When Jessie Hernandez reflects on his Arkansas Tech University experience, he recalls the places he visited, the friendships he developed and the memories he made.
Hernandez’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with an emphasis in management was one of approximately 1,100 degrees and credentials that Arkansas Tech conferred upon graduates at the close of the fall 2025 semester.
ATU celebrated fall 2025 commencement with a pair of ceremonies at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday, Dec. 13.
“(ATU) gave me a ton of opportunities,” said Hernandez. “I was able to go to New York City twice. I went on the Carnegie Hall trip with the band as a freshman, and I went back in spring of this year as part of the Wall Street Experience trip in the ATU LeMoyne Smith School of Business. Being a part of organizations and being with other students who have similar hobbies…it’s given me a lot of leadership opportunities and a lot of resume builders.”
A native of Berryville, Hernandez began his Arkansas Tech journey as a band camper during his days in high school.
Those summertime experiences in Witherspoon Hall led Hernandez to enroll at ATU, where he joined the marching band and the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
Even after changing his major to focus on business, Hernandez remained engaged with the Arkansas Tech music program. He served as an officer with two organizations for music students: Tau Beta Sigma and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Hernandez counts faculty members Katie Hook, Dr. Daniel A. Belongia and Philip Parker (now retired) as well as his parents, family and friends as the people who helped him complete his degree as a first-generation college graduate.
“Do what you can do and join what you can,” said Hernandez when asked what advice he would give to incoming ATU students. “It’s a lot of fun if you make it fun. What you get out of it is all about what you put into it.”
Ashley Muller of Cabot also applied that philosophy to her time at Arkansas Tech.
Muller graduated in fall 2025 with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees in accounting and management. Along the way, she served as president of the ATU Accounting Club and held membership in Delta Zeta.
She said some of her favorite Arkansas Tech memories will be the accounting club’s annual Christmas party and spending time with her sorority sisters.
“I’m from Arkansas, so I wanted to stay local,” said Muller. “I loved the community when I toured here, and I wanted to be able to experience everything Arkansas Tech is. It’s been wonderful. I’ve gotten to know my professors really well, made a lot of friends and built a great network, so I’m happy to bring that with me into the future.
“I stayed really busy,” continued Muller. “I was involved with a whole lot, and it helped me get out there, be involved on campus and get to know a wide variety of people and groups. It was a lot of fun.”
Muller expressed appreciation to her family as well as ATU College of Business and Economic Development faculty members Tracy Johnston, Katelynn Hopson, Erin Callahan and Dr. Sidd Bhambhwani for their support during her Arkansas Tech journey.
Muller has earned a position with HCJ CPAs and Advisors in Little Rock and will begin her first job as an ATU graduate in January.
“It feels crazy…so many emotions,” said Muller. “I’m sad to leave, but also happy…the emotions are overwhelming, but I’m happy I have this education that will carry me into the future. It’s a great start to what is to come.”
Brock Gottsponer of Morrilton also found the start to the rest of his life at ATU. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree during fall 2025 and will soon begin employment as an electrical engineer in Conway.
“I’ve always heard good things about Arkansas Tech’s engineering program, so that was one big thing,” said Gottsponer. “I’m from Morrilton originally, so it was a short drive. Tech was very generous with its scholarships, so that helped, too. I met a lot of great people and the classes were relatively challenging. It has set me up well for after graduation.”
Away from the classroom, Gottsponer held membership in Alpha Tau Omega and Order of Omega. He was active in ATU Student Activities Board and served as a new student orientation leader.
“I grew as a person, especially through the leadership experiences with everything I was involved in,” said Gottsponer. “I got to meet so many great friends. Tech is a close-knit family and you get to see some of the same people around every day, which is nice.”
Some of Gottsponer’s favorite ATU memories will center around the volunteerism opportunities he received through his fraternity.
“It’s definitely good to see your impact on the community,” said Gottsponer. “Alpha Tau Omega’s philanthropy was Habitat for Humanity, and now this semester it is River Valley Food 4 Kids. Both of those organizations give us a chance to see first-hand how we affect our community. That’s really special…to see your work directly improve someone’s life.”
Another fall 2025 Arkansas Tech graduate, Skylar Clark of Perryville, said she selected the ATU-Ozark Campus occupational therapy assistant program because it was the most challenging such program in the area.
“I really wanted to push myself,” said Clark. “It was absolutely as challenging as I expected, but it made me a better person for sure. It broke me down and rebuilt me, and it really showed me humility and that I could push myself to get this far.”
Clark recalled clinical experiences and field work rotations with her fellow ATU-Ozark occupational therapy assistant students as her favorite memories of the program.
When Clark needed motivation during the challenging times, she thought about her two sons: Flint and Knox.
“I would not be here if it wasn’t for them,” said Clark. “I wouldn’t have pushed myself this hard if it wasn’t for them. It doesn’t seem real yet. I figure it will settle in here in a few days, but for now, I feel like I’m in a daze. This degree means security. This means instilling better values in my kids, being a great role model and helping people.”
