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Vanguard Awards

Vanguard Awards

Each year. ASU-Beebe recognizes members of the Vanguard Community (Faculty, Staff and Students), as well as registered student organizations, who have made significant contributions to ASU-Beebe over the past year. Awards are presented at the annual Vanguard Awards event in April or May of each academic year, and recipient names are added to a perpetual plaque permanently displayed in the Dr. Eugene McKay Student Center.

Below you can sort through the different categories of Vanguard Awards recognized by ASU-Beebe for descriptions, recipient history and nomination forms.

Established in 1959, this award is the highest student honor awarded at ASU-Beebe. The Citizenship Award is designated to recognize the outstanding work and impact of one (1) male and one (1) female student who have enhanced the university through service, active involvement and leadership, academic excellence and service as role models for fellow students. The student nominee must be currently enrolled in twelve (12) academic credit hours at ASU-Beebe, have completed thirty (30) academic credit hours at ASU-Beebe, and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Award recipients are considered for selection by the Student Life Awards & Recognition Committee through open nominations from any ASU-Beebe student, faculty or staff member. Up to five finalists will be announced in April. The finalists will be asked to complete an interview with the Awards & Recognition Committee.

This award will be presented as a plaque to the selected individual at the annual Vanguard Awards event in April or May of each academic year. Their names are added to a perpetual plaque permanently displayed in the Dr. Eugene McKay Student Center.


Previous Recipients:

1959 - Doyle Martin, Mary Mason
1960 - Robert Bloodworth, Julia Pruitt
1961 - Robert Ivy, Linda Wilcox
1962 - Jimmie Wakefield, Sarah Mayfield
1963 - Jack Henson, Vera Hopper
1964 - Howard Watkins, Carolyn Barnes
1965 - Larone Smith, Peggy Welch
1966 - Jerry Roddy, Judy Gaylor
1967 - Phill Hall, Elizabeth Mayfield
1968 - Jerry Lacy, Melissa Bauer
1969 - Neal Davis, Sharon Prewett
1970 - Barry Talley, Ginger Hurst
1971 - Thurman Stewart, Janis Carlisle
1972 - Danny Newland, Kathy Sullins
1973 - Roger Klein, Carlene Wyatt
1974 - Barry Farris, Ann Deboer
1975 - Randy Busbea, Phyllis Brown
1976 - Alan Tatum, Carrie Moore
1977 - Randy Pennington, Greg Riley, Sharon Jeffrey
1978 - Robert Evans, Jo Tice
1979 - Ricky McEuen, Karen Roy
1980 - Keith Tomlinson, Donald Ward, Donna Womack
1981 - Hank Brockway, Lesia Osborn
1982 - Patrick A. Salman, Eva E. Mills
1983 - Teresa Harmon, Brent Pickens
1984 - Bobby Long, Jeannie Moore
1985 - Peggy Dillon, Joe Justin Hodges
1986 - Sigrid Long, Barry Wilkes
1987 - Gina Staggs, W. H. Caldwell II
1988 - Bryan K. Phillips, Donna L. Gouin
1989 - Lanelda Caldwell, Daniel Pope
1990 - Robert Bollier, Nancy Chlapecka
1991 - Sherri Ware, Jimmy Griffith
1992 - Deborah Ford, Wayne Neal
1993 - Sheila A. Martin, Douglas Harber
1994 - Tammy Manville, Gregory D. Freeman
1995 - Daniel Hill, Crystal Davis
1996 - Karlyn Holloway, Corey Finley
1997 - J. Paul Jenkins, Amy Clark
1998 - Jeremy Kirkland, Lance Wright, Cynthia Delahunt
1999 - Belinda Farris, Betty Morgan, Corey Riddle
2000 - Jason Rowland, Myra M. Bell
2001 - Kimberly Dunlap, Derek Ladd
2002 - Andrea Edwards, Ashlee Fish, Jarrod Smith
2003 - Jacob Farris, Rachel Walton
2004 - Andy Isom, Misty Stewart
2005 - Josh Garner, Brittany Kaufman
2006 - Catherine Berry, Josh Pippenger
2007 - Nanette Peckman, Christian Shireman
2008 - Nancy Barnett, Nicholas Sargent
2009 - Paul Barker, Anna Buck
2010 - Brandon Fuller, Karly Carter
2011 - Cory Tyler, Whitney High
2012 - Andrew Scott Ross, Debra Elgen
2013 - Nathan Farley, Allison James
2014 - Seth Swafford, Charlee Howard
2015 - Bailey Moses, Mason Strayhorn
2016 - Hope Schueren, Tyler Seale
2017 - Kaitlyn Pflugradt, Stew Prosser
2018 - Emalee Marlin, Caleb Castleberry
2019 - Ashton Warner, Kristopher Johnson
2020 - Amanda Barnes, Matthew Sparks
2021 - Baliey Pendergrass, Dakota Trogden
2022 - Felicite Bolden, Brent Clark
2023 - Madison Ledwaba, Zayd Kelley

Established in 2000 by the Student Leadership Council (now Student Government Association ), this award is designated to recognize the outstanding work and impact of a professional staff member who has enhanced the university through their student involvement, leadership and commitment to excellence. The nominee must be in a full-time professional position with ASU-Beebe.

