Download a PDF of the Spring/Summer 2004 Issue

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Holly RexroatHolly Rexroat believes she couldnot be better prepared to beginher career in the fall as a highschool teacher in Fort Worth, Texas.The English major from Gordon,Texas, said her education at Ozarks hasprovided her the knowledge, confidenceand skills to succeed in the demandingprofession of teaching. The university’semphasis on hands-on experience inboth practicum and student-teachingwere especially helpful, she said.“What I've been doing the last threeyears at Ozarks in the teacher educationprogram and in the English programprepared me for the real world,” saidRexroat, who transferred to Ozarksfrom Ranger Junior College in Texas.“There is no substitute for that type ofhands-on experience.”Rexroat still remembers vividly thefirst time she stood up in front of a classNick CriderAs a double major inaccounting and politicalscience, Nick Crider learnedplenty in the classroom at Ozarks. Butit’s something he learned outside theclassroom that may be his top lesson.The Berryville, Ark., native learnedhow to juggle a full academic load withnumerous other responsibilities andextracurricular activities, includingserving as a residence hall assistant inMacLean Hall, competing on the golfteam, playing intramurals and servingon the Peer Judicial Board, CampusActivities Board and as a peer mentor.“There is no doubt that timemanagement is one of the biggest thingsI learned here,” said Crider, who plansto attend either law school or pursue anMBA. “I’ve grown so much in my time8 Today, SPRING/SUMMER 2004to teach during a teaching practicumclass.“It was a 10th grade English class,and I was scared to death,” she said. “Iwasn’t sure I would make it, but theneverything just clicked. Everything Ihad learned just naturally came to me,and it turned out to not be that big of adeal. That’s when I knew I could do it.”At Ozarks, Rexroat not onlyexcelled in the classroom, where shegraduated with Cum Laude honors, butshe also participated on the tennis andcheerleading squads. Her tremendouswork ethic and attitude were never moreevidenced than on the tennis courts,where in three years she went fromnever having picked up a racket tofinishing with a winning singles recordduring her senior season.“I didn’t even know how to keepscore at first, but Coach (Sally) Woodhere, but one of the areas I've really hadto improve in was time management. Ithink I’ve really learned how to balancemy time and be disciplined enough toget everything done that I need to.”Though Crider had expected tofollow in his step-father and brother’sshoes and become an accountant, hediscovered a passion for political scienceat Ozarks.“I found the classes very interestingand I had the opportunity to intern withattorneys in Clarksville and that kind ofturned me on to going to law school,” hesaid. “Ideally, I would like a career thatcombines both law and accounting.”Crider said his extracurricularactivities will provide lasting memories.“Being involved in a lot of differentthings has allowed me to meet all sortsworked with me and I just kept gettingbetter and better,” she said. “To methat’s the great thing about Ozarks. It'sa small enough campus where you cango out, try something new, and succeedat it if you work hard enough.”of different people that I might not haveotherwise met,” he said. “Whether it’sintramurals, playing on the golf team orserving as an RHA, I’ve had memoriesat Ozarks that I will never forget.”
Jason SmallJason Small’s love of politics andcurrent events was shaped byconversations with his father atthe dinner table while growing up.Those types of conversations didn’t stop,though, after he enrolled at Ozarks.Small, a political science majorfrom White Hall, Ark., said out-ofclassroomdiscussions with politicalscience professors Dr. Gilbert Parks andDr. Stewart Dippel continued to shapehis passion for politics.“I would go into their offices todrop something off or to ask a question,and we’d end up talking for hours andhours about world events,” said Small. “Ijust always left their offices feeling like Iunderstood the world and current eventsa little better.”Small, who plans to attend theUniversity of Arkansas School of Law inJessica KidwellJessica “Jessi” Kidwell rarely met astranger on the Ozarks campus,and if she did, they weren’tstrangers for long.Kidwell, a general studies majorfrom Little Rock, was knownthroughout campus for her friendly,gregarious personality, whether it was inthe cafeteria at lunch, while working inthe Student Life Office, as a residencehall assistant or as master of ceremoniesat the Ms. U of O Pageant.“I guess I have the middle-childsyndrome; I have to be the center ofattention,” said Kidwell, who waselected by her classmates to give thesenior address at the 2004 Commencementceremony. “I just love people andlove to get to know them.”Kidwell wants to turn that love ofpeople into a lifetime of service. Shethe fall, credited his professors as wellas a couple of unique off-campuseducational and internship opportunitiesfor his success at Ozarks. He spent asemester in London studying Europeanpolitics in a program sponsored bySyracuse University and also studied atGeorgetown University where heinterned with U.S. Sen. LamarAlexander of Tennessee. He worked onSen. Alexander’s educational committeewhere he helped shape educationlegislation.“Those types of experiences arepriceless,” said Small. “Dr. Parks andmy other professors at Ozarks helpedme get those opportunities.”Small hopes to one day practicelaw and eventually get into politics onthe state or national level.“It's a profession that has so muchhopes to pursue a career in a crisiscenter or a boys and girls club anddreams of one day opening a largeshelter that helps children and adults.“I was raised in the church andhelping people and being involved inservice has just been a part of my life,”she said. “I want to continue that.”Kidwell, who has attention deficitdisorder (ADD), credits the services ofthe Jones Learning Center on campus tohelping her graduate. But unlike mostJLC students, Kidwell was alreadyenrolled at Ozarks when she discoveredher learning disorder.“I'd been here two or three yearsand was really struggling and got testedfor ADD,” she said. “I had been a tutorfor the learning center, so I knew a littleabout what kind of support system ithad. When I was diagnosed with ADDpotential to do good for society,” hesaid. “It's a very challenging anddemanding position, but we have tohave leaders that want to make adifference for the right reasons. I think Ican do that.”and got into the Learning Center, thatmade a tremendous difference for me.The support and help I got there wasamazing, and I probably wouldn't havegraduated without it.”Today, SPRING/SUMMER 2004 9
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTSTodayA Magazine for OzarksA
Page 5 and 6: Heidy Aguilar, HondurasSamantha Arm
Page 7: Today, SPRING/SUMMER 2004 7
Page 11 and 12: CampusNewsUniversity names recipien
Page 13 and 14: CampusNewsStutz to lead Lady Eagles
Page 15: CAMPUSBriefsOzarks President Dr. Ri
Page 18 and 19: he has taught the past two summers.
Page 20 and 21: Fulton, Reece, Tumblesonreceive Ass
Page 22 and 23: 22 Today, SPRING/SUMMER 2004
Page 24 and 25: alumni news1940sCharlene (McMillian
Page 26 and 27: alumni newsRobert Neilson ’92 and
Page 28 and 29: alumni newsfamily Nov. 13, 2003.Jon
Page 30 and 31: Undersized Kennedy setbar for Eagle
Page 32 and 33: (Editor’s Note: The university ho
Page 34 and 35: David Pridgin ’71 and Reba Pridgi
Page 36: 36 Today, SPRING/SUMMER 2004

Download a PDF of the Spring/Summer 2004 Issue

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?