The College of Education and Health Professions recently celebrated a dozen outstanding alumni who are making a difference in people's lives through research, teaching, leadership, philanthropy and public service.

The college hosted the alums at a banquet on Friday, March 8, at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House. The event included several new awards, including the Distinguished Public Service Award and the Dean's Circle of Care.

"All of us in the College of Education and Health Professions believe that access to quality education and healthcare is a fundamental right and a foundation to every person's success, every community's well-being," Dean Kate Mamiseishvili said to the crowd at the start of the event. "So, my heart is filled with gratitude as we celebrate the careers of our outstanding alumni who have opened the doors to brighter futures, more educational opportunities and better quality of life for many individuals and communities around them."

Each award recipient has made a transformative change in education or healthcare in their own unique ways, but their stories all have one thing in common. They embody the values of our caring college, Mamiseishvili added. She also noted that each awardee has abundant patience, tolerance, kindness, empathy and genuine care.

The evening was filled with inspiring stories and moving tributes, including the moment Keith Jones, who began his career in athletic training at the U of A, dedicated his award to Dean Weber. Weber, a longtime beloved head athletic trainer at the U of A, passed away in February.

Before each alum was invited onstage to receive their award, a video featuring photos and details of their lives and careers was played.

The first awards were presented to outstanding alumni from the college's five departments and the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. (Details about each departmental award winner can be found in this previously published story.)

The departmental alumni award winners are:

• Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy: Karan B. Burnette, executive director of Partners for Inclusive Communities.
• Department of Counseling, Leadership and Research Methods: Michael M. Kocet, assistant vice chancellor for graduate education and professor of counseling at the University of Colorado in Denver.
• Department of Curriculum and Instruction: Michael Tapee, math teacher at Hellstern Middle School, Springdale Public Schools.
• Department of Education Reform: Elise Swanson, senior research manager at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University.
• Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation: Keith A. Jones, longtime head athletic trainer for the Houston Rockets.
• Eleanor Mann School of Nursing: Heather D. Hunter, clinical instructor of nursing and online BSN practicum coordinator at the nursing school.

Following the departmental awards, Mamiseishvili announced college-wide recipients. Among them was Distinguished Public Service Award winner Naccaman Williams, director of special projects at the Walton Family Foundation. This is a new award in the college and is given to a graduate who has fostered a caring culture and improved people's lives through civic engagement, community service and volunteer efforts.

Mamiseishvili noted that Williams has committed his professional career to advancing philanthropy and improving communities throughout Arkansas. "Dr. Williams has made it his life's mission to create access to opportunity for everyone, mentor others and serve the underserved," she said. "Dr. Williams' caring approach to service and delivery of innovative services for public schools is legendary. He is widely respected for his dedication to excellence and his warmth and goodwill toward everyone."

Williams' wife, Angela Williams, is also an alumnus of the College of Education and Health Professions. Their son, Nathan, recently graduated from the college with a Master of Science in Counseling degree.

College-wide alumni award winners are:

• Emerging Leader in Education Award: Jennifer Ash, director of the National Center for Rural Education Research Networks at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University.
• Emerging Leader in Health Award: Jordan Glenn, chief science officer at Neurotrack.
• Distinguished Career in Education Award: Curtis L. Ivery, chancellor of the Wayne County Community College District.
• Distinguished Career in Health Award: Judd Semingson, chief executive officer of Community Clinic.
• Distinguished Public Service Award: Naccaman Williams, director of special projects at the Walton Family Foundation.

The last award of the night was presented to Reed Greenwood, who served as the dean of the College of Education and Health Professions from 2001 to 2009 and retired in 2014 after a 35-year career with the U of A. The brand-new Dean's Circle of Care recognizes an individual connected to the college who exemplifies the culture of caring at its deepest level.

"Dr. Greenwood was selected for his unwavering role as a wise sounding board, confidant, adviser and friend as I embarked on my deanship journey," Mamiseishvili told the crowd. "It is impossible to imagine navigating the last 18 months without his kindness, counsel and care."

Greenwood interviewed Mamiseishvili for her first job at the U of A. "What I could have never imagined at that time was how much of an impact he would have on my career as I embarked on the biggest role of my life as the dean," she said.

About the College of Education and Health Professions: The College of Education and Health Professions' six departments prepare students for a range of careers in education and health. In addition to its longstanding role of preparing educators and educational leaders, the college trains nurses, speech-language pathologists, public health specialists, recreation and sports professionals, counselors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, and exercise scientists.