Spring honor lists released

Spring honor lists released

EL DORADO—South Arkansas Community College has released its President’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List for the fall 2023 term.

To be eligible for the President’s Honor Roll, a student must have at least a 3.75 grade-point average for the spring semester, and be classified as full-time. The students are:

From Alexander, Kari Denise Vicente.

From Benton, Stran Daniel Smith.

From Bigelow, Dustin Crist.

From Camden, Lexi McKay Belt, Jason Dwayne Elliott, Mallory Danielle Hickman.

From El Dorado, Scooter Anderson, Jacie MaKenna Bishop, Zachary Bubblis, Brittany Ann Cauley, Alyssa Faith Cragan, John William Demcher, Christin Ka'saan English, Kasheaca Monec Gill, Logan Patrick Gipson, Avery Nicole Hall, Hannah Bethany Harbour, Ariana Nicole Hardiman, Trinity Faith Herring, Chanitae Madee Hildreth, Bruce Allen Lee Kline, Ma'Kalia Sha'Rell Massey, Emma Kate McBride, Elijah Ross Miller, Tess Mekenzie Monteith, Serina R Morris, Aaron Raley, America Ramos Gaona, Logan J. Rice, Kyle Charles Tolley, Jamie Traylor, Linda Morgan Willis, Zachary Tyler Wood.

From Fordyce, Jaliyah T. Cooper, Madyson Kay Williams.

From Fouke, Logan LeAnn Smith.

From Fountain Hill, Bailey Nicole Melton.

From Hamburg, Marialy Chavez, Lacy Denise Harrod.

From Hermitage, Maria Teresa Gonzalez, Katelynn Grace Roberts.

From Junction City, Ashlynne Brooke Daigrepont.

From Monticello, Lana Clary Boykin, Kaysha Odett Coronado.

From Sheridan, Gabriel M. Kuttenkuler.

From Smackover, Kenley Morgan Brumley, Mandy Ann Evans.

From Stamps, Carly Jane Downs.

From Strong, Holly Baker, Petrinia Syrell Bankston, Jack Orestes Dunn.

From Vilonia, Jacob Tyler Harris.

From Waldo, Amber Leigh Carter, Emily Renee Kelley.

From Warren, Kimberlee Layne Burch, Cristal Rubi Castillo, Ashley Pascual-Cortez, Joanna Salinas, Perla Sosa.

From White Hall, Ryan Allen Ursery.

From Bernice, Louisiana, Sarah Mae Dean Montes.

From Farmerville, Louisiana, Allyson Reese Harris, Laynie D. Jones, Bailey Elizabeth Yelton.

From Ferriday, Louisiana, T'keyah Breon Green.

From Franklinton, Louisiana, William Randall Turner.

From Homer, Louisiana, Lakiya Alexis Omayra Robinson.

From Lillie, Louisiana, Bruce Henry Henderson.

From Ruston, Louisiana, Kylee Portilloz, Bryce Reed McGuire, Dawson Joseph Szymanski.

To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must have a grade-point average of between 3.0 and 3.75 for the spring semester, and be classified as full-time. The students are:

From Benton, Tazayyah La'Essence Bufford.

From Calion, Omillio I. Walker.

From Camden, Shannon Faye Nix, Tiauna MarJa’ Wilkins.

From Carthage, Joshua Titus Golden.

From Crossett, Cailee Alyssa Peters, Jalyn Madison White.

From El Dorado, Connie Nicole Barrette, Yolonda Benton, Tiffany Noel Boykin, Carlos Andre Brooks, Camillian Shyesha Brown, Abigail Chavez, Patrick Neill Copes, Brayden Tyler Cotterman, Kenneth Cunningham, Dequita Dismuke, Caden Wayne Draper, Braedon Jamar Edison, Deanna Ellis, Jillian Paige Gorman, Shanice Marie Hayes, Ashton David Healy, Arnesia Hildreth, Austin Paul Hillebrandt, James Christopher Howe, Chase Riley Irby, Natasha Jackson, Jalen King, Robert M. Kuttenkuler, Anastasia T. Lamijan, Sonny Aiden Langley, Kenner Aaron Lauterbach, James Randall Leveritt, Nyshun Naomie Martin, Joanna McCathern, Bryson Wade Menard, Kytiyana Montgomery, Tanner Scott Powell, Troy’reon A. Ramos, Cassundra Genell Rester, Jose Rivas, Lexy Brooke Robinson, Cade Anthony Rodi, Marisela Sanchez Lopez, David Sandoval, Anslee Brooke Smith, Natasha LaPearl Trent, Hannah Diane Wilson.

