018VPI1 Comes Dangerously Close to Earth But we’ve got a few STARS of our own
To further the 2020 trend of absolute madness, reports came near the end of the year of a large asteroid heading precipitously toward Earth, with arrival projected to be on Election Day. You can’t make that kind of stuff up. But the glowing comments about our campus stars – they are all true! Academic All Star Ann Williams Lead by example. This is a concept that powers Williona (Ann) Williams, and it has been a driving principle for her throughout her life.
Ann grew up in West Memphis and graduated from West Memphis High School in 1996. She married and began raising a family. She had dreams, but life was busy and the time flew by. Before she knew it, she had a daughter graduating from high school, and Ann was trying to convince her to go to college.
As part of this conversation, Ann decided to go to college herself. Lead by example. In 2018, she enrolled in the Emergency Medical Technology (EMT) program at ASU Mid-South. She completed her certification in 2019, and she was hooked.
Ann went on to enroll in the pre-nursing program and, in May of 2021, she will graduate with her Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Studies and will receive her certification in Phelbotomy. She plans to continue and will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from ASU Jonesboro -- a degree she can complete here on the ASU Mid-South campus.
“I was so scared, but it was one of the best choices I ever made,” said Ann. “All the instructors have been wonderful. They all want to see you succeed.”
Her family has been supportive, as well. She had her concerns about not being there for her son as he participated in football. But he reassured her, “Mom, you have been here for everything. Do your schoolwork. I’m going to meet you at college!” He plans to attend college and wants to become an engineer. Lead by example.
Ann often reminds herself, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” – Philippians 4:13. Lead by example.
Use what you’ve been through as fuel, believe in yourself and be unstoppable! – Yvonne Pierre Outstanding Alumna Jeanetta Gilliam Jeannetta Gilliam’s bright smile is often the first one you notice at any community event. She has always been drawn to serving those in our community who need her the most. She projects a sunny disposition, but, in fact, she is a fierce advocate for the voiceless and a true difference- maker in Crittenden County.
Jeannetta is the Assistant Director of FIT (Families in Transition), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides shelter, safety, and assistance to victims of domestic violence and their children. Previously, she served as the volunteer coordinator for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Crittenden County. In this role, she recruited and trained volunteers to advocate for children in the foster care system.
“I have just always seen so many people struggling,” she stated. “I love West Memphis, and I want to help those here who need help the most.”
Jeanetta began her college experience in her 40s, after her children graduated from high school. She then began attending ASU Mid-South, appreciating the convenience of having access to education right in her own community.
“My experience at ASU Mid-South was wonderful. All the instructors were so supportive and helpful. I had such a great experience at Mid-South. It’s a great place to start,” she commented.
She completed her associate of arts degree from Mid-South in 2015 and proceeded to work toward her baccalaureate degree from ASU Jonesboro, which she was able to complete on the Mid-South campus.
However, Jeannetta is still in school! She is now pursuing her master’s degree of Sociology. She has a dream-goal of developing a shelter for homeless women and their children. “Crittenden County has so much to offer. We don’t want to lose those families. We need to keep them here.”
Beyond the gift of lifelong learning, achieving her educational goals has allowed Jeanetta to realize some “bucket–list” items. She is a proud representative and Sergeant-at-Arms of the West Memphis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. She’s long served as a “Green Coat” Diplomat for the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce, earning Diplomat of the Year honors in 2019. She’s been able to advance in her career, she’s been able to help her kids and grandkids with their college achievements, and she’s seeing how education is helping her family change their future.
“So many times I have interviewed for positions, and I was qualified because I had the work experience, but I didn’t have the education or the degree requirement. That first job I landed after getting my degree was the best feeling in the whole world!” she exclaimed.
Jeanetta would tell anyone considering college that it’s never too late. Never give up. The sky’s the limit. “I just got started at age 50! I still have a lot to do,” she says.
Use what you’ve been through as fuel, believe in yourself and be unstoppable! – Yvonne Pierre The Grinch Gets COVID-19 But he couldn’t steal our Christmas
To borrow from the Grinch, we can use three words to describe 2020: “Stink, Stank, Stunk.”
