FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas Alumni Association honored 10 award recipients at the 56^th Annual Alumni Awards Banquet Friday, October 6, 2000 at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House.

The five awards given were the Andrew J. Lucas Alumni Service Award, The Citation of Distinguished Alumni Award, the Community Service Award, the Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award, the Honory Alumni Award and the Young Alumni Award.

This year’s Andrew J. Lucas Alumni Service Award honored Roy L. Murphy, B.S.I.M.’49, of Hot Springs, a former member of the alumni board of directors.

The Citation of Distinguished Alumni Award was given to recognize exceptional professional and personal achievement and extraordinary distinction in a chosen field. Three alumni were honored with this distinction: Barbara Alexander Stiles, B.S.’70, M.S.’71, managing director, Warburg Dillon Read (investment banking and brokerage firm); Kent C. Westbrook, B.S.M. ’65, M.D.’65, director, Arkansas Cancer Research Center; and Carl S. Whillock, B.S.S.W ’48, M.A.’51, special assistant to the president of the United States and Agricultural Trade and Food Policy, White House/USDA liaison.

Randall Ferguson, B.S.B.A.’74, was honored with the Alumni Community Service Award. Serving as the business unit executive for IBM’s Midmarket Business sales organization, Ferguson is also IBM’s senior location executive for Kansas City. He is responsible for programs and policy implementation essential to IBM’s business interests, reputation and involvement relating to both the internal IBM community and to the outside community. Among his many community involvement, Mr. Ferguson is the president of the board of directors to the Negro League Baseball Museum.

Three UA faculty members were honored with the Alumni Association’s distinguished

Faculty Achievement Award.

Faculty members honored included Henry Tsai, department of history in the Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences, for research and teaching. Tsai’s research has led to his being recognized as an outstanding Chinese historian and noted scholar. Also honored was Peter Ungar, department of anthropology in the Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences, for research and service. Dr. Ungar’s study of primates has been recognized throughout the world.

Virginia Van Es, Department of Computer Information Systems & Quantitative Analysis in the Sam M. Walton College of Business Administration, was awarded as well for teaching. Selected numerous times by business students as the "Teacher of the Month," Van Es’ greatest contribution continues to be excellence in the classroom.

The Honorary Alumni Award went to former UA chancellor, Dr. Willard B. Gatewood, Jr. Dr. Gatewood exemplified his passion for the University of Arkansas through his many achievements and contributions to the Fayetteville campus.

The first Young Alumnus Award was bestowed to Samuel W. Pruett, B.A.’90. The award recognized Pruett’s professional career distinction and leadership. Pruett, former director of the GENESIS technology incubator in Fayetteville, now heads Memphis Incubator Systems, Inc.

Award presenters at the program included Arkansas Alumni Association Executive Director Mike Macechko, Senior Pastor of Life Harvester Church and Arkansas Alumni Association Board Director Dexter L. Howard, Arkansas Alumni Association President Jeffrey R. Johnson, and University of Arkansas Chancellor John A. White.

The Arkansas Alumni Association seeks to foster loyalty, lifelong relationships, commitment and communication among all alumni, future alumni and friends to advance the best interests of the University.

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