Arkansas Tech University named the winners of the institution’s top three undergraduate senior awards for 2026 during an awards reception at Ferguson Student Union on Sunday, April 19.
ATU’s top senior award winners for 2026 are:
- Hannah Melton of Clarksville, Jill Lestage Brown Service Leadership Award
- Carson Smith of Russellville, Alfred J. Crabaugh Outstanding Senior Award
- Allie Stoll of Benton, Margaret Young Outstanding Senior Award
The Margaret Young Award is presented each year to an outstanding senior 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 an outstanding senior 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 2026.
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 2026 Who’s Who at ATU honorees (click on each honoree’s name to see their photo and scroll to the bottom of the page for more photographs):
Maya Avila
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Biology-Biomedical Option
Parents: Rebekah and Gustavo Avila
Graduation Date: Fall 2026
Shruti Bhandari
Hometown: Dharan, Nepal
Major: Information Technology
Parents: Shyam Babu Bhandari and Nirmala Adhikari Bhandari
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Belle Brown
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Middle Level Education
Parents: Gary and Landi Brown
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Morgen Burgess
Hometown: Shirley
Major: Rehabilitation Science and Psychology
Parents: Todd and Michelle Burgess
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Luke Cantu
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Biology-Biomedical Option
Parents: Leonel and Rachael Cantu
Graduation Date: Spring 2027
Tendai Chiutare
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Liberal Arts
Parent: Sheila Mandipaza
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Kaylee Coble
Hometown: Greenwood
Major: Digital Marketing
Parents: John and Kim Coble
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Taylor Darling
Hometown: Nashville
Major: Health and Exercise Science
Parent: Jamie Darling
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Rebecca Davis
Hometown: Cabot
Major: Music
Parents: Nathan and Nicole Davis
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Mary Domerese
Hometown: Clarksville
Major: Rehabilitation Science
Parents: David and Sharon Domerese
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Skyla Eckhardt
Hometown: Rogers
Major: Health and Exercise Science
Parents: Heather and Ryan Eckhardt
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Mackenzie Epperson
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Biology-Biomedical Option
Parents: Jason and Shawn Epperson
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Lauren Estlinbaum
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Agriculture Business
Spouse: Evan Estlinbaum
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Fernando Flores
Hometown: Clarksville
Major: Agriculture Business
Parents: Ines and Alejandro Flores
Graduation Date: Fall 2026
Luis Garcia
Hometown: Dardanelle
Major: Nursing
Parents: Maria Garcia and the late Jose Garcia
Graduation Date: Fall 2026
Lily Geren
Hometown: Berryville
Major: Elementary Education
Parent: Jordan Geren
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Raine Gordon
Hometown: Little Rock
Major: Environmental Science
Parents: Joshua Gordon and Lorraine Gordon
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Synthia Hale
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Biology-Biomedical Option and Psychology
Parents: James and Lavella Hale
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Nicole Holt
Hometown: Farmington
Major: Computer Science
Parents: Audra Holt and Douglas Holt
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Hsa Htoo
Hometown: Clarksville
Major: Health Information Technology
Parent: Po Cho
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Loralye Johnson
Hometown: Alma
Major: Rehabilitation Science
Parents: Jessica Palmer and Steven Johnson
Graduation Date: Summer 2026
Kelsey Jones
Hometown: Hattieville
Major: Political Science, Criminal Justice, Anthropology and Geography
Parents: Shannon and Tammy Jones
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Kylie Kelly
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Business Management
Parents: Pete and Teena Kelly
Graduation Date: Spring 2027
Hayley Land
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Criminal Justice and Criminology
Parent: Amy Land
Graduation Date: Fall 2026
Kylee Lineberry
Hometown: Alma
Major: Business Management
Parents: Sara and Harlo McCall; Josh and Lynn Lineberry
Graduation Date: Fall 2026
Destiny Lorings
Hometown: Little Rock
Major: Nursing
Parents: Michael and Angela Lorings
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Kyleigh McCurnin
Hometown: Rogers
Major: Nursing
Parents: Jonathan and Brittany Halbert
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Landon Meimerstorf
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Cybersecurity
Parents: Todd and Julie Meimerstorf
Graduation Date: Spring 2027
Sydney Moore
Hometown: Sallisaw, Okla.
Major: Graphic Design
Parents: Jon Moore and Marchele Moore
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Corey Naegle
Hometown: Paris
Major: Information Technology
Parent: Joseph Naegle
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Lance Phillips
Hometown: Altus
Major: Journalism
Parents: Amanda Pruitt and Todd Phillips
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Shilo Reed
Hometown: Fouke
Major: Computer Science
Parents: Doyal and Carolyn Reed
Graduation Date: Spring 2027
Lydia Rogers
Hometown: Russellville
Major: School Counseling and Leadership
Spouse: Michael Rogers
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Carson Smith
Hometown: Russellville
Major: Finance and Business Management
Parent: Lynette Smith
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Martha Smith Gomez
Hometown: Decatur
Major: Music Education
Parents: Ronald Smith and Clara Gomez Smith
Graduation Date: Fall 2026
Ellie Stokes
Hometown: Dardanelle
Major: Sociology and Communications
Parents: Kristy and Cody Davis; Shannon and Traci Stokes
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Allie Stoll
Hometown: Benton
Major: Business Data Analytics
Parents: Mark and Darci Stoll
Graduation Date: Fall 2026
Nathan Surles
Hometown: Arkadelphia
Major: Biochemistry and Biology-Biomedical option
Parent: Sue Holiman
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Emily Tyler
Hometown: Searcy
Major: Journalism
Parents: Terry and Jennifer Tyler
Graduation Date: Fall 2026
Sarah Vacco
Hometown: Mountain Home
Major: Exercise Science
Parents: Frank and Becky Vacco
Graduation Date: Summer 2026
Christine Weiser
Hometown: Harrison
Major: Biology-Biomedical Option and Psychology
Parent: Tonya Doliber
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Tiffany White
Hometown: Hot Springs
Major: Applied Science
Spouse: Anthony White
Graduation Date: Fall 2026
Ava Word
Hometown: Benton
Major: Journalism
Parents: Karmen Word and Chuck Word
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Xing Zhang
Hometown: Cabot
Major: Graphic Design
Parent: Tom Zhang
Graduation Date: Spring 2026
