Dr. Adolfo Santos, Arkansas Tech University executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, recognized ATU faculty members who achieved promotions, were granted tenure or received the honor of emeritus status in advance of the 2025-26 academic year during a reception at Chambers Cafeteria West Dining Room on Friday, Aug. 15.
Dr. Penny Willmering was honored for her selection as professor emerita of rehabilitation science.
Willmering recalled her decision to apply for and ultimately accept a faculty position at Arkansas Tech after completing her Doctor of Philosophy degree in rehabilitation psychology from the University of Wisconsin.
“I knew that I wanted to be at an institution where teaching was the priority,” said Willmering. “Everything else to support it…service and research are, of course, important…but I knew that was where I wanted to be. I came to Tech, and I was immediately drawn to it. I think it really was because of the spirit that students come first.”
Willmering joined the ATU faculty in 1999 and retired from ATU as professor of rehabilitation science and program director in 2021.
She admitted that she only intended to stay at Arkansas Tech for a couple of years, but her plans changed.
“That’s because there’s something special about Tech,” said Willmering, who has remained involved in the ATU rehabilitation science program as an adjunct faculty member. “When I started feeling like it wasn’t working, I just looked at my students. The students come first, and that’s why I stayed so long.”
The following ATU faculty members were recognized during the reception:
Promotion to Professor:
*Dr. Molly Brant, Department of Agriculture and Tourism
*Jasmine Greer, Department of Art
*Dr. Justin Killingsworth, Department of Agriculture and Tourism
*Dr. James Stobaugh, Department of Behavioral Sciences
*Dr. Joseph Swain, Department of History and Political Science
*Dr. Jessica Young, Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Promotion to Professor and Granted Tenure:
*Kasten Searles, Department of Art
Promotion to Associate Professor and Granted Tenure:
*Dr. Chiraz Amrine, Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
*Dr. Lynnette Gilbert, Department of Art
*Dr. Kristin Jaye Henderson, Department of Nursing
*Dr. Syed Meerza, Department of Agriculture and Tourism
*Dr. William Morelan, Department of Teaching and Educational Leadership
*Frances Roberson, Department of Communication and Media Studies
*Dr. Xinli Xiao, Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Promotion to University Instructor:
*Robin Jamie Dalton, Department of Biological and Earth Sciences
*Jamie King, Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
*Tonya Mays, LeMoyne Smith School of Business
*Jennifer Willbanks, Department of Behavioral Sciences
Promotion to Associate Librarian:
*Charity Park, Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center
The achievements celebrated during the Aug. 15 reception were approved by the ATU Board of Trustees during its meeting on June 19.
