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Category: In the News

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CRC Appoints New Athletic Director and Assistant A.D.

by Wil Teague, Sports Information Director

Paragould, Ark.- Big news has officially hit the Ridge as of today with the Pioneer Athletic Department undergoing some internal leadership changes. After 38 ½ years of involvement in Pioneer Athletics, Athletic Director Paul McFadden has decided to step down as Crowley’s Ridge College’s A.D. Coach McFadden, or Coach Mac as many know him, has been involved with CRC Athletics since May of 1985, where he helped build up CRC’s first ever Women’s Basketball program but was officially named CRC’s first Athletic Director in 1998. Over the years, Coach Mac has pieced together a proud resume by coaching three sports, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, and Baseball, while helping the athletic programs transition as the school grew. In McFadden’s reign as A.D., CRC transitioned through 6 collegiate divisions of competition: the Southland Christian Athletic Conference, the National Junior College Athletic Association, the National Small College Athletic Conference, the Association of Christian Athletics Conference, the National Christian Athletic Conference, and finally the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. It’s not hard to tell the impact that Coach Mac has had on Pioneer Athletics. Luckily for Crowley’s Ridge College, McFadden will still be around the campus as a Biblical professor and will remain the Vice President of Student Affairs. This transition will allow him to focus more on his classroom work and help with the overall enrollment of the college with the Admissions Department, but don’t worry, Coach Mac will still have his hand in athletics as he plans to serve as an advisory role going forward. On behalf of Crowley’s Ridge College and Pioneer Athletics, we thank you for your example, leadership, and the many sacrifices you have made for the school and its athletic programs. Congratulations on this new role at CRC, Coach Mac. 

Pioneer Athletics had no trouble finding their new Athletic Director as former Assistant Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Perkins smoothly transitioned into the new role. Perkins is currently entering his 17th year at Crowley’s Ridge and has a rich history with former A.D. Paul McFadden. The two spent many years coaching alongside one another in Pioneer Athletics. Perkins had this comment about the change – “Thank you to Dr. Johnson for trusting me to take over this role. Thank you to Coach Paul McFadden for recommending me to take over the athletic department and for his amazing leadership and friendship over the past 17 years as we worked together. I look forward to leading Crowley’s Ridge College Athletics to the next level both at a conference level and a national level. We have a great coaching staff here and we have exceptional student-athletes, I can’t wait to see what our future holds here.”

Lastly, Jordan Malone was selected to fill Chris Perkin’s former role as she was named the new Assistant Athletic Director. Jordan enters her 9th year as the Lady Pioneers Head Softball Coach but enters her 14th year of being associated with CRC as she was a dual sport student-athlete playing basketball and softball while enrolled. Malone is no stranger to leadership positions as she has served as the school’s Senior Woman Leader for the past three years. Malone commented, “As I enter my 9th year at CRC, I can’t help but look back and acknowledge that I have loved every second of it. I have enjoyed watching the growth and improvements of Pioneer Athletics over the years. I’m grateful to be honored with this new position as it gives me the ability and opportunity to be a part of more.” 

Congratulations to all three coaches in their new roles, may you all bleed green, white, and black forever. #GOPIONEERS

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CRC ENROLLMENT UP NEARLY 12%

Crowley’s Ridge College continues to grow, experiencing its fourth consecutive enrollment increase for the Fall 2023 semester with a total headcount of 225 students, an 11.94% increase from last year. Of these, CRC has a Full Time Equivalency (FTE) of 188.53 students.

CRC strives to keep its enrollment growing by adding new degrees, new partnerships with other colleges and universities, visiting more churches, public and private schools, and reaching out to home school students, families, and associations.  

“Our admissions team is proud of the growth, but we are not stopping there,” says Director of Admissions Erica Richardson, “We are trying to find as many future Pioneers as possible to tell them how much we believe in Crowley’s Ridge College. As we look at the progress happening on campus and in the city of Paragould, the positive impact our faculty and coaches are having on our students, and the opportunities that our graduates are earning, it is easy to buy into the Pioneer vision. The Kingdom of God is growing at CRC and we pray many more can join us!”

Students appreciate the high quality of both the traditional and online courses offered at CRC, including a great selection of online courses each summer at $500 per three-hour course.

“The board of trustees and all of us at Crowley’s Ridge College are dedicated to our students. We are striving to provide them a safe, challenging, and enjoyable Christian college experience that prepares them for success in all aspects of life. God is blessing our efforts and we are grateful,” says Dr. Richard Johnson, President.

Excitement is already in the air for the 2023-2024 academic year! CRC assures that it is dedicated to remaining a close-knit college with a fantastic, one-of-a-kind college experience.

