Zachariah Hedrick Earns Degree from College of Communications

 

Dexter, Missouri - The phrase “it takes a village” is never more apparent than when a successful college graduate reflects on the professors and mentors who contributed to his or her success. In the case of recent Arkansas State University graduate Zach Hedrick, this adage has special significance. Having recently received a B.S. in Public Relations, Zach appreciates that both his graduation and positive college experience would not have been possible without the teachers and leaders who helped get him through his college career.

Fresh from small town Dexter, Missouri, Zach first considered Arkansas State University as a potential college choice, but his interactions with Assistant Dean of Students Natalie Eskew sealed the deal. Not only were Eskew’s knowledge of the university and her enthusiasm key in Zach’s choice, but her continued mentoring and encouragement also helped Zach succeed once on campus.   She also guided him in the inner-working of the campus processes, and assisted Zach in mapping out his education objectives. Zach readily admits that, without Natalie Eskew, he would not have been able to reach his full potential as a University of Arkansas student.

In terms of building a solid educational foundation, Zach also credits all of his professors in the College of Communications for giving him the knowledge and experience he will need in his future career.  For example, leader of the Journalism department Gil Fowler pushed Zach to deepen his understanding of public relations beyond the classroom, and help facilitate the key internships that provided Zach with hands-on experience.  

Another outstanding professor, Holly Hall, kept Zach on track with his studies, ensuring that he graduated on schedule. Her uplifting demeanor allowed Zach to flourish in the rigorous program, and gave him the confidence he needed to succeed. Radio-Television instructor Larz Roberts also inspired Zach with his captivating and challenging coursework, and stands as yet another example of the difference that caring and quality instructors can make in the lives of their students.

Zach also credits business and community leaders for their contribution to his collegiate success. Through Liberty Bank’s Director of Marketing Ed Way, Zach landed a top-quality internship with the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce.  Local realtor Craig McDaniel also helped Zach by encouraging him to become more involved in the community, and facilitating his involvement with local business leaders.

As Zach graduates from the Arkansas State University, he knows that this achievement is not his alone. Without a dedicated group of inspiring mentors, ones who helped him every step of the way Zach could never have made the most out of his time at A-State.

Thanks to these selfless individuals, Zach believes that his future is brighter than ever before, and hopes to pay forward the spirit of their encouragement as he works to make the most it the lessons they taught him.

 

SoutheastHEALTH Regional Operations Vice President Paula Harris recently announced Adam Bracks as the new Chief Executive Officer of SoutheastHEALTH Center of Stoddard County.  Adam began his first day on the job Wednesday morning. 

Adam Bracks is a native of Perth, Australia, where he received his bachelor’s degree.  He earned his master’s degree at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He has most recently served in a hospital setting in Cleveland, Tenn., where he also oversaw rehabilitation, physician practice management and occupational medicine. He additionally focused on process improvement for the hospital.

“The future for our hospital is bright, as we are now part of a regional system of care.” Bracks stated, “We remain committed to providing high quality patient care at a low cost, right here at home.”  

Bracks said, “Plans are currently underway to expand access to specialty services at the hospital through our tele-medicine program, including neurology, cardiology and orthopedics.  This expansion will greatly enhance the availability of quality patient care in Stoddard County.”

As announced when the acquisition with SoutheastHEALTH became a reality earlier in the year, an expansion project is on the horizon.  “We will be building a medical office building onsite.  We’re studying construction plans at this time for this expansion,” Bracks confirmed.  

Bracks says he’s looking forward to joining the hospital team and becoming a vital member of the local community.

“I have already had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people in the area. It became quickly evident that the hospital has quality staff.  I’ve been very impressed with every aspect of the hospital, but it’s that skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate staff that makes all the difference in patient care. I look forward to working with our team and expanding and continuing a high quality of patient care.” 

Bracks said his wife, Catherine, and their two sons, Luke, 9, and Ian, 6, are equally excited about living in Dexter. 

