Dale Franklin, KWEM Radio Revivalist, Passes Away - By Mark Randall - news@theeveningtimes.com

By Mark Randall

Dale Franklin, the man who helped resurrect KWEM, the radio station that gave Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Elvis Presley and other music giants a chance to be heard on the air in the 1950s, has passed away.

Franklin had been in deteriorating health in recent months and died over the weekend following, according to friend Dr. Glen Fenter.

 

“Dale was a very talented individual,” Fenter said.

If You Want, You Have to Give

For Trevor Banks, having a dream that also allows him to make a difference is essential. In fact, he says: "If you want, you have to give." More than just the "anything worth having is worth working for" motivational speech, Trevor knows that you can't fully appreciate a gift, until you've been the giver.

Born in Memphis and raised in Senatobia, Mississippi, Trevor had parents who gave him a strong foundation of giving back.  His mom, a Food Service Director for Senatobia schools, and his dad, a Memphis Parole Officer and Pastor, encouraged him, taught him the importance of education and helped him to grow a strong faith. Although his parents were divorced, he received emotional support from both parents, but he credits his mom for keeping his dreams alive.

As a stand-out basketball player for his Senatobia high school, Trevor was recruited to attend Motlow State Community College in middle Tennessee. Just seven days into his college practice season, a break to his tibia sent him to surgery, seven weeks in the bed, and a probable end to his basketball career. While his injury put him down, Trevor's parents and his faith kept his spirits up and told him it was time for plan B. His dad encouraged him towards a legal career; his mom pointed him towards a medical career.

But it was ASU Mid-South that gave him the opportunity to literally get back on his feet. He completed an online recruiting questionnaire for Mid-South and when the coaches showed interest, he showed up for open tryouts.  And what the coaches saw impressed them.

Now a 21 year-old sophomore leader and Greyhounds co-captain, Trevor takes responsibility for giving back to his team on and off the court. When younger players have a hard time learning plays, it's Trevor who helps out.  When his teammates need personal encouragement, it's Trevor they turn to. "Sometimes all you can give is your time and your interest in what someone else is going through," says Trevor. "I don't have a lot of money, but I do have a strong desire to make a difference."

Trevor Banks helps us define #GivingTuesday, the day that traditionally kicks off the holiday giving season. Giving back includes giving time, giving support, giving talents and even giving a voice. "There are so many people in my life who've given to me -my parents, my pastor, my sister. And now there are so many wonderful people at ASU Mid-South who've made me part of their mission. Faculty and staff, coaches...even the Chancellor has made a difference in my life."

Trevor hopes to graduate from ASU Mid-South this spring and then on to a four-year school for his bachelor's degree. He wants to play professional basketball. He wants it badly. And while his career still is uncertain, Trevor is doing what it takes. He is giving. Because if you want, you have to give.

Trevor Banks and hundreds of other students at ASU Mid-South receive scholarships. For most, it is the only means of college accessibility. ASU Mid-South must raise $55,000 annually to support scholarship for its student-athletes. For this season, thanks to generous businesses and individuals, we are well over half way to our goal. On this #GivingTuesday, please consider helping us complete the goal. #GiveAWoof for our Greyhounds.  Visit asumidsouth.edu/foundation to find out how you can help.

Arkansas State University Mid-South’s Brother 2 Brother and LIFT

Student Organizations Participate in Local Food Drive
Three ASU Mid-South students from the Brother 2 Brother (B2B) and LIFT (Ladies in Fellowship Together) student organizations, participated in a food drive Friday, October 13. The food drive, sponsored by Hope House Ministries was held at the Marion Sports Complex and served 450 households which includes approximately 829 people, according to a post on the group’s Facebook page. The student volunteers provided assistance by helping to divide and distribute food to residents in need in the Marion, Arkansas area.

The food drive project is one of several community service projects the student groups will participate in over the course of the academic year. Several additional project are in the planning stages for the spring 2018 semester.

ASU Mid-South Partners with EastArk and Pathfinder to Provide Hospitality Training Opportunities

Arkansas State University Mid-South has partnered with EastArk Enterprises and Pathfinder, Inc. to develop and provide training opportunities for their clients in the hospitality industry. With the goal of helping the clients gain independence and learn entry level employment skills, ASU Mid-South, EastArk and Pathfinder worked together to develop a curriculum that will support clients with disabilities. The first of three courses, Nutrition and Menu Planning, was held for seven weeks in July and August.

The Nutrition and Menu planning classes taught participants the importance of good nutrition, nutrition terminology, digestion and how to plan and prepare healthy meals. Students learned helpful information about how the diet affects nutrition-diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. They gained valuable speaking and presentation experience by working to chart the digestive system and delivering a presentation on their work. They also learned about foods from around the world and prepared meals from other countries as part of the curriculum. As an added bonus, some of the fresh vegetables they used to prepare their daily assignments, came from the garden they help maintain through EastArk Enterprises.