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Crowley’s Ridge College to receive $662,333 grant from Mabee Foundation

Crowley’s Ridge College is poised to receive a generous $662,333 grant gift from the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation. This grant will go toward construction of the state-of-the-art Chemistry building and Lift Station as listed in CRC’s Mission Possible Campaign. The building will feature a brand new modern chemistry lab, research area, classrooms, and offices.  The older Physical Science building will be renovated, including a new roof and matching exterior siding to blend with the new Chemistry building and make for a more vibrant campus with better resources to serve our students and new degree programs.

The total cost for this ambitious and needed project is estimated at $3,311,667, and the Mabee Challenge Grant is conditional upon CRC raising the additional $1,071,204 it needs to fully fund the project.

“While we have some work to do in order to receive their $662,333 challenge grant, I am confident CRC will rise to the challenge. We have tremendous donors, alumni, and a fantastic community, who no doubt will rise to the challenge and help us raise the additional $1,071,204 by July 11, 2024, required by the Mabee Foundation in order for the College to receive this very generous grant gift,” said Dr. Richard Johnson, CRC President. “This will be the largest grant from a foundation in our history and I cannot think of a better partner than the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation.”

The Mabee Foundation, headquartered in Midland, Texas has helped fund new construction, building renovations and the purchase of major medical equipment for non-profit organizations in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Missouri and Kansas since 1948.  CRC extends a heartfelt thanks to the Mabee Foundation for their incredible support.

Those interested in giving to the project can designate their online gifts at crc.edu/donations.

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CRC’s Grimes Awarded Silver Medal for International Publication

The National Journal of Research in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education published part of CRC’s Dr. Zachary Grimes’ dissertation for publication in May of 2023.

The official publication, titled “Conceptions of Disciplinary Anxiety across Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Contexts: A Critical and Theoretical Synthesis” was awarded a silver medal today.  The journal received International submissions alongside Dr. Grimes; The gold and bronze award winners being from Canada and Bangladesh.

Dr. Steve Cessna, editor-in-chief of the journal, said that the submissions were all evaluated by the editorial team based upon three criteria: Originality and Significance to the field, General Interest to the STEM Education Community, and Scientific Methodology and Rigor. 
 

One of the expert reviewers called the manuscript ‘very informative’ and stated that it ‘would make a significant contribution to the field of STEM education.’

Crowley’s Ridge College is very supportive of Dr. Grimes’ work in this area and congratulates him on this remarkable accomplishment. 

“STEM Education, particularly in PK-12, is currently undergoing some seismic shifts through calls from stakeholders and policymakers to address STEM integration. This means that we are on the cusp of a new subject being taught in school in some ways – the goal of having STEM classes that are separate from science and math, that will stand on their own.  However, very few people have thought about the ramifications of this integration. Of specific importance are how this integration could theoretically impact students. People know about math anxiety, and we train teachers in how to address that with their students – but people are less familiar with anxiety in science or other disciplines. If we integrate these disciplines, are we going to see new anxiety manifestations in students? What if students are math anxious and science anxious – what will that look like in STEM classrooms? That was my goal with this work – to consider where we are headed in education, but keeping an eye on what we’ve learned. The main component of this publication is the development of a new framework for how we view and conceptualize anxiety in STEM classrooms. What are some ‘risk factors’ or other considerations that we know about in the individual component disciplines of STEM that we need to remain aware of in this new integrated, singular STEM classroom?” -Dr. Zachary Grimes, Crowley’s Ridge College.

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Dennis Hanes joins CRC’s Board of Trustees

Crowley’s Ridge College is pleased to welcome Dennis B. Hanes to its Board of Trustees.  Hanes is an experienced Certified Public Accountant and is married to Beverly (Wheeler) Hanes of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.  The two are members at Green Forest Church of Christ in Poplar Bluff where he also serves as an elder.

Hanes is an alumni of CRC, earning his Associate of Arts degree in 1975 before going on to study Accounting at Harding University in Searcy.  He is semi-retired from Kraft, Miles & Tatum LLC of Poplar Bluff and has many years of experience in accounting and finance.  He is a past President of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, past President of the Southeast Chapter, MO Society of Certified Public Accountants, past President and current Treasurer of the Poplar Bluff Lions Club, and current President of the United Cancer Assistance Network.

“I’m truly honored to be asked to serve on CRC’s board of directors. I have great memories of my time as a student there many years ago, and I have never lost my love for the college and its emphasis on both educational and spiritual values. Looking forward to working with fellow board members and Dr. Johnson for the benefit of each student,” Hanes says.

Dennis and Beverly have two children, Eric (Audrey) Hanes of Jonesboro AR, and Dustin (Alex) of Little Rock AR, as well as four beautiful grandchildren.

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CRC hires Crossno as full-time Bible professor

Crowley’s Ridge College is happy to announce Dakota Crossno as Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies.

Dakota is no stranger to CRC, however. He has instructed Bible courses as an Adjunct Professor for the past few academic years and is a CRC alumni as well. He enrolled as a student in 2014 and was baptized by Art Smith that same year. He met his wife, Anna, on campus as well and together they have two beautiful children.

