ARKANSAS: Summer 2023

For members of the Arkansas Alumni Association Inc.

For members of the Arkansas Alumni Association Inc.

Summer 2023

arkansas

For members of the Arkansas Alumni Association Inc.

6 Art in the Natural State

14

The opening of the new Studio and Design Center as part of the School of Art ushers in studio, exhibition and creative spaces for artists.

From Polling to Poly-Sci

Professor Janine Parry has a reputation for being an inspiring instructor. A poll of her students confirms the passion and charisma.

22 Wading in the Phosphorus

Students in environmental, soil and water science studied the level of phosphorous in a variety of streams flowing into Beaver Lake.

2 Campus View

4 Chancellor’s Corner

5 Campus

34 Alumni

54 Yesteryear

56 Senior Walk

64 Last Look

Editor’s Note: The article beginning on page 50 of the Spring 2023 issue was published without the authors’ byline. It was written by Mark Camarigg and Rachel Moore B.S.H.E.S.’07.

On the Cover: Chancellor Charles Robinson, students and faculty call the Hogs during a preinvestiture rally.

Photo by Chieko Hara

SUMMER / Vol 72, No. 4

Campus View

Lydia Fletcher KXUA Station Manager

I never planned to attend the University of Arkansas. I know that sounds awful, but obviously, my plan didn’t work out. After living in Jonesboro, Arkansas, most of my life, all I wanted was to leave the state. I took that chance in 2018, packed my things and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, hopeful the college there would help me achieve my dreams. It wasn’t too far, but just enough to not be home.

In Tennessee, I found nothing but hyperindividualism and a community so unwelcoming the best thing I could do for my career was just leave. In 2020 I left, dreams shattered, and a few months later the COVID-19 pandemic began. I knew, despite the circumstances, I needed to get back to college, so I followed in my father’s footsteps and enrolled at the U of A.

Still pursuing my dream of a journalism degree, I moved to Fayetteville, took remote classes and had no clue how to get connected to campus. I luckily met the station manager of KXUA, the student-run radio station, while working at the local record shop. Little did I know this connection would be what kept me motivated to stay in college. I soon became a DJ for the station, hosting a weekly show, and was fortunate enough to be given a staff position a year later. I now am the station manager of KXUA, nothing my younger self could have ever predicted.

While I could use this time to talk about all the things I’ve done, I’d rather write about what the university has done for me. Here, my dream of working in the music industry became a reality. I found a voice in radio and a passion for writing that my professors have fostered and honed. Being a member of student media has helped me get internships, scholarships and connections that will help turn my dream of becoming an arts and entertainment journalist into a reality.

Because of student media, I’ve been able to write for on-campus publications and will be getting my first chance at working in a newsroom this summer. I host a radio show on KXUA every Friday at noon and get oddly emotional when I think about my time there ending in December. I only have one more semester left, and I’ll soon be receiving alumni magazines like you.

Though my journey has been far from a traditional college experience, transferring was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I never dreamed of being the second person in my family to graduate from the University of Arkansas, but the community I’ve found here makes me proud to call this place home.

Publisher Arkansas Alumni Association

Executive Director

Brandy Cox Jackson ✪ M.A.’07

Editor Charlie Alison ★ B.A.’82, M.A.’04

Associate Editor

Catherine Baltz ✪+ B.S.’92, M.Ed.’07

Creative Director Eric Pipkin

Photo Editor Russell Cothren ★

Photographers Chieko Hara

Whit Pruitt B.A.’16

Writers & Contributors

Lyndsay Bradshaw ★ B.A.'05

Sam Giudice ★ B.A.'23

Britt Graves B.A.'98, M.A.’22

Mary Kate Harrison ★ B.A.’15, M.A.’17

Jennifer Holland M.Ed.’08

John Lovett

Suzanne McCray ★ B.A.'78, M.A.'80, M.A.'90

Lisy McKinnon ✪ B.A.’97

Michelle Parks B.A.'94

John Post

MEMBERSHIP SYMBOLS ✩ Student Member; ★ Member; ★+ Member, A+;

✪ Life Member; ✪+ Life Member, A+

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the editor are accepted and encouraged. Send letters for publication to Arkansas Magazine, Office of University Relations, 200 Davis Hall, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and may be edited for length. Typewritten letters are preferred. Anonymous letters will not be published. Submission does not guarantee publication.

Arkansas, Exclusively for Members of the Arkansas Alumni Association, Inc. (ISSN 1064-8100) (USPS 009-515) is published quarterly by the Arkansas Alumni Association, Inc. at 491 North Razorback Road, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Annual membership dues are now $55 per household and a portion is allocated for a subscription to Arkansas . Single copies are $6. Editing and production are provided through the UA Office of University Relations. Direct inquiries and information to P.O. Box 1070, Fayetteville, AR 72702-1070, phone (479) 575-2801, fax (479) 575-5177.

Periodical postage paid at Fayetteville, AR, and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to P.O. Box 1070, Fayetteville, AR 72702-1070.

ARKANSAS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Mission Statement

The Arkansas Alumni Association connects and serves the University of Arkansas Family.

Vision Statement

The Arkansas Alumni Association will be nationally recognized as a model alumni relations program.

Value Statement

The Arkansas Alumni Association values:

• service • excellence • collaboration

• relationships • diversity • learning

• creativity

Arkansas Summer 23-042

All photos by University Relations unless otherwise noted.

Cover photo: Russell Cothren

Please recycle this magazine or share it with a friend.

Photo by Russell Cothren

150 Forward Dear Alumni

and Friends

I am thrilled and honored to write to you for the first time as chancellor of the University of Arkansas.

As many of you know, I have been with the university since 1999 and served as interim chancellor for 15 months before being selected as chancellor in November 2022. That background meant my team and I were well-positioned to begin a strategic planning process as soon as my appointment became official. Strategic planning may not be the most glamorous part of my job, but it has been one of the most fulfilling, since it involves working with the campus community to find ways to elevate the university to even greater heights.

Our strategic plan has three priority areas that are at the heart of our land-grant mission:

Student Success

This has been a major focus for the university and is central to our mission — and we have the record retention and graduation rates to prove it. But student success is too important for us to not prioritize. We will not be satisfied until a U of A diploma is accessible to Arkansans from all socioeconomic backgrounds, and every student leaves our campus having accomplished everything they hoped to achieve when they enrolled.

Research Excellence

Another key tenant of the land-grant mission is research and discovery. U of A

researchers are driving innovation, workforce development and economic impact in many fields, much to the benefit of our students, our state, our nation and our world. Their scientific and scholarly inquiries are helping solve some of society’s most pressing issues, so we must give them all the support we can offer.

Employer of Choice

Our faculty and staff have helped make us one of the nation’s top universities, so we must assure that they have salaries, benefits, visibility and opportunities for career advancement, support and development, and a sense of purpose that will not only attract but make them want to stay at the University of Arkansas.

We spent the spring collecting feedback from the campus community and drafting goals. Now we are working on college, school and unit-level strategies and tactics for achieving our goals. I invite your interest in tracking our progress via chancellor.uark.edu and look forward to sharing more on these pages and in my fall State of the University address.

I became interim chancellor during our 150th anniversary celebration, so it seemed fitting to call the strategic planning process 150 Forward. Our university has had many wonderful years — thanks in no small part to our alumni and friends. The 150 Forward strategic plan will help ensure that we have many more to come.

Sincerely,

Charles F. Robinson ✪ Ph.D. Chancellor

Charles F. Robinson

Photo by Russell Cothren

Trumpet Guild Honors

Brockhausen, Jaquez and Mathews

Win National Scholarships

BY BRITT GRAVES B.A.’98, M.A.’22

Three U of A music students — Kyra Brockhausen, Bradly Mathews and Sophie Jaquez — won International Trumpet Guild Conference Scholarships in the annual Ryan Anthony Memorial Trumpet Competition, conducted in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the beginning of June.

Kyra Brockhausen, a junior from Billings, Montana, and a jazz studies/ trumpet performance major, is looking forward to showcasing her skills on an international stage and excited to represent the U of A and her jazz professor Susumu Watanabe.

In addition to this honor, she also auditioned for and was accepted to the Saarburg Music Festival in Saarburg, Germany, giving her the opportunity to perfect her craft with musicians from all over the world and perform internationally.

“Kyra Brockhausen has been studying with me both in my jazz studio and my small jazz combo for a year,” Watanabe said. “Jazz playing and improvisation was new to her; however, she has been challenging herself to learn the new musical language and expressions over the course of the last two semesters. I am so glad to be able to see her development and growth as a versatile musician and a good person as well.

Congratulations and good luck, Kyra!”

Sophie Jaquez and Bradly Mathews study under Rich Rulli, associate professor of trumpet. He was enthusiastic over his students’ accomplishments.

“Sophie Jaquez and Bradly Mathews are leaders in the U of A Trumpet Studio,” Rulli said. “This accomplishment is reflective of years of hard work for each of them. This will be the first opportunity

for each to attend an International Trumpet Guild Conference. They will have the opportunity to hear wonderful performances, master classes and meet many musicians with both diverse perspectives and similar career goals. I know from experience that this will open both their eyes and ears to the possibilities out there in the trumpet and music world. I am extremely proud of them and look forward to what they bring back to the studio next fall. Bravo Sophie and Bradly!”

Jaquez is from Pineville, Missouri, and a graduate of McDonald County High School at Anderson, Missouri. She is a double major in music education and trumpet performance, as well as a sister of Sigma Alpha Iota, the Women’s Music Fraternity. In her three years at the U of A, she has performed with the University Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Inspirational Choral, Latin Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, Undergraduate Brass Quintet and the Razorback Marching Band.

Her future career goals include furthering her education to become a college professor with her own trumpet studio and using her platform to share music with the community.

Mathews is from West Fork, Arkansas, and a junior music education major. He has participated in Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, U of A Jazz Orchestra, brass quintets, the Hogwild Band and the Razorback Marching Band.

His career aspirations are to hopefully become a performer/soloist after he receives his master’s degree in trumpet performance, and one day have his own trumpet studio.

Above top to bottom, Kyra Brockhausen

Sophie Jaquez

Bradly Mathews

Photos submitted

Top, The School of Art, in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, is transforming art education in the state of Arkansas. Above, The new Studio and Design Center opened to students and the public in spring 2023. Right, Students in the School of Art admire and critique paintings on display in a classroom.

Photos submitted

Art in the Natural State School of Art Opens Studios, Galleries and Classrooms

BY JENNIFER HOLLAND M.ED.’08

Arkansas native Marty Maxwell Lane grew up knowing she wanted to be a designer, but she also knew she needed to leave the state to pursue her degree because there wasn’t a fully accredited B.F.A. graphic design program offered at home.

Today, though, as director of the University of Arkansas School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, she and other faculty members are building something beautiful for students — like herself — who are drawn to art and design. They’re increasing access to art education in Arkansas while leading the first and only accredited, collegiate school of art in the state.

History in the Making

There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the School of Art, which was established in 2017 thanks to an unprecedented $120 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. History was made, as it was the largest gift ever given to a U.S. university to support or establish a school of art.

Maxwell Lane said the gift was “monumental” for art and created energy — an energy that is still building years later.

But the momentum didn’t stop there. A $40 million gift — also in 2017 — from the Windgate Charitable Support Foundation provided a new base for the burgeoning program, a new state-of-the-art facility bringing art, design and education together and establishing the Windgate Art and Design District in the heart of south Fayetteville. The district expands on the School of Art’s Hill Avenue sculpture complex that opened in 2016.

This gift was followed with an additional $30 million partial challenge grant from the foundation in 2021 to support a second phase and expansion of the district. With these new facilities, the Windgate Art and Design District will offer a creative space for students, faculty and community, while also transforming arts education in the state.

The Studio and Design Center — phase one of the district expansion — houses the studio art program areas in ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and M.F.A. and B.F.A. studios, as well as the graphic design program and new graduate M.Des. degree. In addition, the building features a design clinic offering collaboration with community partners, a print lab and a coffee bar serving students, faculty and the community. In essence, it’s reuniting programs and students that have been spread across 12 different locations on and around the U of A campus and Fayetteville community.

Phase two will add another 58,000 square feet to the district through the Gallery and Foundations Building. This facility will be situated adjacent to the new Studio and Design Center and Sculpture facility and house the school’s public galleries, the first-year foundations program, Idea Fabrication Lab, Arts and Entrepreneurship Workshop, a 250-seat auditorium, and faculty and visiting artist studios.

Creatively Collaborative

Increased square footage also brings the potential for increased collaboration.

The 154,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Studio and

Design Center brings media disciplines together and invites the community into the space simply through vast windows lining M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard, open floor plans, courtyards and terraces.

“We are excited about new collaboration opportunities with community partners and organizations, but also with our faculty and students,” Maxwell Lane said. “There’s a lot of openness between floors that I think will help us break out of some media silos that have been built due to our physical space, and I’m excited about that.”

A design clinic is integrated into the facility — a space specifically designed to allow for long-term community collaborations and allow bridges to be built between faculty and students outside of the classroom.

An example of the potential for this space is Maxwell Lane’s own collaboration with the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese. What started as a classroom collaboration in her human-centered design class has expanded, yet — until now — she hasn’t had the space for additional work. Maxwell Lane is excited about the future possibilities.

In her 2016 class, eight teams took on project topics situated in the legal context and created innovative design solutions to help both the Marshallese and all who interact with them better understand one another and break down barriers of communication.

“Human-centered design has the ability to tackle the world’s messy problems by designing ‘with’ people rather than ‘for’ people,” Maxwell Lane said.

Difference-Making, by Design

Olivia Dyer, a studio art major from Mountain Home, earned her first bachelor’s degree from the university — in public health — in 2018. But she re-enrolled in early 2021 after realizing she loved art and wanted to combine that love with helping others.

Like Maxwell Lane, Dyer truly believes art can make a difference in peoples’ lives. She’s seen it first-hand as a volunteer with local children’s shelters. She even worked with therapists at the Children’s Safety Center in Northwest Arkansas on a collaborative art therapy class one summer.

Ultimately, Dyer plans to enroll in a graduate program in art therapy and counseling. And while the School of Art doesn’t currently have art therapy as a focus, the faculty and staff have found ways to help her build her own path, nonetheless.

“In November 2022, the school funded an opportunity for me to go to a national art therapy conference,” she said. “It really opened my eyes to art therapy and allowed me to network with faculty where I’ll be applying to grad school.”

The new spaces available to art students — and the culture promoted by the school — have blended into the perfect palette for Dyer. Before the new building opened, she said it was often cumbersome to rush from one class to another across campus, especially when you had to factor in time for cleaning up materials. To her, the best part of the Studio and Design Center is having all her classes in one space.

“Coming back to school as a nontraditional student was a little nerve racking,” she said. “When you take your initial foundation classes, you meet the group of people who are essentially with you for the rest of your degree track. But this naturally provides a way to build lasting relationships with other students. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the faculty, especially through the School of Art faculty mentor program. Originally this was planned as a onesemester mentorship, but I’ve continued to meet with my mentor every semester, which makes me better student and prepares me to be a mentor myself one day.”

“I had no idea how much the School of Art was exploding and bursting at the seams with new opportunities,” she said. “The first time I was in college here, I was

Right, The School of Art features nine areas of study: art education, art history, ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.

struggling to find where I belonged. My favorite part this time around has been finding the School of Art, because I feel like I found where I’m supposed to be and doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”

The State of Art

As art education flourishes at the U of A, a positive impact can be felt throughout the state, thanks to additional creative outlets and the economic benefit of a robust artist community. Art and design disciplines are infusing creative problem solvers into the workforce.

