The 2024 Dick Trammel Outstanding Alumni Award Recipient
Congratulations to NWACC alumna Karen Reynolds for winning the 2024 Dick Trammel Outstanding Alumni Award!
This annual award recognizes outstanding alumni who have been successful in their career fields and have made a positive impact on the community.
Karen Reynolds began her career in health care when she was only 14 years old as a junior volunteer. Since that time, she has logged over 30 years of experience in various areas of patient care. She ran and owned a rural clinic in Elkins, Arkansas. Karen received the American Association of Nurse Practitioners State award of excellence in 2013. In 2014 was named, by Leslie Rutledge, the Arkansas Small Businesswoman of the year. In 2015, she received Community Bank’s Hero award and was named to the top 40 Women in Arkansas Business by First Security Bank. She was the 2020 American Association of Nurse Practitioners Arkansas nurse practitioner advocate of the year. She has received many other numerous nursing award nominations. Most recently she was named the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas’ Top 100 Women of Impact.
Karen has severed many roles on boards and organizations. In 2014 she was an integral part of the team to establish the Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association. In 2016 In order to elect more Nurse practitioner friendly legislators she helped to establish the Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association PAC. In 2020, she coordinated and facilitated legislative efforts and successfully paired one nurse practitioner for every legislator. Besides being a busy professional, she is also a wife and mother raising two amazing children.
Karen was recognized at the 2024 NWACC Spring commencement ceremony.
Mr. Dick Trammel
Each year, the NWACC Foundation recognizes an alumnus that has excelled in his/her career field and has made a positive impact in his/her community through either public service such as military or public office, civic or philanthropic engagement, community leadership, volunteerism and or involvement in NWACC recruitment and retention activities.
The namesake for this award, Mr. Dick Trammel, has been an inspiration to the Northwest Arkansas community with a lasting legacy of service. Mr. Trammel served as a Founding Trustee of NorthWest Arkansas Community College, continues to serve on the NWACC Foundation Board of Directors, and will forever be a part of this institution's history.