CBC alumni association to present annual awards

The Central Baptist College Alumni Association will recognize several individuals during Homecoming festivities this week: Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient Charles Reddin (top left, clockwise), the Young Alumnus Award winners David and Megan McFerron, Mustang Community Impact Award recipient Angela Rice and the Mustang Ambassador of the Year Kellie Harper.

The Central Baptist College Alumni Association will present its annual alumni awards this week during Homecoming festivities. 

The awards will be presented during the Alumni Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, in the Dining Hall in the Mabee Student Services Complex. This year, recipients of the Distinguished Alumnus Award (Charles Reddin), the Young Alumnus Award (David and Megan McFerron), Mustang Community Impact Award (Angela Rice) and the Mustang Ambassador of the Year Award (Kellie Harper) will be recognized. 

Homecoming 2020 activities will be held on Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1. A full schedule of events can be found at cbc.edu/homecoming. Luncheon tickets can also be purchased at that link. Luncheon tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for kids 7-12, with children ages 6 and younger free. For more information or to purchase tickets by phone, please contact Jessica Faulkner, director of alumni engagement, at 501.205.8800 or [email protected]. Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the Kenneth Brown Scholarship Fund and other alumni association activities.  

Distinguished Alumnus

Charles Reddin of Conway is the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, which is presented to an individual who has served their community for more than 20 years. This individual demonstrates a legacy of service and continues to serve in a multitude of ways that demonstrate interest in CBC. 

Reddin graduated from CBC in 1967 with his associate of arts degree in general education. He later obtained his bachelor of arts and master of science degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi. 

Reddin spent more than 40 years as editor of the Baptist Publishing House/Disciple Guide Church Resources in Texarkana. One of his favorite memories at CBC was living in Old Main.  He remembers enjoying the second and third floors as a playground for he and his two brothers.  At the age of 9, his parents led him to Christ in a room in Old Main. 

Reddin and his wife, June, have a daughter, two sons and 10 grandchildren. They are members of Springhill Baptist Church in Greenbrier.    

Outstanding Young Alumnus

The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award will be presented to David and Megan (Hefley) McFerron of Mount Vernon.

The award is given to individuals who have been instrumental in the advancement of their chosen profession, primarily within the last few years. Recipients demonstrate the love of service in the community and continue to show interest in CBC. 

David and Megan both graduated from CBC in 2008; David with a bachelor of arts in Bible and Megan with a bachelor of science in psychology and social services. David has served in various ministry roles since leaving CBC and is currently serving as pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church (MVBC). Besides meeting Megan, his fondest memories of CBC are making lifelong friends and playing soccer for the Mustangs. 

After Megan left CBC, she obtained a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is a licensed clinical social worker. She has served as an adjunct professor in the CBC Behavioral Sciences Department, as a therapist at Soaring Wings Ranch, as a medical social worker at Conway Regional Medical Center and as a school-based mental health therapist. She currently assists David at MVBC, is a food pantry volunteer and a child behavioral supporter for kids programs. Besides meeting David, her fondest CBC memories are working for Dr. Ron Mitchell in his office and serving as a Student Orientation Staff (SOS) leader.

David and Megan have four children: Genevieve, Maverick, Tate and Miller. 

Mustang Community Impact Award

Angela Rice of Conway is the recipient of the Mustang Community Impact Award, which is given to an individual who goes above and beyond to serve their community. Recipients are Mustangs through and through and carry the values of CBC into the community. 

Angela graduated from CBC in 1990 with an associate of arts degree. She then went on to the University of Central Arkansas and obtained her degree in early childhood education. Angela currently serves as the Baptist Missionary Association of America’s Missions/Short Term Missions Coordinator through the BMAA Missions Office. One of her roles is to coordinate the Everlasting Smiles Christmas Shoebox ministry.  

She has a long history of family who graduated from CBC, including two daughters and a son-in-law. She and her husband, Phillip, attend Antioch Baptist Church in Conway. At Antioch, Angela is on the Missions Committee and is a preschool/nursery volunteer.

Mustang Ambassador of the Year

Kellie Harper is the recipient of the Mustang Ambassador of the Year Award, which is given to an individual who is a member of the Mustang Ambassador Program, a volunteer recruitment program which assists the Enrollment Management Division at Central Baptist College.

Kellie is a science teacher at Benton High School in Louisiana. She “love[s] CBC because it exposes students to Jesus. Education is of little value without the wisdom that comes through knowing the One who created and sustains this life we enjoy. CBC helps raise up leaders who understand that a soul is of more value than financial gain, and that Jesus is the answer for our world’s troubles. My husband and I support CBC because CBC emphasizes the one who is THE way, THE truth and THE life.” 

Kellie is married to Jeff Harper who has served for multiple terms on the CBC Board of Trustees and was most recently the board chairman. They attend Walnut Road Baptist Church in Springhill, La., and have three children: Hannah, Zach and Grant.