Arkansas
ATU Begins New Strategic Planning Process – Arkansas Tech University
Twelve individuals have been seated as the committee that will draft a new strategic plan for Arkansas Tech University.
“I have asked the members of this committee to gain input from their colleagues and develop a set of proposed strategic goals for Arkansas Tech to pursue over the next three years,” said Dr. Russell Jones, ATU president. “This will be an open process. ATU faculty, staff and students should provide feedback on their priorities and hopes for our continued progress as a university to their representatives on the committee. Once we have a draft set of strategic goals, there will be an opportunity for university-wide review and feedback in late April or early May. The finalized plan will be presented to the ATU Board of Trustees for its review and possible adoption in June.”
The ATU strategic planning committee members, listed in alphabetical order, are:
• Amy Anderson, senior woman administrator and director of student-athlete success, ATU Department of Athletics
• Dr. Jeff Aulgur, professor of organizational studies, ATU School of Professional and Community Education
• Ashlyn Brickley, ATU student
• Dr. Tim Carter, dean, ATU College of Education and Health
• Brittny Daubenheyer, assistant vice president for enrollment management, ATU Division of Student Affairs
• Arron DeGracia, director, Arkansas Tech Career Center
• Dr. Sheila R. Jacobs, chancellor, ATU-Ozark Campus
• Dr. Rockie Pederson, head, ATU Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science
• Fred Teague, mayor, City of Russellville
• William “Scott” Tomlin, coordinator, ATU Learning Center
• Tammy Weaver, registrar, ATU Division of Academic Affairs
• Alisha Williams, executive director of operations, ATU Division of Advancement
The ATU strategic planning process follows the adoption of a new mission statement and a new vision statement for the institution. The statements were adopted by the ATU Board of Trustees on Dec. 19, 2024, and are designed to inform and guide the strategic planning process.
The new ATU mission statement is as follows:
“Arkansas Tech University is dedicated to student success and access by providing an education that will significantly impact social mobility, enabling students to reach their greatest potential. The university has an unwavering commitment to providing life-changing educational opportunities at all levels of higher education through partnerships, research and service initiatives that contribute to the economic, cultural and social well-being of the students and the region it serves. The university will cultivate a vibrant and welcoming community, encouraging students, faculty and staff to achieve their goals in a supportive environment.”
The new ATU vision statement is as follows:
“Arkansas Tech University will empower its students to pursue their dreams and unlock their full potential by providing a high-quality, challenging education, creating a path to personal and professional success across the Arkansas River Valley, the state, the nation and beyond.”
Individuals who wish to provide the ATU strategic planning committee with information or ideas may submit them by e-mail to strategicplanning@atu.edu.
Learn more at www.atu.edu/strategicplanning.
Arkansas
No. 1 Arkansas leads SEC Indoor after first day finals
COLLEGE STATION – A victory in the 5,000m by Nick Busienei and third place in the distance medley relay had No. 1 Arkansas leading the team score with 18 points on the first day of the SEC Indoor Championships.
The Razorbacks produced 12 of those points in the 5,000m as Nick Busienei won the race in a meet record of 13;31.86, which ranks him No. 7 on the UA all-time list. Busienei bettered the meet record of 13:37.52 set by Razorback Patrick Kiprop in 2025.
James Sankei added two more points in placing seventh with a time of 13:44.57.
Dating back to 1992 when Arkansas competed in its first SEC Indoor meet, Busienei claimed the 21st title for the program and is the 14th Razorback to win the indoor 5,000m.
Six more points were added in the distance medley relay as Arkansas posted a time of 9:30.84 from the foursome of Owan Logorodi (2:58.46), Zyaire Nuriddin (46.51), Julian Carter (1:49.10), and Brian Masai (3:56.77).
South Carolina won the race in 9:30.08 with Ole Miss runner-up in 9:30.34. Florida originally placed third in 9:30.37 but was disqualified for spiking the baton at the conclusion of the race.
Jelani Watkins led the Razorback crew in the 200m prelims as three Arkansas sprinters advanced to the final. Watkins produced an indoor career best of 20.42 rank second overall to a 20.38 by Florida’s Wayna McCoy. Watkins remains No. 2 on the UA all-time list as he improved his previous time of 20.43.
Dapriest Hogans followed with a 20.63 that equaled his career best and his No. 8 ranking on the UA all-time list. Tevijon Williams clocked 20.65 to reach the final where 20.71 was the cutoff time. Jamarion Stubbs ran 20.87 in his prelim heat.
Cooper Williams completed the first day of the heptathlon in sixth place with 2,862 points. He started with a 7.43 in the 60m (736), then added a 21-9.5 (6.64) long jump (729). In the shot put, a mark of 36-8.25 (11.18) picked up 557 points. Williams wrapped up day one by topping the field in the high jump with a clearance of 6-8.25 for 840 points.
Link Lindsey placed 15 in the long jump with a mark of 23-6.75 (7.18).
Arkansas
The wall goes back up: Arkansas embraces defiant isolation
Arkansas
Man arrested in Arkansas connected to Jan. 2026 fatal hit-and-run in Dallas
DALLAS – Authorities in Arkansas have arrested a man accused of being behind the wheel during a January car crash that left one man dead.
Suspect arrested in Arkansas for Dallas hit-and-run
What we know:
U.S. Marshals tracked down 22-year-old Enrique Hernandez in De Queen, a southwest Arkansas town about three hours away from Dallas and an hour north of Texarkana.
Hernandez has been charged with collision involving death, a second-degree felony, in connection with the case. He is currently being held in an Arkansas jail before he is transferred to a jail in Dallas County.
What we don’t know:
Dallas police haven’t said if the suspect has any ties to the victim or the area of Arkansas where he was arrested.
The backstory:
The fatal hit-and-run occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11 near W. Davis St. and N. Westmoreland Dr. in Dallas.
26-year-old Johnathan Rodriguez was dropped off by friends outside his Dallas neighborhood early Sunday morning after celebrating his birthday.
Surveillance video shows Rodriguez in the media area of the road when a dark-colored SUV hits him and drives away.
Rodriguez was left with severe head trauma, later dying from his injuries.
A bittersweet victory for the family
What they’re saying:
John Rodriguez, the victim’s father, struggled to find the words to describe the news he received.
“It’s not going to bring him back, bring my son back,” Rodriguez told FOX 4’s Peyton Yager. “It hurts every day, every minute. I wake up every morning, and he is not here. We are really going to miss him.”
The Rodriguez family worked with police to help find their son’s killer. They found more surveillance video near the scene of the accident that helped authorities find and arrest Hernandez in Arkansas.
“We are going to fight for justice. Long live Johnny, and we are going to keep on fighting,” Rodriguez said.
The Source: Information in this story came from current and previous FOX 4 reporting.
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