Arkansas Tech University named the winners of the institution’s top three undergraduate senior awards for 2025 during an awards reception at the Hull Building Student Union on Sunday, April 27.
ATU’s top senior award winners for 2025 are (click on each recipient’s name for more about them):
- Kacie Gibbins of Vian, Okla., Jill Lestage Brown Service Leadership Award
- Jae Thomas of Bryant, Alfred J. Crabaugh Award
- Elli White of Malvern, Margaret Young Award
The Margaret Young Award is presented each year to the most outstanding senior female undergraduate student at ATU.
The award is part of a rich heritage for the Young family at ATU. The Young family’s contributions are remembered through William O. Young, Margaret’s husband, who oversaw the business affairs of Arkansas Tech from 1917-41 and for whom the W. O. Young Building was named. Their son — Robert A. Young — worked in administration and finance at Arkansas Tech from 1941-84 and was inducted into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction in 1973. Their grandson — Dr. Robert A. Young Jr. — is past president of the ATU Foundation and an ardent supporter of ATU athletics.
The Young family also holds a special place in Arkansas Tech history as the owners of the original Jerry the Bulldog during the 1930s.
The Alfred J. Crabaugh Award is presented each year to the most outstanding senior male undergraduate student at ATU.
The award’s namesake served on the Arkansas Tech faculty from 1929-69. He is the only person in the history of the university to hold the title of academic dean, and he was a central figure in the transition of the institution to become a senior college. In May 1948, under Crabaugh’s guidance, the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees approved a recommendation that the school should become a four-year, degree-granting institution. His efforts to build the academic reputation of Arkansas Tech truly came to fruition in March 1951 when the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools accredited the four-year program at Arkansas Tech.
Due to these and other efforts, Crabaugh is recognized as the father of the modern intellectual tradition at ATU.
The Jill Lestage Brown Service Leadership Award is presented each year to a senior undergraduate student at ATU who seeks to improve society through unselfish voluntary service to others as demonstrated by past and current leadership roles, service hours completed and participation in volunteer programs.
The award is named for the former first lady of ATU. Brown stepped down from her career as an elementary school teacher to act as a volunteer ambassador and hostess for Arkansas Tech during the presidency of her husband, Dr. Robert C. Brown, from 1993-2014. The Browns will be inducted into the ATU Hall of Distinction under the Distinguished Service category during 2025 spring commencement.
Brown has also volunteered her time to benefit organizations such as the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce, National Women in the Arts, the Arkansas Tech Wesley Foundation, Shelter of Sunshine, the River Valley United Way and Junior Auxiliary of Russellville.
The reception also featured recognition of ATU’s Who’s Who students for 2025.
Who’s Who selection is based upon academic achievement, service to the community while enrolled at ATU, leadership and involvement in co-curricular activities and the potential for continued success.
Listed below are the 2025 Who’s Who at ATU honorees (click on each honoree’s name to see their photo):
Chinonso Anyanwu
Hometown: Imo State, Nigeria
Major: Information Technology
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Anyanwu
Emerson Block
Hometown: Conway
Major: Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Tiffany and Patrick Block
Paige Davis
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Business Management
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Kelley and Chuck Davis
Jocelyn Dong
Hometown: Harrison
Major: Fine Arts
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Shao Yu Yuan and Yong Bo Dong
Hayden Eason
Hometown: Pea Ridge
Major: Information Technology
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Kim and Jason Eason
Brock Gottsponer
Hometown: Morrilton
Major: Electrical Engineering
Graduation Date: Fall 2025
Parents: Laura and Kevin Gottsponer
Haley Greer
Hometown: Lowell
Major: Social Studies Education, Anthropology/Geography and History
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Parents: Raven and David Harvey
Rose Gunther
Hometown: Bigelow
Major: Agriculture Business
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Parents: Elizabeth and Conrad Gunther
Hunter Hare
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Nursing
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Katy and Richie Hare
Armando Harper
Hometown: Gurdon
Major: Business Data Analytics
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Chris Harper and Lilian Medrano
Maddy Hughes
Hometown: Bentonville
Major: Business Management and Finance
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Mother: Kimberly Coleman
Rodrick Jackson
Hometown: Monticello
Major: Health and Physical Education
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Mother: Ophelia Jackson
Ashlyn Knotts
Hometown: West Fork
Major: Criminal Justice
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Alicia and Donnie Knotts
Kadance Lane
Hometown: Malvern
Major: Psychology
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Joy McDonald and Jon Lane
Kate Manuel
Hometown: Green Forest
Major: Elementary Education
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Emma and Alexander Manuel
Nathaly Marin
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Graphic Design
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Dinora Vides and Jean Pierre Marin
Lainey Martin
Hometown: Vilonia
Major: Recreation and Park Administration-Therapeutic Recreation
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Parents: Priscilla and Chance Bockelman
Torin Matthews
Hometown: Bryant
Major: Environmental Geology
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Parents: Keri and Aaron Matthews
Hannah Melton
Hometown: Clarksville
Major: Rehabilitation Science
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Parents: Patricia and Roger Melton
Ashley Muller
Hometown: Cabot
Major: Accounting and Business Management
Graduation Date: Fall 2025
Parents: Lynn and Matthew Muller
Destini Nguyen
Hometown: Dardanelle
Major: Journalism and Speech Communication
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Parents: Yvette and Sam Nguyen
Yasmin Pacheco-Elorza
Hometown: Hot Springs
Major: Business Data Analytics
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Maria Elorza and Inocencio Pacheco
Zoe Patterson
Hometown: Texarkana
Major: Biology and Criminal Justice
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Parents: Adrian and Jamie Patterson
Kade Ratcliff
Hometown: Springdale
Major: Finance
Graduation Date: Fall 2025
Parents: Jennifer and Jay Ratcliff
Ellie Riddle
Hometown: Damascus
Major: Kinesiology
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Roxanne and Jamey Riddle
Danielle Simpson
Hometown: Atkins
Major: Nursing
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: James Simpson and Charlotte Kemp
Hayin Tamut
Hometown: Jomlo Mongku, India
Major: Information Technology
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Talom Tamut and Yalang Tamut
Abby Tate
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Criminal Justice
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Kim and Kenn Tate
Elli White
Hometown: Malvern
Major: Journalism
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Parents: Niki and Chris White
Brooklyn Zarlingo Wooldridge
Hometown: Booneville
Major: Health Exercise Science-Pre-Allied Health
Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Husband: Ethan Wooldridge