So when it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas, ASU Mid-South stopped to smell the holly and planned a county-wide celebration, called Crittenden County Christmas. This awesome, virtual community concert featured 10 talented artists with Crittenden County ties performing holiday classics, and even a few original songs.
Viewers of the 90-minute Christmas program gathered in in homes all across the region, to see the festive and fun-filled program. We say thanks to the amazing performers and to a committee from across the county, who planned this program and are responsible for its success.
Crittenden County Christmas benefitted athletic scholarships for the Greyhounds at ASU Mid-South. Each year, we must raise more than $50,000 for these student-athletes, and we are proud to say that we achieved our goal, thanks to tremendous support from across the county. At the end of the event, the Greyhounds and Lady Greyhounds thanked the performers and the viewers, and were overwhelmed with the show of support.
Our special thanks go out to the sponsors of the program who made the event possible. We were honored and humbled by the support of so many businesses and individuals, especially the City of West Memphis, the City of Marion, and the Crittenden County Quorum Court. We also deeply appreciate the support of West Memphis Fence Company and Memphis Tri-State Fence Association, whose staff and employees realize that being fenced within our homes this year shut us away from the relationships we hold so dear. Their generosity provided a wonderful evening for the entire county to celebrate together, even though we remained physically apart. This virtual event proved that no Grinch could steal our Christmas in Crittenden County!
The Grinch’s smallheart grew three sizes that day. And then – the true meaning ofChristmas came through.” – Dr. Seuss Your Favorite Holiday Songs Sung by Artists with Crittenden County Ties
Barrett Baber Bailey Bigger Wyly Bigger Sandra Bray
Jubilation Jazz Jenna Grissom
Mariah Michelle Candace Quarrels Niki Scalera Philip Fortenberry
The Grinch’s smallheart grew three sizes that day. And then – the true meaning ofChristmas came through.” – Dr. Seuss Quarantine Time Distortion Wait! Is this year over? Or just beginning?
Most of us experienced it this year – that day you woke up and thought, Is it April the 326th? Yes, scientists say that the time distortion is a real trick our minds play on us during times of stress. Regardless of what day it is, or what month it is, we want to take the time to thank all of the many people who supported the Foundation at ASU Mid-South during 2020. Never has it been a more critical year, and never have we been more grateful.
EVENT SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS WILD GAME DINNER Fogleman Farms Al Thomas A&R Construction Gail Fogleman Cricket Thompson Accent Flowers & Gifts Wally Fowler Mary Toney Acme Pest Management Frontrow Boutique Tier 1 Group Against the Grain Mercantile GreenPoint Ag True Value Hardware Lynn and Todd Allen Greenway Equipment Turrell Flying Service Angel Farms Guaranty Loan & Real Estate Two Brothers Farms Arkansas Distributing/Best Beverages of West Memphis Diane and Leonard Hampton Wallace Ann Sorrells Designs Arkansas Greyhound Kennel Association Rick Hogan Marsha & Henri Wedell Arkansas State University System Holly Chevrolet/Vaughn Ford Sales West Memphis Fence Asgrow/Dekalb Horseshoe Services and Pat Bonds Dr. Debra West & Dr. Rod Risley ASU Mid-South Welding Department Senator Keith Ingram Wildwood Antiques/Katherine Wildy Avery Outdoors/Banded Jim King Motors Charles L. Williams III Banded/Avery Outdoors Carol Johnston Williford Realty Bangie Camper Kamp Karefree Sandra Goldsby Williford Bayer Crop Science Laura Ladd Debbie Yen