Hendrix to Award Odyssey Medals to Six Alumni

Jessica Atkinson '01, David Knight '71, Dr. Mike McFarland '72, Meredith Strong Moore '10, Michael Niggel '81, and John Werner Trieschmann IV ’86 (posthumous) to receive medals October 23

August 28, 2025 – Hendrix College will present six alumni with the Odyssey Medal at a private ceremony and dinner on Thursday, October 23.

The Odyssey Medal is presented to alumni whose life achievements exemplify the ideals of the Hendrix Odyssey Program. Medalists are selected by the Hendrix Board of Trustees for their accomplishments in one of the six Odyssey categories: Artistic Creativity, Global Awareness, Professional and Leadership Development, Research, Service to the World, or Special Projects.

Those receiving Odyssey Medals and their Odyssey categories are:

Jessica Atkinson '01 - 2025 Odyssey Medal for Professional and Leadership Development 

Atkinson is a transformational leader whose career spans over two decades of global impact across business, technology, and human rights. As CEO of WILB Effect, she leads a global consulting firm that empowers organizations to navigate business and technology transformation through authenticity and diversity of thought. A triple-certified transformation expert, she is known for her ability to align people and process. 

Atkinson made history as the first woman to formally submit a Marriage Equality case to the Supreme Court of Panama. She shares her 15-year marriage journey through documentaries with the United Nations and Human Rights Watch. 

At Hendrix, she earned her degree in Economics and Accounting, served as captain of the Lady Warriors basketball team, helped lead the team to a conference championship and NCAA tournament appearance, and was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award. As a first-year student, she championed admissions policy reform and played a pivotal role in inspiring the college leadership to start what is now Hendrix’s Office of Community and Belonging. 

Today, Atkinson is an internationally recognized speaker on authenticity in leadership, a human rights advocate, and a mentor to hundreds of emerging leaders. She has spoken at global conferences and institutions—including credit-earning university courses—and continues to build bridges through her company, whose board of directors includes two Hendrix alumni committed to mental health and political justice. Her journey brings to life the passion behind “Embrace Authenticity. Awaken Greatness.” 

David Knight '71 - 2025 Odyssey Medal for Special Projects 

A native of North Little Rock, Knight graduated from Little Rock Catholic High School. Upon graduation from Hendrix in 1971, he joined the Air Force and served as an officer until 1975. He completed a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma and enrolled in the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, graduating in 1978 with high honors (first in his class) and serving as the editor-in-chief of the Arkansas Law Review.  

Following law school, Knight worked as a law clerk for a judge on the U.S. 8^th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis and then moved to Washington, D.C. to work as an appellate lawyer in the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission. He returned to Arkansas and joined the Rose Law Firm in 1981 to practice corporate law, ultimately becoming a senior partner. He left the firm to start the legal department at Stephens Inc. in 1988. He worked there as general counsel and ultimately executive vice president until his retirement in 2022. 

He served as board member and chair of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, the Cathedral School, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, and Hendrix College. His service on the Hendrix College Board of Trustees spanned 20 years, including five years as chair. He received the Doctor of Humane Letters from Hendrix in 2019 in recognition of his service to the Board of Trustees. 

He currently serves as Officer and Director of the Bridge2Rwanda Inc, a Kigali, Rwanda based nonprofit that provides college preparatory training and domestic and international scholarships to Rwandan students as well as training and support for various sustainable agriculture initiatives. This educational programming started as an outgrowth of the Hendrix Rwanda Presidential Scholars Program that commenced in 2007 and provided four-year college and university scholarships to over 200 Rwandan students at the 18 schools in a consortium that he helped found and administer at Hendrix.  

Knight has enjoyed many hobbies over the years, including photography, and published four photography books: Faith and Good Works in Africa (2005), In Character, a Season at the Rep (2007), Young Artists at the Rep (2009), and Ballet Arkansas Reflections (2013). He and his wife Jenna have three adult daughters, Riley, Rowen, and India. 

Dr. Mike McFarland '72 - 2025 Odyssey Medal for Research 

In 1981, when McFarland opened his first small clinic in Pine Bluff, he had no idea that one day he would make history in the field of ophthalmology. However, in January of 1990, McFarland was the first eye surgeon in the world to perform cataract surgery without using stitches to close the wound. Known as No-Stitch Cataract Surgery, his groundbreaking technique is now performed by thousands upon thousands of cataract surgeons around the globe. 

Like many innovative medical advances, the path to mainstream acceptance had its challenges. Initially, McFarland’s new technique was extremely controversial. Numerous respected eye surgeons felt it was unsafe - if not impossible - to complete cataract surgery without stitches, and believed his patients were at risk of dangerous complications and infections.  

