A Milestone Week: Graduation, Championships, and “I Do” for UA Little Rock Couple

An unforgettable week is on the horizon for Ragen Hodge and Sutton Manatt. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock students are preparing to graduate this May, compete in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Track and Field Championships, and get married—all within the span of just one week.

Hodge, a native of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Manatt, a native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, were both introduced to UA Little Rock through athletics. Hodge competes in jumps for Little Rock Track and Field, while Manatt is a pole vaulter.

The couple will compete on the day of the university’s official commencement ceremony but plan to participate in the Athletics ceremony the following Monday. Their wedding is set for Thursday, May 21.

“I am absolutely stoked to start this new chapter. I’m going to miss vaulting and running track, having a team, etc., but this new chapter is so exciting! Having a degree and chasing another, and getting to do that with my wife—sign me up!” Manatt said.

Hodge learned of the Donaghey Scholars Program and decided to apply to UA Little Rock.

“I was drawn to the scholarship opportunities, the chance to compete in track and field at the collegiate level, and the opportunity to study abroad through the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program,” Hodge said. “Because of the DSHP funding and study abroad, I was able to continue studying Spanish in addition to my biology and pre-med studies, which has opened so many doors and allowed me to pursue new volunteer opportunities in the medical field that I would otherwise not have been able to.” 

Manatt said his understanding of the university expanded during his athletic visit.

“It wasn’t until I came on my athletic visit that I learned about all the opportunities like Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC), Chi Alpha, and so much more. I fell in love with how close-knit the track team was and how much the coaches and admin really cared for the program and all the athletes,” Manatt said. “UA Little Rock has so many opportunities for students to graduate with no student loans, and with grad school in mind, that was huge for my family,” 

Hodge is graduating with a double major in Spanish and biology, while Manatt is graduating with a degree in biology.

“Through personal and volunteering experiences, I came to see a significant need for compassionate, culturally competent healthcare in our communities and realized that medical school will give me the opportunity to one day fill this need,” Hodge said.

Sutton was inspired to pursue physical therapy during his time at UA Little Rock.

“I wanted to help people like me who have had injuries, back problems, health issues—all of the above. I want to be someone who can make a difference. In my years here at UA Little Rock, I’ve had so many different injuries, but each one of them I’ve been able to come back stronger because of our ATs (athletic trainers) and PTs (physical therapists),” Manatt said.

Both Hodge and Manatt reflected on moments during their time at UA Little Rock that made them especially proud. For Hodge, studying abroad in Valencia, Spain, stands out as a defining experience.

“One moment that has made me especially proud academically and personally was when I studied abroad in Valencia, Spain. After a couple weeks, I was able to confidently navigate the city and get to class, and I realized that I was actively living in a dream that I never thought I would be brave enough to make a reality,” Hodge said. 

“My time at UA Little Rock greatly increased my confidence in my abilities, thanks to every professor who poured into me and encouraged me along the way,” she said.

Manatt pointed to his success with the track and field team as a source of pride.

“One thing that I’m especially proud of is the three Track and Field championship rings that I get to wear. Being a part of a winning team was always something I dreamed of, especially on the D1 level.” Manatt said.

“The bond that I’ve created with my guys on the team is something I’ll cherish and never forget,” he said.

They shared that the close bond with their team will be what they miss most after graduation.

“I am definitely going to miss getting to live and train and study with this group of people that are more like family than friends at this point, and I think it will be a big transition to not always have my workout and study buddies with me everywhere I go,” Hodge said.

“My circle of guys that I’m around most are so influential in my life. A few are going to be in my wedding, and many more are guys I know I can call at any time, and they will have my back or be there for me in an instant,” Manatt said.

After graduation, the couple will be moving to Oklahoma. Both have been accepted into the University of Oklahoma, where Hodge will attend medical school and Manatt will pursue physical therapy school.

As they prepare for their move to Oklahoma, both reflect on the significance of being closer to family in this next chapter.

“During our time here at UA Little Rock, we have been able to spend more time with Sutton’s family, and it has been such a joy and blessing to have their support and get to know them over the past four years. I am really excited now to have that same opportunity with my family during our next chapter of life, and I hope that Sutton will be as encouraged by the support and love from my family during PT school as I was by his family during undergrad,” Hodge said.

“I joked with Sutton a couple of years ago that we would spend our undergraduate years here in Little Rock, in his home state and near his family, and then it would be his turn to live in my home state near my family for the next four years, so it is pretty funny to me that that is exactly how it has worked out,” she said.

“I’ve been so lucky to be close to home these past four years, being from Hot Springs. I’ve gotten to be at family events and watch my little brother grow up and be at his baseball games. It’s been really nice having them just an hour away, but I know Ragen has missed her family so much. Any chance we get to go up to OK and see her family, we always come back to school so rejuvenated and relaxed. I’m so happy that we get to spend the next four or so years closer to her family so we can give her family the same thing my parents have had the last four years,” Manatt said.