Mosley delivered numerous papers over his academic careers focusing on various aspects of mathematics, especially mathematics from a teaching perspective.

He received grants in excess of $2.5 million from the National Science Foundation, the Arkansas Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Education. He received a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for the Upward Bound Math and Science program at Lyon, which he served as director on two occasions. The Upward Bound Math-Science Program is a six-week residential program for high school students.  It is designed to strengthen academic skills, particularly in math and science, for young people who desire a college education but who may need assistance with study skills, personal guidance, career counseling and other factors important in preparing them for college.

Mosley was an invaluable leader at Lyon. He served as chair of the Judicial Board, 1977-1978; Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees, 1977-1979; Faculty Representative to the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference, 1974-1987 (president, 1982-1983); Project Director for the National Science Foundation Local Course Improvement Program (LOCI), 1980-1981; president of the Faculty Forum, 1983-1984; president of the Faculty Assembly, 1986-1987 and 1991-1993; a member of the Executive Council of Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics in 1985-1987; chair of the Oklahoma-Arkansas Section of the Mathematical Association of America in 1987; chair of the Arkansas Association of College and University Mathematics Chairs, 1989-1990; member of the Board of Governors of the Mathematical Association of America, 1993-96; director of the Nichols International Studies Program, 1995-97; Spragins House (Freshman House) Resident Faculty Mentor, 1997-2000; and co-coordinator of the North Central Association Self-Study at Lyon in 2000–2002.

He also chaired various college committees since 1970 including the Governance, Curriculum, Dean’s Search, Dean of Students Search, and Promotion and Tenure committees.

Mosley held memberships in the Mathematical Association of America, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the American Association of University Professors.

He also served the community over the years in many ways including participating in the Arkansas Army National Guard (honorable discharge as staff sergeant), 1956-64; coaching golf; acting as a mathematical and statistical consultant for attorneys, pollsters, and hospitals; performing the duties of an elder in the Presbyterian Church; sitting on the board of Woodlawn, Inc., (non-profit home for the elderly); and presiding over Batesville Help and Hope.

He received many honors from his hometown, Lyon College, and the science community including being chosen SNEA Teacher of the Year at Lyon College in 1978 and 1983, in addition to being awarded the Williamson Prize for Faculty Excellence at Arkansas College in 1989.

Jim Mitchum, Lyon educator, community leader, dies

Jim A. Mitchum, 66, of Batesville died Monday, June 6, in a Batesville hospital.

Born Nov. 13, 1938, in Batesville, he was the son of James J. and Geraldine Sims Mitchum. He graduated from Batesville High School in 1956. He was a teacher at Blytheville Public Schools from 1960 to 1961.

He was the admissions counselor at Lyon College from 1961 through 1964. He was director of admissions from 1964 until 1971 as well as a college counselor until 1974. He was the director of career development and experiential education from 1974 to 1979 and was the assistant dean for educational services until 1989. He was dean for educational services from 1989 to 1995 and was a consultant to Lyon College (special assistant to the president) and was a part-time faculty member, teaching an average of two courses each semester from 1970 to 1995 as an assistant professor of education at Lyon College.

From 1968 to 1970, he was a graduate assistant at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and was the acting dean of students from November 1990 through September 1991.

He received a bachelor of arts with a major in business and economics at Arkansas College in 1960 and a master of science in education, counseling and psychology from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway in 1969. He received certificates in cooperative education and community development from the University of Detroit, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Temple University and the University of South Florida. He received a certificate from the Institute for the Management of Lifelong Education-Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

He initiated a cooperative education program, worked to secure funding for a consortium of six private colleges and served as director for the combined activities and distribution of funds for a three-year funding period. He supervised the University Year in Action Program and received federal funds to support the project.

He worked with a group of colleges to introduce the Elderhostel program in Arkansas and served as state director for two years. He wrote and taught a freshman level career development course and a senior seminar. He served as chairman of a group of college representatives who wrote and introduced enabling legislation for the employment of college students as interns in Arkansas State Government.

He developed a special program with area agencies that offered field experiences for undergraduate social work students. He developed an evaluation program that included admission examinations, interest inventories, The College Level Examination Program, and a competency program for seniors.

He was past president of the Arkansas Association of Placement Personnel and past president of the Arkansas Association for Continuing Education and Community Service. He was a board member of the Arkansas Cooperative Education Association and a member of the Arkansas Personnel and Guidance Association, the Arkansas School Counselors Association and the Governors Committee for Cooperative Education.

He served as chairman of the Education Committee for three years at the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, was on the board of directors for United Way and served as chairman of the Independence County Education Task Forces that was formed to develop goals for the Independence 2000 Project. He formed an educational services advisory committee composed of area personnel directors and civic leaders to identify educational needs for nontraditional learners.

He served as a justice of the peace for two terms, was a member of the Arkansas Municipal League and was presently serving as a Batesville alderman (ward 4, position 1), where he served for six years..

He was a past member of the Batesville Jaycees. He was on the cemetery committee, the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville Health Advisory Committee and the UACCB Nursing and Allied Health Advisory Committee. He served for eight years in the National Guard, Company B. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Batesville.

Survivors include his wife, Jimmie Anne Davis Mitchum; a daughter, Lynne Mitchum Rhodes of Batesville; his father, James Mitchum Sr. of Batesville; a brother, Robert L. Mitchum of Conway; two grandchildren, Andy T. Rhodes and Kelly Anne Rhodes, both of Batesville; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

The funeral was Thursday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. LaVon Post officiating. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville.

