30 Mar 2025 Person of the Month: Tod Traughber
“Robotics is a field where everyone can go pro. It’s an inspirational activity that connects students with STEM or STEM-adjacent fields. My greatest joy is seeing students inspired by robotics, pursuing academic or vocational STEM opportunities, and then returning to mentor and volunteer with the next generation of teams. I am so very proud of my son Brayden, who grew up in the FIRST® robotics community and now works as a data specialist. Being local to his original team allows him to give back as a mentor and volunteer at events like the Arkansas Regional Tournament.”
HOMETOWN:I was born and raised in Southcentral Alaska and worked as a commercial fisherman during my high school and college years. My wife and I moved to Memphis upon graduating from Harding University in 1995, where I worked as a teacher and coach for 10 years. Our family moved to Searcy in 2005.
FAMILY: I have been married to Jan for 32 years. She is an associate professor at Harding University in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. We have two sons, Brayden and Camryn.
EDUCATION:I earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Bible from Harding in 1995; a Master’s in Educational Administration from Freed-Hardeman University in 2003; a Doctorate of Education in Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Memphis in 2018; and a Master of Science in Information Systems/Data Analytics from Harding in 2024.
CAREER:After moving to Searcy in 2005, I worked as a sales representative for Walsworth Publishing (a yearbook company) in Central Arkansas for 10 years. I have worked as a teacher and coach for Harding Academy for the past 10 years. While at Harding Academy, I have taught journalism, photography, computer business applications, civics and economics and coached volleyball, mentored in the robotics program and worked as an advisor for The Wildcat, the yearbook for the Academy. I have served as the regional director for FIRST® Robotics: Arkansas for two years. I am honestly grateful for my wide-ranging experiences.
THE COOLEST ROBOT YOU EVER BUILT? Every year the game changes, as does the functionality of the robot built to address new challenges. I have loved the evolution of our robots as we gain experience designing and building year after year and incorporating ideas from teams around the world. Our robots weigh up to 135 pounds, travel 18 feet per second, and have been designed to manipulate traffic cones, handle 48-inch balls, fire dodgeballs, fling frisbees and swing from monkey bars.
SPECIAL INTERESTS:I love traveling the world. My wife and I were blessed to study in Italy while in college, and we have loved returning to Tuscany when we can. We also make regular trips back “home” to Alaska, where my family enjoys fishing and taking in the scenic beauty. I enjoy being active and try to be consistent in running, lifting weights and competing in competitive obstacle courses like the Spartan Race. I truly am at home in the educational setting. I recently completed my second master’s degree and am already looking at what possible courses I can take next. I am somewhat addicted to Duolingo as I continue to push myself to learn French and Italian.
