Memorial Service on Friday for Wally Cordes

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A memorial for renowned teacher and University Professor emeritus Wally Cordes will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, in Old Main’s Giffels Auditorium on the University of Arkansas campus.

Cordes joined the chemistry department in 1959, where he specialized in crystallography and published more then 200 articles. During his tenure on campus he served as the department chair and the chair of the Faculty Senate. He was also a charter member and past president of the U of A Teaching Academy and co-founder and two-time co-director of the Teaching and Faculty Support Center. The center was renamed the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center in 2002 to honor his many contributions to the university and his commitment to teaching.

“Through his 40 plus years of service he developed a reputation as one of the most outstanding teachers ever that called the U of A his home,” wrote his colleague, and friend, chemistry professor Bill Durham.

Speakers at the service will include David Cordes, the oldest of Cordes' four children; University of Arkansas System President Don Bobbitt, who was also a colleague of Cordes' in the department of chemistry and biochemistry; and Ro DiBrezzo, vice chancellor for academic affairs and co-founder of the Teaching and Faculty Support Center with Cordes. Former chancellor Dan Ferritor will preside over the ceremony.

The service will be followed by a reception sponsored by the Teaching and Faculty Support Center, University of Arkansas Faculty Senate and J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. All members of the university and Northwest Arkansas community who wish  to honor Cordes and his memory are invited to attend.