Fayetteville, Arkansas—The membership of the Arkansas Alumni Association, Inc. recently ratified the appointments of ten alumni to the Association’s Board of Directors. Each graduate has agreed to serve a three-year term which commenced July 1.

Marilyn Liles Johnson Heifner BSE’69, Med’75 Fayetteville

A former mayor of Fayetteville, Heifner now works as Director of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission. She is a founding member and Past President of the Northwest Arkansas Alumni Chapter. Well-known throughout local and state communities, Heifner has served in numerous civic clubs including six years as a Governor-appointed member of the Arkansas Division of Volunteerism. She serves as State President of the Arkansas Jaycettes and National Vice President of the U.S. Jaycettes. In addition, she is President of the Northwest Arkansas Tourism Association.

Gerald B. Jordan BA’70 Fayetteville

Immediate Past President of the Black Alumni Society and a member of the Lemke Journalism Society, Jordan is Associate Professor of Journalism at the University of Arkansas. An accomplished Journalist, he was a reporter for the Kansas City Star, editorial writer for the Boston Globe and report and assigning editor for the Philadelphia Inquirer. He serves the university community in many capacities including service as a board member for the Multicultural Student Center, advisory committee member of the UA Press and advisory committee member for the Arkansas Center for Oral and Visual History. As a college student, Jordan was a reporter for the Arkansas Traveler, a sports editor of the Razorback (yearbook) and served as a student senator.

Steve Nipper BSBA’71, MBA’73 Magnolia

Having an established career in the banking industry, Nipper serves as President of BancorpSouth, Magnolia. His leadership skills were honed while at the UA as he served in several leadership capacities including President of the Interfraternity Council as well as Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity. In addition, he served as a student senator and the Treasurer for the Order of Omega. He is active in his community serving as President of the Columbia County Community Foundation and is a member of the Magnolia Economic Development Corporation. He also serves as a member of the University of Arkansas Legislative Advocacy Network.

Philip A. Selig BSCE’62 Vestavia Hills, AL

A charter member and Past President of the Alabama Alumni Chapter and this year’s Heart Award recipient, Selig is manager of marketing services for American Cast Iron Pipe Company in Birmingham. He is the oldest of seven children—six of whom graduated from the U of A. He is also a Past President of the Arkansas Academy of civil Engineering and a current member of the Arkansas Civil Engineering Alumni Society Board. While at the U of A, Selig served on the Arkansas Booster Club, was a member of Alpha Chi Epsilon, ASCE, and the Newman Club. In his community, he is active in his church and serves as a volunteer fund-raiser for various charities.

Nikki Gahr Sells BSE’76 Springfield, MO

First joining Express Personnel Services in 1983, Sells now co-owns the franchise territory for Springfield, MO. While at the U of A, Sels was active in the Associated Student Government and was a member of the Uarkettes and Schola Cantorium. She is well-known throughout her community serving on the board of directors of THE BANK and the Springfield Business and Development Corporation. In addition, she is the President of Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation and Past Chairman of the Board of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Sells is also active in the Springfield alumni chapter.

Returning to the Board for a second three-year term are

Dr. Edward F. Adair BS’66 Bentonville

Adair is a long-time resident of Northwest Arkansas who practices dentistry in Bentonville, Arkansas. While at the U of A, he held the office of Sigma Nu Fraternity President and served in the Student Senate. He is well-known through-out the community, serving on the Board of Directors of NARTI, Arvest Bank Board of Directors, and the Bates Hospital Board of Directors. Ed is also the Chairman of the Bentonville Parks and Recreation Committee. His family shares the rich tradition of UA graduates.

Wanette McKee Baker BSHE’70, MS’71 Batesville

Baker is the office manager of Dr. J. R. Baker. She is the former President of the re-chartered Independence County Alumni Chapter. While at the U of A, she was a student employee of the Alumni Association and served as Vice President of the Agri Student Association. During her college years, Wanette was a member of the "Friends of Gateway"—an organization which led the drive for local funding for the transformation of Vo-Tech school to the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. Wanette is active throughout her community serving as Past President and a current member of the Batesville School Board. She also serves as Chairman of the White River Pageant Association.

Ernst S. Bauer BSBA’83, MBA’84 San Francisco

A life member of the Alumni Association, Bauer is the Director of Business Development for Heimstra Product Development in San Francisco. Nominated for a second term on the Alumni Board, he is the founder and Past President of the San Francisco/Bay Area Alumni Chapter. While at the UA, Bauer was a member of Sigma Iota Epsilon and served as President of the American Society of Personnel Administrators. Very active in his community, he is a member of the California Council for International Trade and has participating in lobbying efforts to promote international trade legislation. In addition, he serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Territory of The Salvation Army.

Kenny Gibbs BSBA’85 Little Rock

Gibbs is a Senior Financial Advisor and Vice President with Merrill Lynch and has been with the company since his graduation from the U of A. He is the past president of the Capitol Chapter of the Alumni Association. While at the U of A, he served as an officer of Sigma Nu Fraternity and was involved with the Student Government’s special projects committee. He is active in his community through the work of Easter Seals and the Boy Scouts of America.

Montine Bowen McNulty BSE’68 Pine Bluff

Returning to the board after a two-year appointment, McNulty is serving her first elected three-year term. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Hospitality Association and worked previously as Executive Director of the Pine Bluff Downtown Development. Her husband, Jack McNulty, BSBA’67, JD’70, is a Past President of the Arkansas Alumni Association. Civic-minded, McNulty is an active member of various boards including the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce; the Better Business Bureau, Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission as well as the Arkansas Leadership Women’s Forum. While a student at the U of A, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi.