FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For questions or more information, please contact:
Amber Childers, Associate Vice Chancellor for College Advancement
Arkansas State University Three Rivers, One College Circle, Malvern, AR 72104
Office: (501) 332-0234, Fax: (501) 332-4100
amber@asutr.edu
ASU Three Rivers Foundation and Donor Scholarship Recipients Recognized at First Scholarship Donor Reception
MALVERN, AR – Twelve Arkansas State University Three Rivers students were recognized at the Scholarship and Donor Reception held recently at the Parker Family House on the ASU Three Rivers campus. The reception brought together Foundation scholarship recipients and their respective donors.
The 2024-25 academic year is the first time ASUTR has awarded any endowed scholarships.
The Dr. Barry Ballard Memorial Scholarship was established in 2023 in memory of former Ouachita Technical College/College of the Ouachitas President, Dr. Barry Ballard. Dr. Ballard served as President from 2001 – 2011 and then returned as Interim President from Jan. to June of 2016. Dr. Ballard loved this college and loved its students.
The criteria for the scholarship requires the recipient to be a first-time college student majoring in a technical program at ASUTR (as that was Dr. Ballard’s passion) and have a minimum 2.75 high school GPA or hold a GED certificate. Malvern resident Alana Vinson (AAS, Computer Network Management) is the first recipient of the Dr. Barry Ballard Memorial Scholarship.
The Malvern National Bank Endowment was established in 2018. Criteria for the Scholarship requires the student to be a recent (within one year) high school graduate from one of the high schools that participates in the MNB Academic Prime Program, currently those include Bismarck, Cutter Morning Star, Glen Rose, Magnet Cove, Malvern, Poyen, Ouachita, and Sheridan. Poyen High School graduate Kacey Hopkins (AA, Gen Ed) is the first recipient of the Malvern National Bank Endowment Scholarship.
The Parker Family Scholarship was established in 2024 in memory of Floyd L., Joyce Parker, and Kristi Parker Norris. Mr. Parker was instrumental in securing Ouachita Vocational Technical School and later was involved in the change to a two-year technical college. Mrs. Parker was one of the very first employees of the school where she worked for 14 years. Kristi was a Board of Trustee and Foundation Campaign Co-Chair. Kara Parker Hyatt currently serves as a member of the ASUTR Council for Advancement. The Parker Family’s roots run deep at ASU Three Rivers.
The criteria for this scholarship requires the recipient to be a Malvern High School graduate and enrolled in a technical or transfer program at ASU Three Rivers. Malvern resident Patrick Merryman (AAS, Computer Information Systems) is the first recipient of the Parker Family Scholarship.
ASU Three Rivers awarded the first Foundation Scholarships in Fall of 2009. Since then the College has awarded 432 scholarships to 304 individuals, totaling $240,000.
The Foundation Scholarships are awarded in the Fall and Spring Semester every year. To be eligible for a Foundation Scholarship, the recipients must be enrolled in a program that leads to a certificate or associate degree and have a minimum of 12 hours.
Fall 2024 recipients include:
Karen Beasley Hughes, Grant County, PN
Garrett Biggers, Garland County, PN
Delaci Brattain, Saline County, AA Gen Ed
Eric Brock, Saline County, AAS Criminal Justice
Amy McEntyre, Saline County, PN
Lilly McKinnon, Nevada County, AAS Healthcare Admin
Dakota Reid, Hot Spring County, AA Gen Ed
Gabriela SanPedro, Saline County, PN
Tammie Stifflemire, Hot Spring County, AS Business