MAY 15, 2019
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UA - Rich Mountain Graduation Ceremony
College Tuition Now More Affordable at UA
(MENA) The University of Arkansas - Rich Mountain has been building anticipation of the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville’s Chancellor Dr. Joe Steinmetz’s commencement address and it did not disappoint, announcing to the Rich Mountain Class of 2019, that the University of Arkansas has a new scholarship program that reduces tuition rates for students who graduate with associate’s degrees from any of the two- year colleges in the University of Arkansas System and then transfer to the Fayetteville campus. This unprecedented move will enable any student who earns an associate’s degree at a UA System community college to transfer to the University of Arkansas to work toward a bachelor’s degree, while continuing to pay the same basic credit hour tuition they paid at their two-year institution. “For many students, particularly ones starting out at two-year institutions, financial need is one of the bigger obstacles to attaining a bachelor’s degree,” Steinmetz said. “It is our responsibility as the state’s flagship and land-grant university to reduce obstacles Arkansans face to earning a degree and improving the pathways to get there.” The unprecedented move, called the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship, will now allow associate degree graduates from the local two-year community college, now aligned with the Uni-
versity of Arkansas System, to transfer to the hill and continue to pay the same tuition rates as Rich Mountain. U of A Rich Mountain Chancellor Dr. Phillip Wilson said he felt incredibly privileged to not only have Chancellor Steinmetz as the commencement speaker but to have him personally deliver this generous announcement on the local campus, “This scholarship demonstrates the University of Arkansas’ commitment to providing additional opportunity for our graduates at Rich Mountain and all of the UA System’s two-year colleges,” said U of A Rich Mountain Chancellor Phillip Wilson. “It’s an opportunity that has the potential to transform the lives of countless families in our state.” To be eligible to receive an Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship, a graduate of one of these schools must: * Be an Arkansas resident * Earn an associate’s degree in December 2018 or after * Have a cumulative 2.0 grade point average •
Meet all other U of A admission criteria and program requir ments
• Enroll in an on-campus undergradu ate degree program, full or part-time
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(MENA) The second ever graduating class of the University of Arkansas – Rich Mountain, walked across the stage in front of the Maddox Building on Thursday, May 9th with Dr. Krystal Thrailkill, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs reading each name from the list of thirty varying degrees or certificates that were handed out. Dr. Joe Steinmetz, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville was the guest commencement speaker for the event. Steinmetz based his theme on “Now What?” to the approximately 385 graduating students. Steinmetz challenged the graduates on what would they do now with their life, the path that it took to get to this point in life. The chancellor added that time can slip away if they are not careful and that the students have a valuable opportunity to take advantage of. Steinmetz added that by continuing their education, going into the military or directly into the workforce are some of the choices that they have for that next step in life. The University of Arkansas System President, Dr. Donald Bobbitt also attended the commencement exercises Steinmetz offered suggestions as to what students should strive for. Encouraging graduates not to be afraid to step out of
their comfort zones. Look for new and challenging doors and to do something more rewarding and satisfying in their career. Success and satisfaction was another area of suggestion to the crowd in attendance. Steinmetz shared that being good at what you are doing, making a difference and about keeping the passion. Being a lifelong learner, doesn’t always mean you know it all. Life gets boring if you stop learning and encouraged the graduates to want to learn more. Steinmetz stressed to never do anything alone. He emphasized to thank others and to endure support and to give a hand along the way to others.
Dale “D.C.” Spencer Honored (MENA) Mena City Council voted to the changing the name of the roadway leading into Aubrey Tapley Park, from Recreation Lane to become the Dale D.C. Spencer Lane. Spencer was a longtime Mena area resident who recently passed away. He spent many years as an architect of numerous roadways around the region and designed the Talimena Scenic Drive that starts in Mena. Members of Mena’s City Council along with Mayor Seth Smith wanted to do something special in recognition of Spencer’s achievements and honor his dedication to the community.