51青楼

Menu

UCA College of Business Names 2020-2021 Outstanding Students

On April 8, 2021, the UCA College of Business held its annual Student Honors Banquet to celebrate the academic achievements of the College’s students and recognize the outstanding students for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Outstanding students are those who take advantage of educational opportunities and show exemplary academic performance through internships, professional development and experiential education, volunteerism, and participation in clubs and activities.

The following students were awarded an outstanding status, chosen from over 1600 undergraduate and graduate students:

OUTSTANDING STUDENT FOR THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS: ELSA MATTSON

Elsa Mattson was named the overall Outstanding Student for the College of Business because of her many academic achievements.

A triple major with a 3.95 GPA, Elsa earned a聽BBA in Economics with International Trade Concentration, a聽BBA in Management聽Information Systems with a Business Analysis Concentration, and a聽BA in Chinese.聽Elsa also earned a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).

As a聽Research Fellow for the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics (ACRE) for two years, she聽published a refereed journal article about occupational licensing requirements and its聽effect on workers during the Great Recession;聽published an Op-ed about Pennsylvania鈥檚 licensing requirements, which was noticed聽by their Governor鈥檚 office; 补苍诲听presented her studies at the International Academy of Business Disciplines conference.聽She also earned a Mainframe Apprenticeship at in summer 2020.

She served as President of Team Global at UCA 补苍诲听was selected to represent the College at recruiting and accreditation events during her senior year.

Elsa will begin a Master of Science in Business Analytics at William & Mary on a merit-based scholarship starting in the fall.
ACCOUNTING
OUTSTANDING MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY STUDENT: DEVIN GILBERT

Devin Gilbert completed his BBA in Accounting at UCA and did two internships. He is currently a Graduate Assistant and tutors students in our “Principles聽of Accounting” and “Intermediate Accounting” courses. Devin has proven to be cool under pressure.

After graduation with his Master of Accountancy (MAcc), Devin is going聽to work for , the largest accounting firm in the world.
OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTING STUDENT: CLAIRE DeBUSK

Claire DeBusk just completed her BBA and is starting the UCA Master of Accountancy program this summer. While she was an undergraduate, she did five internships, served as an officer of Beta Alpha Psi, placed second with her team for Best Practices in Investing in Yourself, and was involved in service opportunities in Conway and overseas.
ECONOMICS, FINANCE, AND INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT
OUTSTANDING ECONOMICS STUDENT: ELSA MATTSON

A triple major with a 3.95 GPA, Elsa Mattson earned a聽BBA in Economics with International Trade Concentration, a聽BBA in Management聽Information Systems with a Business Analysis Concentration, and a聽Bachelor of Arts in Chinese.聽Elsa also earned a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).聽She served as President of Team Global at UCA and a Research Fellow for ACRE,聽earned a Mainframe Apprenticeship at in summer 2020, and was selected to represent the College at recruiting and accreditation events during her senior year.聽Elsa will begin a Master of Science in Business Analytics at William & Mary on a merit-based scholarship starting in the fall.
OUTSTANDING FINANCE STUDENT: DARYL ADOPO

Daryl achieved a 4.0 GPA, majoring in Finance with a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. While at UCA, he co-authored a paper with Dr. Chen and presented it at the 2021聽International Academy of Business Disciplines conference; worked as a Life Peer Coach for Housing and Residence Life; and volunteered for several organizations and events, including the Big Event, Team Global and others.聽Daryl would like to pursue an MBA in Finance and earn a Data Analytics Graduate Certificate or a Masters of Science in Business Analytics, after which he may then work toward a Doctorate.聽 He wants to eventually work as a financial analyst at the African Bank of Development.
OUTSTANDING INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT STUDENT: BETHANY ARNOLD

Bethany is a first-generation student completing a BBA听颈n Insurance and Risk Management with expected graduation in December 2021. She is the Vice President of Gamma Iota Sigma and currently an intern at while maintaining a 3.82 GPA. She plans to begin her career in the insurance industry after graduation.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
OUTSTANDING GENERAL BUSINESS STUDENT: ASHLEY PHIPPS

Ashley Phipps is a non-traditional student who completed her BBA in General Business completely online while raising two boys under the age of five. She graduated in May 2021 with a 3.36 GPA. She plans to begin a career in banking.
OUTSTANDING MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS STUDENT: KAYLA DEAN

In May 2021, Kayla Dean completed her BBA in Management Information Systems with a Programmer/Analyst Concentration. She finished with a 3.94 GPA and earned a聽Mainframe听颈nternship at in summer 2020. Kayla also was active in volunteer work serving in聽the AmeriCorps Urban Safety Program from fall 2018 to spring 2019, as a UCA聽Peer Coach from fall 2018 until graduation, and as an AmeriCorps BearsServe Member at the UCA Food pantry from fall 2020 to spring 2021.
OUTSTANDING INFORMATION SYSTEMS STUDENT: ROHAN SAXENA

Rohan Saxena graduated with a 3.49 GPA in May 2021, earning a BS in Information Systems with a Computer Science minor. He stayed busy during his UCA undergraduate career by studying abroad at The Hague University, earning an internship at , serving as聽Housing & Food Services Committee Chairman for the UCA Student Government Association, and working at UCA International Engagement and the Department of Biology. Rohan has accepted a job as Tableau Administrator at , a Silicon Valley luxury electric car company.
MARKETING & MANAGEMENT
OUTSTANDING INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP STUDENT: LOGAN TRIBBLE

Logan Tribble is working toward his BBA in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. He is not only a great student in the classroom but also an active participant in the activities of our partner, , and the activities of the “Central Arkansas Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.”
OUTSTANDING LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT STUDENT: JACK BORNHOFT

Jack Bornhoft, the Outstanding Logistics & Supply Chain Management student, has a 3.83 GPA, is the student representative on the board of the , and completed an internship with .
OUTSTANDING MANAGEMENT STUDENT: LUCAS SOUTHARD

Lucas Southard has 3.84 GPA as he works toward a BBA in Management with a concentration in Human Resources Management.
OUTSTANDING MARKETING STUDENT: LAURA LANE &聽EMMA McKNIGHT

