Monthly Archives: September 2025

A-State, NYIT to Train More Doctors for Arkansas

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Wilson Hall at Arkansas State, home of NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine. Story and photo courtesy of Arkansas State University.

JONESBORO – Arkansas State University and the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) at A-State today announced the launch of the Freshman to Physician Pathway, a new opportunity for Arkansas students to secure early admission to medical school and begin preparing for careers in healthcare from the first day of college.

The initiative is designed to grow the number of physicians serving rural and underserved areas of Arkansas. Since opening its Jonesboro campus in Wilson Hall in 2016, NYITCOM has graduated 650 new doctors in six classes — and nearly 70 percent of those from Arkansas have chosen to stay and practice in the state.

“This is a game-changer for the health of Arkansas,” said A-State Chancellor Todd Shields. “By eliminating traditional barriers and offering early admission assurance, we’re making medical education more accessible for high-achieving students who want to stay and serve right here at home. This is about investing in the next generation of healthcare leaders — and in the well-being of every corner of our state.”

A Streamlined Pathway to a Medical Degree

The Freshman to Physician Pathway offers a direct route from undergraduate enrollment at A-State to NYITCOM, provided students meet clearly defined academic and professional standards. Participants pursue a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences with a pre-professional studies emphasis and apply for admission to NYITCOM during their third year.

To qualify, students must maintain a 3.5 GPA in science and overall coursework (with a one-time waiver option for a single semester), complete all required pre-med classes, receive a favorable recommendation from A-State’s pre-medical committee and pass an admissions interview with NYITCOM faculty. Students who meet these criteria will not be required to take the MCAT, significantly reducing the cost and complexity of applying to medical school.

“The path to medical school is difficult and challenging, however there are hurdles that can be overcome when we have strong academic partners at the collegiate level that are preparing the students for the rigor of medical education,” said Dr. Shane Speights, dean of NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State. “Leveraging our higher education relationships creates a stronger university, medical school, and most importantly, future physicians.”

A Proven Commitment to Arkansas

NYITCOM’s osteopathic philosophy emphasizes whole-person wellness, prevention and community health — making it particularly aligned with the needs of Arkansas. Graduates go on to pursue a wide range of specialties, with many choosing family medicine, internal medicine, emergency care and OB-GYN — fields in especially high demand throughout the state.

With access to world-class instruction, early clinical experience and the full resources of the A-State campus, students in the pathway program are well prepared for the demands of medical school and a future of serving Arkansas communities.

“At most colleges, the path to becoming a doctor feels far removed from the undergraduate experience. But at A-State, it’s a part of everyday life,” said Chancellor Shields. “Having a medical school in the heart of campus creates a culture that few universities can offer.  It sets A-State apart, giving our students a front-row seat to the next chapter of healthcare, and in many cases, the inspiration to pursue their own bold career path.”

Applications for the Freshman to Physician Pathway open this fall for students entering A-State in 2025. A similar program is in development for A-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, expected to launch in fall 2026.

For more details, one may visit AState.edu/FreshmanToPhysician.

A-State Sets Fall Enrollment Record

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Photo and story courtesy of Arkansas State University.

JONESBORO – Arkansas State University is celebrating a record-breaking student body this fall with 11th-day enrollment surging to 17,926. Fueled by the largest freshman class ever and record credit hours, A-State’s growth marks another milestone in its rising trajectory as the destination for students across Arkansas and beyond.

The Class of 2029 includes 2,222 first-year students, a 12% increase compared to last year. Among them are 1,764 Arkansans, who make up 79% of the total class and represent a 30% increase from the previous year.

“This class is a clear sign that Arkansas families see A-State as their home for opportunity,” Chancellor Todd Shields said. “It means they believe in what we are building here and they trust this institution to shape their future and strengthen our home state.”

Total enrollment at A-State has increased by 28% since Dr. Shields arrived on campus in the summer of 2022.

This year’s Red Wolves are taking more classes as well, with total credit hours reaching 161,204, an 8% increase over last year and a university record.

A higher number of returning students is also driving enrollment growth, with nearly 750 more students resuming classes this fall, representing a 7% increase over the previous year.

“Our duty goes beyond recruitment. We must ensure that students persist, succeed and graduate ready to make a difference,” said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin White Jr. “The historic number of credentials awarded last year and the improvement in returning students show that A-State is fulfilling its mission to advance student success at every level.”

During the 2024-25 academic year, A-State awarded more than 6,000 credentials, the highest total in its history.

This fall, more students are choosing the full A-State experience. On-campus enrollment grew by 7.8%, outpacing a 6.7% growth in online programs. The shift signals a rising demand for the traditional college environment, with students seeking the energy of campus life alongside strong academics. The trend also extends to A-State’s Campus Queretaro, which has seen enrollment grow to 1,053 students, up 10% from 2024.

Student life at A-State is thriving with residence halls filled to capacity. Currently, 3,242 Red Wolves and osteopathic medical students are living on campus, which accounts for 99.8% of the available beds. Meal plan selections rose 6.7% compared to last year, an additional sign of growing student engagement on campus.