Recipients of the award are considered for selection by the Student Government Association through open nominations, facilitated by the Student Life Awards & Recognition Committee, from any ASU-Beebe student, faculty or staff member. Up to five finalists will be announced in April. The finalists will be asked to complete an interview with the Awards & Recognition Committee.

This award will be presented as a plaque to the selected individual at the annual Vanguard Awards event in April or May of each academic year, and their names are added to a perpetual plaque permanently displayed in the Dr. Eugene McKay Student Center.

Previous Recipients:
2000 - Dena Prior
2001 - Brian Berry
2002 - Angie Toddy
2003 - Neil Outar
2004 - Lawanda Harvey
2005 - Cherri Kuchel
2006 - Joseph Hooker
2007 - Gail Wilkins
2008 - Pat Brackett
2009 - Kim Voegele
2010 - Vickie High
2011 - Mark Rolland
2012 - Greg Asbury
2013 - Andy Isom
2014 - Chadley Gray
2015 - Frank N. Taylor, II
2016 - Addie Banks
2017 - Karly Carter
2018 - Zackery Tucker
2019 - Andrea Cole
2020 - Jennifer Downey-Rutledge
2021 - LaShanda Owens
2022 - Frank N. Taylor, II
2023 - Jennifer George

Established in 2000 by the Student Leadership Council (now Student Government Association ), this award is designated to recognize the outstanding work and impact of an instructor who has enhanced the university through their student involvement, leadership and commitment to excellence. The nominee may be full-time or adjunct faculty with ASU-Beebe.

Recipients of the award are considered for selection by the Student Government Association through open nominations, facilitated by the Student Life Awards & Recognition Committee, from any ASU-Beebe student, faculty or staff member. Up to five finalists will be announced in April. The finalists will be asked to complete an interview with the Awards & Recognition Committee.

This award will be presented as a plaque to the selected individual at the annual Vanguard Awards event in April or May of each academic year, and their names are added to a perpetual plaque permanently displayed in the Dr. Eugene McKay Student Center.

Previous Recipients:
2000 - Barry Farris
2001 - Billy Powell
2002 - Chuck Wisdom
2003 - Dr. Qifang He
2004 - Michael Kelly
2005 - Jerry Sites
2006 - Chuck Wisdom
2007 - Lisa Bryant
2008 - Roger Moore
2009 - Phil Petray
2010 - Billy Powell
2011 - Leslie Thurman
2012 - Michael Kelly
2013 - Leslie Thurman
2014 - Cheryl Cherry
2015 - Dr David Jones
2016 - Ken Barton
2017 - Tonia Spradlin
2018 - Dr Stephen Knapp
2019 - Dr David Jones
2020 - Ryan Gibbons
2021 - Jodi Whitehurst
2022 - Korey Davis
2023 - Dr. Kevin Johnson

This award is designated to recognize the outstanding work and impact of one (1) male and one (1) female first-year student who have enhanced the university through their student involvement, leadership and commitment to excellence. The student nominee must be currently enrolled in twelve (12) academic credit hours at ASU-Beebe, have completed twelve (12) academic credit hours at ASU-Beebe, and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Award recipients are considered for selection by the Student Life Awards & Recognition Committee through open nominations from any ASU-Beebe student, faculty or staff member. Up to five finalists will be announced in April. The finalists will be asked to complete an interview with the Awards & Recognition Committee.

This award will be presented as a plaque to the selected individual at the annual Vanguard Awards event in April or May of each academic year, and their names are added to a perpetual plaque permanently displayed in the Dr. Eugene McKay Student Center.