From Hamburg, Abby Culp, Tiffany Anne Dawson, Callie Nicole Martin.

From Hermitage, Mallory Dean Benson, Daniela Noemi Gomez, Haley Michelle Gray, Britney Nicole Johnson.

From Huntsville, Luke Austin Eaton.

From Huttig, Keeten Paige Thompson.

From Junction City, Alexius Keonshae Armstrong, Salvador Austin Mendoza, Julia Brooke Rogers.

From Lake Village, Kinsey Faith Hornbeck.

From Magnolia, Bradasha De’Shae Chappel, Garrett Cheatham, Sidney Nicole Gunnels, Katelyn Nicole O'Neal.

From McNeil, Tatyana Denise Adair.

From Monticello, Kiya Blanks, Delisa Denice Reyes.

From Nashville, Aly Skyy Dixon.

From New Edinburg, Amberleigh Faith Hopson, Clara Elizabeth Matkin.

From Norphlet, Kaden Lane Reeder.

From Smackover, Ashley Sharlene Braswell, Gabriel Kincade Davis, Camree Jones, Calvin Kermit Mitchell.

From Stamps, Samuel James Rayburn.

From Star City, Maelea Grace McGhee.

From Strong, Lillian Hope Boykin, PreAnna Monsha Williams.

From Vilonia, Ian Stanley McCubbin.

From Waldo, Alexis Mackenzie Lewis.

From Warren, Jose G. Jacinto, Abigail Emily Merales, Ana Lidia Romero, Carisa Salinas, Leslie Yaquelin Vega.

From Wilmar, Austin Kyle Davis.

From Bernice, Louisiana, Crenshuna Savae Buggs, Tammy Renee Thomas.

From Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, Kade Hamilton Hebert.

From Calhoun, Louisiana, Madisyn E. Bagwell.

From Choudrant, Louisiana, Brianna Thompson.

From Denham Springs, Louisiana, Telviyonta L. Henyard.

From Farmerville, Louisiana, Beyonce Hill, Justyce Sharee' Hill.

From Jonesboro, Louisiana, Melinda Ann Gates.

From Lillie, Louisiana, Nancy Elizabeth Hargraves, Addison Grace Porter.

From Marion, Louisiana, Orele Traylor.

From Minden, Louisiana, Tomiqueline Erving Peters.

From Quitman, Louisiana, Allison Tryon Craighead.

From Ruston, Louisiana, Justice Cage Hatter, Regina Mills, Justin Michael Szymanski.

From Sikes, Louisiana, Miranda Christina Elliott.

From Spearsville, Louisiana, Madilynn R. Dendy.

From West Monroe, Louisiana, Alyssa Andrews Barrett, Molly Elizabeth Coleman, Louie Angel Ponce.

From Winnsboro, Louisiana, Melissa Michelle Bingham.

From Omaha, Nebraska, Raheem Jovan Briggs.

Murphy Oil contributes $10 Million for student housing, stadium

Murphy Oil contributes $10 Million for student housing, stadium

Students at South Arkansas College in El Dorado soon will have the opportunity to live in a residence hall, and attend games at a new baseball stadium, through a package of capital improvement projects that will be made possible in large part by a $10 million charitable gift from Murphy Oil Corporation announced Tuesday.

“We are extremely pleased to provide the financial means for South Arkansas College to enhance and expand its facilities for the betterment of its students and the community. We believe that funding these key capital projects is a worthy investment that will generate significant returns for SouthArk and El Dorado for many years to come,” said Roger W. Jenkins, CEO of Murphy Oil Corporation.

The announcement came this week shortly following the conclusion of the second consecutive season in which the SouthArk Stars baseball team advanced to the NJCAA Division II World Series, which is the pinnacle of the sport for junior college programs.

Following up that excitement with this exciting announcement has been especially thrilling, president Dr. Stephanie Tully-Dartez said.