ASU Mid-South Home Visiting Services and Nurse-Family Partnership Present Home Visiting Services to Marion High School Faculty

ASU Mid-South Home Visiting Services and Nurse-Family Partnership presented Home Visiting Services to Marion High School faculty and staff on Tuesday, August 8, during professional development week for returning faculty and staff.

“Marion school district has been very supportive of Home Visiting Services for Crittenden County,” commented Brandy Ivy, Home Visiting Services Coordinator. “We are hoping to build a lasting relationship/partnership with Marion School District in order to better serve eligible families in Crittenden County.”

ASU Mid-South named a “2017 Great College to Work For”

Arkansas State University Mid-South is a great college to work for, according to a new survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education, a top trade publication for colleges and universities.

The results were released on July 2017 in The Chronicle’s tenth annual report on the Academic Workplace and are based on a survey of 232 colleges and universities. The survey is the largest and most comprehensive workplace study in higher education and recognizes colleges that get the top ratings from employees on workplace practices and policies. Of the colleges and universities who participated in the survey, 57 four-year institutions and 22 two-year institutions were recognized.

ASU Mid-South is the only institution in Arkansas to be recognized and won honors in three categories: Confidence in Senior Leadership, Facilities, Workspace & Security, and Teaching Environment.

ASU Mid-South First Career Exploration Camp A Success

Eighth and ninth grade students from the West Memphis School District recently participated in a Career Exploration Camp. The camp was funded through the Arkansas Career Coach grant housed on the Arkansas State University Mid-South campus.

During the two week camp, students participated in either a Hospitality program or a Machining & Mechatronics program. Students toured local industries and participated in hands-on activities. Industry tours included University of Memphis Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Center, Big John’s Shake Shack, Mitsubishi and Smith & Nephew, Inc.

Arkansas State University Mid-South Representatives Attend Men of Color Conference

Twelve representatives from Arkansas State University Mid-South recently attended the National Consortium on College Men of Color (NCCMC). The conference was held on the San Diego State University campus in San Diego, California June 8-9.

The NCCMC conference allows students to network with others from different colleges/universities across the United States and learn innovative ways to be successful in all aspects of life.  In addition, the conference supports faculty, staff and administrators with access to information and resources that would help implement or enhance a Men of Color program on their campus. Types of resources include topics such as funding streams, interventions, and objectives. 

ASU Mid-South Receives White River Planning and Development Grant

Arkansas State University Mid-South is pleased to announce the receipt of $50,000 in General Improvement Funds from the White River Planning and Development District, through the support of Senator Keith Ingram. The college will use these funds to purchase 13 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for the campus, as well as to provide support for Delta Cuisine, the kitchen incubator at ASU Mid-South.

Fifty percent (50%) of the funding, will be used to purchase AEDs and related supplies such as wall cabinets, portable carrying cases, signage, labels, batteries, replacement pads, and training materials. Each unit will be dispersed to campus buildings, ensuring that these vital, potentially life-saving resources are strategically located throughout the ASU Mid-South campus. This will include portable capacity units, which can serve college-sponsored activities outside and at off-campus events.

ASU Mid-South Students Persevere at State SkillsUSA Championship and Proceed to National Championship

ASU Mid-South Students Persevere at State SkillsUSA Championship and Proceed to National Championship

On June 19, eight Arkansas State University Mid-South students will embark upon a mission to earn gold at the national SkillsUSA Championships in Louisville, KY. The competition, held from June 19 through June 23, will be the result of months of planning and preparation and gold medaling success in previous competitions at local and state levels.

The SkillsUSA Championships are competitive events showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation. Contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels. This is a multi-million-dollar event that occupies a space equivalent to 16 football fields. In 2015, there were more than 6,000 contestants in 100 separate events. Nearly 1,500 judges and contest organizers from labor and management make the national event possible. The philosophy of the Championships is to reward students for excellence, to involve industry in directly evaluating student performance and to keep training relevant to employers’ needs.

Marion High Student Graduates from College Before Graduating High School

“Although balancing sports activities and maintaining a social life while attaining an associates degree was difficult, in the end it was all worth it,” said Rachel Benson, 2017 ASU Mid-South grad AND 2017 Marion High School grad.

Rachel Benson graduated with an Associate of Arts degree with Summa Cum Laude honors on May 11, 2017 – a week before her high school graduation on May 18. She is the first Marion High School student to accomplish this feat in over ten years, and only the third student to accomplish it in the history of Arkansas State University Mid-South. In 2016 Harleigh Fagan, a West Memphis High graduate also completed her associate level degree and graduated in the same month as her high school graduation.