NPC Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
The National Park College Board of Trustees met in a regular session on June 25, 2025, beginning at 3:30 PM. Trustees present were Mike Bush, Jim Hale, Rhonda Harrington, Bev Joe, Joel Newburn, Lance Porter, Forrest Spicher, Renee Westfall, and Raymond Wright.
Staff, faculty members, and guests present were Blake Butler, Joy Cantrell, Lisa Couch, Pastor Don Crossley, Sarah Day, Wade Derden, Jessica Ellis, Kelli Embry, Jeffery Estright, Kathy Flournoy, Leane Hardin, Hunter Hentron, Nicole Herndon, Sarah Hutzel, Brian Kroening, Jennifer Lyons, Julia Marshall, Caysie Martin, Kat McCorkle, Mark McCorkle, Sheriff Mike McCormick, Rose Milnes, Hannah Paschke, Shelby Pascual, Nathan Poor, Scott Post, Emily Pyland, Bill Ritter, Mary Ann Thomae, Rich Thompson, Darla Thurber, Gary Troutman, Gavin Waldron, Amy Watson, and Megan Wheeler.
The media was notified of the meeting. Brandon Smith with the Sentinel Record was in attendance.
Chair Jim Hale opened the meeting with a welcome at 3:30 PM.
Sarah Day took roll call. A quorum was present.
Pastor Don Crossley with St. Mark Baptist provided the invocation.
Sarah Day introduced Nathan Poor and Julia Marshall with Chartwells; Gary Troutman, Great Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce President and CEO; and NPC Director of Adult Education, Lisa Couch, who introduced Garland County Sheriff Mike McCormick. Chair Hale introduced the Spotlight on Success speaker, Sarah Hutzel.
Items for Action
- Trustee Wright motioned to approve the May 28, 2025, minutes as presented. Trustee Westfall seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Trustee Joe motioned to approve the June 4, 2025, Executive Officers Special Session minutes as presented. Trustee Porter seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Trustee Spicher motioned to approve the May 2025 financial statements as presented by Megan Wheeler, NPC Controller, during the Finance Committee Meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
- Trustee Bush motioned to approve the May Personnel Ratifications as presented by Kathy Flournoy, NPC Director of Human Resources. Trustee Joe seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Trustee Harrington motioned to approve the renewal of President Wade Derden’s contract as presented in executive session on June 25, 2025. Trustee Westfall seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Items for Report
- Trustee Wright asked Kelli Embry, VP for Administration, to provide the Building and Campus Development report. Ms. Embry provided an update on the Redbud Hall project and the welding facility project. Embry shared a rendering of the welding facility exterior and interior.
- Chartwells Director of Food Service, Nathan Poor, reported on NPC Food Service. Mr. Poor provided a PowerPoint presentation showcasing an update on current food service numbers, along with anticipated changes due to the increased student housing in Fall 2025.
- Darla Thurber, VP for Student Affairs, provided a report featuring the outcome of the 2025 World Championship Running of the Tubs. VP Thurber shared that NPC’s first foray into this race resulted in a trophy for Most Spirited. Thurber shared a PowerPoint presentation with several photos from the event.
- President's Report – President Derden thanked the trustees for the continued opportunity to serve the college and community. Derden congratulated VP Embry on being chosen as Oaklawn Rotary’s Rotarian of the Year. Dr. Derden reflected on the Adult Education report, expressing that the importance of the work being done at the Garland County Detention Center as it reflects the college’s mission of learning and student success. Derden stated that NPC wants every member of the community to have the best chance at success in life, acknowledging that the college is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to engage in education at every level. Derden ended by thanking Nathan Poor for his report and for contributing to providing a robust student life experience on campus.
- New Business – Chair Hale had no new business to report.
There was no further business.
Trustee Westfall motioned to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 4:18 PM.
Jim Hale, Chair
Raymond Wright, Secretary/Treasurer