“We are graduating people who are prepared to help creatively solve problems in Arkansas,” Maxwell Lane said. “And I think that, in conjunction with the other efforts to continue building the area for the creative economy, we have the ability to keep those students here. We are opening up incredible career opportunities for students that just did not previously exist.”

One of the school’s many investments is a paid summer internship with Thrive Design in Helena, Arkansas, where graphic design students gain first-hand experience and help small businesses with design strategies and materials. The internship gives students the opportunity to live and work in a setting they might not otherwise experience.

Regan Lorfing B.F.A.’21 and Maxwell Lane share their experiences with Thrive.

“Thrive embodies the design work we teach our students and is making a positive impact in the Helena community,” Maxwell Lane said. “We are finding ways to expand our collaboration, not only to enhance our own students’ education, but to serve the people of Helena. It goes back to the principals of human-centered design, working with the community and agencies like Thrive, to problem-solve, and ultimately creating more access to art and design.”

With the opening of the new facility and new programs being fine-tuned each

semester, the initial “blank canvas” of the school is now turning into a vibrant depiction of what many hoped it would be in the future.

“Thinking about the significance of this building and all it offers, from state-of-theart equipment to the vast space with room to grow. ... I think about how many high school students are going to see this and really think about the potential of a career and a life in art and design,” Maxwell Lane said. “I think that the visibility and access that it brings is substantial. I don’t think we’re going to know the full impact of this for probably a decade or more, but I imagine it will be significant.”

Above left, Olivia Dyer, left, takes part in a tour of the new Studio and Design Center. Lower left, Olivia, front center, at a summer workshop. Above, two students relax inside the new Studio and Design Center. The number of community and collaborative spaces make the new facility especially inviting.

Photos submitted

Family, Community and Education Helping Others Live Healthy Lives

BY LISY MCKINNON ✪ B.A.’97

Isabella Tomboli and Keri York Wilkinson ★ B.S.E.’00, M.S.’02 have a lifelong mentoring relationship, literally. Tomboli and Wilkinson share a familial connection — Wilkinson is Tomboli’s aunt – as well as a passion for helping make their communities healthier.

Tomboli is an Alumni Association Endowed Scholar and a rising senior at the University of Arkansas. She is double majoring in exercise science and food, nutrition & health, and minoring in medical humanities, a program designed to give students an overview of how various disciplines in the humanities inform, intersect with and apply to understandings of the medical arts and sciences. She is also on the pre-occupational therapy track. Wilkinson received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in kinesiology (now known as exercise science) before supporting and building multiple community health initiatives for older adults in Northwest Arkansas.

Tomboli was originally interested in biomedical engineering, but as she approached college she began feeling that a more personal and hands-on field would better suit her. During the latter half of high school, she

visited Fayetteville from White Hall for a campus tour with the College of Education and Health Professions. Wilkinson, who lives in Northwest Arkansas, joined her on the tour and then took her to the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building to show her around. As they were exploring, Tomboli recognized that pursuing a degree in the college, specifically in exercise science, meant that she could look to Wilkinson for advice in a field where they shared a passion.

Wilkinson recognized during that same visit how much Tomboli would benefit from being in a program that has a tight, supportive community on a large campus. Tomboli “definitely has a passion for helping people, and I had such a good experience in the Exercise Science Department … that I thought it would be a really great place for her,” Wilkinson said. Additionally, Wilkinson witnessed growth in this field, especially in the surrounding region, which created many more job opportunities than were available when she graduated with her master’s degree in 2002.

Wilkinson’s tenacity paved her career path in the field of community health. “When I entered the College of

Keri York Wilkinson and Isabella Tomboli. Wilkinson photo submitted. Tomboli photo by Catherine Baltz.

Education, I thought I would do pre-med or physical therapy, but as I took classes in the program, I realized I was really interested in prevention.” She was intrigued by how wellness and preventative programs could benefit older adults and wrote her master’s thesis on how community initiatives can impact the various dimensions of health for older people. “Community health and wellness wasn’t really a focus in Northwest Arkansas at the time,” but she knew it was important, even if there weren’t jobs available that were specific to her interest and expertise.

During her graduate studies, she interned with Northwest Health’s predecessor, Bates Memorial Hospital, working on a program called “Senior Friends,” where she remained after receiving her degree. After winding her way through marketing and talent recruitment, she was eventually offered the chance to develop a whole wellness program for older adults through the Physical Therapy Department’s Agility Center. It was here that she was able to offer a graduate internship to another student from the Exercise Science Department, sharing her expertise and experience with those who followed her through the program.

After two years at the Agility Center, she read an article about the Adult Wellness Center in its early stages of development in Rogers and eagerly reached out to then-Mayor Steve Womack to express her interest. He eventually offered her the opportunity to be the first director of the center, which she accepted shortly after construction began on the facility. Using what she had learned through her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as her expertise in community and whole-health promotion for older adults, she was able to collaborate on the design of the facility to ensure that it would meet the needs of those who would be using it. Since opening in 2006, the facility has served over 29,000 adults in Northwest Arkansas and continues to thrive today.

Though Wilkinson has stepped back from community health in pursuit of another important full-time job — mother to a 15- and 17-year-old — she has retained her passion for community health. “With wellness, you live it,” Wilkinson said.

She also shares her knowledge about the Exercise Science Program and expertise in the field of community health with her niece through their unique mentoring relationship. Tomboli relies on Wilkinson for information on what to expect in various classes and what kinds of things she will be learning. She also seeks guidance on what courses should be taken during the regular academic year versus during an abbreviated summer session. Exercise physiology, for instance, is something Wilkinson

told Tomboli not to take during summer school because you absorb an overwhelming amount of information.

“I knew two weeks into that class that [Wilkinson] was right!” recalled Tomboli. They also both agree that the support of caring people nearby makes college easier. “It’s good to have family close,” Wilkinson said.

Tomboli will begin applying to occupational therapy schools in August and hopes to stay in Arkansas as she continues to study. She, like her aunt, is interested in a path less taken as she seeks to specialize in services for younger adults with diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome. As a student, she has volunteered extensively with the EMPOWER Program at the U of A.

EMPOWER offers a four-year, non-degree college experience program for students who have cognitive disabilities. The program incorporates functional academics, independent living, employment, social/leisure skills and health/wellness skills in a public university setting with the goal of producing self-sufficient young adults.

“I’ve realized that there is a disparity in community health services for young adults, and I realize I can make a difference in their lives,” Tomboli said.

She hopes to eventually work with this population as an occupational therapist giving them tools to live healthier lives. She also hopes to help the rest of us better understand and accommodate “normal” as it is experienced by this special population of adults. She also hopes to apply what she is learning to her own health habits.

In addition to her aunt’s influence on her professional growth, Tomboli counts Lynette Washington M.S.’19, an instructor in exercise prescription, and her adviser, Nancy Buckley B.A.’89, B.S.’14, M.S.’16, as important influences in her education. Wilkinson attributes her love for the program and success to current and former faculty members professors Ro Di Brezzo ✪, Barry Brown, Susan Mayes ✪ B.S.E.’72, M.Ed.’78, and Inza Fort ✪ Ed.D.’82

Despite taking slightly different directions out of the same program, this duo shares two important things in common. They both delight in helping people live fuller, healthier lives, and they are grateful to the College of Education and Health Professions, the Exercise Science Program and the U of A for supporting their goals.

As Wilkinson put it, “I got to play a part in helping to make the [older adult] population a little bit healthier. Now Isabella will get to do the same.” Tomboli agreed, “It’s a cool field.”

Positively Parry Political Science Professor Janine Parry Turns Up the Passion for Problem-Solving

BY JENNIFER HOLLAND M.ED.’08

Janine Parry has been a faculty member at the University of Arkansas for nearly 25 years and says her students have always helped her feel hopeful. “They’re so curious, so patient and so kind,” she says. “They really want to help each other and the world.”

Her students, though — both past and present — would argue that she’s the one who helps them. Over the years, Parry (who now carries the title of University Professor) has developed a reputation for being an inspiring teacher who also contributes meaningful research to the field of political science. And her former students sing her praises long after graduation.

“I can confidently say that Dr. Parry has been one of the most influential people on my personal and professional life,” said Heather Harbach ★ B.A.’01, U of A graduate. “As a first-generation college student from rural Arkansas, her classes introduced me to so much more than I expected, even beyond American politics and political science.”

Harbach isn’t alone in her sentiments about Parry. Year after year, more students leave The Hill infused with passion and charisma from Parry’s classes.

“Every class was an awakening of my spirit, like a light turning brighter with each turn of the syllabus,” Harbach

says. “She exposed me to options, and I believe that is what teaching is all about — the introduction to new possibilities that one can process within your own experiences, then apply those to new opportunities ahead.”

A Passion for Poly Sci

Parry comes from a family of K-12 teachers but chose to study journalism as an undergraduate at Western Washington University. When an American National Government professor introduced her to political science and another told her, “You’d be good at this,” she started to imagine other possibilities for her future.

“I had no idea how professors became professors,” she says. “Someone showing you the way is formative.”

Parry earned her master’s and doctorate from Washington State University, and, in 1998, received an offer to come to the U of A.

The year before, renowned professor Diane Blair had retired after spending nearly 30 years specializing in Arkansas politics and women in politics. Though Parry argues that no one could fill Blair’s shoes, Parry herself has become an expert in state politics and has been honored with teaching awards, just like Blair during her tenure with the university.

“One thing I teach is that you don’t have to have strong feels to do well in my class,” she says, speaking about the section of American Politics that she teaches. “I know students can come into the class feeling apprehensive, because the volume has been turned up on politics. My approach is temperance and problem solving.”

Her approach works because students frequently comment about how transformative and eye-opening her classes are.

Daniel Shi, a student in Parry’s spring 2023 Gender and Politics class, reaffirms this.

“She is incredibly understanding about the climate of her class,” he says. “She teaches some heavy stuff, and in today’s

world, it is incredibly difficult to straddle everyone’s opinions and teach a class like this. She encapsulates the role of an educator and mentor for students.”

Mutual Admiration

The feeling of respect between Parry and her students is mutual. She sees how aware they are about the number of problems to solve in the world and the impending pressures they feel to fix everything.

“Overall, the students today come from a smaller generation,” she says. “I encourage them to start small and start locally. I have a lot of faith and trust in them; I know they want to and can do great things.”

Parry says her approach to teaching and what she enjoys most have changed over the years.

“The most challenging piece for me is that the way people learn is changing,” she says. “There’s a widening gap between how students access information, including the hyperacceleration of both the pace and the various platforms. I’m trying to just ask the students about the best way to reach them, and adapt to the way they learn.”

Olivia Kuester, a political science major, took Parry’s Arkansas Politics class in spring 2023. She says Parry is a treasure to be around and to learn from.

“Her passion and dedication to her work practically radiates from her, easily distinguishing her as the best professor I have had at the University of Arkansas and drawing me back to her courses semester after semester,” Kuester says. “She is also the most studentoriented professor I have had the opportunity to learn from.”

Left, Janine Parry’s dynamic teaching and political research make her a standout among the faculty at the U of A.

Photo by: Chieko Hara Below, Parry on the first day of the fall semester in August 2022.

Photo by: Matt McGowan

Joanna Resendez, a classmate and fellow political science major, agrees.

“She exudes a level of comfort I’ve only encountered with a few professors, one which has empowered me to speak and give my thoughts in class because I know she genuinely wants to hear them,” Resendez says.

Survey Says

In addition to her reputation for being a stellar teacher, Parry is also widely known for her work with the Arkansas Poll, which every fall supplies impartial public opinion information on matters of policy and politics to public officials, researchers, students and the public.

“It’s one of the oldest public opinion projects in the country,” Parry says. “We’ve spoken with more than 20,000 Arkansans over the years. I’m proud of it, because there’s good, important public service coming out of our flagship, land-grant school.”

The poll originated under Parry’s leadership and offers the public, policymakers and journalists a more frequent portal into public preferences than elections allow. There’s a clear public service component to it, because fields such as political science, psychology and sociology find public opinion research extremely valuable. One thing that makes the Arkansas Poll unique is that much of the data can be tracked over time — something not all states can claim.

“We’re still the only wholly public opinion project in Arkansas, meaning everything we do is totally transparent,” Parry says. “I think that’s important.”

Parry also has a book project in the works with fellow professor Andrew Dowdle — a project that was initiated by her work with a group of Honors College students.

She explains, “We’re looking at one-party monopolies in American states. In the 1940s and 50s, it was very common to see states with one-party monopolies, then things changed for a bit and now there’s another big uptick in this trend. Now, you can see monumental levels of monopoly at the state level.”

Parry’s research examines the scope and magnitude of this trend during different decades and in different regions, as well as their causes and consequences.

“Ultimately, this affects voter turnout and policy extremism,” she says. “Red states are getting redder and blue states are getting bluer, but the consequences aren’t positive for citizens in either situation.”

Nathan Coulter B.A.’14 was a student of Parry’s from 2010 to 2014, when he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and political science. He now practices law in Little Rock.

Parry served as Coulter’s faculty adviser for his honors thesis, so he had the opportunity to work with her in both classroom and research settings. And while Coulter calls her a “remarkable instructor,” he says he could also tell that research was a passion of hers.

“She loved not only digging into the numbers, but how and why these numbers looked the way they looked — for example, why were people voting or reacting this way to certain variables,” he says. “She put the ‘science’ in ‘political science’.”

Most Likely to be Remembered

With all of the positivity surrounding Parry, it’s no wonder that her teaching, research and service continue to be recognized by the university and external organizations. She has received the Dr. John and Mrs. Lois Imhoff Award for Outstanding Teaching and Student Mentorship, the Fulbright Master Teacher Award and the Arkansas Alumni Association Faculty Distinguished Achievement Awards for Teaching and for Service. In 2020, she was named the Arkansas Political Science Association Distinguished Scholar for her research and service to the association.

The awards, though, are just more proof that Parry’s heart is behind everything she does — most notably, helping her students.

TyCam’Ron Mack B.A.’21 says, “Janine Parry has been such an inspiration to me and my educational journey. I took every class I could with her. Every discussion, every lecture and every group assignment enabled us to grow as students but also as adults. Every milestone in my life since college has been marked by Janine Parry. I am forever in debt to her for investing in me.”

“The well-being of our beautiful, fragile experiment in group governance motivates me, together with the fact that these thoughtful, earnest young people are desperate to learn how to preserve and improve it,” Parry says. “The least I can do is help them do it!”

1. Parry visits with students, from left, Joanna Resendez, Daniel Shi and Olivia Kuester during office hours. 2. Parry teaching her Gender and Politics class. 3. Kuester says Parry makes every subject interesting: “It is impossible to get bored or distracted in her classes.” 4. TyCam’Ron Mack, right, says he is in law school thanks to Parry and that she is “a Washington State woman who loves this beautiful state of Arkansas and every student she teaches.” 5. Parry received the Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award for Teaching Excellence in 2016. 6. Janine Parry, looking comfortable in Giffel’s Auditorium, where she frequently teaches class. Photos: 1,

2, 3 & 4, Chieko Hara; photos 5 & 6, Russell Cothren.

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Chieko Hara

Focused on Fruit Flies

International Doctoral Student Awarded $50,000 Grant

BY JOHN POST

The research of Selom Ametepe

M.S.’20, an international doctoral student in the Cell and Molecular Biology Program, focuses on the nervous system in fruit flies. She is interested in the mechanisms that guide neurons’ extensions, “axons,” to form connections with other neural or non-neural cells.

Ametepe focuses specifically on the gene Roundabout3, which is critical to

the development of the nervous system. Using a sophisticated genetic engineering technique called CRISPR gene editing, Ametepe is cutting some portions of the gene to see what parts are crucial for the function of the protein.

She hopes to transfer knowledge learned about fruit flies to the human nervous system.

