Former Vian Lady Wolverines softball player Kacie Gibbins is the recipient of the Jill Lestage Brown Service Leadership Award. She was recognized during ATU spring commencement last Friday at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville, Ark.

“It’s a privilege and an honor that I could represent Dr. and Mrs. Brown with this award,” Gibbins said. “It pushes me to continue to be that leader and to give back. Arkansas Tech University has had a great impact on both my academic and personal growth, inspiring my goals and shaping me into a driven member of society. This award is an honor and a symbol of the hard work and dedication I have invested at Arkansas Tech as a student-athlete. It means that my commitment to my education, community, Golden Suns softball and the future of agriculture has been acknowledged, and it motivates me to continue pursuing my goals with passion and determination.”

Move-in day and Green and Gold Give Back day at Arkansas Tech University, “High-Five” Friday morning greetings for students at local elementary schools, Future Farmers of America (FFA), the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Arkansas River Valley and River Valley Food 4 Kids are just a few of the causes and organizations that have benefited from Gibbins’ volunteer service over the span of her four years as a student at ATU.

In all, she has given more than 160 hours of service to benefit the surrounding community while also excelling in the classroom and on the field as a member of the Golden Suns softball team.

Gibbins’ youth in Vian was a mix of working on her family’s cattle ranch and playing a wide variety of sports. She zeroed in on softball and made it her focus. It only took one campus visit to convince her that Arkansas Tech was the place for her to continue her athletic career and her education.

“When I came (to ATU), I saw the cows out by campus, and I knew this was about to be my home for the next four years,” she said. “When I came on that visit, the (softball team members) were so sweet. I was meeting everybody on campus, and they were so welcoming. I met 20 to 30 faculty members that day, and they made me feel so at home. I could tell that could be my family for the next four years.”

Gibbins has earned a place on the Dean’s List in each of her semesters at Arkansas Tech, Great American Conference All-Academic team honors and the GAC Distinguished Scholar award. She was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma national athlete honor society in 2023.

“I am more ‘lead by example,’” Gibbins said. “I’m going to put my head down and do what I need to do the right way so that maybe somebody behind me is looking and will want to follow me. That’s a very big part of softball … and setting that example for everybody around me. Setting an example in the classroom and supporting the professors is a big thing, too.”

Gibbins is graduating from ATU with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture business with an emphasis in animal science.

“The biggest thing about the (ATU) ag program is how the professors can make you feel like one of their own,” she said. “It’s almost like I’m their kid. They want me to succeed after these four years, so it’s all about how they can help me. There was never a time I didn’t feel like I could reach out to them.”

Gibbins plans to pursue a career in agriculture that will include further development of her family’s cattle ranch.

“It’s really the relationships that mean the most,” Gibbins said when asked to reflect upon her time at ATU. “It’s not the winning or the losing. It’s really the relationships that you find here. Some of these girls are going to be in my wedding one day. I have 60 sisters that have either graduated or are still here. You can feel the energy whenever it’s right. You end up creating these great bonds for the rest of your life. Arkansas Tech has been a blessing. I couldn’t have asked for a better community or a better place to be these last four years.”