Arkansas Tech University announced the winners of the top three 2024 Undergraduate Senior Awards during an awards ceremony held at the Hull Building Student Union on Sunday, April 28.
The winners are:
- Breckin Ballard of Pottsville, Jill Lestage Brown Service Leadership Award
- Braden Jones of Warren, Alfred J. Clabaugh Award
- Madison Starks of Bigelow Award, Margaret Young Award
Each award recipient will be recognized at the ATU Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, May 11, at 2 p.m., at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
Video interviews and feature articles about each award winner will be published in the coming days and posted on arkansastechnews.com.
The Margaret Young Award is awarded annually to ATU’s most outstanding female undergraduate fourth year student.
This award is part of a rich legacy for the Young family at ATU. The Young family’s contributions are remembered through Margaret’s husband William O. Young, who oversaw the affairs of Arkansas Tech University from 1917 until his 1941, and for whom the W.O. Young building is named. Their son – Robert A. Young – worked in administration and finance at Arkansas Tech University from 1941 until 1984 and was inducted into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Fame in 1973. Their grandson – Dr. Robert A. Young Jr. – is a former president of Arkansas Tech University. He is a passionate supporter of the ATU Foundation and ATU Athletics.
The Young family holds a special place in the history of Arkansas Tech University as the owners of the first bulldog, Jerry, in the 1930s.
The Alfred J. Clabaugh Award is presented annually to ATU’s most outstanding male undergraduate fourth year student.
The award is named after his time on the faculty at Arkansas Tech University from 1929 to 1969. He is the only person in the university’s history to hold the title of dean and was a central figure in the university’s transition to senior university status. In May 1948, under Clabaugh’s leadership, the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees approved a recommendation to make the school a four-year degree-granting institution. His efforts to build the academic reputation of Arkansas Tech University truly came to fruition in March 1951 when the North Central Association of Secondary Schools accredited his four-year program at Arkansas Tech University.
For these and other efforts, Clabaugh is recognized as the father of the modern intellectual tradition at ATU.
The Jill Lestage Brown Service-Leadership Award recognizes those who contribute to society through unselfish and voluntary service to others, as demonstrated by past and present leadership roles, completed service hours, and participation in volunteer programs. Awarded annually to a fourth-year undergraduate student at ATU who aims to improve his/her academic performance.
The award is named after ATU’s former First Lady. Ms. Brown left her position as an elementary school teacher to serve as a volunteer ambassador and hostess for Arkansas Tech University from 1993 to 2014, when her husband, Dr. Robert C. Brown, served as president. .
Brown also volunteers with organizations such as the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce, National Women in the Arts, Arkansas Tech University Wesley Foundation, Shelter of Sunshine, River Valley United Way, and the Russellville Junior Auxiliary. Masu.
The reception also recognized ATU’s 2024 Who’s Who students.
Who’s Who selection is based on academic achievement, community service while at ATU, leadership and extracurricular involvement, and potential for continued success.
Below are ATU’s 2024 Who’s Who honorees (click on each honoree’s name to see a photo).
yesenia aria
Birthplace: Guymon, Oklahoma.