“My research will help us know specific

Selom Ametepe in the lab.

Photo by Cassandra Thomas

ways that the gene controls development of the nervous system,” Ametepe said.

This April, her research led the Schlumberger Foundation to award Ametepe with a $50,000 Faculty for the Future Fellowship.

The fellowship program works to accelerate gender equity in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by breaking down barriers women face in pursuing scientific careers, specifically in developing and emerging nations. The fellowships are awarded to women who are preparing for Ph.D. or post-doctoral study in STEM disciplines to pursue advanced graduate study at top universities in their disciplines abroad.

The funds will help Ametepe, who is a native of Togo, focus on her research toward her goal of becoming a faculty member.

“I’m excited about resources to advance my research,” she said. “I’m excited to meet other women working in other STEM fields and getting to know about their research. I want to thank my adviser, Dr. Timothy Evans, for his unconditional support of my academic endeavors, which led to me getting this fellowship. I am very grateful to him for creating a positive working environment where he facilitates our learning opportunities.”

“I’m proud of Selom’s development as a scientist, and I’m delighted that her potential for leadership has been recognized by the Schlumberger Foundation,” said Evans, who is an associate professor of biological sciences. “She’s been an essential part of our lab for the last couple of years, and I look forward to seeing her continue to grow

her scientific and leadership skills with the support of this fellowship.”

Before coming to the U of A, Selom completed her undergraduate studies at the Universite de Lome, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences. She then worked for five years as a lab analyst at the National Institute of Health in Togo.

Her decision to undertake graduate studies was influenced by two people whom she considers as role models: her father, who was a dedicated lab technician, and one of her professors, Dr. Satoguina, professor of immunoparasitology.

“Getting close to her and learning her work ethics gave me hopes and wings and reassured me that I could become a scientist as well,” Ametepe said.

Faculty for the Future Fellows are expected to return to their home countries upon completion of their studies to contribute to the economic, social and technological advancement of their home regions by strengthening the STEM teaching and research faculties of their home institutions as well as through their leadership in science-based entrepreneurship. They are also expected to contribute to the public sector, where their newly acquired technical and scientific skills can help provide evidencebased support for STEM policy making, including topics of gender representation. Since its launch in 2004, the program has awarded fellowships to more than 800 women from 86 countries for Ph.D. and post-doctoral STEM research programs.

Faculty for the Future is the SLB Foundation’s flagship program, a nonprofit organization that supports science and technology education.

Alumna Switches Career Track

McDill B.A.’06, M.S.’20, Moves From Saving Lives to Saving Species

BY LANIER CLEGG, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

The desire to help is a cornerstone of Pam McDill’s character. Helping people or the environment, it doesn’t matter. It fills her soul.

It was no surprise when, after earning her degree in anthropology from the U of A, she returned to her hometown of Little Rock to begin work as an EMT.

“I worked for many years as an EMT, but I eventually recognized that doing this work was not emotionally or physically sustainable for me,” McDill recalls. “About four years into my EMT career, I decided to make a change. I wanted to do something to continue to be helpful, only in a different way.”

That’s when the call to pursue a career in natural resource conservation came.

Juggling the crazy schedule of an EMT and remote learning, McDill earned her Bachelor of Science in natural resources from Oregon State University in 2015.

Her hard work and academic success paved the way for

her to return to U of A and continue her education. She began working toward her Master of Science in statistics & analytics with a concentration in biological analytics. She also pursued a graduate certificate in geospatial technologies.

Nearing graduation, McDill was keeping an eye out for potential job opportunities. A U of A career services email grabbed her attention. It advertised an internship opportunity with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the agency’s Directorate Fellowship Program.

The DFP is a direct-hire program designed to increase diversity by recruiting women, people of color and other students from underrepresented populations among service staff. Candidates receive direct-hire authority for two years after students successfully complete a rigorous 11-week paid fellowship and their related college or graduate degree requirements.

“I applied, was accepted and completed the program in

the spring/summer of 2020,” McDill said. As she worked remotely that spring and summer with the Baton Rouge Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, she began to fall in love with the service and its mission.

“Working for the FWS has always been a bit of a dream. I honestly thought it was just that.”

Little did she know, her exposure through the fellowship program would make her dream a reality.

After graduating that fall, her hiring profile became available to all hiring managers within the service. Jennifer Garland, who had served as her deputy field supervisor during her internship, saw her profile and reached out about a job opportunity.

“I was ecstatic,” recalled McDill. She interviewed, got the job and moved to Kentucky, where she now serves as a fish and wildlife biologist in the Kentucky Ecological Services Field Office.

In her role, McDill spends most of her time looking at the intersection of federally listed threatened and endangered species, their habitats, and proposed project activities.

Consulting with partners and other agencies on projects like residential developments, solar arrays or infrastructure improvements, McDill ensures these proposed actions don’t jeopardize federally listed species and adversely modify their habitats.

McDill examines projects, maps, data and reports to offer comments and suggestions to project proponents in hopes of finding solutions to conservation issues. Her feedback helps to ensure proposed projects are the most successful and conservation-friendly versions of themselves.

“This is a big responsibility that I take very seriously,” McDill says. “I think it’s important to be responsive and available so that we can maintain relationships with people that are regulated to consult with us under the Endangered Species Act. The more willing we are to work with partners and project proponents, the more they

will be willing to work with us. This is how conservation works; it starts with a conversation.”

McDill views her job as an integral part of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s mission — to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

“To me, the first phrase of the mission, ‘working with others,’ is the most important. Without it, the rest of the mission is just not possible, so that is what I try to do,” she says.

McDill notes that through her reviews and consultations, plants and animals are not prioritized over people. Rather, conservation involves collaboration.

“We understand that conservation is multifaceted, and it cannot happen without people,” she says. “There are solutions to conservation issues, but we have to be willing to work together to achieve them.”

McDill finds immense satisfaction in the job she does day to day, but she also cherishes the work environment of the Fish and Wildlife Service.

“If you are looking for a safe, supportive space to be, I think you will find that you are welcome here,” McDill says. “I feel safe with the service. I feel included. I have been asked to be a part of the conversation. Because of this, I feel valued as an employee, and this encourages me to do my best for the agency that proactively supports me.”

Approaching the second anniversary of her start with the service, McDill is thankful that she stumbled across her DFP internship.

“I would just like to thank the Kentucky Field Office, my co-workers and my friends in the Southeast Region for being so welcoming and supportive. I think it means more than you know,” McDill says. “It took me 10 years to get here, but I think I’ve finally found where I’m supposed to be.”

Pam McDill doing a hibernaculum survey in Well Cave, Kentucky, looking for federally listed bats in hibernation.

Photo and graphic courtesy of Pam McDill/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Undergraduate Research on Water Quality Studies

of Phosphorus Runoff Show

Importance of Stable Banks, Cover Crops

BY JOHN LOVETT

Spring rains are great for flowers and kayakers, but the season also prompts concern about algae bloom-causing phosphorus runoff into drinking water sources.

Spring streamflow delivery to Beaver Lake has increased over the past 20 years, delivering more nutrients to the reservoir and increasing the risk of algae blooms during the summer, according to an analysis of U.S. Geological Survey data by Ireyra Tamayo, an environmental, soil and

water science major at the U of A.

Tamayo is a student of Shannon Speir M.S.’16, assistant professor of water quality in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Her lab’s undergraduate students are conducting studies on the watershed as part of an unofficial partnership with

the Beaver Watershed Alliance and the Beaver Water District.

“They are really interested in knowing this information,” Speir said. “This was a relatively easy analysis we could do with publicly available data, so we volunteered to jump in and do it.”

Speir said she has shared the information with the groups, and her lab’s team has continued to do studies to assist in long-range planning efforts to mitigate phosphorus runoff. Phosphorus runoff can lead to algae blooms in bodies of water, which decreases available oxygen for aquatic life.

There are concerns about streambank erosion and increased streamflow in the Beaver Lake watershed because phosphorus binds to floating sediments that creeks carry into the lake.

Tamayo’s study looked at the changing delivery of streamflow and water runoff from four tributaries of Beaver Lake: the White River, West Fork of the White River, War Eagle Creek and Richland Creek.

The Beaver Lake watershed includes all the tributaries that run into the primary source of drinking water for Northwest Arkansas. Speir said the potential for phosphorus runoff in the area prompted her and her students’ water quality studies of the tributaries in rural areas.

“Beaver Lake is still in good health, and much of the work is centered around preventing the balance from shifting toward conditions that may cause harmful algal blooms,” Speir said. “Once algal blooms start happening, it’s hard to turn the dial back and stop them from happening.”

Using publicly available streamflow data from the U.S. Geological Survey, Tamayo calculated streamflow discharge and runoff changes and compared runoff across the four tributaries over the past 20 years. She also explored seasonal changes in average discharge among the four tributaries.

The study showed that, in general, Richland Creek had the highest runoff to Beaver Lake over the study

period, and War Eagle Creek had the lowest runoff. She observed variable trends in average discharge by season across the four tributaries. The most consistent increase in average streamflow occurs in the spring.

“Climate change is affecting the hydrological cycle, increasing global temperatures and changing precipitation patterns,” the study states. “As rain events become more frequent and intense, they are expected to yield higher streamflow and larger peak flows. The increased sediment and nutrient delivery to sensitive downstream systems could lead to water quality problems such as eutrophication and harmful algal blooms.”

Eutrophication is when excess nutrients accumulate in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, and causes a dense growth of algae and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.

“This was our first cut, but from that, we can start building more management and actionable outcomes,” Speir added. Student researchers from the Speir’s water quality resarch team include Jacob Major, junior; Deo Scott, senior; Lilly A. Stults, senior; Ireyra Tamayo, senior; and Jacqueline Todd, junior. Brynnen Beck and Claire Meara, both sophomores, have also recently joined Speir’s team. All the undergraduates are environmental soil and water science majors in the Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Department.

Erosion and Biological Impact

Jacob Major’s study highlighted the importance of creek bank stability. Major concluded in his water quality study of Richland Creek and Brush Creek that “sediment-associated phosphorus from bank erosion may serve as a critical downstream phosphorus source to Beaver Lake.”

Major’s study found higher total phosphorus levels in Richland Creek but higher dissolved phosphorus in Brush

Left, Jacqueline Todd, left, and Ireyra Tamayo conduct water quality tests from samples taken in the Beaver Lake watershed as part of ongoing water quality studies with Shannon Speir, assistant professor of water quality with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Right, Jacob Major takes stream soil samples in a Beaver Lake watershed tributary as part of ongoing water-quality studies by students in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences with assistant professor Shannon Speir.

Photos by UA Division of Agriculture

Creek. Richland Creek runs through mostly forestland and about 40 percent pastureland. Brush Creek runs through mostly pastureland and about one-third forestland.

Speir noted that the higher concentrations of total phosphorus in Richland Creek could be because of more organic materials like leaf litter in the stream. Soluble reactive phosphorus, however, is more troublesome because the nutrient is more available to create algal blooms downstream.

Major’s study won first place in March for undergraduates in the student poster competition at the Arkansas Discovery Farms Conference in Little Rock. In April, his study also won third place in the

natural sciences category as part of the U of A's Undergraduate Research Week Poster Competition.

A follow-up study is now underway to better understand the role of sediment in driving downstream phosphorus loss to Beaver Lake.

Jacqueline Todd’s study on the Upper White River is complementary to Major’s and explores the role of algae in streams removing phosphorus from rivers. She pointed out that while many studies focus on headwater streams, there is a knowledge gap on the interplay of nutrients in rivers.

Her study found that soluble reactive phosphorus uptake was higher in the summer when the flow was slower, and the nutrient uptake was lower in the spring when the flow was faster.

Cover Crops Retain Sediment, Phosphorus

Speir’s lab also evaluated the impact of cover crops to mitigate phosphorus runoff on agricultural fields.

A study by Lilly Stults in Speir’s lab showed the importance of cover crops in retaining phosphorus on a site. Stults analyzed data on total flow, total suspended sediment, and total phosphorus concentrations from 503 runoff events on cover-cropped and non-cover-cropped cotton fields between 2013 and 2018 at the Arkansas Discovery Farms site in Dumas. The runoff events included rain and irrigation.

Jackie Todd, left, and Jacob Major are part of Shannon Speir’s undergraduate courses in the Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Department. They are part of a group of undergraduates conducting water quality studies on the Beaver Lake watershed.

Photos by UA Division of Agriculture

While cover crops did not impact the total flow from fields during water runoff events, the total suspended sediment and total phosphorus concentrations were lower in runoff from the cover-cropped field.

Cover crops prevent erosion and sediment loss by increasing the stability of the soil, the study noted.

The study stated that total suspended solid concentrations were consistently lower in runoff from cover-cropped fields. Other data suggest cover crops help retain particulate phosphorus bound to sediments.

Mullins Creek Evaluation

A little closer to home, Deo Scott’s study titled “Stream restoration effectiveness in Mullins Creek in Fayetteville, Arkansas” concluded that the Watershed Conservation Resource Center restoration in 2012 improved water quality in the restored section. He documented higher dissolved oxygen content, lower temperatures and more diversity of aquatic insects in the restored section of the creek. However, the impacts were variable downstream.

The creek begins as a spring near the Poultry Science building and flows under Razorback Stadium. The restored section of Mullins Creek is between Nolan Richardson Drive and the Gardens on the U of A campus. Samples were taken at five sites along the creek.

Speir said there is more than one way

to restore a stream, but the key components are to keep the stream bank from eroding, add native plants to stabilize the soil and restore the stream bottom in some way to slow the water down and make riffles and pools.

“The hope is that naturally, over time, the fish and insects come back as the water quality improves,” Speir said. “Another piece in the restoration puzzle, particularly in urban areas, is ‘daylighting,’ where a buried stream is re-exposed to the world. Many urban streams have become buried, like Mullins Creek, which has a stadium over it.”

Scott’s results also emphasized the need for more monitoring and management to improve water quality.

Jacob Major conducts water quality testing as part of a Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Department course with assistant professor Shannon Speir.

Photos by UA Division of Agriculture

Academy of Arts & Sciences

Architect Marlon Blackwell Named to Prestigious National Academy

BY MICHELLE PARKS B.A.’94

Marlon Blackwell, a U of A Distinguished Professor and Fayettevillebased architect, has been elected as a member to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences — joining a list that includes such luminaries as Alexander Hamilton, Duke Ellington, Eudora Welty and Albert Einstein.

The election of the 2023 members to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences maintains a commitment to honoring excellence that began more than 240 years ago, according to a release from the academy

Blackwell is Distinguished Professor of architecture and the E. Fay Jones Chair in Architecture in the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the U of A, where he has taught since 1992. He is also founder and co-principal of his Fayetteville-based design practice, Marlon Blackwell Architects, and is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

“I’d like to congratulate Distinguished Professor Marlon Blackwell on being awarded this prestigious honor,” said Provost Terry Martin ✪ B.S.E.E.’77, M.S.E.E.’83, Ph.D.’89. “Becoming a part of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences is an incredible feat. Professor Blackwell joins a highly accomplished and renowned group of individuals who are at the top of their fields and professions. He is an inspiration to his fellow faculty and his students, and we are grateful to professor Blackwell for all he has achieved for the university and in the world of architecture.”

Peter S. Ungar, U of A Distinguished Professor of anthropology and director of

the Environmental Dynamics Program, was elected to the American Academy in 2022.

“I’m excited that professor Blackwell will be joining the academy,” Ungar said. “He’s the best of the best in his field and a credit to the U of A.”

Past elected members with Arkansas ties include Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill Clinton for their work with the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation; alumna C.D. Wright M.F.A.’76, a writer and educator; alumnus Morris Sheppard Arnold B.S.E.E.’65, LL.B.’68, former U.S. circuit judge for the Eighth Circuit; and Vernon Eulion Jordan, a lawyer and social and political action organization executive.

