CaMPUS - University of Arkansas at Monticello

Tyrone Block ‘00
Staff Sergeant Tyrone Block (B.S. ’00) has been honored by the National
Band Association and John Philip Sousa Foundation with the Colonel Finley R. Hamilton
Military Outstanding Musician Award. The award was presented in recognition
of Block’s “exceptional musical and leadership qualities, and for demonstrating great
potential for continued outstanding military performance.”
Block is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of North Texas and
serves in the U.S. Army in the 106th Army Band located in Little Rock, where he is
the director of the Rock Group 106 and Groove. While serving in the 106th Army
Band he has received numerous awards, including Honor Graduate from the Army
School of Music, Distinguished Leadership Award, and many coins of excellence
from Mayors, Generals, and Colonels. Previously Block served in the U.S. Navy as a
member of the Atlantic Fleet Band. His teachers include Vern Kagarice, Tony Baker,
Jan Kagarice, and Marty Reynolds.
A native of Dumas, Block completed a bachelor’s degree from UAM and a
master’s degree from the University of North Texas. He is also the instrumental coordinator
at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Tex., where
he directs the concert band, pep band, and jazz ensemble.
Dr. James Willis ‘62
Dr. James Willis (B.A. ’62) of Little Rock has authored a
new book, What Almost Did Not Happen, the autobiographical
story of a boy coming of age in Drew County Arkansas in
the 1940s. The book is available at the Drew County Historical
Museum for $35.95 (hardback) or $25.95 (paperback)
with proceeds earmarked for the museum and archives. Willis
is a native of Drew County and graduated from Drew Central
High School. He is the son of the late Earl and Lela McKinstry
Willis, local educators. Willis graduated from Arkansas A&M
College (now UAM) in 1962 after serving in the U.S. Army.
He later received both his master’s degree and doctorate
from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. During his
educational career, Willis was a high school history teacher,
principal, superintendent, and college professor in many
states across the country. Presently, he is a retired professor
emeritus of Murray State University and lives in Little Rock.
Willis has authored three books – The Arkansas Confederates
in the Western Theater, and a fictional history, The
Other Side of Silence, to go with his most recent work.
To purchase the book, contact the Drew County Historical
Society at (870) 367-7446,
Wee Weevil Bibs
Jameson Finn Counts born
March 16, 2012, to Dr. Richard
and Leigh Counts.
Johnathan James Fenolia born
April 27, 2012, to Jacob (Faculty –
McGehee) and Amy Fenolia (Staff
– Monticello).
Carlie Eleanor Palmertree
born December 6, 2011, to Bobby
Joe (BA ’03) and Stacy Palmertree
(BS ’06) of Allen, Tex.
LillyAnn Rose Pearson born
August 17, 2011, to Greg (BA ’93)
and Lesa Ann Martin Pearson of
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jay Dylan Reid born January 13,
2012, to Kelly (BS ’03) and Melissa
Reid on Monticello.
Charles Trabue Thompson,
III born February 7, 2012, to John
(BA ’09) and Beth Thompson (BA
’11) of Monticello.
Isabella Grace Wisener born
February 6, 2012, to Sam (BS ’05)
and Jennifer Guillory Wisener (BS
’05) of Benton.
Summer 2012 27