This year we have two winners for the BBA in Marketing. Both Laura Lane and Emma McKnight are outstanding students in the classroom earning GPAs of better than 3.8, and both have demonstrated tremendous potential to achieve success in their chosen field of marketing.
OUTSTANDING MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION STUDENT: BRANDON SCOTT PHIPPS

Brandon Scott Phipps is the Outstanding Student of the Master of Business Administration聽(MBA) program. Phipps received his undergraduate degree in Computer Science from UCA and has excelled in the MBA program. In addition to being a veteran, Brandon is launching a new Homewell Health Services franchise in Conway with the help of College of Business Professor Dr. Jeff Standridge.聽 Phipps was also recently named a member of the new class for the .
ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

The UCA College of Business includes:

The goal of the UCA College of Business听颈s to provide a hands-on, experience driven, education that prepares graduates to take on global issues.聽Through our diverse聽programs of study and distinguished faculty and staff, we take creative, engaged students and give them the tools to succeed when they earn their degrees. Our students travel the world, start their own innovative businesses, and join established businesses across the country.聽 Whatever their next step, our students are ready to make a positive impact.

Learn more about our programs of study and distinguished faculty and staff.

Posted in: COB News on June 3, 2021 Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UCA Center for Insurance & Risk Management Welcomes Yanis Fernades as 2026 Risk Manager on Campus

On September 10, the UCA College of Business welcomed聽Yanis Fernandes, Director of Risk Management for Mohawk Industries, to serve as our 2026 Risk Manager on Campus. He shared his 25 years of experience with multiple classes and student organizations, and began his visit by serving as the keynote speaker at a luncheon for students, UCA faculty, and IRM professionals in the community.聽

The 51青楼 (UCA) Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) program was awarded a grant from the Spencer Educational Foundation, supporting this key Experiential Learning opportunity that allows UCA students the privilege to learn and network with a Spencer Risk Management professional.聽The Spencer Foundation聽has long supported UCA’s annual RMOC event, bringing the last 5 to the campus through their grant program.

Over 55 students, industry professionals, and UCA faculty and staff attended the luncheon, including Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Jimmy Harris, who challenged students to seize opportunities to gain experience, such as learning from a guest of Yanis Fernandes’ caliber and networking with the insurance professionals in attendance. Harris also recognized the value of UCA’s Insurance Program, which recently surpassed its 25th year educating students in Arkansas as one of the only Insurance and Risk Management programs in the region.

During the luncheon, Yanis spoke about the complex areas and opportunities in the IRM field, the many areas of risk he has experienced, tasks he does day-to-day, and best practices to mitigate risk while advising clients. Describing the industry as “the science of accountability,” Yanis shared about past economic impacts on the insurance field, speaking of significant events he endured as an IRM professional, like the Y2K “Dot Com” Recession, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the “Great Recession” (2007-2009), COVID-19, and the more recent recession and inflation. Yanis transitioned from significant past impacts into emerging topics like cyber-extortion, coin mining, remote work exposure, and nuclear verdicts. Finally, he addressed the students in attendance directly with advice and benefits of becoming part of the IRM industry.

“My advice to you, as you’re taking these courses in risk management, is make it a point in how you get to ‘the letters’ behind the name [referencing certifications and designations professionals seek like CRM, ARM, CIC, or CLU],” Yanis shared with students before closing.

“This is a great program that prepares you for the field, and those ‘letters’ indicate your credibility. Employers may hire you because of those ‘letters.’ I advise you to to earn your education and those further credentials now, even if its only one, because they can increase your career potential earlier in your career. Prepare early for the endless opportunities available to you in this industry.”

GIS Chapter President Madelyn Neel leads an informal Q&A session with Risk Manager on Campus, Yanis Fernandes, during the Gamma Iota Sigma meeting on September 10, following his presentation at the luncheon.

GIS Chapter President Madelyn Neel leads an informal Q&A session with Risk Manager on Campus, Yanis Fernandes, during the Gamma Iota Sigma meeting on September 10, following his presentation at the luncheon.

After lunch, when the professionals returned to their jobs, Yanis ate a few bites from the lunch buffet, with minutes to his next presentation.聽A couple dozen more students gathered for the university’s chapter Gamma Iota Sigma meeting, and for this special guest, the chapter president led a “Fireside Chat” with Yanis, a much more informal opportunity for students to get to know Yanis and ask questions. This time, Yanis mentioned his qualifications, but focused on his difficult journey to success and why education is important. He explained the hardships of leaving his native country to seek higher education in the U.S., and his steady focus as he tried multiple areas of study, finally settling on the risk industry. Interested students voiced questions from around the room during the brief chat. His answers frequently聽emphasized practical ways for the students to increase their credibility and advised them to seek opportunities and experience.

Yanis finished his visit to UCA by speaking in the College of Business auditorium to students gathered from combined classes taught by UCA Insurance Center Director Ivan Hudson, who organized Yanis’ visit to UCA, and Dr. Tim Bisping, Economics Professor and Dean of the UCA College of Business. As Yanis offered one real-world example after another, the class turned from a presentation to a question-and-answer session.

One student raised a question about how he successfully left one job for another and moved between the many areas of insurance and risk management. “People are forming an impression of you: how you speak, how you treat people. They’re observing you and your skills, your character. Employers look for personalities that work well in positions, and you don’t want to burn bridges in this industry because of the many connections people have. Even oceans away, people talk.”

Students asked Yanis how to handle new “threats” or significant career-impacting changes, such as AI, an ailing job market, a weather disaster, another worldwide pandemic, or other events beyond preparation or control. On this topic, Yanis is both personally and professionally qualified to offer advice. As a resident of New Orleans, he worked for Entergy electric utility company from 2004 to 2013 and personally experienced the devastation when two catastrophic hurricanes struck his home city in 2005. In New Orleans alone, killed approximately 800 people, damaged or destroyed more than 134,000 structures, and caused an estimated $16.9 billion in damage. The storm ultimately resulted in more than 1,800 deaths and $81 billion in damages throughout the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. 聽then swept across the region less than 30 days later, breaching New Orleans’ since-repaired levees and resulting in more deaths and destruction in the region.

