ASU-Beebe hosted its annual Vanguard Awards banquet on Tuesday, April 28, honoring outstanding students, faculty and staff.
Each year, student awards are presented for leadership and outstanding achievement, with the most prestigious of these being the annual Citizenship Award. In addition to students, one faculty and one staff member were also recognized with distinguished awards for contribution to service to the student experience.
The Citizenship Award has been presented annually to exceptional students since 1959. This year’s award was presented to Makaylen Crabb from Redfield, an agriculture major, and Augustus “Gus” Harris, from Carlisle, an agriculture major.
Crabb served in multiple leadership roles across campus. She served as resident assistant, Residence Hall Association president, and was a leader for the Agriculture Club, all while maintaining a strong work ethic and dedication to service and academics. Crabb particularly excelled as an agriculture ambassador with confidence and skill in supporting the agriculture program and farm operations.
Harris is a first-generation college student with plans to transfer to Southern Arkansas University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education. Known for his servant leadership, Harris served as the Student Government President this past year. He also served as a resident assistant, admissions ambassador, and was an active member of the TRIO Leadership Council and Future Educators Club. Harris was the recipient of the ASU-Beebe 2025 AcademicAll-Star Award for the Arkansas Community Colleges.
Leadership Scholar graduates were also recognized as follows: Lauren Cox, Elizabeth “Quinn” Darnold, Cheney Dorsey, Augustus Harris, Ava Neal, Allison Ruettiger, Madison Scott and Zayne Wood.
The Outstanding First-Year Award was presented to Calvin Pearce from Enola, an agriculture major, and Grace Tustison from Carlisle, a health sciences major.
The Outstanding Nontraditional Award was presented to Debra Trapp from El Paso, a veterinary technology major, and Gabriela London from Cabot, a business technology major.
The Outstanding Academic Award for the arts and humanities division was presented to Elizabeth “Quinn” Darnold from North Little Rock, a fine arts major, and Addyson Gossett from McRae, an education major.
The Outstanding Academic Award for the business and career education division was presented to Cole Wood from Drasco, an agriculture major, and Caitlin Cooper from Jonesboro, an agriculture major.
The Outstanding Academic Award for the math and science division was presented to Charlotte Stenger from Searcy, a liberal arts and sciences major, and Elizabeth Ply from Austin, a health sciences major.
The Outstanding Heber Springs Campus Award was presented to Laiken Crossen from Searcy, a practical nursing major, and Rebecca Parrott from Heber Springs, a business major.
The Outstanding Searcy Campus Award was presented to Kara Jarrett from Cabot, a registered nursing major, and Jesse Dougan from Searcy, a general technology major.
The Outstanding Little Rock Air Force Base Campus Award was presented to Svetlana Escobar from Maumelle, and Scott Frantz from North Little Rock, a general technology major.
The Welch Presidential Scholar was presented to Emma Joplin from Mountain Home, an agriculture major. The award was established in 2024 to honor the legacy of Charles L. Welch, president emeritus of the ASU System. Each ASU System two-year institution chancellor selects one deserving student leader and scholar who is transferring to an ASU System four-year university.
Janet Liles, director of allied health and instructor of pharmacy technology, was presented with the Student Government Association (SGA) Positive Faculty Award and Reagan Healea, admissions counselor, received the SGA Positive Staff Award.
Additionally, the 2026 Outstanding Registered Student Organization Award was presented to the Future Educator’s Club for their outstanding leadership, service, and community commitment. Members volunteered at events, which included the Renaissance Festival, Sunshine Rodeo, Performing Arts programs, and Heart of a Vanguard. They also hosted Children’s Literature Weekand a state Educators Rising competition, showcasing dedication to education and meaningful community engagement.
At the end of the program, Zackery Tucker, dean of students, thanked Augustus Harris for serving as the 2025-2026 president of the Student Government Association. Harris then administered the oath of office to SGA president-elect Calvin Pearce. Also, Skylar Acebedo from North Little Rock, a fine arts major, was elected to serve as the SGA sophomore vice president.
Photos are available for FREE download on the ASU-Beebe Flickr site.
Pictured: Dr. Jennifer Methvin, ASU-Beebe chancellor (middle), congratulatesAugustus “Gus” Harris and Makaylen Crabb, recipients of the 2026 CitizenshipAward at the recent ASU-Beebe Vanguard Awards ceremony. The Citizenship Awardis based on leadership and outstanding achievement and has been presented tostudents at ASU-Beebe since 1959.
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