“In order to fulfill our mission and provide educational opportunities to our community, the college needs to grow. Having intercollegiate athletics on our campus has brought new energy and new students,” she said. “It makes sense to add to our existing athletic facilities as we add to our academic offerings. There has been an interest in and a need for student housing at SouthArk for many years, but settling on the right approach and finding the funding anchor has taken time. We are so thankful that Murphy Oil is providing that base layer of funding, which this project will be built off of — both figuratively, and literally.”

Both parts of the project will be located on the West Campus, which connects to downtown El Dorado. The proposed student residence hall is expected to be placed in an area south of the El Dorado Conference Center along West Avenue, facing west, which now has the college’s maintenance building as well as a vacant lot. Exact specifications have not been determined, but the facility likely would open with housing space for about 100 students, with room for later expansion.

The proposed baseball stadium will be located at the southwest corner of Hillsboro Street and West Avenue, which also currently is a vacant lot.

The two facilities together, coupled with the finished improvements to the Hillsboro corridor now underway, when complete will provide a clear visual marker for the southern entrance of SouthArk’s campus.

The target date to opening for these facilities is fall of 2026. Land needed to build these facilities already has been purchased.

Tully-Dartez emphasized that funding streams beyond the Murphy gift, both private and public, will be sought to help complete the project’s financing. A capital campaign has started which will include multiple opportunities for support, including naming rights for portions of the project. Information about that will be rolling out in coming weeks, she said.

“These improvements to our campus will help beautify the area and ultimately, bring more college students to El Dorado who may eventually decide to stay here, accept local jobs, have families and contribute to the overall health of the economy in the city,” the president said.

SouthArk Build projects
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Map of area where proposed student housing facility and baseball stadium will be located.

Kuttenkuler named Player of the Week again

Kuttenkuler named Player of the Week again

For the second consecutive week, South Arkansas College first baseman Beau Kuttenkuler has been selected as NJCAA Division II Region 2 Player of the Week.

Kuttenkuler averaged .545 with four RBIs, a home run and four runs scored in a four-game stretch for the week ending on Sunday (May 5) which saw the Stars win three of four outings, including all three in one day against Region 2 leader Arkansas State-Mountain Home. The victories pushed SouthArk to the second seed in the Eastern Division heading into the Plains District Tournament.

The redshirt sophomore has committed to an offer to continue his playing career at the University of Arkansas-Monticello after completing his eligibility at SouthArk this spring.

kuttenkuler beau

Pigott named new head coach

Pigott named new head coach

South Arkansas College has named Jon Pigott as its next head coach of women’s basketball.

Currently the head coach of the Smackover High School girls’ basketball team, Pigott was the head coach of the girls’ team at South Side High in Bee Branch from 2019-2023, also serving as athletic director in his last two years there.

Before that, he was the head boys’ basketball coach at Harmony Grove High beginning in 2016.

Pigott has a specialist’s degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University, a master’s degree in teaching from Henderson State University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Arkansas.

Pigott said that he is “thrilled” to take over his new position from former head coach Nate Evans, who has stepped down to an assistant’s role.

"I'm excited to work with the talented players returning and welcome the incoming freshmen,” Pigott said. “I look forward to collaborating with Nate Evans, who has done an outstanding job with the program, to continue its success."

Four players already have signed in the 2024 class, but there still are roster spots open waiting to be filled by Pigott. Six players are expected to return from the current roster for the 2024-2025 season.

"I'm eager to hit the ground running and build something truly special here in south Arkansas,” Pigott said. “With dedication, hard work, and the support of our community, I'm confident we can achieve great things together on and off the court."

pigott jon

Ursery tabbed for weekly honor

Ursery tabbed for weekly honor

SouthArk freshman pitcher Ryan Ursery has received Player of the Week honors for NJCAA Region 2 for the week ending on Sunday (April 21).

The Pine Bluff left-hander is the first pitcher in SouthArk’s three-year history to claim NJCAA weekly honors. Over the week, he went the distance on the mound in a 4-2 victory over visiting Region 2 foe Rich Mountain.

On the season, Ursery is 8-3 with a 2.83 ERA. His wins put him top 10 in the region. He has started 13 games.

The Stars (27-19, 14-10 in region play) sit tied for fifth place in Region 2 with about a week and a half remaining in the regular season.

southark ursery pow