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AlumniClass Notes

Class Notes, Fall 2025

Class notes from this fall, coming from a wide variety of alumni

December 03, 2025
Image of the Boreham Library at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
Arts and SciencesBusiness and IndustryEventsHealth Education and Human SciencesStudents

Don’t Procrastinate; Go Roaring into Finals Prepared

The semi-annual finals night of preparation returns to the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 4-9 p.m. at the Boreham Library. This semester's theme for the Long Night Against Procrastination is the Roaring Twenties.

December 02, 2025
Portrait of Hannah Seal from the UAFS Campus Green
Business and IndustryFirst GenerationHealth Education and Human SciencesLion Voices

First-Generation Student Spotlight: Hannah Seal

Hannah Seal, a dental hygiene student, overcame the death of her mom while in elementary school to become the first member of her family to attend college right after high school. By attending the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, she can stay...

December 02, 2025
Petri dishes are shown in a microbiology lab
Arts and SciencesFeaturedNews

$50,000 Grant to Fund Microbiology Labs, Research

A $50,000 faculty recruitment grant will help UAFS build its microbiology program, equip a new shared research lab, and expand hands-on opportunities for undergraduate students through the Arkansas INBRE network.

December 01, 2025
Crews work on the new UAFS Windgate entryway in early november 2025
Art and DesignArts and SciencesCommunityFoundationGiving

Windgate Expansion Opens new Front Doors

The UAFS Windgate Art & Design Building expansion project reached a visible milestone this fall, with the exterior structure of the main addition now complete, and a new public entrance opened on November 28.

December 01, 2025
Daniel de Mondesert (right) high-fives Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta in the Brewers stadium. Photo is courtesy of Scott Paulus/Milwaukee Brewers
AlumniAthleticsBusiness and IndustryFeatured

A Major League Dream

UAFS alum, Daniel de Mondesert, '20, is one of the youngest coaches in Major League Baseball. He has climbed the ranks with the Milwaukee Brewers and is proof that it doesn't matter where you start if you're willing to put in the effort to get there....

December 01, 2025
UAFS Bell Tower at sunset
Chancellor

Campus Update, November 28, 2025

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Chancellor, Dr. Terisa Riley, shares a campus update following the Thanksgiving holiday.

November 28, 2025
HOlly Needham, UAFS Nursing Student, poses with her family after her White Coat Ceremony
Health Education and Human SciencesIntrepid Ambition

Holly Needham: From Mom Life to the L&D Suite

Before she was a nursing student, Holly Needham was a stay-at-home mom. Her days were full of activities and pickups, laundry and bedtime routines, but amidst the commotion, she felt a calling to serve others.

November 26, 2025
Amanda McMillin Serves as an Army Medic
FeaturedHealth Education and Human SciencesIntrepid Ambition

Amanda McMillin: Serving Her Country and Her Community

By day Amanda McMillin is an Emergency Room technician at Baptist Health in Fort Smith. On drill weekends, she’s a medic in the Arkansas Army National Guard. And in the hours in between—weeknights and weekends—she’s working toward her Bachelor...

November 26, 2025
A student loads cell samples into a machine for testing
Arts and SciencesCommunity

Research Den Brings Cancer, Cell Researchers to Fort Smith

Two University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences graduate students will bring their cancer and cell biology research to downtown Fort Smith on Dec. 4 as part of the Research Den series, a free public program designed to connect the River Valley with...

November 25, 2025
Dr. Paula Julian and Dr. Patti Conard hug as Conard accepts the Nurse of the Year in Education award Nov. 20, 2025
Health Education and Human SciencesNews

Conard Named Nurse Educator of the Year

Dr. Patti Conard, Jim L. Hannah Endowed Professor in the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith’s School of Nursing, has been named the 2025 Arkansas Nurse of the Year in Education.

November 24, 2025
Zachary Ryan in uniform
FeaturedHealth Education and Human SciencesNewsStudents

Army Veteran Hopes Nursing Degree Allows Him to Help More Veterans

Zachary Ryan, an Army veteran and senior UAFS nursing student, believes his critical care experience will help him when he starts his second career as a nurse in the emergency room or intensive care unit.

November 24, 2025
Katie Waugh speaks to a crowd at the annual UAFS Forge Ahead event.
Art and DesignArts and SciencesNews

UAFS Art & Design Programs Earn NASAD Accreditation

UAFS has earned reaccreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) for both baccalaureate programs in its Department of Art & Design

November 24, 2025
A portrait of Dr. Kristin Tardif in front of a bookcase wall at Bookish, where she is the new owner of the independent book store in downtown Fort Smith.
Business and IndustryLion Voices

Just One More Chapter: Dr. Kristin Tardif

Dr. Kristin Tardif, professor of organizational leadership, found a second calling as a teacher, and the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith has been her home since 2015. After a childhood spent across the globe and a fulfilling career at Nestlé,...

November 24, 2025
UAFS Bell Tower at sunset
Chancellor

Campus Update, November 21, 2025

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Chancellor, Dr. Terisa Riley, shares an update heading into the Thanksgiving break and holiday.

November 21, 2025
Portrait of Dr. Rachel Lehman in front of the UAFS Math Science Building
Arts and SciencesFeaturedNews

Math Professor Earns Teacher of the Year Honors

Dr. Rachel Lehman, assistant professor of mathematics, was named the 2025 Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics Teacher of the Year - Excellence in Four-Year College/University Mathematics Teaching Award on Nov. 18.

November 21, 2025
UAFS staff and students give away thanksgiving meals under the Campus Center portico
CommunityEventsGiving

Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway Spreads Cheer

UAFS distributed more than 150 Thanksgiving meals to students and employees ahead of the holiday break.

November 20, 2025
The UAFS Lion's Den dorm sits in the background. Two trees with red fall colors from the Lion's Den Courtyard sit at dusk as courtyard string lights are on.
NewsStudents

Taking Professional Development to the Lion’s Den

A group of resident assistants (RAs) from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith took time off from leading their halls to brush up on their professional development and leadership skills at a regional university housing conference.

November 19, 2025
UAFS student Hannah presents at the 15th annual UAFS Psychology Symposium
Health Education and Human SciencesNews

Psychology Symposium Brings Student Research to the Community

UAFS will host its 15th annual Psychology Symposium, Mortality & The Human Experience, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.

November 17, 2025
Two UAFS students from left to right, Abdur-Rehman Sajjad and Tyler Teague, accept their check for $500 after coming in second place during the thrid Lion's Lair Business Plan Competition. The students are joined by UAFS staff members, Ty Barrett and Kendall Ross.
Arts and SciencesBusiness and IndustryHealth Education and Human SciencesNewsStudents

‘Shark Tank’ Inspired Competition Returns to UAFS

The Lion's Lair Business Plan Competition returned to the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith for its third year. The 'Shark Tank' inspired competition provided six student-led teams with the opportunity to create and pitch a new business idea, marketing...

November 17, 2025

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Media Relations

The UAFS Office of Communications fields all media inquiries for the university. Email Rachel.Putman@uafs.edu for more information.

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Rachel Rodemann Putman

  • Director of Strategic Communications
  • 479-788-7132
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