Yanis did not focus on his personal experience of Katrina and Rita in earlier presentations and only briefly, once in the class, connected his residence in New Orleans from ’04 to ’13 to the 2005 Hurricanes. However, his swift answer to the student’s question was particularly meaningful for those who recall the weather disasters of 2005: “You must be willing to adapt and evolve, learn your way through, as the world changes.”

On a lighter note, when asked about his favorite part of the industry, Yanis said with a slight chuckle, “It keeps you on your feet. Many of these things that result in claims will never happen the same way again.”

During the three total sessions during his time as UCA’s 2026 Risk Manager on Campus, Yanis provided students, faculty, and IRM professionals with countless practical ways to adapt in life and career, sharing dozens of examples and takeaways applicable for emerging and seasoned professionals in any industry. One of his final slides said, “act in good faith and conscience; sustain relationships, personal and professional; seek value-added projects, continuous learning, professional training, and networking opportunities; optimize technology; and avoid complacency.”


MORE ABOUT YANIS FERNANDES

Yanis has over 25 years of direct experience in the field of risk management. He is currently serving as Director of Risk for Mohawk Industries at their world headquarters in Calhoun, Georgia.

Yanis’ first full-time position after college began with an insurance adjuster/private investigator for a small outfit in Atlanta. Yanis later joined a reinsurance brokerage firm, Minet Re, known today as Aon. In the last 20 years, Yanis has had the privilege of working in Corporate Risk in a variety of industries – Retail (Home Depot), Electric Utility (Entergy), Aerospace (Sierra Nevada/Sierra Space), and presently, Flooring (Mohawk Industries). In his career, Yanis has led the resolution of multiple complex claims, including his role in managing a significant component of Hurricane Katrina and Rita in 2005, as well as other complex Workers鈥� Comp, Auto, and General Liability claims. He managed the Owner Controlled Insurance Programs and related claims. Yanis also led major marketing campaigns including technical briefings to global markets for placement of a multi-mission space program.

Yanis earned his Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and the RIMS Certified Risk Management Professional (CRMP) designations. He continues to teach and learn while staying abreast of innovations and developing trends impacting the industry.

Born in the coastal city of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Yanis鈥� family moved to Zambia when he was of elementary school age, where he completed his high school. Yanis then seized an opportunity for higher education to study in the US after being accepted at Georgia State, where he obtained his BBA in Risk Management and MBA in International Business.

Residing in Cartersville, Georgia, with his family, Yanis enjoys travel, the outdoors, hikes, and participates in 5Ks, 10ks, and the occasional Half. His number one passion is the sport of Badminton, which he plays competitively, and as often as his schedule allows.

Yanis directly supports a dump site Ministry in Nakuru, Kenya, which tends to the food and housing needs of the residents who live in the landfill vicinity, with a focus on educational pathways for children, to move them out of the poverty cycle. Yanis works on Habitat build projects in the Atlanta metro area as a volunteer.

Posted in: COB News, Featured News, Gamma Iota Sigma, grant, Insurance and Risk Management program, Risk Manager on Campus, Spencer Educational Foundation, _Events, _Grants, _Speaker on September 19, 2026 Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

UCA College of Business Welcomes New Department Chair

The 51青楼 (UCA) College of Business has named Dr. Gordon Schmidt as the new chair for the Department of Marketing and Management. Schmidt began his role on July 1.

As department chair, Schmidt will collaborate with faculty and supervise department activities that support the college鈥檚 mission to provide an innovative and relevant curriculum combined with hands-on student experiences in the business community. He will teach courses related to human resources, leadership and organizational behavior. Schmidt will also continue his research in the future of work, virtual leadership, neurodiversity and how leadership differs across contexts.

鈥淒r. Schmidt brings a vast knowledge of leadership gained during his 20-year career,鈥� Dr. Timothy Bisping, dean of the College of Business, said. 鈥淚n his books, he skillfully engages his readers to examine management practices through popular culture references.

鈥淚 look forward to the creative ways he will help guide our college in the future.鈥�

Before assuming this role of department chair at UCA, Schmidt served as the director of the David and Sharon Turrentine School of Management at the University of Louisiana Monroe. His longest tenure was nearly 12 years of leadership and teaching roles at Purdue University Fort Wayne, the largest university in northeast Indiana.

In addition to teaching and administrative roles and authoring books, Schmidt has offered his expertise as an organizational consultant for the last 10 years and currently serves as a book series editor for Emerald Publishing, a global academic press focusing on scholarly journals, books, and teaching case studies.

鈥淚’ve been very impressed by the quality of teaching and research happening here at UCA for a number of years,鈥� Schmidt said. 鈥淲hen I saw an opportunity to join the amazing team here, I jumped at it.

鈥淚鈥檓 pleased to be a part of the team here at UCA that helps prepare our students for success both today and in the workplace of the future.鈥�

Schmidt earned his Doctor of Philosophy and his Master of Arts, both focused on Industrial and Organizational Psychology, from Michigan State University. He also completed his Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.

About the UCA College of Business

Established in 1969, the UCA College of Business offers more than 20 undergraduate and graduate degree paths and certificates to equip current and future business professionals to successfully and ethically meet the changing business environment. Maintaining its AACSB accreditation since 1984, the program offers a thorough business education as well as opportunities for hands-on experience and industry networking. For more information, visit uca.edu/business.

Posted in: COB News, Featured News on August 10, 2026 Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UCA College of Business Earns Extension of Prestigious Global Accreditation

College of Business photo with their logo and AACSB accreditation seal

The prestigious that the 51青楼 (UCA) College of Business has successfully achieved the extension of its business program accreditation.

Widely considered the gold standard in business education accreditation, the , which places the UCA College of Business in an elite category of business colleges.

The College of Business received AACSB accreditation in 1984, and this extension earns continued accreditation for its 21 undergraduate business degrees and Master of Business Administration for another six years.