Previous Recipients:

2003 - Jamie Holt, Casey Fairfield

2004 - Brittany Kaufman, Nick Hoover

2005 - LaRoy A. Doss, Scott Rooney

2006 - Emily Fisher, Nathan Rosen Kotter

2007 - Nancy Barnett, Nicholas Sargent

2008 - Jamie Vail, Jess Maher

2009 - Deidra Veasley, Antonio Laboy

2010 - Somyoung Park, Brock Herbert

2011 - Sarah Branham, Cliff Petty

2012 - Renate Sandusky, Tyler McCauley

2013 - Kara Scott, Leonardo Hinojosa

2014 - Dakyia Brown, Trey Wade

2015 - Savannah Finch, Michael Martin

2017 - Kyra Robinson, Jack Steward

2018 - Ashton Warner, Kristopher Johnson

2019 - Kara McBrayer, Matthew Sparks

2020 - Amethyst "Sam" Perry, Dakota Trogdon

2021 - Hailey Carson, Reid "Grant" Dunivan

2022 - Grayson Griggs, Micheal "Dylan" Owens

2023 - Asia Simmons, Jacob Cater


Established in 2018, this award is designated to recognize the outstanding work and impact of one (1) nontraditional male and female student who have enhanced the university through their student involvement, leadership and commitment to excellence. The student nominee must be currently enrolled in twelve (12) academic credit hours at ASU-Beebe, maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and one (1) of the following: age 25 and over; married; a partnered or single parent; and/or a veteran.

Award recipients are considered for selection by the Student Life Awards & Recognition Committee through open nominations from any ASU-Beebe student, faculty or staff member. This award will be presented as a plaque to the selected individual at the annual Vanguard Awards event in April or May of each academic year, and their names are added to a perpetual plaque permanently displayed in the Dr. Eugene McKay Student Center.

Previous Recipients:

2018 - Virginia Lantz, Jose Ross

2019 - April Picou, Jeremy Backu

2020 - Erika Shadrick, John Smith

2021 - Katherine Holtz, Steven Winchell

2022 - Emily Bradshaw, Mitchell Mead

2023 - Candice Rose, Kathy Featherston

This award is designated to recognize one (1) male and one (1) female student from each academic division for outstanding academic success and leadership in their field of study at ASU-Beebe within their respective academic division. The student nominee must be currently enrolled in twelve (12) academic credit hours at ASU-Beebe and seeking a degree within the respective academic division.

Recipients of the award are considered for selection by the dean of the respective academic division through open nominations from any ASU-Beebe faculty or staff member in that division. This award will be presented as a plaque to the selected individual at the annual Vanguard Awards event in April or May of each academic year. 


Previous Recipients for Division of Education & Social Sciences:

2015 - Suzanna Scroggins, Amy Whitfield

2016 - Ashley Gentry, Charles Holloway

2017 - Marley Cash-Powell, Daniel Rowe


Previous Recipients for Division of English & Fine Arts

2015 - Luke Bush, Kayla Roy

2016 - Michaela Farmer, Wesley Norvell

2017 - Patricia Brown, Sayward Poertner, Jose Ross


In the 2017-18 academic school year, the Divisions of Education & Social Sciences and English & Fine Arts were merged into the Division of Arts & Humanities overseen by an academic dean. 


Previous Recipients for Division of Arts & Humanities

2018 - Jenna McKibben, Caleb Castleberry

2019 - Sara Turner

2020 - Samantha Buelher, John Morris

2021 - Gwenevere Marchant, Casey Harris

2022 - Cathryn Lyle, Zayd Kelley

2023 - Sierra Miller, Benjamin Byrd

This award is designated to recognize one (1) male and one (1) female student from each academic division for outstanding academic success and leadership in their field of study at ASU-Beebe within their respective academic division. The student nominee must be currently enrolled in twelve (12) academic credit hours at ASU-Beebe and seeking a degree within the respective academic division.

Recipients of the award are considered for selection by the dean of the respective academic division through open nominations from any ASU-Beebe faculty or staff member in that division. This award will be presented as a plaque to the selected individual at the annual Vanguard Awards event in April or May of each academic year. 


Previous Recipients for Division of Business & Agriculture:

2015 - Hunter Plante, Laci Rios

2016 - Adrienne McNally, William Ruiz

2017 - Holly Hedgepeth, Madison Powell


Previous Recipients for Division of Mathematics & Science:

2015 - Mary Ann McAllen, William Tremaine

2016 - Cynthia Cutler, Allison Warner

2017 - Patrick Dunlap, Rachel Huggins


In the 2017-18 academic year, the Divisions of Business & Agriculture and Mathematics & Science were merged into one Division of Business, Math & Science overseen by an academic dean.


Previous Recipients for Division of Business, Math & Science:

2018 - Alexis Huseman, Bao Van


In the 2019-20 academic year, the Business program was moved to the Division of Career Education, and the division was renamed the Division of Math & Science. 


Previous Recipients for Division of Math & Science:

2019 - Sara Turner, John Smith

2020 - Bailey Wilson, Logan Spriggs

2021 - Sierra Strickland, Makenzie Johnson

2022 - William "Cody" Wilkerson, Hannah Story

2023 - Charles Turietta, Nathan Surles

This award is designated to recognize one (1) male and one (1) female student from each academic division for outstanding academic success and leadership in their field of study at ASU-Beebe within their respective academic division. The student nominee must be currently enrolled in twelve (12) academic credit hours at ASU-Beebe and seeking a degree within the respective academic division.

