Assistant Professor's Family Recognized for Work to Fight Diabetes

Jennifer Paulk, assistant professor of mathematics education at the University of Arkansas, her husband, brother-in-law and sister-in-law were honored March 3 at the 10th annual Kiss a Pig Gala as volunteers of the year for the American Diabetes Association.

Paulk's husband, Ryan, and his twin brother, Eric, have type 1 diabetes. The brothers, along with their wives, Jennifer and Becky Paulk, founded Dig 4 Diabetes, a competitive sand volleyball tournament. The Paulks created Dig 4 Diabetes to promote an active lifestyle and raise awareness of diabetes with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.

In three years' time, the volleyball tournament has tripled its donation to the Northwest Arkansas American Diabetes Association. This year's event is scheduled for Aug. 4 at Memorial Park in Bentonville with a goal to raise $10,000.