Dr. Tim Bisping, College of Business Dean and Professor of Economics

鈥淭he UCA College of Business delivers transformational, educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact our community,鈥� Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the UCA College of Business and professor of economics, said. 鈥淎ACSB accreditation places us among a premier group of business schools worldwide, reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence in business education.鈥�

To earn AACSB accreditation requires a rigorous process that includes an in-depth assessment of internal activities and an on-site, peer-reviewed evaluation that focuses on continuous improvement. AACSB鈥檚 principles-based standards require excellence in areas relating to teaching, learning, strategic management, innovation, research, and service.

Bisping added, 鈥淥ur College is committed to providing our business students with the highest quality business education through a relevant curriculum to meet today鈥檚 workforce demands, hands-on learning experiences, and active engagement in the business community.

鈥淎s we continue to elevate our programs, we look forward to shaping future leaders and making a lasting impact in the lives of our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve for many years to come.鈥�

About the UCA College of Business

Established in 1969, the UCA College of Business offers more than 20 undergraduate and graduate degree paths and certificates to equip current and future business professionals to successfully and ethically meet the changing business environment. Maintaining its AACSB accreditation since 1984, the program offers a thorough business education as well as opportunities for hands-on experience and industry networking. For more information, visit .

Posted in: COB News, Featured News on July 8, 2026 Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame announces 2026 Class of Inductees

CONWAY, Ark. (UCA) 鈥斅�The Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 class of distinguished inductees. Seven new Arkansans will be honored at the 2026 Induction Banquet Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Thomas C. Courtway Student Recreation Center on the campus of the 51青楼 (UCA).

The 2026 Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame inductees are:

Regina "Reggie" Favors Retired President and Chief Executive Officer Pinnacle Business Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield from Cedar Hill, TX

Regina “Reggie” Favors
Retired President and Chief Executive Officer
Pinnacle Business Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
from Cedar Hill, TX

Lynn Harbert, CIOP Retired Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Delta Dental of Arkansas from Cabot, AR

Lynn Harbert, CIOP
Retired Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Delta Dental of Arkansas
from Cabot, AR

T. Ark Monroe, III, J.D. Retired Partner, Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC Former Arkansas Insurance Commissioner, 1972- 1976 from Little Rock, AR

T. Ark Monroe, III, J.D.
Retired Partner, Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates &
Woodyard, PLLC
Former Arkansas Insurance Commissioner, 1972-1976
from Little Rock, AR

搁颈肠丑补谤诲听尝.听笔补迟迟别谤蝉辞苍,聽 CLU 庐 , ChFC 庐 , ARPC, AEP庐 Financial Advisor Patterson Financial Group from Little Rock, AR

搁颈肠丑补谤诲听尝.听笔补迟迟别谤蝉辞苍,聽 CLU 庐 , ChFC 庐 , ARPC, AEP庐
Financial Advisor
Patterson Financial Group
from Little Rock, AR

* Victor A. Puleo, Jr., Ph.D., CIC, CCI (1964 鈥� 2025) Educator UCA College of Business, 2003-2017 formerly of Nicholasville, KY *posthumous

* Victor A. Puleo, Jr., Ph.D., CIC, CCI (1964 鈥� 2025)
Educator for UCA College of Business, 2003-2017
formerly of Nicholasville, KY
*posthumous

J.B. Smith Agency Owner 鈥� Retired Smith and Company Insurance, Inc. from Marianna, AR

J.B. Smith
Agency Owner 鈥� Retired
Smith and Company Insurance, Inc.
from Marianna, AR

Dennis Young Agency Owner 鈥� Retired Young and Youngblood Insurance from Texarkana, AR

Dennis Young
Agency Owner 鈥� Retired
Young and Youngblood Insurance
from Texarkana, AR

The Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame was created in 2015 to identify and honor distinguished insurance industry professionals with strong ties to Arkansas who exemplify innovation, social responsibility, leadership and professional excellence; have made broad, encompassing and lasting contributions to advance the role of insurance in society; and have significantly impacted the lives of many Arkansans.

聽and various levels of recognition in support of the 2026 inductees are available through Sept. 25 and can be found on the Hall of Fame website at聽.

The UCA College of Business partners with the Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame to create and nurture a nationally recognized undergraduate degree program in insurance and risk management. Scholarships are awarded annually through the 聽.

The Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame seeks to remind the public of the important role the insurance industry plays in securing the well-being of both individuals and businesses, to inspire the next generation of leadership to reach these high levels of accomplishment, and to encourage young Arkansans to consider careers in the insurance industry.

More information about the Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame is available at聽.

Posted in: COB News, Featured News, Insurance and Risk Management program on June 24, 2026 Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Top 5 Ways to Earn an Internship that Turns Into a Job

Take it from Tymera: You can get an internship, and you can turn that internship into a job.

Tymera started like any other student; she didn’t know how to get an internship, but she got involved at UCA.

, “When I first stepped on campus, I was a naive girl with no idea what life had in store for me. Through every lesson, challenge, and triumph in my collegiate journey, I鈥檝e grown into a stronger, wiser, and more resilient woman.”

Opportunities led to more opportunities. As a freshman, she became a COB Student Ambassador, where she served and grew as a leader. She was elected to SGA for a couple of years and participated in the 聽and Women of Excellence. In her junior year, she became a student worker for Career Services, and soon, she learned how important internships are. That’s when she practiced interviewing, got connections from her mentors, and scored her internship.

In the summer between her junior and senior years, Tymera served as a Client Experience Intern at ,聽a Little Rock-based SaaS company specializing in school-community communication. This company was the perfect blend of her major in marketing and her minor in computer information systems. She was assigned to their Client Success division, where she learned to support more than 2,000 shared client accounts. Her responsibilities included content migration, website design improvements, data accuracy updates, and guiding clients through technical processes.

