Tech’s Simmons Selected for Event in D.C.

Arkansas Tech University student Jayson Simmons was among 100 students from across the United States invited to attend the 2018 National Prayer Breakfast, which was hosted by the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C., Feb. 7-11.

A junior emergency management major from Little Rock, Simmons participated in two days of activities in Washington before joining his fellow students for a two-day professional and personal development conference in Annapolis, Md.

“I was truly humbled to be invited to this event though my involvement with the National Student Leadership in October 2017,” said Simmons. “It was a great experience where I was able to meet with insightful leaders and inspiring students from around the world. At the student weekend on Friday and Saturday, we had guest speakers and participated in small groups that focused on connecting with one another and learning how to be vulnerable. I was disappointed to leave all the great people that I had been able to connect with when I boarded to take the shuttle back to D.C. on Sunday, but I made the best of it by spending the day sightseeing and visiting monuments before the flight home.”

As a result of his participation in the National Prayer Breakfast, Simmons was subsequently chosen to read scripture at the Arkansas Leadership Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 22. Other speakers at the Arkansas Prayer Breakfast included Sen. Tom Cotton, Gov. Asa Hutchinson, members of the Arkansas Legislature and Donnie Smith, former chief executive officer for Tyson Foods.

Simmons’ campus involvement includes serving as vice president for ATU Student Government Association. He has also served as a student ambassador for incoming students and as a member of the ATU Presidential Leadership Cabinet.