“Marlon’s election to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences signifies the highest accomplishments in American culture,” said Peter MacKeith, dean of the Fay Jones School. “In this, he joins Arkansans Bill and Hillary Clinton, as well as his U of A faculty colleague Peter Ungar. But moreover, he joins the most significant figures in American architecture, visual arts and the sciences. Marlon’s greatest accomplishment, however, is the grace, dignity and humility with which he has achieved so much — and his recognition of all those with whom he has worked and whom he has supported. The school is proud and grateful to our friend.”

When announcing this year’s new members, Academy President David W. Oxtoby said, “With the election of these members, the academy is honoring

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Marlon Blackwell

Photo by Mark Jackson/CHROMA

Leading the SEC Min Zou Recognized for Research Into Nanomaterials

BY LYNDSAY BRADSHAW ★ B.A.’05

The Southeastern Conference honored Min Zou, Distinguished Professor of mechanical engineering, in March with the 2023 SEC Faculty Achievement Award for the U of A.

“Dr. Min Zou is a shining example of our amazing faculty in the College of Engineering, from her groundbreaking research in nanomaterials to her outstanding and inspiring work with mechanical engineering students,” said Dean Kim Needy ★. “We are overwhelmed with joy to see Dr. Zou’s achievements honored in this way, and we are celebrating her award with as much enthusiasm as any SEC win on the field or court.”

Every year, the SEC recognizes faculty with outstanding records in research and scholarship from each of its member universities with SEC Faculty Achievement Awards. After the SEC Faculty Achievement Awards have been announced for each university, the SEC selects the SEC Professor of the Year from the group of recipients.

The U of A recognized Zou for receiving the SEC Faculty Achievement Award during Faculty Appreciation Week, during the second week of April. Zou was honored at the Provost’s Faculty Reception held in April at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House.

“I owe this award to my mentors, collaborators and talented students who make my career at the University of Arkansas so fun and rewarding,” said Zou, who holds the 21st Century Chair of Materials, Manufacturing and Integrated Systems. “I’m honored and

humbled to have been selected by our provost and supported by my department head and Dean Kim Needy for this prestigious award.”

Joining the U of A in 2003, Zou has served in the Department of Mechanical Engineering as an assistant professor, associate professor, professor and distinguished professor. Zou is also a faculty member of the Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering and the interdisciplinary microelectronicsphotonics graduate program at the U of A.

Zou is a leader in the fields of mechanical engineering, materials science and nanotechnology, and she is internationally recognized for her expertise in nanoscale surface engineering, nanomechanics and nanotribology. She has received numerous awards and honors for her groundbreaking research, including

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Min Zou, Distinguished Professor of mechanical engineering.

Photo by Matt Reynolds

Commitment to Students Brown Memorial Fellowship Continues Professor’s Legacy

BY JOHN POST

When John Glezen ✪ B.S.’91, M.S.E.E.’95, Ph.D.’98 graduated from the University of Arkansas with his bachelor's degree in physics in the early 1990s, he found himself at a crossroads. With the United States facing a recession, his job prospects were bleak, and he was unsure of what the next step should be in his life — until he talked to William D. Brown B.S.E.E.’69, professor of electrical engineering and head of the department.

“Dr. Brown was very upbeat about the future of electrical engineering,” Glezen said. “Of course, he was right.”

Brown convinced Glezen to pursue a master’s degree — and eventually a Ph.D. — in electrical engineering at the U of A, serving as Glezen’s mentor throughout his time as a student and assisting him in research. As Glezen neared graduation with his doctorate, he received a job offer from Northrop Grumman, which he accepted. He’s still with the company 25 years later.

“Dr. Brown embodied technical knowledge on one

hand and compassion for students on the other,” Glezen said. “Both of these came across during any interaction with him.”

Glezen is just one of hundreds of students whose life trajectories were changed by Brown, who served as a professor of electrical engineering at the university for nearly 40 years before his death in 2017. But his passion for students and education will live on through a fellowship established in his name that will continue to change the lives of aspiring engineers.

The William D. Brown Endowed Memorial Graduate Fellowship will recruit highly qualified graduate students to the university to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering while engaging in groundbreaking research opportunities.

“Attracting high-quality graduate students is a challenge because of its competitive nature,” said Juan Balda, head of the Department of Electrical Engineering who helped establish the fellowship. “Faculty members will be able to attract high-caliber doctoral students by offering them

a competitive stipend and a fellowship in part due to professor Bill Brown’s fellowship.”

Brown grew up poor in rural Pennsylvania, where he saw first-hand how the power of education could improve his life. After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force to find opportunity outside of his home state, where most jobs were in factory work.

When he enlisted, Brown took a series of competency tests to determine the best field for him to specialize in. The recruiter told him he was going to be an engineer. At the time, he thought an engineer was someone who operated a train. It wasn’t until he joined the engineering department at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California that he saw first-hand what engineers did.

“He got the opportunity to work with real engineers and saw what a real engineer did,” said his wife, Margaret. “He was so excited. He would come home and tell me all about it. He was so impressed.”

Brown worked on the guidance systems for the Minuteman 2 ballistic missile and the Titan missile before deciding he wanted to pursue a college education in the field of engineering. When researching schools, he found the U of A to be the most affordable option, with the added bonus that his wife’s family was from Little Rock.

He completed his bachelor’s degree with a 4.5 GPA, taking more than 20 hours of coursework per semester while working on the side.

“Anything he did, he did full steam ahead,” said his son, Robert ✪ B.S.Ch.E.’92. “He was a high achiever in everything he set out to do. Nobody ever worked harder than him.”

Following that, he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from Penn State University. In 1977, he came to the U of A, where he received tenure and was promoted to associate professor in 1979. He quickly worked his way up the ranks, serving as the department head of electrical engineering for 16 years before

serving eight years as the associate dean for research in the College of Engineering. He was also a director of the High Density Electronics Center. In 2004, he was promoted to Distinguished Professor, a special distinction recognizing faculty who are known nationally or internationally as intellectual leaders in their academic disciplines.

“Dr. Brown wanted to bring the highest quality students to the University of Arkansas. He wanted to excel in the field he was in,” said Hameed Naseem, University Professor in electrical engineering. “He was a leader who was pragmatic, and he knew what to do at the time to make us nationally prominent in high-density electronics. He set up the whole program in such a way that, in a few years, we were known as the center of excellence for packaging nationwide.”

Brown did not work hard solely for the sake of career advancement. Throughout his career, Brown remained committed to helping others through humility and service — not only professionally, but personally as well. He logged more than 10,000 hours as a volunteer with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and spent more than 20 years as a pastor of a church in West Fork.

“He was somebody who treated everybody with respect — everybody,” Robert said. “He had a good relationship with the janitors in his building. Even though he attained an awful lot professionally, he did not view himself as greater than anyone else, and I think that came from his humble beginnings. He didn’t want others to feel like he had no doubt felt.”

Brown also helped international students — who comprised a sizable portion of engineering students — acclimate to a new country and culture.

“As an international student who didn’t understand much about the country and its educational systems, he took time to explain and give me direction about my

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Distinguished Professor William Brown University Relations

William Brown, right, with one of his students, Bill Sommers B.S.E.E.’96, M.S.E.E.’98.

Photo Submitted

Pierson Named Goldwater Scholar

Undergraduate Already Credited With Three First-Author Publications

BY SUZANNE MCCRAY ✪ B.A.’78, M.A.’80, M.A.’90

Stephen Pierson, a Fayetteville native and an honors mechanical engineering junior, was named a 2023 Goldwater Scholar in April.

The annual award goes to the top students nationwide in mathematics, science and engineering. Pierson will receive a scholarship of up to $7,500 from the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Foundation for his senior year.

“The Goldwater Scholarship is the most distinguished award an undergraduate STEM student can receive in this country,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson ✪. “That Stephen Pierson has won this incredibly competitive award points to his stellar academic and research efforts and speaks well of the support he has received from his research mentor professor Han Hu, his department and colleges, and from his many supporters and advisers.”

An estimated pool of more than 5,000 college sophomores and juniors applied nationwide this year.

Pierson’s primary research focuses on microchannel heat sinks, and he is supported by a State of Arkansas Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

“My research examines the usage of advanced manufacturing techniques to enhance the thermal performance of flow boiling in liquid-cooled heat sinks,” Pierson explained. “I am credited with three first-author publications, including my work on single-phase microchannel cooling and developing a project-based course module for design

for manufacturability. After college, I will pursue a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.”

He has presented at the eighth Thermal and Fluids Engineering Conference for his research into the comparison of microchannel heat sink performance and the ASEE Midwest Section Conference for his research that examines the need for a new course that teaches undergraduate engineering students how to design for manufacturability.

“The process that led me to this award pushed me to deeply reflect on my experiences and take ownership of my goals,” Pierson said. “I can confidently say that this journey has elevated my ceiling and enriched my life as a student and a person. I am honored to represent the University of Arkansas, and I would like to acknowledge everyone who has helped me reach my potential along the way.”

Outside of the lab, Pierson has served as a math and engineering tutor at the U of A and volunteered for a national nonprofit college preparatory organization. He is an Honors College Fellow, an Arkansas Governor’s Distinguished Scholar and a National Merit Scholar. He will pursue a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.

“Stephen is a highly skilled and talented student and self-motivated researcher with a strong work ethic and a passion for research and innovation,” said his research mentor Han Hu, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. “I am impressed by his academic achievements, research

Stephen Pierson

Photo submitted

Smoking in Russia Historian’s Book Shortlisted for £10,000 Pushkin Prize

BY ANDRA PARISH LIWAG

Trish Starks, a professor of the history in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, has been shortlisted for the 2023 Pushkin Prize for her book Cigarettes and Soviets: Smoking in the USSR. The prize, which honors the best-written non-fiction book on Russia, carries a cash award of £10,000.

Kathryn Sloan, interim dean of the Fulbright College, noted, “It has been a big year for publications on Russia. For professor Starks to be singled out from such a wide field of interdisciplinary works for this international honor is a proud moment for our college and university.”

Starks’ book melds her work in the history of medicine with her skills in Russian language to detail the rich story of the Soviet smoking habit.

“The rise of Russian and Soviet tobacco use does not follow the narratives we are familiar with from the West,” she argues. “Even though the Soviets have the first national anti-smoking programs, starting in 1920, and they do not have the marketing or product sophistication of Western manufacturers, their people smoke in mass numbers.”

Her work, with its implications for broad-based programs that address a full spectrum of causes and prompts for addiction, has been taken up by current cessation researchers in the fight against smoking.

A panel of six international specialists, including journalists, film makers, scholars and policy makers, will choose from the six shortlisted books to highlight the work that best combines “readability, originality and excellence in research.”

The Pushkin Prize winner was to have been announced at a June 15 ceremony in London.

Since 1954, the Pushkin House has encouraged cross-cultural understanding with exhibitions and programming.

Building from these beginnings, Pushkin House “has been a meeting point for intellectuals and creatives from Anna Akhmatova to Maria Stepanova, from Isaiah Berlin to Antony Beevor, from Alexander Kerensky to Alexei Navalny and from Eric Estorick to Ian Christie.” The book prize has been awarded annually since 2013.

Top, The finalists for the 2023 Pushkin Prize. Above, Tricia Starks.

Photo by UREL and submitted.

#MyPathToSeniorWalk

Amelia Southern Uribe

BY JENNIFER HOLLAND M.ED.’08

Amelia Southern Uribe came to the University of Arkansas as an unsure freshman but has since bloomed into an inspired leader.

“I struggled to find my place for a long time,” Uribe said. “Being able to be yourself unapologetically is what made me a better person and made me find my place.”

Uribe moved to Fayetteville from Miami and graduated from Fayetteville High School. Coming from a Colombian-American family, they said that seeing other students who were also Hispanic or Latine had a lot of influence on their decision to attend the U of A.

“I think having that access to education and teachers

who believed in me for the first time at a university level solidified my decision to come here,” Uribe said.

Since then, Uribe has grown into a campus leader dedicated to environmental awareness and has become more confident in the process. Their passion for the environment inspired them to found Zero Hour Arkansas, a chapter of a national non-profit called This is Zero Hour, a youth-led movement creating entry points, training and resources for new young activists and organizers.

Uribe is majoring in broadcast journalism and political

(Continued on page 63)

Photo by Whit Pruitt

Lifetime Connections President’s Letter

Just a month ago, we celebrated a new class of graduates as they joined the Arkansas Alumni Association family. They proudly walked across the stage to receive their diplomas for years of coursework and long nights of studying. Our great university continues to prepare the next generation of leaders for their futures.

Congratulations to the students and those of you who supported their success! Your Arkansas Alumni Association salutes you, looks forward to dedicating your names permanently on Senior Walk and welcomes you to our alumni family.

Leading up to this year’s graduation ceremony, Executive Director Brandy Cox Jackson ✪ M.A.’07 and I visited with leaders across campus to discuss additional collaboration with the association. Colleges and departments build significant relationships with students, which influence their future commitment to the U of A and the association. The leaders we met with were very appreciative of our efforts to increase alumni engagement. What a great experience!

This closer collaboration with the campus also supports our efforts to grow membership. As I have shared in past letters, the number of living graduates is growing exponentially due to a major increase in annual enrollment, while our active members in the

association are growing, but not at the same pace. We can change that if we find the best ways to engage with students while they are on campus. We want to create meaningful opportunities to engage as students and then leverage their positive experience into a lifetime connection through the Arkansas Alumni Association. I have a fantastic list of suggestions from these meetings that we will be working on in the months and years to come.

I have asked our membership committee to investigate the needs and interests of our most recent graduates, and we have staff members conducting academic research with our alumni. We know that communication and connection styles are changing, and if we don’t change with the times, we will go the way of the coffee percolator (written as I drink another cup of coffee from my Keurig and remember when I had to spend 30 minutes making coffee). We must adapt and grow to support our alumni and our university into the future.

Enjoy a wonderful summer with your family and friends! Go Hogs!