SMT would like to encourage the community to make it a point to get to welcome Adam Bracks and his family to the Dexter community. 

Dexter, Missouri - When the rainy weather cancelled many outdoor activities for the weekend, volunteers and organizers from Global Compassion Ministries were on hand at First Baptist Church in Dexter to provide a very rewarding event of packing food for their Haiti Missions.  

Inspired by a local young man who had attended a mission trip with the Global Compassion this past February, Matt Kinder returned from his trip excited about the opportunity he was given to assist in feeding thousands of families in the Northwest portion of the country of Haiti.  In his heart, Matt committed to the preparation, fundraising, and scheduled the event. 

As in many area churches, mission trips are nothing new at First Baptist Church Dexter.  For many years, members of First Baptist have participated on mission teams to Kosovo, Haiti, Mexico, Africa, Nicaragua, Romania and the Dominican Republic just to mention a few.   The mission committee at the church corporately participates in many fundraising events such as mission lunches and concessions at the Stoddard County Fair.

The excitement for a new idea came as no surprise when Matt shared his desire to have a food packing day.  He was met with great enthusiasm from the congregation.   Over 120 men, women, and young people were on hand at 10:00 AM Saturday morning to begin the process of filling food bags for

The rainy weather turned out to be a blessing for the organizers as well.  As with everyone, busy schedules often dominate the time of families, but cancellations of baseball tournaments and track meets Saturday only increased the volunteer count for food packing.

Global Compassion Ministries is a unique charitable organization.  The entire group is made up of volunteers from across the state of Missouri, including the St. Charles, St. Louis and Fulton areas.  With the ability to avoid the typical costs and expenses that accompany organizations of this nature, nearly 100% of the money collected by the group is funneled directly to the ministries of the group.  

Even more importantly, the same group of individuals is actively involved with the work that is being performed in Haiti.  The individuals are as they say "the boots on the ground" for the ministry. 

Jerry Lantz of St. Charles, Missouri has been a long time member of the Haiti teams.  Upon his recent retirement, he began to pursue his calling to personally deliver meals to the starving children he had witnessed in the Northwest section of the country during previous trips. 

"Malnutrition in children is often very evident in the reddish blonde hair of the children," noted Jerry.  "I have been going to Haiti for years and not able to do a lot about it.   After retirement, I no longer had a reason to prevent me from getting involved."

In 2012, Jerry began the process of developing the food ministry for Global Compassion Ministries.  Jerry partnered with other mission team members to begin the process of surveying one of the area villages to determine the needs that existed.  Jerry, along with Lane Konnelmann, were able to deliver 50,000 meals to that village last year.

With the addition of small boat and motor in 2013, Jerry's ability to move about the area was greatly expanded, and his team was able to survey three villages this past February.  Early estimates seem to increase the number of meals to 175,000 but a more recent estimate has increase to nearly a quarter of a million meals for the villages currently served.  

"You know the basic needs of man are food, water and shelter," added Lantz.  "I am seeing the changes in these children's lives, and that makes me want to get this food to them on an ongoing basis."

The Global Compassion Ministries has affiliated with Kids Against Hunger, a humanitarian food-aid organization based in New Hope, Minnesota.  Both groups share the same hope and mission to significantly reduce the number of hungry children and feed starving children throughout the world.  

The packages put together today at First Baptist contain six meals in each bag that cost only $0.25 per meal or $1.50 per package.  Jerry and his team will travel within a 200 mile radius of St. Louis for anyone willing to sponsor 10,000 meals. 

"We will bring the bulk food and all the packaging to you and let your church pack it," said Jerry.  "We simply ask you to provide the funds to pay for it which includes shipping to Haiti."

To contact Global Compassion Ministries or Jerry Lantz about getting involved or hosting a food packing event, you can email Jerry Lantz at:

www.globalcompassionministries.com.

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