Arkansas State University-Mountain Home 2019 Outstanding Alumnus
Sarah Shedenhelm
Owner, Veterinarian
Baxter County Animal Clinic
Dr. Sarah Shedenhelm is a Baxter County native who attended Cotter Schools from kindergarten through graduation. She then attended both ASU Mountain Home, where she received an Associate of Arts degree, and ASU Jonesboro as an animal science major. After receiving her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Louisiana State University, she and her husband, Brian moved back to Mountain Home to plant their roots. With her husband, Sarah owns Baxter County Animal Clinic. When not at the office, Sarah and Brian enjoy playing with their three little girls and appreciating country life.
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home 2019 Academic All-Star
Lauren Malte
Lauren is earning an Associate of Arts degree, and she plans to transfer to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville to complete a four-year degree. Her ultimate goal is medical school. She is interested in the field of public health and infectious disease. At ASUMH, Lauren is part of the journalism club, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Fran Coulter Honors Program. She also works as a nursing assistant at Baxter Regional Medical Center and has volunteered for the Schliemann Center for Women’s Health Education.
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home 2019 Outstanding Faculty Member
David Bendler
Math Instructor
1992 to Present
Known as one of ASU-Mountain Home's favorite instructors, David Bendler teaches all
forms of math from algebra to trigonometry to calculus. A native of Illinois, David served as a
high school math instructor for more than 20 years before joining the newly-established campus
faculty of ASUMH in 1992. He has been involved in numerous committees at ASUMH through
the years including chairing the college's twenty-fifth anniversary celebration committee with
two other original TrailBlazers this year. This is David's second time to be honored as Faculty of
the Year at ASUMH.
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home 2019 Outstanding Staff Member
Matt Garcia
Police Officer
2013 to Present
Matt Garcia is a shining star on the Arkansas State University-Mountain Home campus. His
sincere desire to make ASUMH the safest place for our students, faculty, and staff is his number
one priority. Matt has been with ASUMH for more than five years. Before that, he served at the
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for three years and boasts more than 18 years in law
enforcement altogether. He is a single dad raising two precious girls, ages 16 and 10, so his
hands are full both on campus and off.




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