Don Walker ✪+ B.S.A.’74 President, National Board of Directors Arkansas Alumni Association

University Relations

Past Presidents of the

1923-24 Joseph Kirby Mahone ✪ B.A.’07

1924-25 Robert Hill Carruth B.A.’11

1925-26 James E. Rutherford ✪ B.A.’22

1926-27 Winston Lee Winters B.S.C.E.’06

1927-28 J.L. Longino B.S.E.E.’03

1928-29 Alfred Boyde Cypert B.A.’12

1929-30 James William Trimble B.A.’17

1930-31 G. DeMatt Henderson B.A.’01, LL.B.’03

1931-32 Dr. Jasper Neighbors M.D.’18

1932-33 Scott D. Hamilton B.A.’24

1933-34 Charles A. Walls B.A.’07

1934-35 Arthur D. Pope B.A.’06

1935-36 John C. Ashley B.A.’11

1936-37 Beloit Taylor B.A.’19

1937-38 John P. Woods ✪ B.A.’09

1938-39 Glen Rose ★ B.S.E.’28, M.S.’31

1939-40 Claude J. Byrd ★ B.S.A.’25

1940-41 Charles Frierson Jr. ’29

1941-42 John B. Daniels B.S.A.’33

1942-44 G. DeMatt Henderson B.A.’01, LL.B.’03

1944-45 Dr. M. L. Dalton M.D.’32

1945-46 Jack East ✪ B.S.E.’24

1946-47 Steve Creekmore ★ B.S.B.A.’11

1947-48 Maupin Cummings ✪ B.A.’32

1948-49 Roy Milum B.A.’04, LL.D.’58

1949-50 Paul Sullins ✪ J.D.’37

1950-51 Francis Cherry LL.B.’38

1951-52 J.C. Gibson B.A.’24, M.S.’38

1952-53 George Makris ✪ B.S.B.A.’37

1953-54 Edward B. Dillon Jr. ★ LL.B.’50

1954-55 Beloit Taylor B.A.’19

Arkansas Alumni Association Board of Directors ALUMNI ARK ANSAS

1955-56 Louis L. Ramsay Jr. LL.B’47, LL.D.’88

1956-57 Stanley Wood ✪ B.A.’23

1957-58 A.L. Whitten M.S.’40

1958-59 W.R. “Dub” Harrison B.A’.20

1959-60 E.M. “Mack” Anderson ✪+ B.A.’32

1960-61 Warren Wood ✪ LL.B.’32

1961-62 Owen Calhoun Pearce B.S.B.A.’38, LL.B.’41

1962-63 James C. Hale B.A.’33

1963-64 Jack East Jr. ✪ B.S.B.A.’48

1964-65 J. Fred Patton ✪+ B.A.’29 M.A.’36

1965-66 P.K. Holmes Jr. ✪ B.A.’37 LL.B.’39

1966-67 William H. Bowen ★ LL.B.’49

1967-68 Guy H. Lackey ✪+ B.S.B.A.’49

1968-69 Robert P. Taylor ✪+ B.S.B.A.’47, M.S.48

1969-70 John Ed Chambers B.A.’39, LL.B.’40

1970-71 Chester H. Lauck ’25

1971-72 Nathan Gordon ✪+ J.D.’39

1972-73 Charles E. Scharlau ✪+ LL.B.’51

1973-74 Carl L. Johnson ★ B.S.B.A.’47

1974-75 R. Cecil Powers ✪ B.S.B.A.’30

1975-76 J.C. Reeves ✪ ’25

1976-77 Elizabeth (Sissi) Riggs Brandon ✪+ B.S.E.’55

1977-78 Roy Murphy ✪+ B.S.I.M.’49

1978-79 J. Fred Livingston ✪ B.S.B.A.’55

1979-80 Tracy Scott ★ B.S.E.’53

1980-81 Edward W. Stevenson ✪+ B.S.B.A.’60

1981-82 J. Fred Livingston ✪ B.S.B.A.’55

1982-83 Don Schnipper ✪+ B.A.’63, J.D.’64

1983-84 Mary Trimble Maier ✪+ B.A.’49

1984-85 Bart Lindsey ✪+ B.S.B.A.’67

1985-86 W. Kelvin Wyrick ✪+ B.S.E.’59

1986-87 Larry G. Stephens B.S.I.E.’58

1987-88 Rebecca Shreve ✪+ B.S.E.’60, M.Ed.’63

1988-89 Robert T. Dawson ✪+ B.A.’60, LL.B.’65

1989-90 Gregory B. Graham ✪+ B.S.B.A.’70, J.D.’72

1990-91 Blake Schultz ✪+ B.A.’51

1991-92 Chuck Dudley ✪+ B.S.B.A.’76, M.B.A.’77

1992-93 Harriet Hudson Phillips ✪+ B.A.’72

1993-94 Richard Hatfield ✪+ B.S.B.A.’65, LL.B.’67

1994-95 Jenny Mitchell Adair ✪+ B.A.’62

1995-96 Jack McNulty ✪+ B.S.B.A.’67 J.D.’70

1996-97 Sylvia Boyer ✪+ B.S.E.’63

1997-98 Morris Fair ★ B.S.B.A.’56

1998-00 H. Lawson Hembree IV ✪+ B.S.A.'82

2000-02 Jeffrey R. Johnson ✪+ B.A.’70

2002-04 Edward Bradford ✪+ B.S.E.’55, M.Ed.’56

2004-06 Brian M. Rosenthal ✪+ B.S.B.A.’84

2006-08 Kenny Gibbs ✪+ B.S.B.A.’85

2008-10 Gerald Jordan ✪+ B.A.’70

2010-12 Steve Nipper ✪+ B.S.B.A.’71, M.B.A.’73

2012-14 John Reap ✪+ B.S.B.A.’70

2014-16 Stephanie S. Streett ✪ B.S.’91

2016-18 Don Eldred ✪+ B.S.B.A.’81

2018-20 Teena Gayle Gunter ✪ J.D.'92, LL.M.'97

2020-22 Ron Rainey ✪ B.S.A.’91, M.S.’93, Ph.D.’01

Fun Path Through History Razorback Generations

BY CATHERINE BALTZ ✪ B.S.’92, M.ED.’07

Four generations of the Burress family have attended the University of Arkansas. We’ve had the opportunity to gather thoughts from two of the family, Fred Johnson “Jay” Burress Jr. ✪ B.A.’84 and one of his daughters, Susannah “Annie” (Burress) McConnell B.S.N.’16

“It began with my grandfather, Tom Weston Burress, who was on campus in the late nineteen-teens,” Jay said. “He was a member of Kappa Alpha. Literally while standing in line in front of Old Main to enlist to serve his country in World War I, he was stricken with influenza, which was the last great pandemic to hit America before COVID. … Tom Burress took the train home to Jonesboro and was nursed back to health, but never returned to school at the U of A.”

Although Tom did not return, his son Fred J. Burress B.S.E.E.’54 graduated from the U of A. He met his wife, Paula (Smith) Burress B.S.B.A.’56, at the university. Fred is a member of Kappa Sigma, and Paula is a Chi Omega. After graduation, Fred served as an officer in the Navy, then had a long career in electrical engineering.

Paula was a CPA before retiring. They live in Overland Park, Kansas, and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in April.

It should be noted that Paula’s older sister Anne Smith Roberts B.S.E.’54 was also a graduate of the U of A, as are her two daughters, Lisa Roberts B.S.’87 and Eleanor Kathleen Roberts-Caples B.Arch.’88

Paula and Fred’s children, Jay and Madeline (Burress) Sheppard B.S.B.A.’86, both graduated from the U of A. Jay is a Lambda Chi Alpha and served as president his senior year. This past March, he retired as a consulting engineer in Kansas City. Two of his three daughters are U of A graduates. Annie, now a registered nurse in Overland Park, Kansas, is a member of Alpha Delta Pi. Her sister Elynnor “Ellie” Burress B.S.B.A.’19, M.Acc.’19 is also an Alpha Delta Pi. She was named a Senior of Significance in 2018. Ellie lives in Chicago and follows in her grandmother’s footsteps as a CPA.

Madeline is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and moved to Texas after graduation. She met her husband, Mark

Sheppard B.S.L.A.’89, at a Houston Alumni Chapter event. They now live in Pflugerville, Texas, where Madeline works for the school district, and Mark works as a distributor for commercial lighting. Their two daughters are also U of A alumni. Mary “Molly”

Sheppard B.S.N.’21 is an Alpha Delta Pi, active at the same time as her cousins. She is now living in Overland Park, Kansas, and working as a registered nurse. Margaret “Maggie” Sheppard is graduating this year with a B.S.B.A. in accounting and is the fourth Alpha Delta Pi of this generation.

When reflecting on their family’s history with the university, Annie said, “Having so many generations of our family with U of A roots is so special. I remember that on my way to chemistry, for example, I would always walk over my grandma and grandpa’s names on the sidewalk, and on my way to my adviser’s office I would see my dad’s name. It’s a special connection that always made Fayetteville feel even more like home. It is also always so interesting to be on campus with them because they will point out buildings and talk about what used to be housed there and what the building used to be named, and then I would tell them what is in the building now. It was always a fun path through history, and fun to show them all the new construction that was on campus and how the school is expanding.”

While we were gathering stories from father and daughter, we posed a series of questions to them. The following Q&A on pages 38-39 are their responses to some of those questions. Please note that some responses have been edited and shortened for space.

Photos submitted Scan QR Code for more information on the U of A campus, World War I and the Spanish flu, scan the QR code - the article begins on page 14 in the fall 2017 issue of Arkansas;

Above left, Siblings Madeline and Jay Burress in 1983; Above Top, Jay with his wife, Cindy, and their family in 2023; Above, Ellie and Annie Burress.

Opposite page left, Tom Weston Burress. Right, Paula and Fred Burress were married in 1958.

How and why did you choose your major?

My major at the U of A was generally a pre-med degree. Technically it was zoology, but practically it was a science degree in order to fulfill the prerequisites for admission to medical school. I was early admitted to the University of Kansas School of Medicine. I immediately upon matriculation to medical school sensed I had made a mistake. I left after the second year; however, I met the love of my life, the former Cindy Dawson, while there. I immediately enrolled at a very large university in Austin, Texas, where I received my engineering degree.

All through high school, I was very unsure of what I wanted to major in. My mom is a nurse, so I had always had that in the back of my mind, but I ended up needing foot surgery in high school that gave me a front-row seat to how nurses work. I realized that nursing is its own dynamic field, and they are not just a “doctor’s assistant.” My high school offered a program for upperclassmen that allowed me to shadow in all kinds of different healthcare fields for two hours of my school day (Exploring Health Professions), and after enrolling in that and seeing firsthand how different areas of healthcare workers operate (nursing, EMT/paramedics, CNA, surgery and even mortuary science), I knew that nursing was what I wanted to do.

What are some of your fondest or strongest memories of the U of A?

My fondest or strongest memories throughout my entire life have always been of the people I have met and the friendships which evolved. U of A experience was no different.

A lot of my strongest and fondest memories of the U of A are around the friends that I made. I had strong friendships both through Greek life and through the nursing program, and I shared very different experiences with both of those groups.

Photos submittedd

Jay Burress, Class of 1984

Annie Burress, Class of 2016

Who, if anyone, was an influential figure or mentor to you during your time at the U of A?

Dr. W.C. Guest, a geneticist in Fulbright College, was my mentor, pre-med adviser and friend during my years at Fayetteville. I also became acquainted with Dr. Daniel Ferritor ✪+, who had Kansas City ties before coming to Fayetteville. I enjoyed a few meals at his home during my undergrad days and appreciated some of the insight he gave me.

One of the most influential figures in my nursing school era was definitely Dr. Susan Patton ✪+ B.S.N.’74, M.S.N.’11, Ph.D.’16. She taught several classes throughout our four semesters of nursing school, including some of the most difficult-content classes. I respected her because her exams were fair and thorough, but they were very tough, and you really had to know the material well to pass them. I’m glad that she pushed us so hard.

What’s your biggest accomplishment since graduating from the U of A?

My greatest accomplishment since graduating from the U of A has been having a blessed marriage and raising three wonderful, successful daughters, of whom I am immensely proud. My biggest professional achievement has probably been rising to serve on the Board of Direction for the American Society of Civil Engineers. ASCE is a 150,000-plus-member organization, which is the voice for civil engineers. It is dedicated to helping literally the world by providing leadership of policy for constructed infrastructure.

Since graduating from the U of A, I have now been a nurse for seven years. I have worked in a cardiothoracic surgery unit, the cardiothoracic surgery pre/post area and am now in a cardiology clinic. I worked on the front lines during COVID and am proud of how well my hospital handled the whole situation. I have loved working with the cardiothoracic and cardiac populations, and my interest in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery was something that I picked up on quickly during my clinicals in the hospitals of Northwest Arkansas. I also recently studied for and achieved cardiology board certification (RN-BC), which is validation to my patients that I am always seeking to keep my education in their care up to date with the most recent, evidence-based practice available.

How have you stayed connected with your alma mater and fellow alumni?

I recognized early on that becoming a life member of the alumni association was a great investment. That early payment has allowed me to stay connected to the university throughout the 40 years since I’ve left campus. At some points in my life, the U of A has been a focus, but at other times, because of family or career, the university has taken a back burner. During those times especially, having that life membership enabled me to keep a “finger on the pulse” of campus until such time as I was able to invest more attention. I was also able to briefly participate in the leadership of the Kansas City Chapter. My greatest contribution by far to that endeavor was talking my dear friend Robert Koenig ✪ B.Arch.’90 into succeeding me in that role. From there Robert has blazed his own outstanding legacy of service to the School of Architecture and the Arkansas Alumni Association.

I am still in very close contact with several of my friends from my sorority. Some of them live in Kansas City, and some are in neighboring states. They are some of my very best friends, and I wouldn’t have met them without the U of A. We all typically try to go down to Fayetteville at least once a year together for a football game. In addition, my husband and I are taking a two-week European trip this summer with one of my friends and her husband, both of whom I met at the U of A.

Changing the Game 2023 Johnson Fellows

BY MARY KATE HARRISON ★ B.A.’15, M.A.’17

Gerald Alley B.S.B.A.’73 and Troy Alley Jr. B.S.E.E.’69 are game changers. The brothers and Pine Bluff natives were selected as joint recipients of the 2023 Arkansas Alumni Association’s Johnson Fellowship for their outstanding accomplishments and innovations in the real estate and construction fields.

The association’s Johnson Fellows program is named for former National Board of Directors President Dr. Jeff Johnson ✪+ B.A.’70 and his wife, Marcia. The Johnsons endowed the program in 2009 with the specific purpose of bringing esteemed alumni back to the University of Arkansas campus to engage and inspire students.

Together, Gerald and Troy founded Con-Real LP in 1979, a first-of-its-kind company that combined Gerald’s experience in the construction realm with Troy’s knowledge of the real estate world, program management

and innovative technology. Though the company wasn’t an immediate home run, the Alley brothers knew that Con-Real had the potential to change the landscape of the construction and real estate domain for years to come. So, they kept swinging. Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, they are now the number one African American-owned and operated construction and real estate organization of its kind in the southern United States.

Troy, named after his father Troy Alley Sr., was encouraged to attend the U of A by his mother, who recommended he study engineering. After graduation, Troy developed an interest in sales and real estate and decided to attend a graduate program in real estate and finance at Southern Methodist University. He then completed advanced studies in real estate development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Troy serves as

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the executive vice president and COO of Con-Real. Gerald, the youngest of the Alley family’s five children, followed his brother to the U of A, where he enrolled at age 16. Growing up working at his father’s ESSO service station in Pine Bluff, Gerald was interested in entrepreneurship and pursued a major in finance. After completing his undergraduate degree, Gerald was accepted and awarded a scholarship to the M.B.A. program at Southern Methodist University. He serves as the president and chief executive officer of Con-Real. While on campus for their official Johnson Fellow visit in April, the Alley brothers visited with students in the Sam M. Walton College of Business to talk about entrepreneurship and the risks and rewards of starting your own company. They also met with students from the College of Engineering, where they emphasized the importance of communicating ideas and rolling with the punches instead of throwing in the towel when things don’t work out.

As part of their campus visit, the brothers participated in the Johnson Fellow lecture at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House. The lecture format was a Q&A session moderated by Dallis Bryant, a sophomore and recipient of the Alley Scholar Award, a scholarship started by Gerald and Troy for students at the U of A and other schools across the country. Throughout the evening, they shared how their time in Fayetteville helped propel and prepare them for the successful careers they have today.

During their lecture Q&A, the brothers were asked how they wanted to be remembered. Without hesitation, Gerald answered “game changers” — a title they’ve deservedly earned. The Alleys continue to seek out ways to incorporate new ideas, new technology and new voices into their work with Con-Real and beyond. They hope to inspire the next generations of Arkansas alumni to swing for the fences, even if that means changing the game themselves.

1. Troy and Gerald pose with their Johnson Fellow medallions. 2. Gerald visits his name on Senior Walk. 3. Troy points to his name on Senior Walk. 4. The week featured small group luncheons with students. 5. Behind the scenes of the Alley brother’s appearance on UATV. 6. The Alley brothers presenting in classrooms. 7. Johnson Fellow Lecture on April 5. 8. Dallis Bryant (right) facilitates the Q&A session. 9. Brandy Cox Jackson ✪ M.A.’07, Troy Alley, Jeff Johnson, Marcia Johnson, Mary Kate Harrison and Gerald Alley. Photos 4, 5, 7 & 8 by Mary Kate; photos 1,2, 3, 6, & 9 by Whit Pruett.

