'Recognition of Key Women Educators in the Arts' to Raise Funds for Scholarships

The Iota chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma will honor women educators in the arts at its third annual scholarship fundraiser on Saturday, April 16, at the Clarion Inn in Fayetteville.

The women selected represent the areas of art, dance, drama, instrumental music, vocal music and arts education. They were selected based on their impact on Northwest Arkansas.

The following women will be honored:

• Vocal music: Candace Davis, director of the University of Arkansas Children’s Choir, which was selected as one of four national choirs to visit New York City in February 2011 and perform at selected sites, including the Statue of Liberty, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Carnegie Hall
• Arts education: Lolly Greenwood, manager of youth services at the Blair Fayetteville Public Library who was named 2010 Children’s Librarian of the Year for programming such activities as art contests, publication of “The Wanderer” and gaming shows 
• Drama: Amy Herzberg, professor of drama at the University of Arkansas and one of the co-founders of the TheatreSquared professional theatrical group that has scheduled outstanding performances of works by local dramatists
• Instrumental music: Connie Richardson, director of the Fayetteville Schools Orchestra composed of students from elementary schools, middle schools and Fayetteville High School
• Art: Kathy P. Thompson, a Fayetteville artist who has been teaching art at her Fayetteville studio for about 30 years and exhibits her students’ work annually in one of her studios
• Dance: Ki Yanna Wright, director of Infiniti Cheer Dance Tumble in Bentonville who took students to the Joffrey Ballet last year and two were offered full tuition scholarships

According to Margaret Clark, president of the Iota chapter, in addition to the presentation of awards, selected students of the honorees will perform and a small exhibit of artwork will be on display.

The chapter will award three scholarships for women majoring in education in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas. The scholarships are in memory of Kara Jordan, a charter member of the Iota chapter who served as the first treasurer up until her death; Mildred Vescolani, a former principal of Jefferson Elementary School in Fayetteville; and Othelia Paul, a former Iota member who served as both president and treasurer and who worked for a number of years as dean’s assistant in the then-College of Education.

Tickets are $30 for individuals. Patron tickets include the Red Rose: $50 for one ticket; and the Golden Key: two tickets for $100, with patron names listed in the program. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the award ceremony.

To purchase tickets or to make donations to any of the scholarship funds, contact Clark at 479-521-8188 or mclark@uark.edu.