College of Engineering Celebrates Alumni, Inducts New Hall of Fame Members

Emily McArthur

Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz addresses the 2018 College of Engineering Alumni Awards Banquet and Ball while Distinguished Alumni Award recipients look on.

More than 200 alumni, family and friends of the College of Engineering gathered April 20 to celebrate the accomplishments of the college's graduates.

The Annual Alumni Awards Banquet and Ball brings together alumni from all eight departments within the College of Engineering to recognize alumni who have achieved distinction in their fields since graduating from the University of Arkansas.

Hall of Fame

Established in 1965, the Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed by the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas. The award recognizes prominent graduates and leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the engineering profession and society as a whole. Members of the Hall of Fame have, throughout their careers, made a difference to the engineering profession and demonstrated concern for improving their communities. Their achievements have brought favorable attention to the College of Engineering, the University of Arkansas and the state of Arkansas. Winners were:

Kevin Brown (B.S.Ch.E. '81)
Executive Vice President, LyondellBasell

William Keltner (B.S.I.E. '59)
General Manager, Southwestern Bell

Distinguished Alumni Award

The College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award honors the exceptional professional and personal achievements of the University of Arkansas College of Engineering graduates. Recipients have achieved distinction in their fields and have provided outstanding leadership and service to the College of Engineering, and to the organizations and communities to which these distinguished alumni belong. Winners were:

Robert W. Arvin, M.S.O.M. 2012
Divisional Vice President – Supply Chain, Walmart

Gregory L. Baltz, B.S.Ag.E. 1980
Owner/Operator, Running Lake Farms

Roger Cordes, Ph.D., P.E., B.S.M.E. 1991
Consultant

Eugene C. Davis, B.S.Ch.E. 1980
RFAB-CMP Engineering/Distinguished Member Technical Staff, Texas Instruments

John Marshall, B.S.E.E. 1976
President, Coastal Partners

Jeremy Stobaugh, B.S.C.S.E. 2000, MBA 2010
Senior Vice President of Technology and People, Rausch Coleman Homes

Rita Gail Willcoxon, B.S.I.E. 1982
Global Engineering Leader for Intelligent Control Systems (retired), General Electric

Daniel H. Williams, P.E., B.S.C.E. 1981
President and Chief Executive Officer, Garver

Early Career Award

The Early Career Alumni Award is presented to College of Engineering graduates who are achieving distinction in their fields and show significant promise for professional leadership in state, national and international activities. These individuals have served in their industries for 15 years or less. Winners were:

Eric A. DeCuir Jr., M.S. 2005, Ph.D. 2008
Research Physicist, United States Army

Tyson Hall, B.S.Ch.E. 2001, M.B.A. 2002
General Manager of Commercial Business Unit and Head of Export Sales Pilgrim's Pride Corporation

Jessie Xu Jones, M.S.C.E. 2003
Division Head, Transportation Planning and Policy Division, Arkansas Department of Transportation

Jenni Kimpel, B.S.I.E. 2006
Director of Engineering and Technology, J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.

Drake McGruder, B.S.B.E. 2006, M.S.E. 2012
Associate Director, The Kraft Heinz Company

Gregory Sisti B.S.M.E. 2004
MQ-25 Program Integration Manager, Boeing Company 

Xiao, Zhichun Ph.D., M.S.C.S.E. 2001, Ph.D. 2005
Director, Technology Research Center, Sam's Club