BATESVILLE, Ark. - After receiving a grant in February, the Old Independence Regional Museum decided to use Archeology Week as a time to allow over 1,000 students to get in free. 

Not only did the Bill Jordan Education Grant give the museum a funds, but it also included the admission of 1,200 school students and a $50 stipend for each class's bus driver during Archaeology Week. 

“We are excited to have the opportunity to provide free tours to our regional schools. The Archeology Week programs offer a hands-on supplement for classes that have studied or will study Native American culture and Arkansas History,” said museum Humanities Educator, Amelia Bowman. “Archeology is essential in understanding past cultures and this is a great way for students to gain experience.”

BATESVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) has been named as one of the nation's top 150 community colleges that are improving student success in America.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program named UACCB as one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million dollars in prize funds, as well as Siemens Technical Scholars Program student scholarships.

The Prize, awarded every two years, is the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges and recognizes institutions for exceptional student outcomes in four areas: student learning, certificate and degree completion, employment and earnings, and access and success for minority and low-income students.