Over time, the skepticism about No-Stitch evolved to tremendous curiosity. Eye surgeons from around the country wanted to visit McFarland Eye Care and observe McFarland performing this heavily debated new procedure. A steady stream of ophthalmologists flew to Little Rock and then rented cars to drive to Pine Bluff, eager to see if No-Stitch lived up to the promise. They left as believers, ready to offer it to their own patients.

In 1991, McFarland was invited to perform live surgery at the Masters of Cataract Surgery in New York City, with hundreds of cataract surgeons observing. He spoke at national meetings and symposiums from coast to coast, often making multiple presentations in one day. He shared video footage of his surgery and explained the benefits of a self-sealing incision which would eliminate the need for stitches. In short, McFarland was committed to sharing his new technique with interested surgeons everywhere.

McFarland was presented the 1992 Innovator’s Award at a national meeting in San Diego for developing No-Stitch Cataract Surgery. He was first named a Best Doctor in America in 1994 and received this honor for 21 consecutive years. He was also recognized as one of the Best Doctors in Arkansas by the Arkansas Times from 2002-2015. He was named the first Best of the Best Ophthalmologist by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette in 2009, and AY Magazine recognized him as the Best Eye Doctor in Arkansas 11 different years.  

Raised in Hot Springs and a proud Arkansan, McFarland graduated from Hendrix College and the University of Arkansas School for Medical Sciences. He then completed his internship and ophthalmology residency at Louisiana State University. He is now retired and resides in his home on Lake Hamilton. He and his wife, Sonya, prioritize time with their family, which happily includes eight grandchildren. In addition, McFarland is a man of faith. Active in Lake Valley Community Church, he was a Home Group leader for 15 years and currently plays the guitar as a member of the worship team. He is the ministry leader for both the Garland County Detention Center and the Shalom Recovery Center, as well as Vice President of the Addiction Free Ministry in Hot Springs.  

Meredith Strong Moore '10 - 2025 Odyssey Medal for Service to the World

As a managing trial attorney at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton in Little Rock, Moore specializes in advocating for victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking. She has developed innovative legal strategies to hold businesses and perpetrators accountable, playing a key role in high-profile cases against hotels and other businesses that profit from trafficking. Moore is a sought-after speaker and educator, training nonprofits, law enforcement, and legal professionals on how to identify, combat, and prevent trafficking. Her expertise has established her as a recognized leader in both the legal and human dimensions of this multi-billion-dollar criminal industry. 

Moore’s dedication to justice and survivor advocacy extends beyond the courtroom. She has worked closely with Arkansas legislators to strengthen laws protecting human trafficking survivors and to increase corporate accountability. She also serves as a pro bono legal advisor for organizations that help victims secure the resources they need to rebuild their lives. 

A graduate of Hendrix College, Moore majored in anthropology.  Her Odyssey Grant research on global warming in Alaska—and its impact on a small fishing city on Kachemak Bay—deepened her passion for serving at-risk populations. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the UALR Bowen School of Law, where she served as a Managing Editor for the Law Review and worked in the school’s litigation clinic to serve the community. 

Her work has been recognized with several honors, including Arkansas Business 40 Under 40, the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association Roxeanne Wilson Advocacy Award, Arkansas Access to Justice Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year, and the Little Rock Air Force Base Honorary Commander. 

Moore continues to make a significant impact through legal advocacy, education, and policy reform, working tirelessly to bring justice to survivors and drive lasting change in the fight against human trafficking.  

Above all her accomplishments, Moore is most proud to be a mother to Ada. Her work is fueled by a desire to build a brighter and safer world for her daughter.

Michael Niggel '81 - 2024 Odyssey Medal for Global Awareness

Niggel is founder and CEO of Second Venture, LLC. After selling ACT1 Federal to the firm’s employees via an employee stock ownership plan, Niggel founded Second Venture LLC to provide advisory and consulting services to various venture capital and technology firms across the national security, space, cyber and health care industries.  He is also active as a Board Member on the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), ACT1 Federal, and Novel MicroDevices Inc. 

As CEO of ACT1 Federal, LLC, Niggel set the firm’s strategic direction leading enterprise growth initiatives, overseeing successful delivery of ACT1 programs and guiding enterprise value, governance, and employee satisfaction. He established the firm’s joint venture partnerships to ensure customer support. He has been an angel/VC investor in defense, space, intel, cyber, biotech, and technology start-ups. 

Niggel’s national security experience spans over 35 years providing strategic, technical, program/business management operations for large, complex DoD/DHS/Space programs including F-35 aircraft Foreign Military Sales and F-18/EA-18G Direct Commercial Sales cases for Allies like Australia, Israel, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and others. He was an industry commissioner on the Atlantic Council’s recent 2023-2024 Defense Innovation Adoption Commission co-chaired by former SECDEF Mark Esper and former SECAF Deborah James.   

He grew ACT1 from a small business into a thriving mid-tier company consistently recognized for growth, including being named the 15^th Fastest Growing Company in Virginia as part of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Fantastic 50, in the Top 30 Fastest in the National Capitol Region, as well as in the Top 1000 by Inc Magazine. 