Major: Political Science
Parents: Azarael Arias and Ana Arias
blakely baker
Birthplace: Sherwood
Major: Rehabilitation Science
Parents: Philip Baker and Miranda Baker
brekkin ballad
Birthplace: Pottsville
Major: Psychology
Parents: Robin and Ron Ballard
Corbin Beard
Birthplace: Benton
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Parents: Susan Beard and Sean Beard
natasha branch
Birthplace: Pottsville
Graduate Program: Academic Affairs Management
Spouse: Jerry Branch
Jace Bridges
Birthplace: Springdale
Major: History
Parents: Maurice Bridges and Suzanne Bridges
nathan brown
Birthplace: Benton
Major: Human Resource Management
Parents: Amy and Marcus Brown
Tess Butler
Birthplace: Hot springs
Major: Music
Parent: Lisa Butler
Jacqueline Diaz Lopez
Birthplace: Berryville
Major: Political Science and International Affairs
Parents: Alma and Juan Diaz
Arisen Fight
Birthplace: Van Buren
Major: Intermediate Education
Parents: Renae and David Fite
Alyssa Gattis
Birthplace: Subiaco
Major: Elementary Education
Parents: Ashley Gattis and Marshall Gattis
Diana Gonzalez
Birthplace: Fort Smith
Major: Nursing
Parents: Araceli Gonzalez and Antonio Gonzalez
Paula Gonzalez Prado
Birthplace: Maracaibo, Venezuela
Major: Digital Marketing
Parents: Ronnie Gonzalez and Karina Prado
Alyssa Gray
Birthplace: North Little Rock
Major: Criminal Justice
Parents: Anthony Gray and Karon Gray
ivy guzman
Birthplace: Lima, Peru
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Parents: Patricia Branch and Miguel Guzman
Allie Hayes
Birthplace: Ballwin, Missouri
Major: Marketing Strategy and Business Data Analysis
Parents: Lisa and Jeff Hayes
maggie hemmert
Birthplace: Bentonville
Major: Nursing
Parent: Tiffany Hemmert
Brooke Holt
Birthplace: Hackett
Major: Biology
Parents: Stephanie Holt and Alan Holt
Ifuoma Irechukwu
Birthplace: Anambra State, Nigeria
Graduate Program: Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Parents: Augustina and Hyacinth Anyanwu
Spouse: Chino Irechukwu
olivia johnson
Birthplace: Pottsville
Major: Digital Marketing
Parents: Amanda Johnson and Ronald Johnson
crystal kendrick
Birthplace: Dover
Graduate Program: K-12 Special Education
Spouse: Jonathan Kendrick
Parents: Kim and Don Williams
Allie Beth King
Birthplace: Rison
Major: Communication
Parents: Kim Kay and Davey King
bryson lewis
Birthplace: Paris
Major: Criminal Justice
Parents: Carolyn and James Lewis
margarita lopez
Birthplace: Siloam Springs
Major: Journalism
Parents: Brenda Lopez and Jose Lopez
linley mitchell
Birthplace: Lavaca
Major: Intermediate Education
Parents: Michelle and George Mitchell
hunter norris
Birthplace: Conway
Major: Mathematics
Parent: Lara Norris
Emily Nye
Birthplace: Alma
Major: English Education
Spouse: Keegan Nye
Jalerie Ramirez
Birthplace: Bryant
Major: Elementary Education
Parents: Soledad Mendiola and Jorge Ramirez
Caitlin Levidieu
Birthplace: Cabot
Major: Music Education
Parents: Mary and John Levidieu
Zurab Sabaktarishvili
Birthplace: Tbilisi, Georgia
Major: Computer Science
Parents: Anna Gogishvili and Kakha Sabakhtarishvili
Mohammad Sanjali
Birthplace: Rasht, Iran
Graduate Program: Information Technology
Parent: Behudis Manzouri
madison starks
Birthplace: Bigelow
Major: English
Parents: Christy and Jeff Starks
autumn stole
Birthplace: Benton
Major: Social studies education
Parents: Darcy Stoll and Mark Stoll
hannah stone
Birthplace: Clarksville
Major: Political Science, Sociology, Criminal Justice
Parents: Tarja and Brett Stone
archie stovall
Birthplace: Russellville
Major: Graphic design
Parents: Adam Stovall and Ashley Hodge
Noah Sumler
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee.
Major: Music
Parents: Christine Sumler and Delreco Sumler
Stephanie Swatzel
Birthplace: Fillmore, California
Graduate Program: Academic Affairs Management
Parents: Jean Morin and Carol Sayers Barratt
brittany thomas
Birthplace: Dardanelle
Graduate Program: Academic Affairs Management
Parents: Carol Thomas and Gary Thomas
Jay Thomas
Birthplace: Bryant
Major: Biology
Parents: Johnna and Patrick Thomas
corey turner
Birthplace: Alpena
Major: Fisheries and Wildlife Science
Parent: Rachelle Turner
Marquis Vasquez
Birthplace: Conway
Major: Music Education
Parents: Mark Vasquez and Quincy Jackson
