UACCM Outstanding Student, Alumni, Employees Recognized

The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton’s 2006 Academic All-Star, Outstanding Alumni, Outstanding Faculty Member, and Outstanding Staff Member were recently honored during the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges’ (AATYC) 18th Annual Fall Conference in Hot Springs.

Academic All-Stars and Outstanding Alumni from each of the state’s 22 two-year colleges were honored during an awards brunch held on October 17. Gubernatorial candidates Mike Beebe and Asa Hutchinson were the featured speakers at the event.

Each year, one student from each of the state’s two-year public colleges is selected to be a part of the AATYC Academic All-Star team. Applicants for this scholarship program must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or above with a minimum of 12 credit hours in pursuit of an associate degree. The recipient is also selected on the basis of academic achievement, recognition, honors, activities, leadership, community service and work experience.

UACCM 2006 Outstanding Alumni Jerry Bonds,
UACCM 2006 Academic All-Star Autumn Mathes,
and UACCM Chancellor Nathan Crook

UACCM student Autumn Mathes was recognized as UACCM’s 2006 Academic All-Star. She is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in retail marketing to support her career goal of owning and operating a non-profit academic support center to help disadvantaged elementary and high school students.

Named to the Chancellor’s Scholars List since 2004, Mathes is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the national two-year honor society. Mathes says, “I recognize my time at UACCM has been a series of meaningful educational experiences. These experiences have taught me confidence, perseverance, and integrity, and I will carry the lessons with me as I strive to make a difference in my community.”

As the college’s Academic All-Star, Mathes received a $500 scholarship to UACCM. She was also awarded a four-year tuition scholarship to the Arkansas university of her choice, which she may use upon graduation from UACCM.

Jerry Bonds was honored as Outstanding Alumni of the Year for UACCM. Bonds is director of Shared Services with Dillard’s in Little Rock, AR. Bonds joined Dillard’s in 1971 after graduating with a certificate in Electronic Data Processing. He reports to the vice president and chief information officer and is responsible for Database Administration, Application Design, Enterprise Solutions, Training and Recruiting. 

Bonds is a charter Board member of Arkansas State University’s Technology Advisory Board and a charter member of the University of Central Arkansas’ Curriculum Industrial Advisory Board. He is also a member of UACCM’s Advisory Committee for the department of Computer Information Systems Technology. He currently serves as the vice president of Dillard’s Federal Credit Union and as secretary/treasurer for the Runyan Sewer Improvement District.

Recipients of Outstanding Faculty and Staff Member of the Year from each of the state’s two-year colleges were presented with a plaque during an awards dinner held at the annual meeting.

Nancy Patterson was honored as UACCM’s Outstanding Faculty Member for 2006. Patterson, who has been at the college for 18 years, is a retail marketing instructor. She says, “Students are the most important part of my job. Education provides students opportunities for improving their work situation and lifestyle, and it is my mission to help them accomplish their educational and career goals.”

UACCM 2006 Faculty Member of the Year Nancy
Patterson and UACCM Staff Member of the Year
Lavern Blocker with awards

Lavern Blocker was honored as Outstanding Staff Member for 2006. Blocker, administrative assistant to the vice chancellor for Academic Services and dean of students, has been employed by the college since 1991. She is not only an employee but also a graduate of the college with an Associate of Applied Science degree. She says, “I believe the students are the number one asset of the college.”

The Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges, headquartered in Little Rock, is an organization that provides professional development opportunities to faculty and staff of the state’s two-year colleges, works with business and industry to provide partnerships with those colleges, and serves as a liaison with various governmental and educational agencies.