Recipients of the award are considered for selection by the dean of the respective academic division through open nominations from any ASU-Beebe faculty or staff member in that division. This award will be presented as a plaque to the selected individual at the annual Vanguard Awards event in April or May of each academic year.

Previous Recipients for Division of Advanced Technology & Allied Health:

2015 - Samantha Gallaway, Hunter Nash

2016 - Kelly Caples, Kristin Crawford

2017 - Jason Milton, Jamie Webb


Previous Recipients for Division of Occupational Technology:

2015 - Andrew McVey, Jason Stacy

2016 - Chandler Cromwell, Terry Taykowski

2017 - Greg Hooper, Ethan Ragland


In the 2017-18 academic year, the Divisions of Advanced Technology & Allied Health and Occupational Technology were merged into the Division of Career Education overseen by an academic dean. 


Previous Recipients for Division of Career Education:

2018 - Emma Reed, Jonathan Eberle

2019 - Rachel Matlock, William Adams

2020 - Jodi Fisher, Anthony Young

2021 - Angel Lopez, Matthew York

2022 - Stephanie Ward, Dustin Lott

2023 - Emmie Driskill, Kailer Lamb

This award is designated to recognize an officially recognized student organization (RSO) on campus in terms of sponsoring activities open to fellow students and working with community partners on service projects. In addition to these two criteria, student groups should demonstrate that their activities, rather than the work of one or two very active individuals, involve many group members in collaboration. Campus involvement, community service, and teamwork define what we consider an outstanding student organization.

The awarded RSO recipient is considered for selection by the Student Life Awards & Recognition Committee through open nominations from any ASU-Beebe student, faculty or staff member.

This award will be presented as a plaque to the selected RSO at the annual Vanguard Awards event in April or May of each academic year, and the RSO title will be added to a perpetual plaque permanently displayed in the Dr. Eugene McKay Student Center.

2003 - Agriculture Club
2004 - Agriculture Club
2005 - Agriculture Club
2006 - Phi Beta Lambda
2007 - Residence Hall Council
2008 - Agriculture Club
2009 - SSS-Student Advisory Board
2010 - SSS-Student Advisory Board
2011 - Residence Hall Council
2012 - Residence Hall Council
2013 - Agriculture Club
2014 - Phi Beta Lambda
2015 - Phi Beta Lambda
2016 - Agriculture Club
2017 - Phi Beta Lambda
2018 - Agriculture Club
2019 - ASUB Publishing Studio
2020 - TRIO Leadership Council
2021 - ASUB Publishing Studio
2022 - TRIO Leadership Council
2023 - Phi Theta Kappa

Established in 2019, the ASU-Beebe Family of the Year award was created as a reminder to the Vanguard community that families are an essential part of the support network for our students, as well as an opportunity for students to recognize their family's dedication and determination to help our students achieve their higher education goals. At ASU-Beebe, "family" can be defined as individuals and group members who support their student's success.

The recipients of the Family of the Year award are considered for selection by the Student Life Awards & Recognition Committee through open nominations from any ASU-Beebe student.

This award will be presented in the form of a plaque presented at an annual Family Day event in September or October each academic year, and the student will receive a $200 Certificate to the ASU-Beebe Bookstore and their name added to a perpetual plaque permanently displayed in the Dr. Eugene McKay Student Center.

2020 - The Family of Amy Risk

2021 - The Family of Mikel Taylor

2022 - The Family of Jeanie Richards

2023 - The Family of Sara Scott

This award is given to a Resident Assistant (RA) who, in this academic year, has served the University and residential community in and out of the RA position. The nominees demonstrate a well‐rounded approach to the position, academics, and personal life and overcome obstacles.

Recipients are nominated by on-campus residents and considered for selection by the Office of Student Life. This award will be presented as a plaque to the selected individual at the annual Vanguard Awards event in April or May of each academic year, and their names are added to a perpetual plaque permanently displayed in the Dr. Eugene McKay Student Center.

Previous Recipients:

2003 - Rachel Walton
2004 - Casey Fairfield
2005 - Brittany Kaufman
2006 - Deja Nooner
2007 - Emily Fisher
2008 - Jessica Billman
2009 - Keith Parker
2010 - Cory Tyler
2011 - Bjorn Debooserie
2012 - Kristen Moore
2013 - Matt Jenkins
2014 - Chris Tejas
2015 - Chris Tejas
2017 - Victoria Mellas
2018 - Kira Robinson
2019 - Sara Turner
2020 - Faith Degaro, Shyanne Smith
2021 - The Entire Resident Assistant Staff for responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
2022 - Bayley Webster
2023 - Madison Ledwaba

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