Pallbearers were Chris Rhodes, Chad McClure, John Smith, John Ellis, Bill Lewis, Fred Wann and Allen Meacham.

Honorary pallbearers were Johnny B. Mitchum, Tommy Mitchum, Jerry Brightwell, Butch Duncan, Ed Mosley, Bill Phillips, Carter Jeffery, Dean Lindsey, Greg Neaville, Cliff Tackett, Preston Grace, Charlie Bell, Tommy Duncan, John Dahlquist, James McLean, Tom Martin, David West, Harold Parker, Fred Gray, Morris Meacham, the Batesville City Council, the intensive care unit staff at White River Medical Center, Mayor Joe Biard, Dennis Sisk and Scott Hunter.

Memorials may be made to Lyon College Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 2317, Batesville, AR 72503 or First United Methodist Church Weekday Ministry, 615 E. Main, Batesville, AR 72501.

President Roettger among honorees at University of Hartford

Lyon College President Walter Roettger was among a group of former University of Hartford deans honored at a dinner Thursday night in Hartford, Connecticut.

The dinner was hosted by Alan Hadad, the outgoing dean of the College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture, formerly the Ward College of Technology at the university.

All former deans of the College of Technology were among those honored. Dr. Roettger served as a dean of the college until 1991. During his tenure, the name of the institution was changed from Ward Technical College to the Ward College of Technology.

Dr. Roettger was credited with increasing enrollment and making Ward a major asset of the university. He also created an advisory board that made substantial contributions to the college. While at Hartford, he also held the position of professor of political science.

Dr. Roettger met his wife, Peggy, at the university when he came aboard as assistant provost in 1982. Mrs. Roettger was the associate director of summer programs, director of athletic marketing (NCAA Division I) and special assistant to the vice president of academic support services.

Dr. Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, president of George Washington University and former president of the University of Hartford, delivered the keynote address at the dinner.

Dr. Trachtenberg worked with both the Roettgers at the University of Hartford and was instrumental as a mentor to both. Dr. Trachtenberg donated the bust of George Washington located near Brown Chapel to Lyon in honor of the Roettgers and their long friendship.

Dr. Roettger came to Lyon in 1998 from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where he served as vice president of the college and dean of the faculty.

Anita Marchant, assistant to Dean Hadad, said Hadad was stepping down as dean but would continue with the university in a new position. During Hadad’s tenure, the college of Technology merged with the College of Engineering and later with the school of architecture. Past deans of both colleges as well as faculty emeriti were honored with citations and plaques.

Don’t miss Lyon Night at Ray Winder Field

President Walter Roettger invites you and your guests to Lyon Night at Ray Winder Field as the Arkansas Travelers take on the Corpus Christi Hooks at War Memorial Park in Little Rock Thursday, June 23. The gates open at 6:10 p.m.

There will be an All-American buffet picnic at the North Point Volvo Patio (enter the field at Gate 2). The picnic includes your choice of backyard burger or hot dog served with all the trimmings. The cost is just $12 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under.

Special bus transportation will be offered to Batesville area residents. Seating is limited, and on a first-come, first-served basis. Please RSVP to Kay Rush by Friday, June 17, at (870) 698-4240, e-mail krush@lyon.edu. You can also register online at www.lyon.edu. 

Lyon SAFARI first session is under way

The first of two sessions of Lyon College’s S.A.F.A.R.I. program is under way.

The fifth year of the summer program for youngsters who have completed grades K-7 began with a session that will run through Friday. The second will be held June 20-July 1. Space for Session II is still available. For more information, e-mail mcooper@lyon.edu or call 870-612-6490.

Each session will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students who have completed grades K-2 may elect to attend half-day sessions, either morning or afternoon. Students who have completed grades 3-7 attend for a full day.

Lyon S.A.F.A.R.I (Summer Academics – Fun and Recreation Included) is designed to provide students with enriching, challenging and enjoyable learning experiences in a variety of content areas.

A variety of recreational activities are also offered, including swimming, archery, golf, Highland dancing and others. Students create a daily schedule that matches their own interests and talents.

More information also can be found on the Lyon SAFARI Web page at www.lyon.edu/webdata/groups/safari/.
 

‘On the Same Page: The McKissacks’ premieres Wednesday

An installment of the Arkansas Educational Television Network’s popular book show, “On the Same Page,” filmed in Batesville during the recent Ozark Foothills FilmFest, will premiere at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, on the statewide public television network. “On the Same Page: The McKissacks” focuses on husband-wife team, Patricia and Fredrick McKissack, authors of over 120 books of non-fiction and historical fiction for young readers.

The McKissacks were presenters at the recent Ozark Foothills FilmFest KidsFest, reading from their work and discussing the film, “A Picture of Freedom: The Diary of Clotee, A Slave Girl,” based on a Patricia McKissack novel of the same name. The film and the McKissacks program was presented to 1,600 area students in grades 3 through 6 in two sessions at Independence Hall on April 5. The McKissacks conducted an evening discussion session for parents and teachers at the Bevens Music Room on the campus of Lyon College. Patricia McKissack read her latest book, “Precious and the Boo Hag,” for the group. 

The McKissacks were filmed during their presentation and discussion with the students. They also took part in a more formal interview with “On the Same Page” producer Casey Sanders on Wednesday, April 6, at the Mabee Simpson Library at Lyon College. Both events form the content of the McKissacks program. In addition to the premiere on June 15, the program will be rebroadcast on Wednesday, June 22, and Wednesday, June 29 at 9:30 p.m.