Using what she had learned in class projects, as a student worker, and as a campus leader, Tymera excelled at Apptegy. Her most significant contribution came when she independently identified a gap in an existing client workflow and took complete ownership of redesigning it.聽Working on behalf of the client, Tymera led a multiphase project, coordinated team meetings, created instructional recordings and strategically delegated tasks, resulting in restored client trust and improved overall client sentiment. The project drew high praise from Apptegy鈥檚 Vice President of Client Experience Ashley Coleman, who described Tymera as 鈥渁 natural leader鈥� who exemplified initiative, drive and originality.

Tymera credits her growth to Apptegy鈥檚 collaborative culture and her mentor and says the experience entirely transformed her professional outlook. She said, “I learned that productivity alone is not enough – true impact comes from connecting with others and building trust.”

Impressed by her performance, Apptegy offered Tymera a full-time position to start upon her graduation.

Before Tymera graduated in May and started her job at Apptegy, she was nominated by COB’s Dr. Tom Snyder and was honored as the UCA Internships and Cooperative Education 2025-26 “Intern of the Year”.

Every major in the UCA College of Business allows and encourages students to pursue internships for academic credit to gain real-world career experiences before graduation. Whether you earn credit for your major or not, you can and should do as many internships as possible. But how does someone find an internship?

TOP 5 WAYS TO LAND AN INTERNSHIP

  1. Check out UCA Career Services.
    They offer you advice, tools, resume review, and many other services that can help you find and get an internship.
    Visit their website聽to look at what they offer, or make an appointment: call 501.450.3250 or email bears4hire@uca.edu.
  2. Join HandShake.
    HandShake is a tool like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, or GlassDoor – except you get their Premium account FREE as a student, and you get to keep it after you graduate. After you create your account, HandShake will email you the types of internships and jobs that fit your interests and education, so you don’t have to search for them.
  3. 聽Make sure you have an updated resume.
    Career Services will review your resume if you need help.
    Here’s a to get started.
  4. Attend a Career Fair.
    Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, this is the best place to network with employers when they’re looking to hire somebody.
    Take copies of your resume to share, and dress for the job you want. Did you know you can get a free interview outfit from UCA each year?
  5. Ask your Professors!
    Your business professors and mentors have connections in the business community, and they often know about unlisted jobs.
    They can also give you recommendations to help you earn an internship or job.

Take it from Tymera! You can do this.

What’s the worst thing that can happen – hearing “No”?
Try those Top 5 Ways! If you don’t put yourself out there and apply, employers won’t have the opportunity to say “YES” to you.
Final Tip from Tymera’s journey: getting involved and volunteering gives you great things to list on your resume before you have experience at jobs or internships to list.

Posted in: CISA, COB News, Featured News, Marketing & Management, _All Opportunities, _Awards, _Hands-On Experience, _Internships and Part-time on June 16, 2026 Tagged: , , , , ,

College of Business Alumni Honored in 2026 Arkansas Business 40 Under 40

Each year, to recognize intriguing business and political leaders under 40 years old. Three individuals with connections to UCA were recognized at the 2026 awards luncheon Wednesday, June 3, at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. They shared their secrets to success, especially their lessons learned and advice for their 18-year-old selves.

聽鈥�09 is the chief financial officer for the Northwest Arkansas National Airport in Bentonville. She earned an accounting degree from UCA in 2009 and is an active CPA with 15 years of experience in public, corporate and nonprofit/governmental accounting.

First job and lesson learned

鈥淚鈥檝e always enjoyed earning my own money, so I started babysitting at 12. The biggest lesson I learned was responsibility. I understood that someone was trusting me to care for what mattered most to them, their children, and that pushed me to be dependable and attentive. It also taught me patience and communication, since every child is different.鈥�

Advice for your 18-year-old self

鈥淚 would tell my 18-year-old self not to compare your path to others. I remember a time in school when my friends got into the gifted and talented program and I didn鈥檛. I felt like a failure. But staying focused, working hard and believing in myself allowed me to achieve success later. That experience taught me that your path may be different, but determination and perseverance can turn early setbacks into lasting accomplishments.鈥�

Learn more about 聽from her ABPG interview.

, who served as an Executive in Residence for the UCA College of Business last spring, was also a member of the 2026 class. Deylami is chief operating officer and associate center director for the NASA Ames Research Center. He leads teams to enable $2.5 billion-plus in private investment, accelerating public-private partnerships and innovation. He is the former NASA聽CFO/deputy CFO, overseeing financial portfolios up to $4 billion.

First job and lesson learned

鈥淚 began working in my family鈥檚 small business at the age of 5 and later assumed operational responsibility as a teenager. It taught me about the true meaning of hard work and dedication and that accountability is immediate 鈥� results reflect ownership. That foundation shaped how I lead today: setting clear expectations, driving disciplined execution, and taking full responsibility for outcomes.鈥�

Advice for your 18-year-old self

鈥淲ork hard, stay disciplined and trust your instincts. You don鈥檛 need to have everything figured out. Step into the opportunity, grow and continuously add value. It鈥檚 all going to work out.鈥�

Learn more about 聽from his ABPG interview.

UCA Director of Athletics聽听颈s among the 2026 Class. He was named director of athletics at UCA in 2024 at age 36. Whiting oversees a department that includes 18 Division I sports, 13 head coaches and 450-plus student athletes. He has also led record fundraising efforts for UCA athletics, totaling more than $15 million in gifts since 2016.

First job and lesson learned

鈥淢y first professional job was as assistant athletic director for external relations at the聽University of Arkansas at Monticello. I learned the value of developing strong relationships with our constituents and working diligently to support the needs of our student-athletes, coaches and programs. This opportunity expanded my understanding of collegiate athletics administration and opened the door for my career in this industry.鈥�

Advice for your 18-year-old self

鈥淚t is never as good as it seems, and it is never as bad as it seems. Bring a great attitude and great effort every day, and do your best to make a positive impact in whatever you are doing.鈥�

Learn more about 聽from his ABPG interview.

Posted in: COB News, Featured News on June 9, 2026 Tagged: , , , , , , ,

UCA Students Impact Community Through Free Tax Assistance Program

(from left): Lakoda Caldwell, Katie Boysen, Caitlin LaCerra, Erich Green and Preston Hessee were among students who participated in the 51青楼鈥檚 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) preparers course during the spring 2026 semester. During the 2026 filing season, UCA students volunteered with the United Way of Central Arkansas to prepare approximately 450 tax returns for community members, resulting in more than $490,000 in tax refunds and an estimated $80,000 savings in tax preparation fees.

