NEA Business Notes: Ca Nguyen Receives American Advertising Federation Scholarship

Ca Nguyen, a senior graphic design major at Arkansas State University from Hue City, Vietnam, was awarded the Jay Hagins Award District 10 (D10) scholarship worth $5,000 from the American Advertising Federation (AAF). Nguyen is the only recipient from Arkansas to receive the honor.

In a surprise celebration that took place during class, regional AAF staff presented Nguyen with a plaque award.

She plans to use the scholarship to complete her studies at Arkansas State, cover entry fees for competitions, and maintain access to essential design software, which is crucial for coursework and building a competitive portfolio.

Following graduation, she plans to move to a city and begin her career. While her chapter on campus is closing, Nguyen encourages students who are about to begin their college experience to put themselves out there.

Arkansas State University Announces Excellence Awards

Three individuals and three organizations that have helped foster excellence at Arkansas State University and in the Jonesboro community were recognized as recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Diversity and Champion of Diversity Awards during Convocation of Scholars.

Perdeta Bush, who recently launched PLB Consulting in Athens, Ga., was guest speaker for the awards luncheon. Bush previously was Title IX and institutional equity director at A-State. PLB Consulting focuses on project management, program planning and organizational management.

The Excellence Awards program highlights individuals and organizations that have demonstrated the highest commitment to excellence in their respective activities, according to Dr. Carlitta Moore, vice chancellor, Division of Access and Institutional Engagement at A-State.

Following are recipients of the Excellence Awards.

• Cheneria Boykins, recipient of the Excellence in Enhancement of Student Access & Belonging Award. Boykins is a first-generation college student, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work with minors in child advocacy and interdisciplinary family studies. She is interning with Access and Accommodations, mentoring students with disabilities. She also has been a resident assistant on campus for the past three years and has been involved in many campus organizations.

• Destinee Rogers, recipient of the Excellence in Campus Impact and Leadership Award.

Rogers just completed her third full season as head coach of the Arkansas State Red Wolves women’s basketball program. In 2024-25, Coach Rogers led the team to a 21-11 (15-3 SBC) record, winning the Sun Belt Conference tournament championship and making its first NCAA Tournament appearance.

• Arkansas State University Museum, recipient of the Excellence in Community Engagement and Campus Impact Award. A-State Museum, which began in 1933 as a creation of the History Club, has grown from a few exhibit cases in Wilson Hall to a complex devoted to serving the A-State community, Northeast Arkansas region and beyond. It offers tours, events and exhibit content that fosters further learning and doing through informal education environments.

Following are those who received the Champion Award.

• Chi Sigma Beta Rho Chapter, recipient of the Champion of Enhancement of Student Access and Belonging. The chapter was reactivated this year after a 14-year hiatus. The chapter has prioritized initiatives that promote access and belonging, including cultural competency workshops, peer support circles and guest lectures.  In addition, Beta Rho engages in an ongoing commitment to support suicide prevention initiatives.

• The Lupine Wellness Center at A-State, recipient of the Champion of Community Engagement and Campus Impact. The center is a student-led clinical training facility dedicated to providing accessible, culturally responsive mental health services to the Northeast Arkansas region. Operated by graduate-level counseling students under the supervision of licensed faculty, the center offers individual, family and play therapy services to children, adolescents and adults.

• Dr. Benjamin Poku, recipient of the Champion of Community Engagement and Campus Impact. Poku is a public health educator and scholar with more than 25 years of international experience. He is assistant professor at A-State, where he leads initiatives in curriculum development, student mentorship and community partnerships. His academic and consultancy work has supported public health programs in China, the United Arab Emirates and multiple U.S. institutions.

Crabtree Promoted to Loan Officer at FNBC

Karrigan Crabtree has been promoted to mortgage loan originator in FNBC’s Sharp County market, according to David Norris, senior vice president for mortgage Lending and she is now taking clients.

In this new role, Crabtree will guide individuals and families through the mortgage lending process, from initial pre-approval to closing. She will assist clients with identifying the loan programs that best fit their needs, managing required documentation.

Crabtree joined FNBC in 2022 as a consumer relationship manager based in the Highland office. She holds an associate’s degree in business administration from Arkansas State University – Newport and will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University this May.

Two New Exhibitions to Open at Bradbury Art Museum

Two solo exhibitions will open at Bradbury Art Museum (BAM) in May. The two exhibitions will be “Chree Explorations” by Mandy Mooneyham and “Option C” by Andrew Fernandez. The exhibitions will be open alongside “Marks in Motion.”

Work by Mooneyham, a Northeast Arkansas artist and Arkansas State University alumna, will be exhibited in “Chree Explorations.” The show invites visitors into uncharted landscapes of thought and memory, explored through the motif of Mooneyham’s “chrees,” or chair-rooted trees. Mooneyham uses these as a visual metaphor for the way human minds grow, adapt and retain memories.

“Option C” is a solo exhibition of multimedia work from artist and educator Andrew Fernandez, who serves as visiting assistant professor of sculpture at A-State. He is an interdisciplinary artist who utilizes sculpture as a means to an end, and he is interested in the life of objects after they have been built.

The exhibition showcases a variety of sculptural works by Fernandez along with “May Your Tears of Sadness Be Filled with Joy,” a 2024 film that is a meditation on the creative process.

Beck Center to Host 3rd Annual Run to Remember

The Beck Center for Veterans at Arkansas State University will host its third annual Run to Remember on May 24, at the Lt. Col. Frederick C. Turner Jr. Military Science Building.

Everyone is welcome at the race including walkers, runners and spirit participants of all ages and experience levels. The race course takes participants through flat, low-traffic areas of campus.

First National Bank of Commerce Donates to Williams Works Program

First National Bank of Commerce has made a gift in support of the Williams Works program at Williams Baptist University. The $7,500 gift was presented to WBU Vice President for Advancement Luke Colley by First National Vice President and Imboden Branch Manager Warren Williams.

Students in the Williams Works program work 16 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. In return, their tuition and student service fees are fully covered for each semester they participate. Moreover, students have the opportunity to work full-time during the summer, with their room and board expenses also covered, providing students a pathway to graduate debt-free.

Farmers & Merchants Bank Hires Liebhaber as Commercial Loan Officer

Farmers & Merchants Bank and The Bank of Fayetteville announced Brett Liebhaber has joined the bank as a commercial loan officer. Liebhaber will be based at the bank’s Pocahontas branch and has more than 20 years of experience in banking and public service.

A Pocahontas native, Liebhaber began his career at the Bank of Pocahontas in 1998 after earning a bachelor of science in business from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He was promoted to loan officer and completed the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wis., in 2003.

That same year, he began a 22-year career with the Social Security Administration. Liebhaber held several leadership roles, including claims representative, operations supervisor and, most recently, assistant district manager of the Jonesboro field office.

“I’m thrilled to return to my roots in community banking and join the outstanding team at Farmers and Merchants Bank,” Liebhaber said. “Helping individuals and businesses in Pocahontas succeed financially is incredibly rewarding, and I’m honored to be part of an organization so dedicated to our community.”

Related