Some of the individuals who graduated from Arkansas Tech University during fall 2024 commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 14, grew up nearby and always believed they would attend ATU.
“I’m from the town next door and my parents met at Tech, so I pretty much always wanted to go here, and I did,” said Ruth Musgrove of Dover, who received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in finance from ATU during fall 2024 commencement at Tucker Coliseum. “I remember always driving by Tech. I can remember when some of these buildings weren’t here. I knew (Rothwell Hall) was where the business college is, and I knew I wanted to study business. So, I knew I’d be there one day, and I knew I’d be going to the softball games, the football games and everything like that. I hope when I have kids someday they will want to come to Tech.”
Others, such as Stanley Ejiofor of Imo, Nigeria, had never even visited the United States before they began their studies at Arkansas Tech.
“I have always wanted to study information technology,” said Ejiofor, who completed his Master of Science degree in that discipline from ATU during the fall 2024 semester. “I read about (Arkansas Tech), everything was nice and I decided I would give it a try. This was my first time leaving my country. I wasn’t sure what was actually going on. Everything looked so different, and I was excited. Graduating from ATU means the world to me. This has been quite a unique experience. I will never forget it in my life.”
ATU conferred approximately 1,200 degrees and credentials upon graduates at the conclusion of the fall 2024 semester. Completers from the ATU campuses in Russellville and Ozark were among those recognized during a pair of commencement ceremonies.
As Musgrove contemplated her time at Arkansas Tech, she found that her personal development was as important as her academic development.
“I used to be really shy,” said Musgrove. “I’ve really branched out, met a lot of new people, made a lot of new friends and made a bunch of connections.”
Many of the connections Musgrove made were through the ATU study abroad program. She studied at Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) University of Applied Sciences in Giessen, Germany, as part of an exchange program during her undergraduate experience, and she is returning to Germany in spring 2025 for graduate study.
“My grandfather was German, but I’d never been overseas,” said Musgrove. “It was two weeks, and I thought that was my one chance to really grow through study abroad. I’m looking forward to going back. When the German students came here (to ATU) in September…that was so much fun. The fact that happened during my final semester was such a cool experience. To be able to show them Arkansas Tech, Russellville and Arkansas in general will be my favorite memory of Tech.”
Musgrove held membership in the ATU Presidential Leadership Cabinet during her time at Arkansas Tech.
She cited Caroline Kitchens and Melissa South from the ATU Office of Alumni Relations, Dr. Russell Jones (in both his previous role as dean of the ATU College of Business and Economic Development and his current role as ATU president), ATU College of Business and Economic Development faculty members Dr. Ahmed Elkassabgi and Dr. Peng “Roc” Huang as well as Gaby Haulmark, director of the ATU study abroad program, among her most influential mentors at Arkansas Tech.
For Ejiofor, events such as the Light the Night international festival and the opportunity to learn about cultures from around the globe will be among his favorite memories of ATU.
“The knowledge I gained while studying (at ATU) and putting it into practical use has brightened my horizon,” said Ejiofor. “I have really loved it. I would love to send the knowledge I have gained here back home. Africa still needs more. I want to impact others.”
Naomi Flores of Rogers received two ATU degrees during fall 2024 commencement. She earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and the Associate of Science degree in criminal justice. She completed her academic work through a blended methodology of some in-person classes and some online classes.
“I’ve gained a lot of experience,” said Flores. “Coming here, I didn’t know what degree I wanted. I got a sense of what I wanted to do. I gained that and learned what I wanted to do with my life. I learned how to navigate through the hardest times. It means so much to me and my family to be a first-generation graduate.”
Flores mentioned Dr. Sean Huss and Dr. Jason Ulsperger as ATU faculty members who made a difference in her undergraduate study. As a result, she will go on to pursue her master’s degree.
“They have so much experience in their field,” said Flores when asked about Huss and Ulpserger. “They know exactly who you need to contact and what you need to do. They help you take the right steps to get where you want to go.”
Like Musgrove, Haydn King of Russellville grew up nearby and chose to stay close to home for his college education. King, who is already employed in the insurance business, received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in business management from ATU and hopes to one day be a business owner.
“I’ve matured a lot since I’ve been (at Arkansas Tech),” said King. “All the professors have been great. You learn a lot of terms in the base classes, but it’s when you start doing those applicable projects that you really prepare yourself for the workforce. I’m the second person in my bloodline to graduate from college, so my family is excited.”
