Matthew Kyle Foster is the recipient of the 2016 Jim Ed McGee Award as the most outstanding graduate student at Arkansas Tech University.
An alumnus of Alma High School and resident of Russellville, Foster was presented with his award during the Arkansas Tech Graduate Council meeting at Tomlinson Hall on Tuesday, April 19.
Foster earned a Master of Science degree in emergency management and homeland security from Arkansas Tech in May 2015. He has been employed by the Arkansas State Police since 2013 and currently serves as a trooper in the ASP Highway Patrol Division.
Dr. Mary Gunter, dean of the Arkansas Tech Graduate College, presented Foster with his award.
“Trooper Foster is a true professional who has a high work ethic built on integrity and respect,” said Gunter. “He also has a proven record of service to his community. He shares numerous incidents in his application packet of how he is able to put into practical application the theories, techniques and skills he learned from his emergency management and homeland security courses.”
Nominees for the Jim Ed McGee Award must have completed their graduate course work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.75.
The award’s namesake — Dr. Jim Ed McGee — served as vice president for academic affairs at Arkansas Tech from 1973 until the time of his passing in fall 1992.
His service to Arkansas Tech before attaining the rank of vice president included time as associate professor of education, director of institutional research, director of institutional services and director of development and public relations.
McGee’s wife, Carolyn, assisted in the presentation of the award on Tuesday.
For more information about educational opportunities available through the Arkansas Tech Graduate College, visit www.atu.edu/gradcollege or call (479) 968-0398.
Photographed (from left): Carolyn McGee, Matt Foster and Dr. Mary Gunter.