Students at the 51青楼 made a significant impact on the Conway and Central Arkansas community during the 2026 tax season through participation in the聽. Dr. Ashley Phillips oversees UCA student participation each year.

Students enrolled in the VITA for Preparers course during the spring 2026 semester volunteered with the United Way of Central Arkansas, which serves as a local site for the Internal Revenue Service鈥檚 VITA program. Through the initiative, IRS-certified volunteers provide free, high-quality tax preparation services for qualifying low- and moderate-income individuals and families.

During the 2026 filing season, UCA students prepared approximately 450 tax returns for community members. Student preparers included Katie Boysen, Jetson Busbea, Lakoda Caldwell, Erich Green, Treavor Green, Preston Hessee, Asher Jackson and Caitlin LaCerra.

The financial impact of the students鈥� work is expected to exceed $490,000 in tax refunds returned to local families. In addition, by offering free tax preparation assistance, the students helped residents save an estimated $80,000 in tax preparation fees.

鈥淭hese students are making a meaningful difference in the lives of families across Central Arkansas,鈥� Associate Profressor of Accounting Ashley Phillips, who runs the VITA program at UCA, said. 鈥淣ot only are they gaining valuable hands-on experience, but they are also helping individuals and families keep more of their hard-earned money for essentials such as housing, food and utilities.鈥�

The program is open to College of Business students who would like to volunteer or earn college credit in accounting. VITA volunteers receive training and can either prepare returns or do intake. Experienced CPAs then review each return.

The IRS requires all VITA volunteers to complete extensive annual certification training that includes tax law education, quality review procedures, and privacy and confidentiality standards. This training ensures returns are prepared accurately and securely while providing taxpayers with confidence throughout the filing process.

The United Way of Central Arkansas partners with community volunteers each year to provide trusted tax preparation services through the VITA program.

More information about the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is available at聽.

Posted in: Accounting, COB News, Featured News, _Service Learning on May 22, 2026 Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

COB BULLETIN: SPRING 2026

The spring 2026 semester may have stalled at the start with some icy weather, but from then on, the spring was a jam-packed, productive semester full of great successes for every department in the College of Business.

  • For the second time in three years, UCA had a winning team in the Governor’s Cup Business Plan competition. The UCA Governor’s Cup team, Clara Vision Clinic, placed 3rd place in the Small Business Category for their Plan/Pitch with an additional win in the Small Business 90-Second Pitch. The聽winning team members are Aydia Haymond and Eden Adams with Dr. Duggins serving as their advisor.
  • Marketing Major, !
  • U.S. News and World Report ranked our College of Business in its 2026 list of .
  • Dr. Connie McKnight was selected as President-elect for the 2026-2027 Board of Directors for the International Honor Organization聽Beta Alpha Psi.
  • Drs. Kim, Voss, and Thomas – professors across many business disciplines – were all recognized as Most Valuable Professors by UCA Athletics.聽

ACCOUNTING

  • Lakoda Caldwell and Caitlin LaCerra (both accounting majors) received the Exceptional Achievement in Service Learning Award from CETAL for their participation in VITA this Spring.
  • Dr. Connie McKnight was recognized last night as UCA’s Outstanding RSO Advisor for her service advising our chapter of Beta Alpha Psi.
  • Ashley Phillips led a group of students in partnership with United Way of Central Arkansas to prepare income taxes for low income individuals through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Their impact to the community聽was over $500,000 in refunds and saved preparer fees, completing 455 federal returns (and the related state returns).
  • Ashley Phillips received the 2026 UCA Public Service Award.
  • Lucas Hayes and Izzy Saettele accepted the CLAWS award for our chapter of BAP presentation oft he game show 鈥淭he Major is Right,鈥� developed by the faculty advisors and many members of the Theta Lambda chapter, for the win among 10 regional winners competing this category.
  • Drs. Ashley Phillips and Dr. Karen Oxner co-authored an article for聽Today’s CPA:聽Oxner, K. M., & Phillips, A. D. (2026).聽SHARE REPURCHASES: PLAYING IN THE BIG LEAGUES聽(D. Deakins, Ed.; 1 – 2026th ed.). Today’s CPA (Texas Society of CPAs).聽
  • 5 students from UCA Accounting were awarded scholarships by the Arkansas Society of CPAs.
  • The UCA Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi and Landmark joined together for a service activity.聽 They created snack bags for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Little Rock.
  • Dr. Bob Fang’s manuscript, 鈥淎ccounting Information Quality and Stock Returns: A New Perspective鈥�, was selected for the 2026 American Accounting Researchers & Educators (AARE) Best Paper Award for the Financial Accounting & Reporting track.
  • Anthony McMullen, JD, was selected again by the Arkansas Bar Association to receive a Golden Gavel Award in recognition of his leadership and dedication in organizing and presenting a hands-on Mock Trial Workshop for Arkansas students and educators.
  • In January 2026, the聽Journal of Legal Studies Education聽published McMullen’s article “Ad IRAC Per Aspera,” where he discusses how he incorporates an episode of聽Star Trek: Strange New Worlds听颈nto a lesson on teaching legal reasoning. The聽Journal of Legal Studies Education聽has also accepted “Incorporating Generative AI into a Contract Negotiation Exercise,” which will be published this summer.

