NWA Democratic Black Caucus Honors U of A Faculty Members

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Terry Esper and Yvette Murphy-Erby

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas professors Terry Esper and Yvette Murphy-Erby will be honored with lifetime achievement awards by the Northwest Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus on Saturday, April 30.

The fourth annual Celebrating Diversity in Education event will be held at 7 p.m. at the Fayetteville Country Club, 3335 S. Country Club Dr., Fayetteville. The keynote speaker will be education activist Julianna Roosevelt, the great-granddaughter of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. The scholarship banquet raises funds for minority political science students at the University of Arkansas.

Murphy-Erby is a professor of social work and associate dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Esper is an associate professor of business in Sam M. Walton College of Business. 

Other honorees include: Kathryn Birkhead, director of diversity and inclusion, Northwest Arkansas Community College; Denise Hoy, principal, Fayetteville Public Schools; Todd Kitchen, vice president of learner services, Northwest Arkansas Community College; and Eric A. Wood, former associate athletic director of student athlete services, University of Arkansas and current senior associate athletic director for academic services, University of Central Florida.

The attire is formal/black tie and tickets are $50. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite at https://celebratingdiversityineduation.eventbrite.com. Sponsorship is available. Seating is limited. 

The deadline to purchase tickets is April 26. Minority educators interested are asked to RSVP by April 15 for a complimentary ticket. To RSVP and for more information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, contact D'Andre Jones at nwademocraticblackcaucus@gmail.com for details and/or check out the Northwest Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus Facebook page.