Tammi and Wes Bell Louis Dreyfus Company CRITTENDEN COUNTY CHRISTMAS Big Earl Farms Marion School District Acme Pest Management Bobby Cupples Farm Joint Venture McCarty Pottery B. Riley Wealth Management Betsy Brackin Meadowbrook Country Club Baptist Memorial Hospital - Crittenden Lucie Brackin Merry Magnolia Barton's of West Memphis Buffington Dental Michelle Lynn Boutique Best Beverages of West Memphis Bunge Mid-South Dermatology Clinic Lucie Brackin Attorney-at-Law Burrows, Jammie Burrows MidSouth Grain Inspection CenterPoint Energy Cargill Mike Carlson Farms Chick-fil-A Chrissy & Kirby Carlson Jana & Phil Neri Crittenden EMS Kristen & Jason Carter Nutrien Ag Solutions DCC Joe Cartwright/Wilson Café Matt Odom Double LL Farms - Llana Smith CGB Orpheum Theatre East Arkansas Family Health Center City Cash & Pawn Mark and Jane Pirani East Cotton Company Matthew Coe, Attorney-at-Law Andrea and Sam Pirani Eastern Arkansas Realtors Association Patti Coleman Hugh Pouncey Farm Bureau Colton's Premier Bank Rep. Deborah Ferguson & Dr. Scott Ferguson Cooper Glass Shelley & Jim Pugh Fidelity Bank Shana Crittenden Raymond James - Landon Myers & Brian Reece First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas Danmar Propane Sherri Reid Forrest City Medical Center Mimi Danosky Ricetec Holly Chevrolet Delta Cusine Robinson Family - Bert & Connie, Greg & Kathy JR&K Printing Double LL Farms David & Sherry Rose Marion Advertising & Promotion Dupont Pioneer Mark Rose Memphis Tri-State Fence Association Elbow Slough Ross Ford Toyota NextEra Energy Jason Fair - B. Riley Wealth Management Scarborough Family Dentistry Pancho's Farm Bureau Cory & Emily Scarbrough Premier Bank Farm Credit Mid-South Marian Smith Quorum Court of Crittenden County Kim Felker & Mark Felker Caryl & G.W. Sorrells Ritter Disposables Jody and Dr. Glen Fenter Southern States Parts & Equipment Southland Casino Racing Morgan Fenter Southland Casino Racing West Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau Fidelity Bank Anne and John Stokes West Memphis Fence Fidelity National Bank Danny Stokes Williford Realty First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas The Peach Shed Willowbend Healthcare and Rehabilitation
Time can be an ally or an enemy. What it becomes depends entirely upon you, your goals, and your determination to use every available minute. – Zig Ziglar SCHOLARSHIP DONORS GREYHOUND ATHLETICS SPONSORS AND BOOSTERS Anthony, Eleanor & Solon Anthony JaNan Abernathy Sheila Fowler Phillip Para Arkansas Greyhound Kennel Association Leslie Anderson Brenda Gadberry Gerar Pope Lynn and Todd Allen Melissa Andrew Gloria Gilliam Jeremy & Elizabeth Reece Beth Arnold Arkansas Distributing/Best Jeff Gray Steve & Sallie Reece Eugene Barham Beverages of West Memphis Greenway Equipment Ross Ford Toyota Sue Bartholomew Paul Brown Lisa Haggard Emilee Sides Jimmie Barham Beauchamp Crystal Burger Tommy Halford Steve Lackey Co. Tracy and David Brick CenterPoint Energy Diane Hampton Lindsey Stevens CenterPoint Energy Suvra Chowdhury Peg Hess Aimee Stiegemeyer Andre' Coleman, Service Master Shenequa Clark Nancy Hogan Pete Sullivan Crittenden County Board of Realtors Coldwell Banker Heritage Rick Hogan Tacker’s Shake Shack Crittenden County Farm Bureau Homes Holly Chevrolet Ramona Taylor Crittenden EMS Letory Collins Paula Howerton Ken Thomas Crittenden National Bank Lyndal & Loretta Dale Debra Jennings Drema Trammell Evern Digby Callie Dunavin Stephanie Krehl True Value FedEx John Easley Jackie Leech Dr. Charles Welch Mark and Kim Felker Sharon Ellis Michael Lejman Dr. Debra West & Dr. Rod Risley Jerry and Sara Fenter Jeff Emmett Leigh McDaniel Nann Whitworth Jody and Dr. Glen Fenter Clara Ferron Billie Miner Sandra Williams Clara Ferron First National Bank of Eastern Landon Myers