Frank Guinn Awarded CRC’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year

Crowley’s Ridge College recognized Mr. Frank Guinn as the recipient of its 2025 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award at its Homecoming festivities this past Saturday, February 22nd. Frank was honored in recognition of his outstanding service to the community and to Christian education.

Frank Guinn was born in Leachville Arkansas and attended CRC in 1967-68. He finished all of his coursework except for Music Appreciation, so he lacked 3 hours to receive the A.A. in General Studies. When he left CRC, he went into the military during the height of the Vietnam War and served our country. Frank maintained a close connection with CRC since his student days. While deployed, he says that faculty members would write him and keep in contact with him. He still has these letters. After Frank came home from the military, he and his mother, Ima (pictured below), started Ima’s Fashions, a clothing retailer that he and his family have owned for nearly 60 years and currently has locations in Paragould, AR and Jonesboro, AR. He married the love of his life, Ann Marie Ryles in 1968, and they have two children, Drew Guinn and the late Laura Kingston. Frank and Ann Marie also have six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. They have always made Paragould their home.

During Frank’s career, Frank has served in many capacities. He served on the boards of Security Bank and American State Bank. He currently serves on the commission board for Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, as well as the Independent Citizens Commission for the State of Arkansas. He was an original founder of the Arkansas State Police Foundation, and served there for over twenty years, much of that time as its chairman. He also served two seven-year terms on the Arkansas State Police Commission, with two of those years as the chairman.

Earlier in his career, Frank also found time to complete his degree from Crowley’s Ridge College, and has remained a generous supporter for many years. Frank will tell anyone who listens that CRC had a tremendous influence on his life. He found the campus to be a loving and supportive environment, which contributed not only to the future careers of its graduates, but also to their personal and spiritual development as well. He also fondly remembers the founder, Dr. Emmett Smith (honoris causa), and many of the other early faculty members who had such a great influence on the lives of so many.

Crowley’s Ridge College Expands Academic Offerings With New Degree Program

Crowley’s Ridge College (Paragould, Ark.) announced earlier today the official launch of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  The addition of this four-year degree program further strengthens CRC’s commitment to providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful careers in high-demand and popular fields.

Crowley’s Ridge College transitioned from a two-year to a four-year college back in 2008, and last Fall, the college saw its fifth consecutive enrollment increase. The introduction of this psychology degree is a testament to CRC’s dedication to meeting the evolving needs of both its students and the job market.

“This program aligns with the core mission of CRC, providing a unique approach that integrates psychological education with a Biblical worldview,” states Vice President for Academic Affairs Jeremy Pierce.  “Students pursuing this degree will be well-prepared for graduate studies or careers in diverse fields, including counseling, social work, human resources, pastoral counseling, and educational psychology.”  

The psychology program at Crowley’s Ridge College will equip students with a comprehensive understanding of human behavior from a cultural, social, relational, and developmental standpoint. In doing so, students will be prepared for a variety of careers from counseling and research, to education, business, and beyond.

Prospective students interested in this new degree program can find more information on the Crowley’s Ridge College website at www.crc.edu or by contacting the Office of Admissions at 870-236-6901. With the launch of this program, Crowley’s Ridge College continues to thrive as an institution designed to help its students grow closer to God and succeed in careers in a rapidly evolving job market.

New state-of-the-art Science Facility Breaks Ground on CRC’s Campus

Paragould, AR – Crowley’s Ridge College, a private four-year church-affiliated liberal arts college, announces the construction of a new Chemistry building on their campus at 100 College Drive in Paragould, AR. Construction on the new building is expected to be finished and ready to open for the Fall 2025 semester.

The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation awarded a $662,333 grant, which is the largest received in school history since opening in 1964, to go toward the construction. “This extremely generous grant gift from the Mabee Foundation is a tremendous blessing,” says CRC President Dr. Richard Johnson. “It will help Crowley’s Ridge College pay for the cost of installing new lift stations at every building on campus and will also help fund the cost of our new Chemistry facility.”

