Rev. Dr. Leslie Frances Smith Belden, a native of eastern Arkansas, has essentially lived a life with feet in four worlds: the world of architecture and community planning; the world of church ministry; the world of public service; volunteerism, and philanthropy; and the world of family and friends.

Belden will speak about “The Power of Women’s Stories” at a Chancellor’s Commission on Women luncheon at noon, on Wednesday, April 13, in the Hembree Room in Willard J. Walker Hall. Those interested in attending may register at uawomen.uark.edu.

She earned a bachelor of architecture at the University of Arkansas in 1979. After not completing a master's in community planning at the U of A or a master's in art history at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, she felt called to service within the church. She received a master of divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1994. Belden served as a chaplain at the University of Louisville Medical Center and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, as well as the associate pastor of First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, before returning to school for her doctorate of ministry at LPTS in 2004. She earned a doctorate in public policy planning at the U of A in 2005.

She served as the campus minister at the United Campus Ministry at the U of A and then at a number of churches, while primarily focusing her professional time on ministry within the larger context of the Presbyterian denomination, her family's involvement in supporting the historic fabric of downtown Fayetteville, and giving of her time and energy to the University of Arkansas and other state and local organizations.

Belden's roles within the context of her family have always been a high priority in her life. Belden is the wife of Ted Belden, the mother of Melissa Belden Werner and Mary Belden Carroll, the "extra mother" of Randy Werner and Clark Carroll, and the grandmother of Hayden and Harper Werner and Kennedy Carroll. She is a daughter, sister, cousin and friend, and also considers herself a mentor as well as pastor and colleague.

Currently, she and her husband Ted serve on the University of Arkansas' "Campaign Arkansas Committee" and on the Fay Jones School of Architecture's Dean's Circle. The couple previously served as Co-Chairs for the first two years of the Fay Jones School of Architecture Campaign.

She has served on the Board of the Arkansas Alumni Association, as president of the U of A's Women's Giving Circle, the city of Fayetteville's Historic District Commission, the Arkansas Humanities Council's Board of Directors, the Board of Preserve Arkansas, the Washington County Historical Society's Board of Directors, founding President of Fayetteville Underground's Board, president of the Board of Fayetteville Downtown Partners, member and chair of the city of Jacksonville's Planning Commission and Board of Adjustments, member of the Metropolitan Advisory Committee of the Greater Little Rock area and is currently the president of the Fayetteville Ministerial Association, among other volunteer commitments.

The Beldens are partners in "Old Buildings Inc.," which began as a silent, behind the scenes investment company encouraging redevelopment in downtown Fayetteville, but evolved into a real estate development and management company.