Individuals who win the Arkansas teacher of the year award presented by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) in the years to come will have access to a new scholarship in the Arkansas Tech University Graduate College.
The Dr. Mary B. Gunter Arkansas Teacher of the Year Scholarship will provide $1,000 per academic year to assist the annual winner of the ADE Arkansas teacher of the year award if he or she wishes to pursue graduate or doctoral study at Arkansas Tech. The scholarship was established through the Arkansas Tech University Foundation as a result of private donations.
“I’m honored that this scholarship will carry my name,” said Gunter. “The Arkansas teacher of the year program emphasizes the important role of the teacher as they interface with students. It’s not just about teaching and learning. It’s the relationships that teachers build with students. Some people have the teacher gene. It is natural to them. Students want to learn when teachers have a heart for what they do.”
Gunter concluded a 51-year career in education when she retired as chief of staff and distinguished professor of educational leadership at Arkansas Tech in June 2023.
Among Gunter’s achievements during a quarter-century at ATU was envisioning, developing and implementing the first doctoral degree in the institution’s history. She also provided leadership for the accompanying change in role and scope for the institution through the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board that made it possible for ATU to offer doctoral degrees for the first time.
The ATU Doctor of Education degree in school leadership produced Arkansas Tech’s first doctoral graduates in spring 2017 and continues to enroll new cohorts of P-12 leaders on an annual basis.
Prior to joining ATU, Gunter served in public schools as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and educational co-op director. She was also director of the Arkansas Governor’s Partnership on Education.
Upon her arrival at Arkansas Tech in 1998, Gunter set about establishing the ATU Center for Leadership and Learning with a goal of producing innovative problem solvers at all levels of P-12 school leadership through graduate study. She was also instrumental in establishing Arkansas Tech’s leadership minor at the undergraduate level.
Gunter took on new leadership roles of her own, adding the title of dean of the ATU Graduate College in 2009 and dean of the ATU College of Education in 2015. She moved into the role of chief of staff in the ATU Office of the President in 2018.
“The fact that this scholarship opportunity is being offered signifies that effective teachers are lifelong learners,” said Gunter. “They want to increase their skills, and they know they can achieve that through professional development, reflective daily practice and advanced degrees. There is a turning point for some teachers when they make the decision to pursue advanced study through a doctoral program. For them, it is a natural progression in moving forward to official leadership roles with a district and furthering their education to assume those roles. It is my hope that those eligible for this scholarship will consider the quality of education they can receive through advanced degrees at Arkansas Tech.”
A complete list of opportunities for graduate study at Arkansas Tech is available at https://catalog.atu.edu/graduate/programs.
Learn more about the ATU Graduate College at www.atu.edu/gradcollege.
For information about establishing or contributing toward a scholarship through the ATU Foundation, call (479) 968-0400 or send e-mail to advancement@atu.edu.