Dakota holds an A.A. and B.A. in Biblical Studies from CRC, a M.A. from Freed-Hardeman University, and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Biblical Exposition. He has preached at Lawson Road Church of Christ in Jonesboro, Arkansas while serving as an Adjunct Professor. In addition to his full-time faculty duties, Dakota will serve as co-director of CRC’s Annual Lectureship series. CRC’s 23rd Annual Lectureship, “That You May Know: A Study of 1, 2, 3 John” is set for April 14-17, 2024.

Please join us in welcoming Dakota Crossno to the Division of Biblical Studies full-time faculty!

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29 students named to Crowley’s Ridge College’s President’s List

Crowley’s Ridge College announces it’s Spring 2023 President’s List.  A student must be enrolled full time and achieve a 4.0 GPA to be named to the President’s List.  Students are listed alphabetically as follows:

Caise Austin

Lindsey Browning

Dru Bryant

Hannah Burk

Heather Conaway

Braxton Cousins

Matthew Crabtree

Bailey Cupples

Jessica Duhme

Piper Farmer

Hunter Gibson

KristyAnn Grimes

Alyssa Henry

Bailey Hensley

Lotti Hoffman

Kourtni Jagneaux

Bailey Jones

Joshua Lazzarino

Autum Maxwell

Todd McMillen

Alex Mero

Brinley Morgan

Eric Pangborn

Tara Pangborn

Alexis Rhodes

Mickayla Smith

Reigiana Ward

Alexis Weirich

Lilly Wessel

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32 students named to Crowley’s Ridge College’s Dean’s List

Crowley’s Ridge College announces it’s Spring 2023 Dean’s List.  A student must be enrolled full-time and achieve a GPA of 3.5 to be named to the Dean’s List.  Students are listed alphabetically as follows:

Cannon Baker

Solomon Boan

Andrew Brown

Katie Cole

Brianna Davis

Ashton Drake

Myah Edwards

Sierrah Floyd

Paige Glenn

Bradie Gunther

Hannah Halverson

Jadyn Hesse

Kathryn Howell

Jamerria Johnson

Daisy Kennon

Caleb Krimmel

Andrew Lee

Delainey Lucas

Trenton McGowan

Brooklyn Melson

Kenneth Nelms

Lily Newsom

Brooklynn Passmore

Avery Perkins

Joshua Schmitt

Tori Sutherland

Kagan Teal

Halea Wells

Hunter Wilkerson

Demetri Williams

Kaia Williams

Emma Wyatt

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CRC Professor Submits Publication to Journal of Research in Science, Math, and Technology Education

The National Journal of Research in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education recently published part of Dr. Zachary Grimes of Crowley’s Ridge College’s dissertation for publication.

The official publication, titled “Conceptions of Disciplinary Anxiety across Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Contexts: A Critical and Theoretical Synthesis” can be read and downloaded here:

One of the expert reviewers called the manuscript ‘very informative’ and stated that it ‘would make a significant contribution to the field of STEM education.’

Crowley’s Ridge College is very supportive of Dr. Grimes’ work in this area, and Grimes says he is very blessed to be at CRC because of it.

“STEM Education, particularly in PK-12, is currently undergoing some seismic shifts through calls from stakeholders and policymakers to address STEM integration. This means that we are on the cusp of a new subject being taught in school in some ways – the goal of having STEM classes that are separate from science and math, that will stand on their own.  However, very few people have thought about the ramifications of this integration. Of specific importance are how this integration could theoretically impact students. People know about math anxiety, and we train teachers in how to address that with their students – but people are less familiar with anxiety in science or other disciplines. If we integrate these disciplines, are we going to see new anxiety manifestations in students? What if students are math anxious and science anxious – what will that look like in STEM classrooms? That was my goal with this work – to consider where we are headed in education, but keeping an eye on what we’ve learned. The main component of this publication is the development of a new framework for how we view and conceptualize anxiety in STEM classrooms. What are some ‘risk factors’ or other considerations that we know about in the individual component disciplines of STEM that we need to remain aware of in this new integrated, singular STEM classroom?” -Dr. Zachary Grimes, Crowley’s Ridge College.

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CRC Day set for June 11th 2023

Crowley’s Ridge College is one of only 12 Christian Liberal Arts Residential Colleges connected with Churches of Christ that remain open and daily influencing young adults within the critical field of higher education in the United States.

Consider giving on “CRC Day” Sunday, June 11th, 2023 to help fund these Bible related areas: 

-Bible Scholarships
-Preacher Training
-Educational Materials
-Bible Field Trips
-Lectureship 2024
-Ridge Connection Campus Ministry Program

Mail your CRC Day gift to:
Crowley’s Ridge College
100 College Drive
Paragould AR 72450

or

Give Online at:
crc.edu/wp/advancement-homepage/

For more information, contact the Office of the President at 870-236-6901 or rjohnson@crc.edu.

100 College Drive
Paragould, Arkansas 72450 USA
(870) 236-6901

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