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Kurt Wilkin ✪ B.S.B.A.’92 Life Member Spotlight

BY SAM GIUDICE ★ B.A.’23

Kurt Wilkin lived in Arkansas when he was a young kid; however, he mostly grew up in south Louisiana. His grandfather had played football and baseball for the Razorbacks in the 1920s. A lifelong Razorback fan, Wilkin did not feel like he wanted to attend any other college, which was a little outside of the norm coming from south Louisiana. Wilkin’s father was an accountant, and Wilkin said he decided to pursue an accounting degree as it felt like the most useful business degree he could get. Looking back, Wilkin said, he may have gone a different route because he was “not being a very good accountant,” but the accounting major gave him a solid business background for his career.

When recalling some of his fondest memories from campus life, Wilkin remembers the community most of all. The Chi Omega Greek Theatre, football and basketball games, and the special vibrancy of the crowd are memories that bring back the feeling of home he felt while on the U of A campus. He reminisced about the special dynamic with professor Jim Modisette, one of his mentors, whose strong personality brings back fond memories. As a member of the Kappa Alpha Order, Wilkin was one of the fraternity members who helped entering students through the recruitment process.

During this time, he got to know and was influenced by Deb Euculano ✪, who oversaw Greek Affairs. Another influence was David O’Dell, whose advice and guidance helped Wilkin successfully publish the Greek Directory when he was a student.

As a life member, Wilkin is focused on giving back to the U of A because he will “always be a Razorback.” Wilkin wanted to stay close to the U of A community throughout the rest of his life. He takes pride in being an alumnus and being a Razorback. Wilkin encourages current students and young graduates to continue to leverage their connections within the U of A and maintain good relationships with those they meet. He also encourages them not to be just a “taker” but also to be a “giver and support others,” helping them in their journey.

Today, Wilkin feels that one of his best accomplishments, aside from his three beautiful children, is “representing the university and being successful out there.” Wilkin wants people to know that you get a great education and foundation as a student at the U of A.

Kurt Wilkin is the co-founder & visionary of HireBetter and a successful entrepreneur.

Kurt Wilkin, CEO of HireBetter

Photo submitted

THANK YOU New Life Members ✪

10633 Janet D. Korbe ’85

10634 Steve Korbe

10635 Kerri Evans ’96

10636 Rob Evans

10637 McCrary Lowe ’94

10638 Shannon D. Lowe ’94

10639 Bernitha F. Anderson ’02, ’07, ’08

10640 Patrick W. Segraves ’75

10641 Denise Segraves

10642 DykeMorrisArboneaux ’84

10643 William Reid Baker ’17

10644 Brittany Baker

10645 Meredith Lilly ’00

10646 Scot Lilly

10647 Dr. Christina L. Miller Breckenridge ’14

10648 Matt G. Breckenridge ’06

10649 Guy Matthews Gatlin ’87

10650 Rebecca J. Gatlin

10651 Karen L. Elrod ’98, ’00

10652 Shea Elrod

10653 Kameryn Lane Carper ’21

10654 Dr. Jeffrey Simpson ’92

10655 Randall D. Carter ’82

10656 Andrea Carter

10657 Stacie Walters Fujii ’98, ’02

10658 Hannah B. Moix ’20

10659 Tom J. Lovell Jr.

Lights, Camera, Action! Alumna Featured in Popular HGTV Show

BY MARY KATE HARRISON ★ B.A.’15, M.A.’17

Emma Lambeth B.I.D.’16 knew that her degree from the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design had prepared her for her career in interior design; however, she didn’t know that it would lead her to an appearance on a hit television show.

Since 2019 Bentonville natives Dave and Jenny Marrs have been revamping, restoring and renovating historic homes and buildings in the Northwest Arkansas area on their HGTV show, Fixer to Fabulous. On March 21, the show concluded its fourth season with an episode focused on rehabilitating a historic bank building in Centerton and turning it into a retail store. Lambeth is featured in the episode as the expert the Marrses call upon to help revitalize the mercantile into a new staple for the community.

The Marrses had seen the elaborate tile work that Lambeth and the team at Hartley Commercial had just completed at Bentonville Taco & Tamale and asked her to help them bring their concept to life.

“Dave and Jenny had a fantastic vision for how to transform the existing building, and it was really fun to play a part in helping them achieve that vision,” Lambeth said.

A Missouri native who now calls Bentonville home, Lambeth is proud to have been part of a project that allowed viewers to see what a unique and beautiful place Northwest Arkansas is. The best part, she said, was watching the episode with her Hartley Commercial team and her 6-year-old daughter, a little designer in the making. “Seeing her excited reaction to watching mom on TV was definitely the highlight.”

As for current and future students looking to pursue careers in interior design, she recommends putting in the time and work to develop your craft and be confident in your abilities. She credits her professors and staff at the U of A for exposing students to a wide range of ideas and opportunities that challenge how they think about design.

“There are so many options in this career field,” Lambeth said. “I’d encourage students to explore it all and find what they’re passionate about.”

Above clockwise, Lambeth in the Marrs Mercantile bathroom, in the old bank vault; Tile work in the mercantile bathroom; Lambeth was a twirler with the Razorback Marching Band.

Hog Wild Tailgates

Stop by the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House and enjoy Hog Wild Tailgates for Fayetteville home games.

Tailgates begin two hours before kickoff and conclude 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Confirm game times at arkansasrazorbacks.com.

•Big Screens to watch games

•Razorback Marching Band

Catered meals:

Game day catered meals* are reserved with your pre-registration. A limited number of walk-ups are available for each game.

•U of A Spirit Squads

•Special guests during the season

Preregister**

Members and guests: $30 each

Non-Members and guests:$35 each Ages 12 and under: ........... $20 each

September 9

Kent State

September 16

BYU | Member Appreciation

October 21

Mississippi State | Homecoming

November 11

Auburn

November 18

Florida International

November 25

Missouri | Senior Day

Walk-Up

Members: $35 each

Non-Members: ................... $40 each Ages 12 and under: ........... $20 each

*Catered meal ticket includes: 1 “Hog Pen” meal, water, lemonade, tea, and 3 “snout” tickets for ice cream, wine, beer or bottled sodas for adults. Guests 12 and under will receive 2 “snout” tickets and meal ticket..

** Preregistration closes the Wednesday before each home game.

Alumni House VIP Parking

Available for 2023, reserved Alumni House VIP Parking just steps away from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

• Easy access in and out

• $2000 for the entire 2022 football season

• Life members receive a 25% discount.

• Limited space available so please reserve now.

To inquire about Alumni House VIP Season Parking and additional tailgate rentals around the Alumni House, contact Hal Prescott at (479) 575-2644.

www.arkansasalumni.org/hogwildtailgates 1-888-ARK-ALUM or 479-575-2801

Reconnect and Return 2023 School

of Law Reunion Weekend

BY CATHERINE BALTZ ✪+ B.S.’92, M.ED.’07

On Friday, April 14, and Saturday, April 15, the University of Arkansas School of Law, in conjunction with the Law Alumni Society, hosted Alumni Reunion Weekend. Law alumni and members of the law school community were encouraged to reconnect and return to campus.

The weekend began with the panel discussion “Anticipating the Future of Admissions” presented by the School of Law Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and sponsored by Eldridge Brooks Partners. Panelists Rodney Slater ★ J.D.’80, UALR professor Robert Steinbuch, Bethany Li and Mithun Mansinghani discussed the potential outcomes and how institutional leaders respond to oral arguments in the Supreme Court cases Student for Fair Admissions Inc. (SFFA) vs. Harvard College and SFFA vs. University of North Carolina. Wendy Stouffer ★ B.A.’94, J.D.’98, associate vice provost for enrollment services and assistant dean of admissions and financial aid, moderated the discussion.

The Black Law Alumni Reception followed the conclusion of the event. Reunion participants enjoyed student-led tours of the school facilities. Friday evening, alumni of all years gathered for Reunion Bash at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House, and graduates of class years ending in 3’s and 8’s marked the anniversary of their graduation.

The Golden Graduate Celebration was held at the alumni house on Saturday. The luncheon event celebrated the School of Law class of 1973 on their golden reunion.

The reunion weekend concluded with the Law Alumni Society Awards Dinner recognizing the 2023 Law Alumni Society Award Recipients.

Rodney Slater ★ J.D.’80 and Christy Jones ✪ J.D.’77 Commitment to Justice Award

Dequeshia Prude-Wheeler J.D.’17 Commitment to Justice Early Career Award

Col. M. Melissa Lee ✪ J.D.’99 Veterans Award

Hope Goins J.D.’06 Public Service Award

The Honorable Christy Comstock B.S.B.A.’89, J.D.’92 Gayle Pettus Pontz Award

Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates and Woodyard PLLC Career Champion Award (Large Firm)

Odom Law Firm

Career Champion Award (Small Firm)

Thank you to the Reunion Weekend sponsors, the Arkansas Alumni Association, Eldridge Brooks Partners, Experience Fayetteville and the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers.

Black Law Alumni Reception

Back Row L-R, Gabrielle Lewis (2L), Akayla Lyons (3L), Dean Cynthia Nance ✪, Madison Riggins (2L), Alexis O’Neal (1L), Michael Hammonds (1L), Chris Cooper J.D.’16, Wendell Griffen B.A.’73, J.D.’79, Jacob McElroy J.D.’17, Dequeshia

Prude-Wheeler J.D.’17

Front Row L-R, Marquela McClellan (3L), Shayla Dawson (3L), Christopher Barnes (2L), Andrea Harvey J.D.’07, Ariel Flood J.D.’14, Marion Humphrey J.D.’21, Makyla Jackson (2L), Whitney Sober (2L), Asia Meador J.D.’08, Greneda Johnson J.D.’07, TyCameron Mack (2L), Rodney Slater

J.D.’80

Members of the Women’s Law Student Association

Top Row L-R, Shayla Dawson (3L), Erin Wadley (2L), Madison Riggins (2L);

Middle Row L-R, Lindsay Mast (1L), Lexi Robertson (2L), Kathryn Guhman (2L);

Bottom Row L -R, Sydney Weiskopf (3L), Caitlin Robb (2L), Gayle Pettus Pontz Award recipient Christy Comstock, Dean Cynthia Nance.

Golden Graduates Class of 1973

Top Row L-R, Ralph Blagg J.D.’73, David Stubbs B.S.B.A.’70, J.D.’73, Dean Cynthia Nance ✪, Jim Spears ★ J.D.’73;

Bottom Row L-R, David Saxon ✪ B.S.B.A.’69, J.D.’73, Ben Barry ✪ B.S.B.A.’69, J.D.’73, Jim Pitts J.D.’73, Rodney Wade

J.D.’73

2023 School of Law Awardees

Top row L-R, Matt Lindsay B.A.’00, J.D.’03, Partner – Odom Law Firm; Rodney Slater; Christy Jones; Jeff Thomas ✪ B.A.’85, J.D.’87; managing partner – Mitchell, Williams, Selig Gates and Woodyard, PLLC;

Bottom Row L-R, Alan Lane M.B.A.’95, J.D.’03, partner – Odom Law Firm; Christy Comstock; Dequeshia PrudeWheeler; Hope Goins, Melissa Lee.

Thank You Members

The Arkansas Alumni Association hosted a member appreciation event on March 4. Members and guests stopped by the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House before the Razorbacks played the Kentucky Wildcats at Bud Walton Arena. Attendees received custom cookies from Doss Haus Cookie Co., alumni swag and free parking for the basketball game. We are grateful to our members and enjoy any opportunity to thank them face-to-face.

We can’t do what we do without you!

Gameday in Nashville

The Nashville Alumni Chapter brought together Hog fans from Tennessee and beyond to cheer on men’s basketball against the Commodores on Jan. 14. Fans gathered for a pregame celebration and then attended the game together at Vanderbilt.

Running of the Hogs

The sixth annual Running of the Hogs race was hosted by University Recreation and the Arkansas Alumni Association in March. The in-person race was run on March 11 while virtual participants also joined through March 19. Among the runners were Don Walker ✪+ B.S.A.’74, president of the association’s National Board of Directors, and his daughter, Jessica Nohl ✪ B.A.’22, who won her running division.

Sooie Bingo

On March 14, the Arkansas Alumni Association hosted graduating alumni scholars and their guests for a SOOIE Bingo at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House.

Bingo was led by Northwest Arkansas Alumni Chapter President Donald "DK" Keels Jr. ★ B.S.B.A.’04 and his family.

Photos submitted

Photos submitted

Chapter Watch Parties

1. The Austin Alumni Chapter hosted watch parties for alumni and friends during March Madness.

2. The St. Louis Alumni Chapter cheering on the Hogs during the Sweet Sixteen!

3. The New York City Alumni Chapter hosted various watch parties throughout the spring. Thanks for calling the Hogs all the way from NYC!

Photos submitted

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ORAL HISTORY PROJECT

SINCE 1871, the University of Arkansas has been launching successful and creative thinkers and doers into the world!

You are one of those people, and your story is valuable. What brought you to the U of A? Who were your friends, and what was student life like when you were on The Hill? What made you persevere to the end? What are you up to today?

We are hoping to record the stories of as many Razorbacks as possible in their own words and their own voices. We know you’ll provide illuminating, fun and important context to create one collective story for our entire community. This will be the history of University of Arkansas alumni, told by you. Stories shared will be held in an archive by the association, and many may be made available to you for your shelves and coffee tables to share with family and friends.

How do we do it?

A team dedicated to Arkansas alumni is ready to answer your call, ask you a few questions and record your story. In a few weeks, you will begin receiving postcards in your mailbox that look similar to the one you see here. This mailer will include all of the instructions you will need to contact our partners at PCI and share your unique piece of University of Arkansas history.

Every Razorback has a story, and we’d really like to hear yours.

Yesteryear

Yesteryear

Lisa Sparks garnered All America honors in 1983 competing for the Razorback women’s track and field team in the indoor and outdoor NCAA National Championships. She ran the 440-yard dash and on the 4x440-yard relay team, among other races.

1983 Razorback

1873

• Construction of the main building at the Arkansas Industrial University begins. Today it’s known as Old Main.

1883

• The first science hall is built southeast of Old Main. It was two stories and housed chemistry and physics classrooms and laboratories.

1893

• Students publish the first student publication, University Magazine, with Julia Vaulx B.A.1892 as editor. It is soon after renamed The Ozark.

1913

• Peabody Hall, the first building funded through a private gift, is built for the College of Education

1923

• Doy “Hank” Hancock of the Choctaw Nation becomes the Native American editor of the Razorback yearbook. He was also a cartoonist and drew the first “running Razorback.”

1933

• As a result of the approval of the U of A by the Association of American Universities, students of the university become eligible for transfer to any other institution in the U.S. or Europe and have their work fully accredited with full standing.

1943

• New war-time curricula meet demands of labor shortages and wartime jobs by offering new courses of study to university women.

1953

• The university purchases a residence just north of campus as housing for Black female students, among the early efforts to segregate housing at the university. As temporary housing for men was phased out, Black

male students were given no options for on-campus housing. It would take a lawsuit in 1964 to allow Black students to live in dormitories.

1963

• Futrall Hall, originally a women’s dormitory, was dedicated to Annie D. Futrall, the wife of John C. Futrall, president of the U of A for 25 years.

1973

• A federal lawsuit results in a court order, carried out by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, for universities in 17 Southern and border states, including Arkansas, to set out plans to desegregate higher education. At the time, there are 169 African American faculty members across Arkansas, but 80 percent of them are assigned to UAPB. Of the African American college students in Arkansas, half of them are attending UAPB

1983

• The university’s first chancellor, B.A. Nugent, resigns less than two years into his tenure.

