frances harris-wadell Bronze Frances Harris-Waddell, a native of Brinkley, Arkansas, is a 1967 graduate of Marian Anderson High School. She obtained a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and government in 1970 from AM&N College. Frances earned two additional degrees in education from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and from the University of Southern Missouri in Joplin, Missouri. She obtained additional college hours in gerontology, public administration, psychology, vocational education, and counseling. Frances has maintained her certification throughout her career. She taught school at Girls Town and Dominican High School (currently Father Flanagan High School) in Omaha, Nebraska. Frances currently serves as a resource specialist for the Arkansas Department of Human Services/ Division of Children and Family Services. She has served as a reintegration worker for incarcerated youth at the Youth Services Center and city and county jails, and served as an advocate for youth in court, school, and the community. She has over 40 years of community service. Frances has served two terms on the UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Board of Directors, and she served as Pulaski County/ Little Rock Alumni Chapter committee chairperson for the 2011 and 2012 Tom Joyner School of the Month Initiative. Frances has served for several years as chairperson of the Pulaski County/Little Rock Chapter’s Annual Scholarship Banquet. She won 1st place in the 2011 “Beat the President” for 62
PRIDE Magazine • University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
the chapter’s local membership drive. She is a life member of the National Alumni Association. Each year, she assists with the Arkansas Classic and Homecoming Golf Tournament to secure donors and sponsors for the Alumni Scholarship Endowment Fund. She supports UAPB in every way possible and has played a major role in persuading others to participate as well as give in various initiatives throughout the University. She can usually be found soliciting support for the University. Frances is also the recipient of numerous awards: Center Stage Award from Centers for Youth and Families (the highest award an employee can receive); induction into the UAPB/AM&N Alumni Hall of Fame; Community Service Award from Boy Scouts of America; Community Service Award from the Royal Knight Society; several Community Service Awards from the local, state and National Black Social Workers Organization; and the National Historical Black College Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of exemplary service and support to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Frances is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and of the local, state and National Black Social Worker Associations. She is the mother of two sons, Ernest Edward Waddell, Jr., and Aaron Durand Waddell; and the grandmother of Darius Waddell.