Debbie Yen The Fogleman Family Arkansas Ernesto Muñiz Charlotte Gray Brandi Fletcher Bonnie Nichols Sherry Gray Ford of West Memphis Claudia Ohneck Beryl Herren Forrest City Medical Hershel Owens Nancy Hogan April Holland Ernesto Muniz Dr. Larry Nichols GRANTS, MEMORIALS, & GENERAL FUND DONATIONS Lori Payne Old Saint Paul Baptist Church Quota Club of West Memphis Bosch Community Foundation Jeremy Reece Delta Dental Shelley and Jim Pugh Robert Crittenden Chapter NSDAR Rick Hogan Dr. John Rada and Llana Smith Jalen Lynn Sara Romeo Carl Robinson Lloyd McCuiston Steve Lackey Company G A Robinson III Dorothy Sisnett Lynette & J. Grafton Moore Charles L. Williams, III Reverend & Mrs. David Moose Llana Smith Caryl and Dr. GW Sorrells Southland Casino Racing Debbie Thomas Don and Twilla Threm Mary Toney EMPLOYEE DONORS Brenna Vest The Wah Family JaNan Abernathy Virginia Gardner Mark McClellan Benjamin Sasser Cynthia and Steve Werner Melissa Andrew Lonzo Gatlin Leigh McDaniel Eugenia Seals West Memphis Quota Club International John Auker Erin Gordon Patricia McGarrity Phillip Shapiro West Memphis Rotary Robert Barrentine Jeff Gray Billie Miner Daniel Shaull Sheena Bass Faith Grissom Karen Mitchusson Donna Shaull Dr. Debra West & Dr. Rod Risley Kelly Bearden Lisa Haggard James Moses Phillip Shumate Willowbend Healthcare and Rehabilitation Nicole Brooks Thomas Halford Ernesto Muniz Emilee Sides Catherine and Dan Young Shermel Brown Diane Hampton Chaarity Munn Debra Simmons Shericka Buggs Cody Hastings Bonnie Nichols Millard Smith ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS Crystal Burger Diedra Hawkins Jere Norville Montel Smith A. B. Smith, Jr. Non-Traditional Student Scholarship Keith Burks Raymond Hawkins Claudia Ohneck Ricky Smith Jimmie C. Barham Scholarship Catherine Caldwell Peg Hess Paula Pace Lindsey Stevens Letory Collins Natasha Hill Brenda Pannell Bridget Stewart David Brennan Ray Memorial ‘Sunshine’ Scholarship James Cook Nancy Hogan Phillip Para Peter Sullivan Crittenden Memorial Hospital Foundation Scholarship Tom Cook April Holland Christophe Parker Debbie Thomas Dr. Glen F. Fenter “Working for the Future” Scholarship Wendy Crawford Ronica Horton Jaimie Patterson Nicholas Thornton Grover Lloyd Memorial Scholarship Michael Dailey Paula Howerton Matthew Patton Drema Trammell John Gammon, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Christopher Davis Vickie Howton Margaret Poole Grace Troutman Stefanie Dietrichsen Donald Hutchinson Gerar Pope Daniel Turner Marvin Steele Scholarship Raymond Duch Anwar Jamison Phillip Proctor Opal Turner Mary and John P. Wilson Memorial Scholarship Callie Dunavin Debra Jennings Rick Puckett Lisa Vaughn Molly Whistle Paudert Scholarship John Easley Angshylea Jones Angela Raymer Debra West Reed C. & Frank G. Fogleman Memorial Endowed Scholarship Sharon Ellis John Judd Jeremy Reece Anthony Wilkinson Mary Field Brandi Katterjohn Sherri Reid John Wilkinson Roberta Jackson Memorial Scholarship Robert Fountain Jr. Stephanie Krehl Kayla Reno Jason Williams Rosewood United Methodist Church Scholarship Sherry Fountain Mary Lee Sharon Richardson Sandra Williams Roy L. Gray Scholarship Kelli Gaines Michael Lejman Mark Rowell Amanda Winsett Southland Casino and Racing Scholarship Gregory Gardner Mario Martinez Cabrera Fesobi Saliu Debbie Yen Verneil and A.L. Reed Scholarship
BOLD = Donors who gave at least an accumulated $1,000 during 2020 Italics = Employee Donor
Time can be an ally or an enemy. What it becomes depends entirely upon you, your goals, and your determination to use every available minute. – Zig Ziglar In Memoriam
ASU Mid-South and the Foundation remember two dear friends and advocates for our institution, Richard Williford and Forrest “Joe” Jenkins, whose mark on this campus is so very evident.
