Distinguished Industrial Engineering Alumnus Receives Award

Rick Green

Larry and Gwen Stephens

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Larry Stephens, Chairman of the Board of Mid-South Engineering in Hot Springs, has been awarded Engineer of the Year by the Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers. Stephens graduated from the University of Arkansas Industrial Engineering Department in 1958. He went on to earn his PE designation and has distinguished himself in his career.

Stephens and his wife, Gwen, have been friends to the Department of Industrial Engineering, the College of Engineering and the University of Arkansas for many years. He is a charter member and the first president of the Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineers. He and his wife have sponsored scholarships that the academy has been able to provide to students for many years. He has employed several industrial engineering graduates at Mid‐South Engineering, and some are also members of the academy.

Recently, it was revealed in an article on NWAonline that the Stephens' hold the title of "longest consecutive donors to the University". The official record shows 33 years and counting. Mrs. Stephens agreed that they were making gifts before the records were kept. She said, "We certainly weren't large givers, but we thought we needed to be consistent givers." Her husband added, "I think consecutive giving can be contagious." The University of Arkansas has a name for consistent givers. They call them ThoroughReds.

The Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers is a state society of the National Society of Professional Engineers, which is the only engineering society that represents individual engineering professionals and licensed engineers across all disciplines.

Founded in 1934, the National Society of Professional Engineers strengthens the engineering profession by promoting engineering licensure and ethics, advocating and protecting professional engineers' legal rights at the national and state levels, publishing news of the profession, and providing continuing education opportunities. It also promotes the ethical and competent practice of engineering, advocates licensure, and enhances the image and well-being of its members.