Before founding ACT1, Niggel served as a Vice President/Operations Manager with SAIC’s Technical/Business Solutions Operations supporting the Secretary of Defense’s Office on the National Defense Panel. He managed three SAIC Acquisition Divisions supporting the armed services. Before SAIC, he served as a presidential management fellow with the Air Force and the Office of the Secretary of Defense supporting the Reagan administration.  

He has been a member of the Economic Club of Washington, the Atlantic Council, the Reagan Foundation’s National Leadership Council and served on the Boards of Directors of the Professional Service Council (PSC), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), and formerly the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. He is a Board Advisor to the Association of Enterprise Growth (AEG), the Cyber Bytes Foundation, and several commercial firms. His legacy of work with ACT1 is featured in the 2020 book The American Entrepreneur.

Niggel earned a double major Master of Public Administration in Finance and Policy Analysis as an Eli Lilly Fellow at Indiana University, Bloomington. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Political Science & History from Hendrix College. He is a graduate of the DSMC’s Program Manager’s Advanced Course. He is married to retired Col. Toni Arnold, USAF, and they live in Alexandria, Virginia and Brevard, North Carolina with their dog, Lacy. 

John Werner Trieschmann IV ’86 (posthumous) - 2025 Odyssey Medal for Artistic Creativity 

Werner Trieschmann (1964–2025) was an acclaimed American playwright, director, and educator whose sharp wit, distinctive voice, and gift for storytelling left a lasting imprint on American theater. 

A 1986 graduate of Hendrix College, Trieschmann studied English literature and theatre under beloved mentors Dr. Rosemary E. Henenberg, Danny Grace, and the late Frank Roland. He went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Boston University in 1988, where he studied with Nobel Prize-winning poet and playwright Derek Walcott. 

Trieschmann’s first production was a 1986 staged reading of “Given Faith”, a deeply personal two-act drama written during his time at Hendrix and directed by fellow student and lifelong friend Douglas Blackmon ’86. The performance marked the debut of the newly formed Hendrix Playwrights Circle, which eventually evolved into the Hendrix Murphy Playwriting Contest and Playwright’s Theatre. Following Trieschmann’s passing in December 2025, the program was renamed the Werner Trieschmann Playwriting Contest and Playwright’s Theatre in his honor. 

Over a nearly 40-year career, Trieschmann published 25 plays—many of them comedies that explore the ironies, absurdities and quiet heroics of everyday life. His best-known work, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play”, became a perennial favorite among high school and college theater programs across the country and abroad, earning bestseller status with Dramatic Publishing. 

Trieschmann also devoted much of his career to teaching. He taught playwriting, theater, and film at Hendrix College and other Arkansas universities. He led creative writing workshops at thespian festivals across the country and had a special talent for writing serious yet accessible plays for young actors and directors. With thousands of performances across the United States and in countries including Australia, Canada, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, his work reached audiences worldwide. 

In 2013, the Arkansas Arts Council honored Trieschmann with its Individual Artist Fellowship in Literary Arts: Playwriting. His play “Lawn Dart” won first prize in the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans New Play Competition, and “Disfarmer” was produced by the Arkansas Repertory Theatre for the inaugural ACANSA Arts Festival of the South in 2014. He wrote and directed “Mozart: Revealed” and “Schubert: Revealed” for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. 

He was the first playwright to receive the prestigious Porter Prize, awarded for outstanding literary achievement by an Arkansas writer. His full-length comedy “You Have to Serve Somebody” is published by Dramatic Publishing, and several short plays appear through Playscripts, Inc. 

In 2024, the Hendrix Playwright’s Theatre featured Trieschmann’s final work, “Wrought Iron”, in its 27th annual staged reading. The play, set in a Depression-era Hot Springs hotel on New Year’s Eve, offered a poignant portrait of five strangers and the fleeting connections between them. 

A Hot Springs native and graduate of its public schools, Trieschmann came from a long line of Hendrix alumni, including his father, Dr. John Trieschmann, a pediatrician in Garland County, and his grandfather. 

In 1999, Werner married fellow Hendrix alum Marty Castleberry ’92. Their son, John, graduated from Hendrix in 2025, becoming the fourth John Werner Trieschmann to graduate from the College. Their younger son, Kit, studies political science at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. 

Trieschmann lived with Gaucher’s Disease, a rare enzyme disorder that led to frequent hospitalizations during childhood. Yet he defied every limitation. He swam, played golf, and joined an intramural basketball team in college, where he earned the nickname “Shoe” for the custom orthopedic sole he wore on his shorter leg. He was a fiercely loyal Chicago Cubs fan and a man of deep love, quick laughter, and immense intellectual and creative vitality. 

About Hendrix College

Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges” and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.

“… Through engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” –Hendrix College Statement of Purpose