Alumni and Faculty to Be Honored at 77th Alumni Awards Celebration

Elizabeth Lilly McLaughlin B.A.’96

John Nunnally Roberts III B.S.B.A.’88

J.K. Symancyk B.A.’94

Monroe A. Harrison M.Ed.’64, Ed.S.’79

Charlene Berner Reed B.S.H.E.’74, M.S.’77

Stanley E. Reed B.S.Ag.E.’73, J.D.’76

Carmen Jacks Phelps B.S.H.E.’75

Ayana Gray B.A.’15

Collis R. Geren

G. David Gearhart J.D.’78, Ed.D.’89

Shui-Qing "Fisher" Yu

Hope Ballentine D.N.P.’18

Susan Gauch

Photo Submitted

The Arkansas Alumni Association will host its 77th Alumni Awards Celebration at 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4, at the Fayetteville Town Center. 

The ceremony recognizes those individuals who continue to bring national and regional prominence to the U of A and the Arkansas Alumni Association through their research, exemplary public and community service, and valued leadership.

This year’s celebration will honor the accomplishments of 13 alumni, faculty and friends and includes recipients in seven award categories. 

CITATION OF DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

The Citation of Distinguished Alumni recognizes exceptional professional and personal achievement and extraordinary distinction in a chosen field. The awardees are:

• Elizabeth Lilly McLaughlin B.A.’96, executive vice president of sales for Westrock Coffee Company LLC.
• John Nunnally Roberts III B.S.B.A.’88, chief executive officer of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.
• J.K. Symancyk B.A.’94, president and chief executive officer of PetSmart LLC.

ANDREW J. LUCAS ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD

The Andrew J. Lucas Alumni Service Award acknowledges significant contributions of time and energy on behalf of the university and the association. The honorees are:

• Monroe A. Harrison M.Ed.’64, Ed.S.’79, retired higher education professional.
• Charlene Berner Reed B.S.H.E.’74, M.S.’77, retired from Reed Family Farms.
• Stanley E. Reed B.S.Ag.E.’73, J.D.’76, posthumous awardee.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

The Community Service Award recognizes unselfish and extensive service by alumni to their community and to humankind. The awardee is Carmen Jacks Phelps B.S.H.E.’75, retired secondary teacher for the Lee County School District.

YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD

The Young Alumni Award recognizes exceptional achievements in career, public service and/or volunteer activities that bring honor to the U of A. The honoree is Ayana Gray B.A.’15, best-selling author.

HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD

The Honorary Alumni Award is presented to non-alumni who have served, promoted, developed and loved the U of A in the tradition of an Arkansas graduate. This year the association pays tribute to Collis R. Geren, dean emeritus of the Graduate School.

DISTINGUISHED FACULTY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

The Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award recognizes exceptional faculty members for teaching, research and service. G. David Gearhart J.D.’78, Ed.D.’89, professor of higher education and chancellor emeritus, is being recognized for distinguished professional achievement in service. Shui-Qing "Fisher" Yu, professor of electrical engineering, is being honored for distinguished achievement in research. Hope Ballentine D.N.P.’18, teaching assistant professor for the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, is the recipient of the Faculty Distinguished Rising Teaching Achievement Award.

CHARLES AND NADINE BAUM FACULTY TEACHING AWARD

The Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award recognizes outstanding teaching and is designated for a faculty member whose status is professor, University Professor or Distinguished Professor. The awardee is Susan Gauch, professor in the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering.

MORE ABOUT THE CELEBRATION

The 2022 Alumni Awards Celebration will begin with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards program at 7 p.m. Registration is open through Oct. 21; see www.arkansasalumni.org/awardscelebration for more information. Tables and sponsorships are available and may be requested through the registration form. For more information on tickets and sponsorships, contact Deb Euculano at alumniawards@arkansasalumni.org or call 479-575-2292. 

About the Arkansas Alumni Association: The Arkansas Alumni Association Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to connect alumni, friends and students to the University of Arkansas. The association’s mission is to connect and serve the University of Arkansas family.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.