This will be a state-of-the-art chemistry facility with three classrooms, offices, and a chemistry lab to better serve students who are studying in CRC’s new joint programs with Freed-Hardeman and Harding University’s nursing, biology, Pharm.D., programs. The current science building is staying and will receive some upgrades as well.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday, September 5 immediately following chapel at 11:00 am and featured both college and community leaders, highlighting the historical significance and importance of this new addition to the campus.  With a total enrollment growth of 30% over the past five years, and record enrollment for Fall 2024, Crowley’s Ridge College believes the new science facility will enhance its appeal to future generations of students, furthering its mission of excellence in education.

Richardson Named Head Coach as Phillips Departs for ASUN

by Wil Teague, Sports Information Director

News on the Ridge! As the 2023 Lady Pioneers Basketball season is now officially over, there have been some changes to the Pioneer Staff. After three years, Head Coach Brad Phillips has decided to depart ways with CRC as he plans to take on a new role and position in the newly launched A-SUN Aviators athletic programs. Phillips will be named the Aviators first Athletic Director and in 2024 he will resume his role in coaching as the school plans to start a Women’s Basketball program. Phillips has had three prosperous years at CRC with an official record of 41-34. Phillips led the Lady Pioneers to three consecutive conference tournament appearances and one national tournament appearance in 2020-21. Phillips finished his time at CRC with the school’s best overall record of 18 wins and 10 losses. 

Towards the tail of the 2023 record season, the program welcomed Chris Richardson as he stepped into the assistant coaching role for the Pioneers. Richardson filled a void helping with the in-game coordinating of rotations and substitutions. He also helped schedule out practice plans, game plans and co-ran practices and Phillips. Richardson in addition has stepped into the door of active recruiting for the program. With Richardson on the bench, the Pioneers went on a 6 game win streak, the longest in CRC history, only having it snapped in round one of the CAC tournament to Arkansas Baptist with Richardson ending his assistant role  6-1.

 “The team was excited to have Coach Richardson among them as he brought youth, energy, and experience to the girls” – said Coach Phillips. 

Richardson comes from a sports filled  background as he graduated from Williams Baptist University with two Bachelor Degrees in 2013. One on K-12 Health and Physical Education and another in Arts in History. He played four years of baseball at WBU and was selected as the captain of the team his senior year. Richardson worked at his Alma-Mater as Assistant Sports Information Director and Assistant Softball Coach for one season as he completed his masters degree in Sport Administration from Arkansas State University in 2014. Before coming to CRC Richardson was the head Softball Coach at Rector High School (Ark.) for three seasons where he led the Lady Cougars to three successful seasons and was nominated twice for the all star coach for the 2A-3 Conference. While at Rector High School, Richardson served as the Women’s assistant coach for the basketball team over five seasons. The Lady Cougars finished in the Elite Eight of the 2A state tournament in 2022 and made back-to-back state tournament appearances for the first time in school history. The squad also finished as runner-up in the conference in consecutive seasons. 

” I’m excited to be able to go to ASU- Newport and be their first Athletic Director, but I’m incredibly sad to be leaving the best team CRC has seen. These girls are great, it’s hard saying goodbye to such a great team but like I said before, Chris brings good energy and experience to the program, he will do great here. He is a true student of the game and has a-lot to offer CRC.”- Brad Phillips

” I am honored and thrilled to be the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at CRC. I would like to thank President Richard Johnson and our Athletic Director Paul McFadden for this opportunity. I would also like to thank Brad Phillips for this investment into the program and our student-athletes. Crowley’s Ridge College has been a blessing to our entire family and I could not be more excited.” Chris Richardson 

Athletic Director Paul McFadden commented on the news as well, 

“We want to wish Coach Phillips good luck as he moves on from CRC to ASUN.  He helped the lady Pioneers make good progress in building our program.”  

“We are excited to have Coach Chris Richardson take over our Women’s Basketball program for the upcoming season.  He brings good experience from the high school ranks (Rector High School) and will jump right in to continue our program that has experienced success over the last few seasons.  I feel Coach Rich will do an outstanding job in recruiting and coaching the Lady Pioneers in the Fall of 2023.”- Paul McFadden CRC Athletic Director 

Exciting times are upon us at the Ridge. There are many more records to be set and broken at CRC. Good-luck Coach Phillips and welcome aboard Coach Richardson! #GOPIONEERS