1993

• The Campus Activities Center announces discontinuation of the Miss U of A pageant because staff members express their concern that the pageant’s restrictions may be discriminatory.

2003

• Ashok Saxena becomes the eighth dean of the College of Engineering and first dean at the university of Asian heritage. He is also the first U of A faculty member to hold an endowed chair funded by the $300 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.

• The fall enrollment of students sets a new record at 16,449. The fall numbers

for 2022 were nearly 31,000.

2013

• The National Pan-Hellenic Council is named the Outstanding Collegiate Council for the year during the NPHC National Convention in Houston.

• Acclaimed writer Joyce Carol Oates, author of

more than 50 novels as well as dozens of short story collections, books for children and young adults, essays and poetry collections, reads from her work at the Fayetteville Town Center as part of the Creative Writing and Translation Program’s Distinguished Readers Series.

The well-known novelist Eudora Welty talks with a student prior to speaking at Waterman Hall on the U of A campus in spring 1963, giving the university’s Distinguished Lecture, titled “Words Into Fiction.”

1963 Razorback

Let us know about your milestones and anything else you would like to share with your classmates — births, marriages, new jobs, retirements, moves and more. Please include your degree, class year, and when applicable, your maiden name. To provide the most thorough coverage of alumni news, we publish notes about members and non-members of the

Class Notes

1960s

John A. White Jr. ✪+ BSIE’62 of Hilton Head, South Carolina, is the recipient of the Joint Publishers Book of the Year Award from the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) for his new book, Why It Matters: Reflections on Practical Leadership, from Greenleaf Book Group Press.

From Senior Walk

Arkansas Alumni Association and will indicate membership status for reference. You may send us news or simply update your information. Since the next issues of Arkansas are already in production, it may be a few issues before your item appears. Submit your news online at www. arkansasalumni.org/classnotes; by mail: From Senior Walk, Arkansas Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1070,

Stephen M. Rousseau ✪ BARCH’67 of Little Rock is the author of a new book titled “Rousseau’s Confessions: The Architect’s Journey.”

1980s

Bert Greenwalt

★ MS’80 of Jonesboro was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture

Fayetteville AR 72702; or by email: records@arkansasalumni.org. These symbols indicate Alumni Association membership:

Student Member

Member

+ Member, A+

Life Member

+ Life Member, A+

Hall of Fame. He is currently a professor of agricultural economics at Arkansas State University and farms with his family near Hazen.

Scott A. Morse BSBA’81 of Dallas, Texas, is president of the SIOR DFW North Texas Chapter Society of Industrial and Office Realtors for 2022-23. Morse previously served as SIOR program chair (two years) and historian (one year). He has been an active member since 2014.

1990s

Kristin Pawlik

Holmes ✪ BA’96 JD’99 of Fayetteville is the Arkansas Bar Association’s president-elect designee. Pawlik is a partner at Miller, Butler, Schneider, Pawlik & Rozzell PLLC in Northwest Arkansas. She assumed the office of president-elect

Photo by Chieko Hara

at the June 2023 Annual Meeting.

2000s

Lia Margarita Uribe MM’02 of Fayetteville is the chair of the Department of Music in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Uribe has worked at the U of A since 2013 and is the second woman and first person of Latin heritage to chair the department.

Jeremy M. Battjes ✪ MED’05 EDD’16 of Fayetteville is the vice chancellor for student affairs. Battjes joined the university in 2003 as a graduate assistant in the College of Education and Health Professions. He has been a facility coordinator, senior associate director and executive director for University Recreation, as well as other senior leadership positions since that time.

Laura Katherine Schembri BSBA’05 of Manhasset, New York, is a director with Alvares & Marshal’s restructuring practice.

Stephen Matthew Angelette BA’06 of Dallas, Texas, is the chairelect of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce. Angelette will chair the nonprofit in 2024, and he

also serves NDCC as board chair for its Health Care Committee.

Clark Anthony Donat BA’07 JD’10 of Dallas, Texas, is a partner at Reed Smith LLP in the firm’s Dallas office. He was previously counsel. Donat is a litigator in the Global Commercial Disputes Group. He is an experienced first chair litigator in all aspects of the dispute process, including successfully handling state and federal appeals.

2010s

Shane R. Wells BSME’10 of Phoenix, Arizona, is the regional engineering director for HP Engineering’s new Phoenix office. Wells will be responsible for leading their growing Phoenix team, developing client relationships and overall project success in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Jody W. Bland BSIB’11 of Alma is a partner at BVA Group, a law firm focused on litigation, valuation and financial advisory. Bland, an economist with research and professional experience focuses on securities analysis, financial markets and institutions, and antitrust economics, has worked to grow and diversify the firm’s economic practice.

Alex Nunn BSBA’13 and Megan Nunn BSBA’13 of Fayetteville announce the birth of Jude Alexander Nunn on March 16.

Eunice M. Alberson

✪ BSE’14 MED’18 is associate vice president for Human Resources at Florida Polytechnic University. Alberson previously served more than 12 years on staff at the U of A, most recently as director of human resource partners, diversity and inclusion coordinator.

Samuel Morris Ownbey BA’18 MA’20 of Gentry is the manager of compliance and market research for the Office of Recruitment and Student Outreach within the U of A Global Campus.

2020s

Kara Koenig

★ BID’20 of Fayetteville is a member of Zweig Group’s ElevateHER 2023 cohort. Koenig is an interior architect and designer at Hoefer Welker. Each year, a cohort of up to 40 AEC professionals from all over the country, and across the org chart, joins forces to develop and disseminate actionable plans that aim to solve the recruitment and retention crisis in the industry via the lenses of diversity, equity and inclusion. The results are made available to the entire AEC community and are ready for turn-key implementation.

Member FDIC

Photo by Cavalier Photography

Jissel Esparza Saucedo ✪ BSBA’21 of Jonesboro is the new editor-inchief of the Arkansas Law Review for the 2023-24 academic year. She is the first person of color in the history of the publication to serve in this position. Esparza has also been named the inaugural Mitchell Williams

Legal Diversity Fellow. She was selected in recognition of her service, significant leadership potential and her consistent work to create an equitable playing field for minorities.

Aidan Link BA’21 of Kansas City, Missouri, is a member of the 2022 Cohort of Teaching Fellows awarded by the Knowles Teacher Initiative. The Knowles Teacher Initiative supports a national network

of mathematics and science teachers who are collaborative, innovative leaders improving education for all students in the United States.

In Memoriam

1940s

Patricia L. Canada FS’47 ✪ of Hot Springs on Jan. 23.

Elizabeth Ann Phillips ✪ BA’48 of Hamden, Connecticut, on Jan. 27.

William ‘Bill’ Underwood ✪+ B.S.B.A.’61

Sept. 22, 1932 – April 2, 2023

Bill Underwood was born in Mountain View, Oklahoma, to Mildred and Robert G. Underwood. He died on April 2, after a brief battle with cancer.

Underwood earned a degree in horology — the study of timepieces — from Southwestern State College, then served in the U.S. Navy from 19521956. After the Navy, Underwood moved to Fayetteville to attend the University of Arkansas on the G.I. Bill. In Fayetteville, he met the love of his life, LeAnn Ritter Underwood ✪+ B.A.’58, whom he married in 1958. Underwood was the founder and chair of Underwoods Fine Jewelers. He purchased the John Roberts College Jewelers location, where he worked while pursuing his bachelor's degree at the U of A. He also became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. In 1959, Underwoods Fine Jewelers was admitted to the American Gem Society. In I961, Underwood became a certified gemologist, and his business was granted the status of Accredited Gem Lab, the first in the state of Arkansas. Underwood became known for his grading and design abilities. In 1983, Underwood became one of the first 29 jewelers in America to earn certified gemologist appraiser, the industry’s most advanced title. Underwood

John H. Shields ★ BA’49 of Little Rock on Jan. 4.

1950s

Lloyd Crow Howard BSA’50 of Cave Springs on March 21.

James H. London BSCHE’50 of Oklahoma City, on March 28.

Ben M. Queen ✪ BS’50 of Morrilton on Dec. 30, 2022.

had an international reputation for excellence in gemology and jewelry design. He held many leadership positions and received multiple professional awards, including the Robert M. Shipley Award.

Underwood exhibited commitment and love for the U of A and the city of Fayetteville. He was a member of the Towers of Old Main and the Chancellor’s Society. Underwood, along with LeAnn, supported scholarships and capital projects across campus. Three spaces on campus bear plaques with their name, rooms 311-314 in Old Main, the Bill and LeAnn Underwood Family Honors Lab in the Business Administration Building and the Underwood Library in the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House. Underwood served on numerous organizations in the Fayetteville community, including the Fayetteville Civil Service Commission, the Dickson Street Improvement District and the Rotary Club. He served as a director of First Variable Life Insurance and First National Bank.

Underwood was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Sam M. Walton College of Business in 2004. The Arkansas Alumni Association awarded him the Citation of Distinguished Alumnus in 2019.

“The U of A is an elite school, with highly qualified, credentialed and dedicated faculty to give you a great education, and who are personally dedicated to your success,” said Underwood.

He is survived by his wife, LeAnn; daughter Michelle Gass; son Craig Underwood; daughter Vicki Nelson ✪ B.S.B.A.’91; eight grandchildren, including Alex Gass ★ B.S.B.A.’10; and five great-grandchildren.

Photo by Whit Pruitt

The Honorable Robert H. Dudley ✪ J.D.’58

Nov. 18, 1933 – April 1, 2023

Robert H. Dudley, 89, of Little Rock, died on April 1, 2023. Dudley was born in 1933 to a law-practicing father, Denver L. Dudley, and a special education teacher and school administrator mother, Helen Pasley Dudley. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 1958 with a Juris Doctor, he joined a private practice in Pocahontas, which became Bledsoe and Dudley. He later served as a deputy prosecuting attorney and was then elected prosecuting attorney for three terms. Dudley was elected circuit judge (Chancery)

and served in that capacity for 10 years. He tried several high-profile cases while on the circuit bench. He was elected to the Supreme Court of Arkansas, where he served for 16 years.

Dudley formerly served on the Arkansas Alumni Association National Board of Directors. In 2009, Debbie Dudley Branson J.D.’80 established the Judge Robert H. Dudley Endowed Scholarship at the U of A School of Law in honor of her father.

Dudley and his first wife, Sally Wentzell Dudley, had four children together. He later married Mary Lynn Anthony. After his retirement, he and Mary Lynn gardened, played golf and traveled extensively. She passed away after 17 years of a wonderful marriage. Dudley is survived by his four children, Debbie Dudley Branson, Kathy Dudley Helms ✪ B.A.’79, Cindy Dudley Longshore and Bob Dudley Jr. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren –known to them as “Pop.”

June Carolynn Cross Nichol BA’51 MA’53 EDS’79 EDD’80 of Pine Bluff on Dec. 10, 2022.

Paul Cross ✪ BSBA’52 of Little Rock on Jan. 14.

Harry Gerald Haile BA’52 MA’54 of ChampaignUrbana, Illinois, on Dec. 19, 2022.

Jo Bennett BA’53 of Springdale on Jan. 18.

Nancy Williams Froman BSHE’53 of Rogers on Feb. 4.

Lyda Campbell ✪ BA’55 MSW’80 of Little Rock on Feb. 4.

Baker Fullerton BSBA’55 of Warren on Jan. 28.

Earl Gene Goatcher BSBA’55 of Little Rock on Feb. 7.

Gerald Goss BSBA’55 of Boerne, Texas, on Nov. 23, 2017.

Henry Dewell Moore BSE’56 of Little Rock on Jan. 29.

Thad Troy Whiteaker BSE’56 MED’66 of Holton, Kansas, on Dec. 20, 2022.

Wayne Buckley ★ BA’58 of Little Rock on Jan. 1.

Bill L. Lytle ★ BSBA’58 of Huntsville, Alabama, on Feb. 21.

Marion Benton Lytle ★ BSBA’58 of Huntsville, Alabama, on Jan. 24.

Cliff Eugene McCloy Jr. JD’58 of Conway on Dec. 23, 2022.

Robert R. Robinson BSBA’58 of Springdale on Dec. 21, 2022.

David W. Doss Sr. BSBA’59 of Fayetteville on Dec. 22, 2022.

Wayne Robbins BSEE’59 of Saint Charles, Missouri, on Dec. 3, 2021.

1960s

Robert F. Middleton JD’60 of Dallas, Texas, on Feb. 21.

Gar K. Puryear BSBA’60 of Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Dec. 26, 2022.

Jim L. Reed BSIE’60 of Tyler, Texas, on February 7.

Chuck E. Yates BSCE’60 of Volente, Texas, on Dec. 19, 2022.

Donald L. Zimmerman BSEE’60 of Berryville, Virginia, on Jan. 21.

Peggy Peterson BA’61 MA’70 EDD’82 of Perryville on Dec. 22, 2022.

Jean Lattimore BSE’62 of Dallas, Texas, on Dec. 25, 2022.

Charles A. Ledbetter BS’63 MD’67 of Harrison on Dec. 21, 2022.

Robert P. Giles ★ BSBA’65 of Hot Springs on Dec. 22, 2022.

Daniel B. Gladden BSA’65 MS’66 of Little Rock on Feb. 4.

C. Ann Arkins BSE’66 of Bentonville on Jan. 25.

Fredric Clark ✪ BSEE’67 of Fayetteville, Tennessee, on March 8.

Sondra Sue Stosberg BA’67 of Fort Smith on Jan. 17.

Cheryl Rusher Stotts BSN’67 of Sherwood on Jan. 23.

Steve P. Storey ★ BSIM’68 of Hot Springs on Jan. 17.

Everette H. Barman MS’69 of Milledgeville, Georgia, on Jan. 26.

Les Carnine ✪ EDD’69 of Edmond, Oklahoma, on Dec. 19, 2022.

Charlene Daugherty BSE’69 MED’86 of Fayetteville on Feb. 4.

Bobby L. Lovett MA’69 PHD’78 of Whites Creek, Tennessee, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Linda M. Stafstrom BA’69 MA’71 of Fayetteville on Dec. 8, 2022.

Suzanne Lloyd Stephens ★ FS’69 of Fort Smith on Dec. 12, 2022.

1970s

David Lynn Carroum BA’70 of Little Rock on Jan. 26.

Worth L. Matteson III BSA’71 of De Kalb, Texas, on Dec. 16, 2022.

Freddie Witherspoon BA’71 of Little Rock on Jan. 7.

Patricia Gideon BA’72 of Prairie Grove on Dec. 26, 2022.

Griffin J. Stockley Jr. JD’72 of Chantilly, Virginia, on Jan. 4.

William R. Wynn MED’72 of Star City on Jan. 6.

Barry D. Barber ✪ BA’73 JD’76 of Prescott on Jan. 15.

William Bransford III FS’73 of Little Rock on Dec. 13, 2022.

Mary Area ✪ FS’74 of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Jan. 18.

Robert Randolph Lusk BSE’74 MED’78 of Sherwood on Dec. 14, 2022.

Bobbie J. Wasson ✪ BSE’74 MED’76 of Fayetteville on Dec. 19, 2022.

Donald D. Bratcher ✪ BSBA’75 of Little Rock on Feb. 6.

Gene A. Hobbs MED’75 of Holly Grove on Jan. 6.

