Dr. Gary Battershell, history instructor at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, recently published a novel,  The Third Epoch: Beyond the World Wall.   It features alien vampires who come to prehistoric Earth during the fictional Third Epoch of Mankind, a time when warring kingdoms occupy the Mediterranean coast and nomadic equestrian tribes rove the wild lands between the River Danube and the frigid peaks of the Carpathian Alps.   Battershell says:  “The book is an alternate history novel with science-fantasy and horror elements.  It supposes high civilizations before Egypt and alien intervention as a motor of change in human society and technology.”  The author cites Edgar Rice Burroughs as his biggest influence, but also acknowledges debts to British fantasist, Brian Lumley, and grand master science fiction writer, Lester Del Rey.  “Mostly, what I tried to do was entertain, and I’d love to hear from readers as to how we...

UACCM world literature instructors Lyndsey Daniel and Karen Caig are making preparations to lead a group of 40 individuals to explore Greece in the spring between the dates of March 19 and March 27, 2009. The trip is open to participants from the community of all ages. The nine-day tour will include stops in Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, and Corinth, with two meals per day and travel insurance included. Daniel stated, “I’d like students and members of the community to know more about their world—the culture, the people, the languages of other countries.” Caig added, “I have taught Greek literature for more than twenty years, but I have never stood in the theatre at Epidaurus or visited the sites of Homer’s epics. The trip will bring the smells and sounds of Greece to a permanent home in the memories of those who take part as they read the classics.” It has been shown that international travel can benefit travelers of all ages. In a recent geography survey conducted by ...

The Conway Interfaith Clinic recently made a large donation to the nursing department at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. Kitty Aarons, director of the clinic, presented the donation of more than $1000 worth of supplies to be used for instruction in nursing courses taught at UACCM.  The items donated included many tools the nursing department would not normally have access to. Brad Doty, a level 2 practical nursing student at UACCM, worked at the Conway Interfaith Clinic over the summer and was instrumental in securing the donation for the College. UACCM Nursing Department Chair Peggy Lee said “We are so thankful to have received this donation. We have been able to fill a second supply closet in the nursing department, which should help keep up with the demand for supplies in our rapidly expanding program.”  If you are interested in donating supplies or equipment to UACCM to aid in hands-on classroom instruction, contact the College at (501) 977-...

The Conway Interfaith Clinic recently made a large donation to the nursing department at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. Kitty Aarons, director of the clinic, presented the donation of more than $1000 worth of supplies to be used for instruction in nursing courses taught at UACCM.  The items donated included many tools the nursing department would not normally have access to. Brad Doty, a level 2 practical nursing student at UACCM, worked at the Conway Interfaith Clinic over the summer and was instrumental in securing the donation for the College. UACCM Nursing Department Chair Peggy Lee said “We are so thankful to have received this donation. We have been able to fill a second supply closet in the nursing department, which should help keep up with the demand for supplies in our rapidly expanding program.”  If you are interested in donating supplies or equipment to UACCM to aid in hands-on classroom instruction, contact the College at (501) 977-...

The Koontz Room in the Business Technology Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton was the site for a “town hall” meeting conducted on August 11 by U.S. Senator Mark Pryor. A crowd of over 50 individuals attended the meeting, which was scheduled as a way to for local residents to address their concerns and solutions for issues confronting the area and the nation. Senator Pryor addresses the crowd Pryor shared with the crowd what he is doing to represent Arkansas in the Senate on topics ranging from national defense to the State’s natural resources. Pryor said that Conway County has received approximately $522,000 in appropriations this year, including money for restoration of the historic post office, law enforcement technical support, and updates to the local airport. Senator Pryor discusses fuel prices Oil and energy concerns topped the list of issues discussed, which also included the Iraq war, rising gas prices, the cost o...

Representatives from the Conway County  School Counts!  initiative announced the beginning of the initiative’s second phase during a press conference held recently at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM). In conjunction with the announcement, representatives from the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute of the University of Arkansas announced their support for the initiative through a pledge of $55,000 to match donations raised in the community by the  School Counts!  Steering Committee within the next year.  Representatives from the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute  of the University of Arkansas System members of the Conway County  School Counts!  Steering Committee a $55,000 donation to match funds raised in the  community. (From Left) Kathy Edgerton, director of  marketing and communications at Winthrop Rockefeller  Institute; Patty Shipp,  School Counts!  committee  member; David Da...

University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton students Meagan Aitchison and Amy Garret are among 19 pediatric cancer survivors selected this year to receive CARTI Kids Dennis Jungmeyer Scholarships valued at $2,500 each and awarded by the CARTI Foundation in Little Rock.  Presented annually to current or former CARTI pediatric cancer patients, the scholarships are named in honor of cancer survivor and CARTI Foundation Board director-emeritus Dennis Jungmeyer of North Little Rock. Jungmeyer is a co-founder of the CARTI Kids Golf Classic, proceeds of which benefit CARTI Kid programs and activities. Established in 1986, the tournament has since raised more than $2 million. Pediatric cancer survivor and UACCM student Meagan Aitchison received the Dick Lankford Memorial Fellowship Award and a $2,500 Dennis Jungmeyer Scholarship at a special presentation ceremony held  June 25 at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. Pictured,  from left: Dennis Jungmeyer, award sponso...

Mrs. Linda Jaramillo was recently selected as the new division chair of humanities, social sciences, and mathematics at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. She has been an employee of the College for 12 years, which were spent as a part-time and full-time instructor in the business department. Jaramillo earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In her new position, she is responsible for coordinating the instructional activities of the division.  “I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve as division chair at UACCM. I look forward to working with the wonderful faculty and staff within the division of humanities, social sciences, and mathematics. I am confident that together we will succeed in meeting the opportunities and challenges that await us in the upcoming academic year.”