Campus
Events
Ceremony Held for Nurses
A capping and pinning ceremony was held at the Alvin F. Vest Student Center on the campus of Arkansas Tech University - Ozark Campus, Friday May 9th.
(Front row, Left to Right ) Tara Koonce, Merrinda Miller, Donna Hood, Donna Waldo, Amanda Harris, Amy Goff and Abby Robinson.(Back row, Left to Right) Kelly Coleman, Danielle Clark, Revelta Davidson, Roxanne McReynolds, Enrique Gomez, Richere Sminchak
Booneville Training Site to Open
Arkansas Tech University - Ozark Campus announces the opening of its Booneville Training Site on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at 2932 West Highway 10 East in Booneville. We would be honored to have you join us for this exciting event. Reception immediately following.
Students Honored
Arkansas Tech University - Ozark Campus held a reception to honor students for outstanding academic achievement for the 2008 Spring semester. The event was held in the Alvin F. Vest student center. Pictured are: (front, left to right) Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, Chancellor; Brandie Woods, Sheila Dove, Abby Robinson, Tara Koonce, Patricia McLemore, Debra Stewart, Karen Marie Ibison, Jennifer Owens, Candace Lynn Randall, Roxanne McReynolds, Donna Neumeier, Georgie Sosa, and Richard Harris, Chief Student Officer. (back, left to right) Kevin Schmitt, Brian Martin, Enrique Gomez, Lindsay Buckner, Odessa Gainer, David Hammock, Brian Bass, Gerald Petersen, Debbie Fox, Douglas Shipman, Dennis Harrold, Raymond Gonzales, and Bruce Sikes, Chief Academic Officer.
Ozark Campus to Get New Building and Program
Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus received approval from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education Coordinating Board on Friday, April 25, 2008 to move forward with plans to build a new student services building and to implement a Physical Therapy Assistant program.
Tech Ozark will soon begin the process of building a new student services facility that will improve space for students and for community use. It will offer the option of a large meeting room with seating for 150-300 people. The building is expected to be approximately 7,500 square feet. Approximately 20 staff members and 4 departments will be located in the new facility. A groundbreaking ceremony will be scheduled for the summer of 2008, with projected completion by the fall 2009 semester.
This will be the first building project since the merger with Arkansas Tech, and the first since the completion of the Health Education building in 2000. Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, Chancellor said, “Our steady enrollment growth necessitates new facilities to serve our students.”
Ms. Sandra Cheffer, Chief Fiscal Officer said, "The estimated cost of the Student Services facility is $2,407,692. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education Board has allocated funds from the State of Arkansas college savings bonds in the amount of $407,692. The additional $2,000,000 will be funded by issuing general revenue bonds to be repaid over a 30 year period."
"The Student Services building is the first building to be constructed from the work of a new campus master plan that was adopted in September 2007. It will bring a fresh new look to the Ozark Campus with a blend of modern design concepts and existing architecture," stated Cheffer.
The Ozark Campus has experienced record-breaking enrollment statics since the merger with Arkansas Tech with an astounding 60% increase from fall 2003 to the fall 2007.
Mr. Richard Harris, Chief Student Officer stated “The number one priority at the Ozark Campus is our students. By building a new Student Services building we are re-emphasizing our commitment to the students on our campus."
Tech Ozark is continually listening to the community it serves and working hard to implement the needs of the service area. The planning of a new Physical Therapy Assistant program began last fall with a committee of dedicated tech employees, students and community leaders exploring the need and to evaluate the possibilities of offering the program.
Physical Therapy is the planning, organization and implementation of programs for individuals whose ability to function is impaired or threatened by disease or injury. The primary goal of physical therapy is to rehabilitate patients suffering from an illness or disease that is affecting their mobility or strength and includes evaluation of the system and selection and application of appropriate procedures to maintain, improve, and restore these basic functions.
Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, Chancellor, said, “The Physical Therapy Assistant program will expand opportunities for students in the allied health field and will address a critical need for skilled physical therapy assistants in the River Valley.”
The Physical Therapy Assistant Program is designed to prepare successful graduates for entry-level employment with a skilled health care provider under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist and assists in the provision of physical therapy. The Physical Therapy Assistant provides specially prescribed treatments and exercises through a plan of care developed by the physical therapist that are aimed at improving mobility; relieving pain; or preventing and/or limiting physical disability.
Mr. Bruce Sikes, Chief Academic Officer stated, "This program represents a collaborative effort between and responsiveness to our health care partners, students, and faculty and staff.”
Ozark Campus Award Winners
Jennifer Owens won 1st Place in Client Services competition of the Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Convention in Hot Springs, Ms. Owens is from Ozark. She will be competing in the National PBL Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.
Brother Patrick, OSB, of Subiaco, won the Gold Metal in the HVAC Fundamentals competition at the Skill/USA convention in Hot Springs., He also won the Statesmen Award for scoring 90% or better on the HVAC written test. Brother Patrick is also competing in the Skills/USA National competition to be held in Kansas City.
C. J. Danekas, of Booneville, won Gold Metal in the Pipe Welding competition at the Skills/USA convention held in Hot Springs.
Josh Sisk, of Clarksville, won the Gold Metal in the Plate Cutting competition at the Skills/USA convention held in Hot Springs.
Chelsea Danekas, of Booneville, won a silver metal in the Job Skills Demonstration competition at the Skills/USA convention held in Hot Springs. Ms. Danekas will be competing in the National Skills/USA convention in Kansas City.
Amber Sanders, of Ozark, won the Gold Metal for Web Design in the Skills/USA competition held in Hot Springs.
Donna Waldo, of Coal Hill, won 1st place in the Job Interview competition at the Arkansas Licensed Practical Nursing Association convention held in Searcy.