CISA

  • CISA Most Cited Article on GenAIThe genAI paper published in April 2024 by Drs. Mike Ellis, Mike Casey, and Jeff Hill, “,” (Volume 22, Issue 2, 2024, in the Decision聽Sciences Journal of Innovative Education) was recognized as one of DSJIE’s Top 10 Most Cited Papers. This was a significant beginning effort to聽lead UCA and the College of Business into this new world of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) in higher education, which the CISA department has since continued to build upon.
  • Dr. Joe Thomas:
    • served as an Honors Thesis Advisor to two students:
      • Olivia Johnson (January 1, 2025 – Present).聽聽“Chinese Social Credit System Simulation,” Computer Information Systems and Analytics.
      • Wyatt Held (January 1, 2025 – Present).聽聽“Assessing Cybersecurity Awareness:聽 Surveying Demographics, Knowledge, and Actionable Practices,” Computer Information Systems and Analytics.
    • hosted Saving Grace Service Dogs training event in COB Bldg.聽 This event hosted service animals from across Arkansas who are being trained to alert to seizures, PTSD events, and diabetes changes.聽 This event supports the UCA Vision of聽engagement with local, national, and global communities, as well as the UCA and COB Core Values of Community – Partnerships and Service.
    • published聽Davis, L. E., Thomas, J. Y., Taylor, J. D., Dominguez, M. R., Bolding-Koch, J.*, Darby, C.*, Gray, A.*, Herring, A.*, McClure, C.* (in press April). The Effects of Drawing-to-Learn on Retention of Knowledge in Internal Heart Anatomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.聽To appear in HAPS Educator.

EFIRM

  • The new Finance Club was awarded as , pioneered in Fall 2026 by spring 2026 graduate Mason Smith.
  • The Finance Club also partnered with the BASCOM club to bring Phillip Watts, the Principal Financial Officer of Dillard’s, to campus. Phillip spoke about career opportunities (currently seeking supply chain professionals), shared professional advice, and discussed what the company looks for when hiring students.
  • The Arkansas College Teachers of Economics and Business (ACTEB) had their annual meeting at UCA on February 27th. Speakers included Mitch Bettis from Arkansas Business and Matuschka Lindo Briggs from the Federal Reserve. ACC Capital sponsored the lunch. Mike Casey Jr, Jakob Michaelis, Anthony McMullen, and Michelle Buchanan led an AI Panel discussion. Among Marketing and Management, Alex Chen, Jamila Maxie, Ming Li, and Angela Weng (student) participated in the event.
  • Dr. Snyder invited Economist Jack Leps from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to his Senior Seminar class.聽 He discussed data the students can use for their project.聽 He also discussed jobs at BLS that the students can apply for. In addition, he shared his personal journey to becoming an economist.
  • Dr. Stephen Yao .
  • Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl continued his contributions, including this .

MARKETING & MANAGEMENT

  • The Allison Entrepreneurial Speaker Series continued this spring with Kyle Tabor from Blue Sail Coffee here to share his expertise with students.
  • The聽Bears Advancing Supply Chain and Operations Management (BASCOM) club聽took a field trip to Westrock Coffee and hosted several valuable guest speakers.
  • The Marketing and Sales club had a joint meeting with Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS – Insurance club).聽 Insurance professionals, including Dakota Holliman and Colton Johnson, presented
  • The Conductor continued its workshop series and pitch competitions. Chris Brown took home a cash prize as the “Judges Choice” while Alejandra Alvarez won the “Audience Choice” prize.
  • Dr. Ben Garner to speak with multiple students. He also聽5 students on a field trip to Insight in Conway for a tour and job shadowing.
  • Dr. Ron Duggins:
    • New Product Development class- hosted Steve Gebhart to visit about聽customer聽development. Steve has experience with both physical and digital product companies. The class also hosted Josh Hallenbeck of Rose Law Firm to discuss听颈ntellectual property issues related to product development.
    • New Venture Creation class- the students were able to hear the stories and ask questions from business founders Preston Palmer who founded Palmer Music and Bellwether Creative, John Keith who founded THINK Coffee, and Tom Gordon who founded Slim Chickens.
    • The UCA Governor’s Cup team, Clara Vision Clinic, placed 3rd place in the Small Business Category for their Plan/Pitch with an additional win in the Small Business 90-Second Pitch. The聽winning team members are Aydia Haymond and Eden Adams with Dr. Duggins serving as their advisor.
  • Doug Voss invited Brian Evans, Arkansas Speaker of the House to talk to his Safety & Motor Carrier Policy class. He represents District 68 which includes the city of Cabot, as well as portions of Lonoke County.
  • Dr. Ben Britton took 5 students to the Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE) Convention in Virginia. Students received professional development and made some great connections. This is a catalyst for getting the PSE chapter officially activated at UCA.
  • Robert Walker, MBA Student mentored by Alex Chen, presented his research at the SWDSI conference in Dallas.
  • Dr. JiHoon Jhang had the following manuscripts accepted for publication:
    • Journal of Business Research聽(ranked #1 in Marketing by Google Scholar Metrics):聽“When Size Doesn’t Matter: The Impact of Unexpected Surcharges on Consumer Reactions”
    • International Journal of Hospitality Management聽(ranked #1 in Tourism & Hospitality by Google Scholar Metrics):聽“Rethinking Language Fluency: The Role of Mindset and Authenticity in How Poor Communication Enhances Service Evaluations in Hospitality Settings”
    • International Journal of Hospitality Management聽(ranked #1 in Tourism & Hospitality by Google Scholar Metrics):聽“The Sold-Out Effect: How Product Unavailability and Price Precision Shape Consumer Choice in Hospitality and Tourism”
  • Dr. Jhang also joined the Editorial Board of the聽Journal of Travel Research听颈n January 2026 and has been serving since. JTR is a top-tier journal (ABDC A*), and editorial board membership is reserved for a select group of scholars who have demonstrated sustained and significant contributions to tourism research, making it a truly distinguished honor in the field.
  • Dr. Joe Cangelosi mentored one of his marketing students, Kinley Keith, in her efforts for her Honors College Thesis: “Artificial Intelligence in Marketing: Effects of AI-Generated Content on Consumer Trust, Perceived Authenticity, and Purchase Intent.”
  • After serving as the FBLA Collegiate National VP of Development, as聽President/CEO of Arkansas FBLA Collegiate for the next membership year.
  • Students from UCA competed in business-related events at the State FBLA Collegiate Leadership Conference in El Dorado, and we had 2 winners! Kaddie Bailey won 1st place in Computer Applications, 1st place in Customer Service, AND was elected State President of FBLA Collegiate for the upcoming 2026-2027 year.聽 Marcella Leon-Colon won 3rd place in Public Speaking.聽 They will both be eligible to compete at the National FBLA Conference this summer.聽 Thanks and congrats to Marsha Carson for successfully advising this student organization.
  • Associate Dean, Dr. Laci Lyons, : “A RICH resilience capability portfolio: Linking resiliency to strategic entrepreneurship behavior.”
  • The Marketing & Management Department welcomed its new Administrative Specialist: Tiffany Cole.

