Landon Meek of Cabot chose Arkansas Tech University because of an opportunity to play football for the Wonder Boys.
After two years on the gridiron, the academic rigor of the nursing program led him to put the shoulder pads and helmet away in order to focus more time and energy on his studies.
That sacrifice paid off during 2026 ATU spring commencement when Meek received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Arkansas Tech.
Meek’s degree was one of approximately 1,970 conferred by Arkansas Tech during commencement ceremonies at Tucker Coliseum on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.
“The entire four years has been great,” said Meek, who plans on beginning his career as a registered nurse while continuing his education in pursuit of becoming a perfusionist. “Getting to play football at the collegiate level was amazing. Getting to meet the friends I have, join a fraternity and be a part of that brotherhood…it has all been just phenomenal.
“I’m a lot more poised and I’ve grown up a lot, especially compared to coming in at 18 and fresh out of high school,” continued Meek, who was part of an award-winning nursing research team during his final semester at ATU. “Arkansas Tech has definitely made me a better person and a more mature person, to say the least. It has been a lot of hard work, sweat and late-night studying. To finally get to be one of the alumni of this place is nothing short of amazing.”
Skyla Eckhardt of Rogers received her Bachelor of Science degree in health and exercise science from Arkansas Tech during spring 2026 commencement.
“I knew it was a tight-knit community,” said Eckhardt when asked why she enrolled at Arkansas Tech. “I liked the campus. It is beautiful with all the trees. It was smaller, and I didn’t want to be overwhelmed by college. I wanted somewhere that I felt safe, so I chose Arkansas Tech.”
An ATU Tradition Keeper honoree, Eckhardt was an officer for ATU Presidential Leadership Cabinet and a member of Who’s Who at Arkansas Tech for 2026.
She also received the ATU Service Excellence Award in recognition of her volunteer efforts to benefit the community, many of which were carried out through her duties as an officer for the ATU Emerging Leaders Society. That organization’s annual holiday food drive benefits students at London Elementary School in the Russellville School District.
“That really impacted me and my experience here,” said Eckhardt when reflecting on the food drive project. “I learned a lot about myself. I developed a lot of interpersonal and people skills that I never thought I would have. I created more confidence in myself. I know where I’m going.
“I was dropped into this big pond when I got here, and I didn’t know who I was or where I was going,” continued Eckhardt, who will begin pursuit of a doctorate in occupational therapy this summer. “Now, I know where I am going in life. I have set values and morals, and I felt that out and learned that here. I’m always going to remember this place and this town. The people make the place, and the people of Arkansas Tech are great.”
Kristian Sullivan was among the graduates of ATU-Ozark Campus who participated in spring commencement at Tucker Coliseum. A native of Ozark and resident of Paris, Sullivan completed her Associate of Applied Science degree in cosmetic science and has secured a job at Salon 635 in Caulksville.
Sullivan began her post-secondary education in 2013 before pausing to begin raising her two daughters. She returned to the classroom in 2023 with financial assistance from the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund.
“I love ATU-Ozark Campus,” said Sullivan, who is a first-generation college graduate. “I was able to get help from my teachers without it being a big deal, and my classmates are like little sisters to me. They make me be my best self. I’m a lot more confident now. My kids got me through it. They have been my push. I want them to look up to me and know that mom did it, so they can do it, too.”
Isaiah Adams of Little Rock cited affordability as one of the reasons he chose Arkansas Tech. It was also an ideal fit for his academic interests, which led him to attain a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science.
“In the beginning, I wanted to become an architect because I wanted to build things and use my hands,” said Adams. “Then, one day I started messing with a computer and my intuition told me to go into computer science. I took a programming class, and even though it was hard at first, there was one moment when it clicked and I knew this was for me.”
Adams provided leadership for a team of Arkansas Tech students that qualified for the semifinal round of the 2026 ACC Capital Governor’s Cup collegiate business plan competition.
His team’s idea was a smart phone application that would help college students access their banking information, establish personal budgets and gain information about financial planning.
“I learned a lot, especially when it comes to having different minded individuals on the same team,” said Adams when asked about the project. “We were able to succeed because we had different ideas. Not everybody comes from the same point of view, but if we come together and work as a team, we can blossom into something beautiful.”