“As someone new to A-State, I have been immediately impressed by the energy and excitement on campus,” said Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Amanda Nickerson. “It’s clear that students are drawn not only to our academic opportunities, but also to the sense of community here. That combination makes A-State an easy choice for families.”

Looking ahead, A-State is building on this year’s success with new opportunities for future students. The university has expanded its investment in merit scholarships, raising its top award to $18,000 per year and adding a new $10,000 A-State Trailblazer Scholarship for high-achieving students.

Innovative pathways are also fueling excitement, including the Freshman to Physician program that offers early admission to the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at A-State. In addition, the new A-State College of Veterinary Medicine, anticipated to open in fall 2026, will provide Arkansans with the opportunity to pursue veterinary education closer to home while helping to meet the state’s critical need for veterinarians.

Westside Defense Shows Grit Depsite Loss to Hoxie

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Story and Video by DDNS Reporter Benjamin McDowell

A touchdown scored by Hoxie over Westside. Video by Benjamin McDowell.

Hoxie’s home opener Friday night ended with the Mustangs celebrating a 20-0 victory, but the story wasn’t only about what the scoreboard showed. For Westside, it was a reminder of how far its defense has come and how much its offense still needs to grow.

The Warriors were outgained on the ground and shut out for the first time this season, but their defensive unit kept them in the game longer than many expected. Despite giving up two early touchdowns, Westside forced Hoxie to work for its yards and came up with stops that prevented the margin from growing even wider.

“Our defense has been killing it from day one, and I think they’re continuing to get better every day, every week,” Westside head coach Tyler Gahr said. “We had some mistakes, but honestly, they fought through the mistakes on defense. Now we’ve got to pick it up on offense so we can match them.”

The Mustangs set the tone early, striking on their opening drive with a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dylan Barnhill to wide receiver Tristian Foust. The quick score was followed by a momentum-swinging special teams play when Hoxie’s squib kick slipped through Westside’s coverage team and was recovered by the Mustangs. That miscue gave Hoxie an extra possession and allowed them to dictate tempo in the first quarter.

Still, the Warriors did not fold. After Barnhill punched in a 2-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to extend Hoxie’s lead to 14-0, Westside answered with one of its best drives of the night. Quarterback Aiden Turner led the Warriors downfield, using short passes and timely scrambles to move the chains. With less than seven minutes before halftime, Westside reached the Hoxie 15-yard line and seemed poised to cut into the deficit.

But the drive stalled. On fourth down, Turner dropped back and looked to the end zone, only to be met by a heavy rush. His throw fell incomplete, and Hoxie took over on downs.

“That was a tough one,” Gahr said. “You get that touchdown, and the game feels completely different going into halftime. But we came up short.”

Westside had another opportunity before the break after its defense forced a punt, but again the offense couldn’t find rhythm. Hoxie entered halftime with a 14-0 lead and full control of momentum.

The third quarter, however, belonged to the Warriors’ defense. Adjustments at the break helped Westside tighten up against the run, and the front seven delivered a series of stops that kept Hoxie off the scoreboard. Defensive linemen consistently shed blocks, and linebackers filled gaps to limit Barnhill and running back Robert Martinez, who still managed to pile up 137 yards on 17 carries by game’s end.

Turner, meanwhile, continued to face relentless pressure. Several times he spun away from would-be sacks and tried to create plays with his legs, but the Mustangs’ secondary closed quickly on receivers.

“We really need to work on blocking up front, giving our quarterback time to get the ball out,” Gahr said. “Even blocking on the edge with receivers and just basic throwing and catching. We’ve got to fix those small things to get going.”

The Warriors’ defense continued to fight in the second half, but the offense’s inability to sustain drives eventually wore them down. In the fourth quarter, Barnhill delivered the final blow, breaking through the middle for a 30-yard touchdown run to make it 20-0.

Though Hoxie never trailed and controlled much of the game, Westside’s defensive effort stood out. Holding the Mustangs scoreless for an entire quarter and forcing multiple punts highlighted a unit that is steadily improving.

“Our kids never quit, and that’s the biggest thing,” Gahr said. “They played hard to the last snap. We’ve got to take that energy and now build the other side of the ball.”

With the shutout loss in the books, the Warriors turn their focus toward fixing the details that stalled their offense. That means improving blocking schemes, refining timing between quarterback and receivers, and finding ways to finish drives when opportunities arise.

The defense may already be close to playoff caliber, but until the offense finds consistency, Westside knows it will face uphill battles against teams like Hoxie. Still, the Warriors left Friday night with positives to build on.

“Confidence is the biggest thing,” Gahr said. “We’ve got to get our kids believing in what we’re doing. If we can put both sides together, I think we can be a very good football team.”

For now, the Warriors will look to regroup, using Friday’s loss not as a setback but as a benchmark for what they can become. With a defense that continues to fight and an offense hungry to improve, Westside’s season still has room to turn in the right direction.

One of the touchdowns the Mustangs scored against the Warriors. Video courtesy of Benjamin McDowell.