Eileen Kradel                                                                      Georgia Hale

Eileen Kradel, former vice president of compliance at Washington Regional Medical Center and member of the UAFS Board of Visitors, and Dr. Georgia Hale, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, will serve as speakers for the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith’s commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 13.

 

Commencement will be held in the Stubblefield Center on UAFS campus, located at 532 N. Waldron Road. Kradel will speak at the 10 a.m. ceremony, while Hale will speak at the 2 p.m. ceremony.

 

Kradel, who worked nearly 25 years in healthcare at Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith before moving to Washington Regional, has forged close ties to UAFS throughout her career. She has served on the university’s Board of Visitors since 2002, following 10 years as a member of the Westark Community College Board of Trustees, two years of which she spent as board president.

 

Additionally, she has served at numerous other community appointments, including as a member of the Planning Commission and a member of the Comprehensive Development Plan, both for the City of Fort Smith. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of the Ozarks and a doctorate of law from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She also attended UAFS part-time when it was Westark Community College.

 

Hale has served as provost at UAFS since 2014 after serving as dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology for five years. She originally came to UAFS in 2004 to serve as associate dean of the College of Business after working as assistant dean of student services at Iowa State University.

 

She earned her doctorate from Arizona State University, and boasts undergraduate and graduate degrees from Arkansas State.

 

Dr. Paul B. Beran, UAFS chancellor, said the two speakers will offer valuable perspectives to graduates.

 

“I am both excited and grateful to have Mrs. Kradel and Dr. Hale serving as our commencement speakers,” Beran said. “Mrs. Kradel has been a close friend of the university for decades and is sure to provide profound advice to our graduates, and Dr. Hale will offer a unique and relevant perspective for graduates as they prepare to take the next step in their lives.”

 

In addition to Chancellor Beran, UAFS administrators presenting candidates are Hale; Dr. Ken Warden, dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology; Dr. Ashok Subramanian, dean of the College of Business; Dr. Carolyn Mosley, dean of the College of Health Sciences; Dr. Paul Hankins, dean of the College of Communication, Languages, Arts and Social Sciences; Dr. Ron Darbeau, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Dr. Norm Dennis, senior associate dean for the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville; and Wayne Womack, registrar.

 

Rick Goins, director of alumni affairs, will also provide a welcome from the Alumni Association. Dr. Becky Williamson, chair of the faculty senate and master marshal and bearer of the mace, will give a call to order and adjournment. Music will be provided by the UAFS Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Alexandra Zacharella, and music student Kody Goad and graduates Deborah Ellis, Lela Nickell, Leah Schimberg will serve as vocalists with the band on the National Anthem and the alma mater. Dr. Stephen Husarik, head carillonneur, will provide pre-ceremony music and post-recessional bell peal on the Donald W. Reynolds Bell Tower carillon.

 

Graduating at the 10 a.m. ceremony are graduates of the College of Business, the College of Health Sciences, and the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Graduating at the 2 p.m. ceremony are graduates of the College of Applied Science and Technology and the College of Communication, Languages, Arts and Social Sciences. For more information, visit http://academics.uafs.edu/records/commencement-information.

 

About the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is the premiere regional institution of Western Arkansas, connecting education with careers and serving as a driver of economic development and quality of place in the greater Fort Smith region. Through a small campus, dedicated professors, and the university’s unique bond with its community, students at UAFS are able to do more in the areas they are passionate about, both on- and off-campus, in a way that prepares them for post-graduate success. To find out how you can do more at UAFS, visit www.uafs.edu.