Richard served as a member of our Board of Trustees for Mid-South Community College and Board of Visitors for ASU Mid-South. Richard was a dear friend to our college and a force in our community. His contributions to our college will have lasting impact. He was particularly generous in his support of our Tommy Goldsby Memorial Wild Game Dinner. As a dear friend and business associate of Tommy Goldsby, Richard respected the significance of the event and believed deeply in its cause. Mr. Williford served as a board member of the college when it merged with ASU Mid-South in July of 2015, and his guidance and counsel were focused on success and expanded opportunities for our students.
Joe Jenkins was a genuinely wonderful man. He and his wife, Linda, were ardent supporters of our institution and all good things in Crittenden County. Joe served on boards of the Arkansas-affiliate of the American Heart Association, the Crittenden Regional Hospital, and Esperanza Bonanza here in Crittenden County. As chairman of the Assisi Foundation board in Memphis, he introduced then-Mid-South Community College to Assisi, shepherding several grants for the College through that organization. Serving on the Foundation board since its beginning, Joe was chairman from 2002 until 2005. His wisdom and influence here can certainly and truthfully be described as infinite.
Joe and Richard will always be with this college as their marks on our campus community and calm and steady guidance will always be deeply felt. Letter from the Chancellor
Dear Friends,
This annual report may be the most unusual you’ve ever received. After all, headings like “Sub-Saharan Dust Storm” don’t often appear in a college’s annual list of highlights. But 2020 seems to warrant something a bit out of the ordinary. When we reflect on this year and all of its epic events, it seems appropriate, if not downright funny, to refer to this as a “Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Year.”
We, at ASU Mid-South, spent most of this year worrying, planning, responding to the ever-changing news of the moment, worrying some more, and doing our best to make the most informed decisions we could, day by day. We relied heavily on hard work, creativity, comradery, collaboration, ingenuity, and intuition. What we learned through this ordeal, about ourselves and each other, will be something that I will always hold dear when I reflect on this year. I could not be prouder of our entire ASU Mid-South community: from our amazing students for their ability to flex and persist; to our incredible faculty for their dedication to create and implement inspired and innovative teaching methods; and finally to our dedicated staff, for their laser focus on our student’s safety and success.
For many of us, this has been an incredibly challenging, transformative, and life-changing year. In some ways, life went on as usual—babies were born, crops were grown and harvested, people continued to argue about politics and sports. In other ways, however, it was like no other year we’ve experienced in our lifetimes. Yet, in spite of all the challenges, ASU Mid-South’s stars were shining brightly and continuing to make an enormous impact on the region we serve. That’s what I hope you’ll take away from our 2020 report.
For better or worse, 2020 has changed us. Looking back, my hope is that the lessons learned—about the importance of health, family, friends, community, resilience, and our shared history as Americans—are ones that, with any luck, will stick with us for the rest of our lives.
Best wishes to you for health and happiness, and a much brighter 2021 for us all,
Debra West, Ph.D. Chancellor ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM PRESIDENT Dr. Charles Welch
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY MID-SOUTH CHANCELLOR Dr. Debra West
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES Stacy Crawford, Chair Price Gardner, Vice Chair Christy Clark, Secretary Dr. Tim Langford Niel Crowson
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY MID-SOUTH BOARD OF VISITORS Mary Meux Toney, Chair Hershel Owens, Vice Chair Lynn Allen, Secretary Alex Coulter Michael D. East Clara Barr Ferron Harold Scifres
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY MID-SOUTH FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Franklin Fogleman, Jr., Chair Landon Myers, Vice Chair Rev. Larry Banks Steven Bius Lucie Brackin Tracy Brick Dixie Carlson Neki Catron Janice Coleman Shana Crittenden Otis Davis Grandon Gray Fred Leonard Shelley Pugh G.A. “Bert” Robinson, III Llana Smith Nick Sutton
2000 West Broadway | West Memphis, Arkansas 870.733.6722 | www.asumidsouth.edu