Griffin J. Stockley Jr. J.D.’72

Oct. 9, 1944 – Jan. 4, 2023

Griffin Jasper Stockley, 78, of Chantilly, Virginia, died on Jan. 4, 2023. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in Marianna, Arkansas, Stockley earned his bachelor’s degree in international relations from Southwestern at Memphis, now Rhodes College, and joined the Peace Corps in 1965. He was drafted in 1967 during the Vietnam War and served for two years, then decided to pursue his law degree. Stockley graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1972 with a Juris Doctor. He spent the next three decades at the Center for Arkansas Legal Services in Little Rock. He also worked for the Disability Rights Center and was the first staff attorney for the Arkansas branch of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Stockley was most recognized as the author of several books. Beginning in the 1990s, he published five legal mystery novels known as the “Gideon Page” series, for which he received a Porter Prize. He later wrote several

Lawrence C. Honeycutt III BA’75 JD’78 of Hot Springs on Jan. 27.

Billy Ray Ivy BSA’75 of Oklahoma City, on Jan. 5.

Larry T. Jones BA’75 MA’84 of Fort Smith on Feb. 2.

James P. Brillhart BA’76 of Columbia, Missouri, on Dec. 19, 2022.

H. A. Manning MS’76 of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on March 26.

Karen Chotkowski ★ BS’77 BSCE’85 of Fayetteville on Jan. 6.

James M. Simpson Jr. JD’77 of Little Rock on Jan. 19.

Marilyn D. Annen MED’78 of Rogers on Dec. 27, 2022.

Roy D. Norvell MED’78 of Rogers on Dec. 20, 2022.

David P. Olsen BSBA’78 of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on March 17, 2022.

1980s

Rick S. Hardwicke JD’80 of Bentonville on Jan. 24.

Victor Lamont Hill MA’80 of Little Rock on Jan. 1.

Bettye W. McIntosh MED’80 of Live Oak, Florida, on Sept. 12, 2022.

Marcia M. Brinton, Esquire JD’83 of Rogers on Dec. 24, 2022.

Geraldine R. Gallamore MA’83 of Fayetteville on Jan. 22.

historical nonfiction books that focused on Arkansas events, including Race Relations in the Natural State; Daisy Bates: Civil Rights Crusader from Arkansas, winner of the Ragsdale Award from the Arkansas Historical Association and the Arkansiana Award from the Arkansas Library Association; and Blood in Their Eyes: The Elaine Race Massacres of 1919, winner of the Booker Worthen Prize from the Central Arkansas Library System and recipient of a Certificate of Commendation from the American Association for State and Local History.

In February 2009, the U of A Libraries and the School of Law co-hosted a lecture by Stockley titled “Jim Crow in the Natural State: A Look at White Supremacy in Arkansas History” as part of the commemoration of Black History Month. Following the lecture, Stockley signed copies of his book, Ruled by Race: Black/White Relations in Arkansas from Slavery to the Present, published by the U of A Press. Stockley completed Ruled by Race while serving as a historian and curriculum specialist at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies in Little Rock.

Stockley’s legacy of keeping Arkansas history alive continues to spread amongst citizens today as his publications can be found in bookstores, airports and grocery stores around the country. Stockley is survived by his daughter, Erin Stockley.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette file photo

Calvin Davis B.A.’17

April 2, 1972 - May 1, 2023

Calvin Davis, an Arkansas alumnus, NCAA champion and Olympic bronze medalist, died May 1 at his home in Springdale. He was an assistant track and field coach at Springdale Har-Ber High School. He was 51.

“Calvin was amongst the very best we had at Arkansas,” Stanley Redwine told the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Redwine, now coach at the University of Kansas, recruited Davis to run for the U of A in the 1990s. “He was super competitive, super talented. But as competitive and as talented he was, he was a much better person. He loved his teammates.”

As a member of Razorback track and field national and

James Clark Underwood MBA’87 EDD’91 of Garfield on Jan. 4.

Mildred Marie Easterling Hill BSBA’88 of Fayetteville on Jan. 6.

1990s

Janemarie Elsie Kuykendall ★ BSBA’91 of Rogers on Nov. 20, 2022.

Tom Ewart BA’92 of North Little Rock on Jan. 7.

Winnie M. Wilson MED’92 of Humphrey on Feb. 2.

John Stephen Dawson MA’94 of Little Rock on Jan. 30.

Gregory Fike MED’94 EDD’02 of Rogers on Feb. 1.

Cinnamon Catlin Legutko MA’97 of Springfield, Illinois, on Jan. 29.

Harriet Elizabeth Wells FS’97 of West Fork on Dec. 31, 2022.

2000s

Brant Barnes BSBA’01 of Tontitown on Jan. 6.

April Stephens ★ BSHES’01 BSE’02 of Stuttgart on Dec. 18, 2022.

Richard G. Murphy BSBA’04 of Magnolia on Jan. 2.

Justin S. Harp BSBA’05 of Fayetteville on Jan. 12.

William Drew Parker BSA’05 of Fayetteville on Jan. 2.

Melanie Golleher BA’06 MED’08 of Rogers on Dec. 19, 2022.

Kendra Leigh Hawkins BSBA’08 of Springdale on Jan. 27.

conference championship teams coached by legendary John McDonnell, Davis was part of four SEC and four NCAA team titles in a two-year span, from 1993 to 1994. He ran the 400-meter dash, taking the national indoor title in 1993 and 1994 and the national outdoor title in 1994.

Davis was also part of another NCAA title as the second leg of a winning distance medley relay team that clocked 9:30.07, the fastest time in the world at that point. During his collegiate career, he picked up All America honors six times.

After college, Davis switched from the 400-meter dash to the 400-meter hurdles and he excelled in the event, producing a career best of 47.91 seconds and earning a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

An international gold medal for Davis came as a member of the United States 4 x 400m relay during the 1995 World Indoor Championships held in Barcelona, Spain. Davis (46.1) ran second leg as the USA clocked 3:07.37 for the victory. In the 400m final, Davis finished sixth.

Davis was born April 2, 1972, in Eutaw, Alabama.

2010s

Teka R. McGlothlin BA’10 MA’14 of Fayetteville on Feb. 7.

Joseph Anis Mehyou FS’13 of North Little Rock on Jan. 13.

Sarah Margaret Sanders BA’18 of Little Rock on Jan. 28.

Faculty

George A. Bradley ★ of Fayetteville on Jan. 28.

Friends

Jordan Copeland ✪ of Houston, Texas, on May 15, 2013.

Tom Graff ✪ of Memphis, Tennessee, on Dec. 14, 2022.

Don Peterson Jr. ★ of Fayetteville on Aug. 19, 2022.

Photo courtesy Razorback Athletics

Senior Walk

(Leading the SEC continued from page 27)

the prestigious National Science Foundation Career Award, two Al Sonntag Awards, the Edmond E. Bisson Award and the Walter D. Hodson Award from the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers, where she is also a fellow. She has been recognized by the Arkansas Alumni Association with the Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award for Research and by the Arkansas Research Alliance, which named her a fellow in 2015. She is also a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

In addition, Zou has led over $30 million in extramural research funding. Her research has been cited and published in more than 134 peer-reviewed publications, four book chapters, seven granted and four pending patents, and 36 best paper, poster or business competition awards.

The technology developed in Zou’s lab has led to the creation of two startup companies, which have received over $5 million in support from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. This technology

has made a significant impact on many industries and has been used in a wide range of applications including tribology, solar panels and LED lighting.

Zou received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from Northwestern Polytechnical University, China, and she received her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Prior to joining the U of A, she worked at the Shanghai Aircraft Research Institute and was a senior advisory development engineer and staff engineer at Seagate Technology, where she contributed to developing new technology involving the computer hard drive headdisk interface.

“We applaud Dr. Zou for receiving this great honor,” said Terry Martin ✪ B.S.E.E.’77, M.S.E.E.’83, Ph.D.’89, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Dr. Zou is a distinguished professor and well known for her research in nano-surface engineering. She has made tremendous contributions to the research activities of our university, as well as brought cutting-edge technology to the forefront of the engineering field.”

classes and what I should focus on and reach for in my life,” said Gopi Sirineni M.S.E.E.’96, who received his master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1996 and is now president and CEO of Axiado in San Jose, California. “The dream begins with finding the right teacher, but Dr. Brown gave me the greatest gift of all — believing in myself.”

Throughout his career, numerous companies approached Brown about leaving higher education to work in the private sector — opportunities that would’ve paid much more than his professor salary, and opportunities that he turned down every time.

“He never had any interest in leaving the Electrical Engineering Department at the U of A,” Margaret said. “He was only interested in trying to promote others.”

Retiring after the 2007-08 school year, Brown noticed a numbness in his arm in 2015 — a symptom leading to a diagnosis of metastasized cancer. In March 2017, after a year-and-a-half battle, he passed away.

Following his death, professors Naseem and Balda, along with several of Brown’s former students, established a fellowship in his memory to continue providing the

transformational opportunities for graduate engineering students that defined his tenure at the U of A.

“It’s appropriate that in his name something would be established that would facilitate graduate students pursuing their education,” Robert said. “And this fund continues what he took so much satisfaction doing — helping people reach their full potential through education.”

When Glezen found out a fellowship had been created in Brown’s memory, he didn’t hesitate to support it.

“By convincing me to pursue electrical engineering, Dr. Brown influenced the rest of my life,” he said. “I have worked as an electrical engineer ever since, with no regret. That’s worth supporting.”

The university seeks to raise $300,000 for the fellowship and has already raised more than $225,000 to date toward that goal. Those interested in giving to the William D. Brown Endowed Memorial Graduate Fellowship can contact Mathilda Hatfield ★, associate director of development in the Graduate School and International Education, at mh174@uark.edu or 479-575-3007.

(Commitment to Students continued from page 29)

OFFICERS

President Don Walker ✪+ ’74, Fayetteville, AR

Past President

Ron Rainey ✪ ’91, ’93, ’01, Little Rock, AR

Treasurer

Kristen Collier Wright ✪ ’98, ’01, Forrest City, AR

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Class of 2023

Tori Bogner ✪ ’13, ’16, Fayetteville, AR

Kathleen Gonzalez ’11, Rogers, AR

Cecilia Grossberger-Medina ★ ’08, Fayetteville, AR

Regina Hopper ✪ ’81, ’85, Alexandria, VA

Robert Koenig ✪ ’90, Leawood, KS

Wes Shirley ★ ’99, ’02, Fayetteville, AR

Cameron Sutherland ★+ ’11, ’14, Fayetteville, AR

Shambrekia Wise ★ ’08, Dallas, TX

Class of 2024

Amy May Hopper ✪ ’15, Belton, MO

Chris Johnson ✪ ’93, Little Rock, AR

Bobby Jones ✪+ ’84, Savannah, GA

Faheem Khan ✪ ’91, Lewisville, TX

Connie Lewis Lensing ✪ ’74, ’77, Memphis, TN

Nathan Looney ✪ ’09, Little Rock, AR

Courtney Norton ✪ ’07, Fayetteville, AR

Oliver Sims ✪ ’85, Carrollton, TX

Kristine Stover ✪+ ’81, Tulsa, OK

Cedric Williams ✪ ’93, Forrest City, AR

Class of 2025

Heba Abdelaal ✪ ’11, Ramstein, Germany

Steve Berner ✪+ ’69, Oklahoma City, OK

Judy Simmons Henry ✪ ’81, ’84, Little Rock, AR

Sarah K. Hudson ✪ ’07, ’10, Washington, DC

Lauren Love ★ ’19, Ann Arbor, MI

Daniel McFarland ★ ’15, Baltimore, Maryland

Bill Stovall ✪+ ’72, Charleston, SC

Richard Welcher ✪ ’99, ’04, Fayetteville, AR

Kristen Collier Wright ✪ ’98, ’01, Forrest City, AR

STAFF

Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni and Executive Director of the Arkansas Alumni Association

Brandy Cox Jackson ✪ MA’07

Director of Alumni Programs and Special Events

Deb Euculano ✪

Director of Finance

Hal Prescott ✪

Director of Strategic Alumni Services

Lisy McKinnon ✪ BA’97

Becky Afonso ★, Special Events Coordinator; Lisa Ault ✪ BSBA’94, Associate Director of Business Operations; Catherine Baltz ✪+ BS’92, MED’07, Associate Director of Collaborative Services; Tim Barker ★, Fiscal Support Analyst; Collin Brunner ★ BSHES’10, Assistant Director of Revenue Management; Beth Dedman ★ BA’20, Assistant Director of Member Services; Callie Free BSBA’19, M.Ed.’21, Assistant Director of Internal Relations; Mary Kate Harrison ★ BA’15, MA’17, Executive Assistant for Alumni Outreach and Development; Katie Leonard BSBA.’19, Alumni Scholarship Assistant; Shamima Majid, Fiscal Support Analyst; Elaine Olson ✪ Administrative SpecialistAlumni Programs and Special Events; Patti Sanders ✪+ BSA’08, Associate Director of Alumni Scholarships; Joni Thompson, Administrative Assistant, Emma Veidt ★ BSBA’19, Assistant Director of External Relations

(Academy of Arts & Sciences continued from page 26)

excellence, innovation and leadership and recognizing a broad array of stellar accomplishments. We hope every new member celebrates this achievement and joins our work advancing the common good.”

The nearly 270 members elected in 2023 are drawn from academia, the arts, industry, policy, research and science, and include more than 40 international honorary members from 23 countries.

productivity and leadership qualities. He is leading several research projects in my lab and has made significant contributions to developing novel two-phase cooling technologies for high-power-density electronics and promoting computer-aided manufacturing and project-based learning in engineering education.”

“The College of Engineering is extremely proud of all that Stephen has

accomplished and of the support he has received from the Mechanical Engineering Department and from his research mentor and others in the department and across the campus,” said Dean Kim Needy ★ of the College of Engineering. “We look forward to seeing where his academic and research journeys take him in the future. We know he is going to have an important impact in his field.”

science with a minor in sustainability in the Honors College and the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. They believe this combination provides not only academic resources, but also the opportunities to make the transformations they want to see around environmental change.

This year, Uribe serves on the national organizing team for This is Zero Hour and is in charge of the Southern region of the U.S., which includes four chapters in Arkansas: college chapters at the U of A and Hendrix College, and local chapters in Little Rock and Bentonville.

“I first got involved when I was 16,” Uribe said. “I saw an ad saying, ‘This is your hour,’ and I was just so hyped to see something like that.”

Uribe attended a climate justice summit after seeing that first ad and began learning more about the organization’s founder, Jamie Margolin, who is also Colombian-American.

“This was the first time I’d ever seen

someone my age who was passionate about a lot of things that I was passionate about,” Uribe said. “After the summit, I decided that Arkansas needed something just like that. We need to have those resources; we need to spread that education and awareness. So, that’s when I founded the chapter in 2019.”

Uribe says one of the organization’s most exciting projects is its new magazine, ROOTS, which uses art as a form of activism and gives people the opportunity to explore their passion further. The magazine will showcase collages created through the U of A’s Collage for the Climate program, which was named the 2023 Best Sustainable Program by the National Association for Campus Activities.

“For the first time ever in my life, I was able to be as open as I could be about all of my identities, and being able to do that on a large scale and in Arkansas was just amazing,” they say in the episode. “It’s just home. It’s amazing.”

(My Path to Senior Walk continued from page 32)

(Pierson Named Goldwater Scholar continued from page 30)

Summer on The Hill

Lighting Up the Skies on a Warm Evening

From the end of baseball season, when fireworks brighten the skies around BaumWalker Stadium at George Cole Field to the July Fourth festivities that explode across Fayetteville in mid-summer, the University of Arkansas campus is always a beehive of activity. An effort by the university to engage more students in summer courses has added to the campus liveliness, with an enrollment increase for courses jumping by double digits.

Photographer Whit Pruitt took this particular photo at dusk on an early June evening in 2022 when the annual Walmart Stockholders Meeting took place on campus and finished with a concert at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Photo by Whit Pruitt

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