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM

  • Four UCA faculty members and ten MBA students had their research presented last month (March 18-21, 2026) in Dallas, Texas, at the 55th Annual Meeting of the Southwest Decision Sciences Institute (SWDS) and Federation of Business Disciplines (FBD) Conference.聽 Drs. Saif Bhuiyan, Alex Chen, Connie McKnight, and Mark McMurtrey participated as well as MBA students Lauren Brogden,聽 Mavis Deku,聽 Samuel Emery, Grant McKnight, Joseph Somervell (also a UCA employee), Erinn Stone, Amy Streett,聽 Julia Vanderwarf, Robert Walker and Nick Watson, as well as recent MSADA graduate Dr. Parvinder Singh,聽 Many of them were聽able to attend and their research will be published in the forthcoming Proceedings of the Conference.聽 The students represented both UCA and the COB well and did a fantastic job.
  • BSchools ranked our program as one of its Ranked by Affordability.
  • Our MBA in Healthcare was recognized by HealthcareDegree.com as one of its by Affordability.
  • Learn.org also ranked our MBA in its .
  • Dr. McMurtrey (MBA Director) was excited to celebrate with our recent MBA graduates (pictured right).
Posted in: Accounting, CISA, COB News, EFIRM, Featured News, Marketing & Management on May 15, 2026 Tagged: ,

UCA College of Business Launches Coursera Career Academy for Students, Alumni, Faculty

Add Skills and Credentials to your resume with Coursera - now available to business majors and alumni

The 51青楼 (UCA) College of Business has announced the launch of聽Coursera Career Academy, a career development platform that allows current UCA business majors and alumni to complement their UCA degrees with flexible, online training at no additional cost.

Coursera offers workshops, micro-credentials and professional certificates from industry giants like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Salesforce, IBM, Meta and over 300 more partners. The online platform launched for UCA business majors, faculty and staff in spring 2026, and it is now available to College of Business alumni.

鈥淚n today鈥檚 competitive job market, a graduate who has also earned a professional certificate or micro-credentials,鈥� Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the UCA College of Business and professor of economics, said. 鈥淲e are excited to strengthen employment outcomes for our students and alumni by launching this tool at no additional cost to our college鈥檚 community.

鈥淕oing forward, our college faculty will also use Coursera to supplement our courses, enhancing the learning experience for our business students. By connecting our students and alumni with this platform, we are strategically addressing emerging skills in business and technology, inviting our students and alumni to drive innovation and continue to pursue the lifelong learning that is essential for career success.鈥�

UCA business alumni are invited to explore key features of Coursera and enroll today:

  • Hundreds of opportunities to earn career-relevant credentials and certificates.
  • Flexible course schedules that work for the learner鈥檚 needs.
  • Interactive and AI-powered tools that give personalized feedback.
  • Verified certificates of achievement or micro-credentials.

聽shows that 91% of its learners achieved a positive career outcome, and the university hopes to extend those benefits to its business students and alumni by making this platform available to them at no additional cost.

More information about the Coursera Career Academy at the UCA College of Business is available at聽.

Coursera for Business Majors Coursera for Business Alumni Coursera for COB Faculty & Staff Get Help

Posted in: COB News, Featured News on May 14, 2026 Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bartos Family Invites UCA Community to Attend Phil Bartos’ Celebration of Life Service

Screenshot

The Bartos family welcomes UCA alumni and faculty to celebrate the life of Phil Bartos this Saturday, May 16.

Phil served as a UCA marketing professor, mentored countless students, and impacted the UCA community from 1994 to 2015 – only part of his impact on individuals around the world.

Those who remember Phil with respect and affection are invited to attend his celebration-of-life service in Little Rock this weekend. Phil Bartos (1940-2026) passed away in January.

Service Schedule聽Memorial Service
Saturday, May 16, 2026 at聽2:00 p.m.
Second Presbyterian Church Chapel
600 Pleasant Valley Dr.
Little Rock, AR 72227

Milan Philip “Phil” Bartos Jr., born May 18, 1940, in Waco, Texas, to Milan Philip Bartos Sr. and Ruth “Ruthie” Todaro Bartos, was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, educator, and community leader.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Russell “Rusty” Bartos. Phil is survived by his wife, Janet Bartos; his children, Philip Bartos (Tonya), Stacy Baugh, Christopher Bartos, Anne-Marie Braga (Michael), Benjie Bartos, and Jacquelyn Yarbrough (Kevin); his 10 grandchildren; and the mother of his five children, Darla Bartos. Family was the foundation of Phil’s life, and he took great pride in each generation.

Phil earned a business degree from Baylor University in 1962 and served six years as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. He spent 25 years with Dun & Bradstreet, rising to President of Dun’s Marketing Services, including international leadership roles where he advanced equity and opportunity. He later served as a Vice President at Acxiom Corporation before retiring to a second calling as a professor of marketing at the 51青楼.

Over two decades at UCA, Phil mentored countless students, earned multiple student-voted awards, and extended his commitment to service through university and civic involvement and volunteer work.

Phil will be remembered for his integrity, kindness, moral courage, and the lasting impact he made on his family, students, colleagues, and communities around the world.

A Heavenly Birthday Celebration of Phil’s life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Phil’s memory to the Bartos Family Scholarship Fund at the 51青楼 Foundation, the Arkansas Food Bank, the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, the Little Rock Compassion Center, Meals on Wheels through CareLink, The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or Plant a Tree Memorial at www.alivingtribute.org or multiple trees at www.plantmemorialtree.com.

Posted in: COB News on May 11, 2026 Tagged: ,