PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Weaver, Melony Ritter
(501) 760.6410 office
press@np.edu
November 30, 2016
NPC BOARD WELCOMES NEW TRUSTEES, HONORS OUTGOING TRUSTEES
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees held their regular monthly meeting Wednesday, November 30. Items for report included recognition of outgoing board members, introduction of newly elected board members and an update from the NPC Foundation.
The Board welcomed new hire Jennifer Hughes, administrative specialist III for the nursing program. The November Student of the Month was Cassie Dean. Dean is a criminal justice student nominated by her instructor, Martin White. She is a single mom who enrolled at NPC after being laid off as an airplane mechanic. White, along with instructor, Christopher Thrasher both raved about her work-ethic and performance in the classroom.
Dr. John Hogan asked the Board to approve a resolution granting permission to enter into a Regional Alliance with Henderson State University and College of the Ouachitas. The goal of the agreement is to improve degree attainment in the region and is believed to be the first of its kind in the state.
Sara Brown, Director of Development reported that the Foundation worked with Marine Technology Instructor, Delmar Hunter to secure in-kind donations with industry partners, including Cobalt, Yamaha, Indmar, Mercury and Evinrude. Yamaha has provided more than $70,000 of in-kind donations to the program this year.
Since October 1, contributions to the foundation totaled $93,576.15. Many new scholarships were created this year including the Legacy Scholarship for alumni, past instructor Relda Steelman, and past board member Mahlon Grigsby. Brown announced two new scholarships in recognition of the service of outgoing trustees, Ray Donathan and Gene Parker. The Gene Parker Leadership Scholarship and the Ray Donathan Leadership Scholarship will be awarded in the spring to two students who have made a leadership impact on campus.
The fifth annual Van Davis Memorial 5k is scheduled for February 18. Registration is open now. Over the past four years the Foundation has raised $41,000 for the Van Davis Scholarship Endowment.
The new Academic Works scholarship management system will open in January and will streamline the application process for students. It creates a single location for students to apply for scholarships and submit donor acknowledgements and automates communication to students including new scholarship opportunities.
Hogan concluded the meeting with the president’s report. He welcomed newly elected trustees Raymond Wright and Beverly Joe. Wright is the owner of Raymond Wright Insurance Agency in Hot Springs and has served on the NPC Foundation Board since 2004. Joe is Senior Director of Human Resources of Product Support for Triumph Group. Wright and Joe will assume their roles on the board beginning in January, replacing Donathan and Parker.
Hogan expressed his appreciation for the service Donathan and Parker have given to
the College for more than 40 years. He asked the Board to adopt resolutions in honor
of the two trustees recognizing their legacy of excellence, integrity, and generosity.
The campus hosted a reception in their honor following the meeting.
Hogan commended Sara Brown and the Development Office for their work with the Foundation.
He noted Janice Ivers, Dean of Nursing was appointed to the State Board of Nursing,
and commended Eve Baum for earning her Certified Hospitality Educator certification.
He recognized the External Relations team for winning four medallion awards from the
National Council for Marketing and Public Relations. The team brought home silver
awards for website, single print ad and magazine, and a bronze award for online advertising.
Photo: NPC Trustees Ray Donathan signs his last resolution as a member of the Board of Trustees while Gene Parker greets guests during the reception following the November meeting honoring their long-standing service to the College.