Michele Diaz, of Ozark, won the Gold Metal in the Job Interview competition at Skills/USA convention held in Hot Springs. Ms. Diaz will be competing in the National Skills/USA convention in Kansas City.
Randi Reed, of Lavaca, won 3rd place in the Pharmacology competition held at the Arkansas Licensed Practical Nursing Association held in Searcy.
Kimberly Kincy, of Lavaca, won 2nd place for the Medical Transcription competition at the Phi Beta Lambda convention held in Hot Springs.
Tommy Connelly, of Charleston, won a Gold Metal in the Collision Repair Technology competition at the Skills/USA Convention held in Hot Springs. He will be competing in the National Skills/USA competition in Kansas City, Missouri.
Ann Brown, of Paris, won 3rd Place in the Business English competition held at the Phi Beta Lambda competition held in Hot Springs.
Brian Bass, of Russellville, won a Gold Metal in the Automotive Services Technology competition of the Skills/USA convention held in Hot Springs. Mr. Bass is now eligible to compete in the National Skills/USA convention in Kansas City this summmer.
Leanna Shadlow, of Rogers, won a Silver Medal in Collision Refinishing Technology competition of the Skills/USA convention held in Hot Springs.
Don Graves, of Lamar, won a silver metal in the Collision Repair Technology competition held at the Skills/USA convention in Hot Springs.
Student Appreciation Luncheon Held
A group of students from the Air Conditioning/Refrigeration program at Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus enjoy appreciation luncheon. Pictured (l – r) - Greg Boland of Suibaco, Chris Waessil of Van Buren, Kenneth Beeler, Instructor, Greg Pentz of Ozark, and Phillip Kiles of Russellville.
Burns Whiteside Visits Campus
Leigh Burns Whiteside, Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees Member, toured the Ozark Campus on Monday, March 24. A luncheon was provided prior to the tour, which gave Whiteside an opportunity to meet students, staff and faculty while gaining perspective about the various programs offered on the Ozark Campus.
Whiteside is an Ozark native and a 1974 Tech graduate, with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She and her husband, John Whiteside, reside in Russellville. They have two daughters, Ashley Whiteside Rabun and Casey Whiteside Brock who are also Tech graduates.
Allied Health Education Programs Accredited
Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus is pleased to announce that The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) voted on March 14, 2008 to award continuing accreditation to the Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic Program.
The Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic Program was established as a full-time program in 1992. A new facility was erected in 1999 that was customized for the programs needs.
The success of this program is due to the dedication of the campus administration, faculty and staff. The faculty is required to work in the field to stay abreast of field protocol and patient contact to enhance classroom lectures and presentations.
Mr. Bruce Sikes, Chief Academic Officer said, “As the primary provider of EMT/Paramedic education in the River Valley region, it is our intent to deliver programs that meet the highest standard that the industry requires. Our receiving CAAHEP re-accreditation provides our industry partners and our students with the confidence that Arkansas Tech University - Ozark campus supports EMT/Paramedic training in this manner.”
The field of emergency medicine is a rapidly changing field of assessment based treatment. The EMS/Paramedic Advisory Committee for the program meet twice a year to evaluate the program and, when necessary, make recommendations for improving the program.
Mr. Ritchie Powers, EMT/Paramedic Instructor said, “The EMT/Paramedic Technology Program strives to provide a quality education to the students choosing this field of study. The graduates of this program are successful, in part because of the internship agreements we share with area emergency medical service providers and area hospitals.”
Arkansas Tech – Ozark Chancellor Dr. Jo Alice Blondin said she was pleased because the continued accreditation is an example of how the school can benefit the surrounding areas we serve.
“Ozark Campus's EMT and Paramedic programs demonstrate their excellence daily through our skilled and dedicated graduates who serve our region so professionally,” said Dr. Blondin.
Arkansas Career Readiness Certificate Offered
Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus, through its Career Pathways Initiative is offering the Arkansas Career Readiness Certificate. By offering this program, Tech - Ozark is committed to its mission, to provide a quality educational environment which will enable all students to learn the skills and acquire the knowledge necessary for them to become contributing members in the workforce and in society.
The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services began the official rollout of the new Arkansas Career Readiness Certificate program earlier this year. There were 10 forums with each attracting from 70 to 200 potential employers across Arkansas.
The Arkansas Career Readiness Certificate designates that the recipient has basic employability skills required across multiple industries and occupations. The Career Readiness Certificate is not tied to any specific job or business.
The program can give business and industry assurance that a job seeker has the skills required to solve common math problems, to read and understand correspondence and memos, procedures and instructions, and to locate information from graphs, charts and tables that are needed for specific jobs. Even if a job seeker has a GED, high school diploma or post secondary degree, the Arkansas Career Readiness Certificate further verifies that he or she can handle tasks common in today’s workplace. The program will also assist employers in the effectiveness of training dollars and streamline hiring decisions.
For more information about Arkansas Career Readiness Certificates, Career Pathways Initiative Program or registration at Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus call the Office of Student Services at 667-3433 or 1-866-225-2884.
Walker Speaks to Students
 William Walker, Jr., Arkansas Department of Workforce Education Director, spoke with students of Arkansas Tech University - Ozark Campus in the Alvin F. Vest Student Center on Monday, February 25. Mr. Walker spoke of his goals for educating the workforce of Arkansas and how Arkansas Tech - Ozark is a key vehicle in meeting those goals. There were approximately 250 students in attendance.
Career Fair Held for Students
 Students listen to a vendor at a recent career fair at Arkansas Tech University - Ozark Campus. Over 20 local employers representing everything from the beauty industry to the police force were present to answer students question about employment in their respective vocation.
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