Zoey Skaggs of Ozark knows why earning her bachelor’s degree at Arkansas Tech University is important to her future.
“If something happens later on in life, I want to have that degree to fall back on,” said Skaggs while waiting for the Time Out for Tech opening ceremony to begin on Thursday, Feb. 22. “It opens up so many more options and doors for me to be able to go out in the world and make a difference. I would be so proud to become an Arkansas Tech graduate. I look back to where I was as a high school freshman, and I see how much I’ve grown, and I can’t wait to see how much more I will grow over the next four years here at Arkansas Tech.”
Skaggs was among more than 900 high school seniors who registered for Time Out for Tech 2024 on the ATU campus in Russellville.
Time Out for Tech attendees learned about gaining admission to ATU, student housing, meal plans, scholarships, financial aid and campus life. There were academic breakout sessions that provided details about each student’s preferred field of study, campus and residence hall tours and photo opportunities with Jerry the Bulldog, ATU campus ambassador.
Skaggs plans on majoring in rehabilitation science at Arkansas Tech with a long-term goal of becoming a mental health counselor.
“I love the campus and I love how everything is right there,” said Skaggs. “Everything is so easy to get to and navigate. I like how everyone is so close here. It’s the community of it. I’m excited for my classes and meeting new people.”
Andrew Bokker of Rogers had already toured the ATU campus before Time Out for Tech and has committed to attend Arkansas Tech. His primary focus at Time Out for Tech was to learn more about the details of campus and its various points of interest.
“A couple of years ago my cousin graduated from here,” said Bokker. “I came here, viewed the campus and heard what he had to say about it, and it was all great stuff. I want to learn more about residence halls and how class schedules work. The town itself (Russellville) is larger than I thought. After driving around, I was surprised and excited.”
Bokker plans on majoring in biology with the pre-medicine option at ATU. He is interested in specializing in pediatric medicine for his career. Away from the classroom, he wants to become involved in the intramural sports program at Arkansas Tech.
“It would mean a lot,” said Bokker when asked what it would mean to become an ATU graduate. “Graduating from a school in the state where I was born and raised would mean a great deal.”
Mackenzie Spradlin of Dover came to Time Out for Tech 2024 to learn more about scholarships and sororities. She plans on majoring in health sciences or kinesiology.
“I want to learn more about Tech and if it’s the environment I want to come to,” said Spradlin. “Tech is full of amazing people. A lot of my friends from high school went here, and they love Tech. I’m excited to hopefully come here. I want to be able to provide for my future family. Graduating from Tech would help me do that and provide me with a great foundation for anything.”
Prospective students and their families can learn more about the educational opportunities available at Arkansas Tech by visiting www.atu.edu.
