Alumni and Faculty to Be Honored at the 79th Alumni Awards Celebration

Fred A. Bonner II Ed.D.’97 - Citation of Distinguished Alumni

Jack E. Buffington B.S.C.E. '61 - Citation of Distinguished Alumni

Melissa McIlroy Hawkins B.A. '83 - Andrew J. Lucas Alumni Service Award

Gary George B.S.B.A. '72 - Community Service Award

Ashlie Junot Hilbun Ed.D. '13 - Young Alumni Award

Ben E. Rector B.S.B.A. '10 - Young Alumni Award

Dr. A.Y. "Al" Gordon - Honorary Alumni Award

John C. Pijanowski - Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award

William F. "Bill" McComas - Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award

Kelly Hammond - Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award

Kristofer "Kris" Brye - Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award

Photo Submitted

The Arkansas Alumni Association will host its 79th Alumni Awards Celebration at 6 p.m., Friday, October 18, 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 11 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:

• Fred A. Bonner II Ed.D.’97, professor and the Endowed Chair in Educational Leadership and Counseling and the founding executive director and chief research scientist of the Minority Achievement, Creativity, and High-Ability Center (MACH-III) at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas.
• Jack E. Buffington B.S.C.E.’61, retired rear admiral of the U.S. Navy and retired research professor of the U of A’s Department of Civil Engineering.

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 honoree is:

• Melissa McIlroy Hawkins B.A’83, doctor of education, higher education professional and active community service volunteer.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

The Community Service Award recognizes unselfish and extensive service by alumni to their community and to humankind. The awardee is Gary George B.S.B.A.’72, chair of George’s Inc.

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 honorees are:

• Ashlie Junot Hilbun Ed.D.’13, senior vice president and chief strategy and communications officer for Arkansas Children's Inc.
• Ben E. Rector B.S.B.A.’10, musician and songwriter based out of Nashville, Tennessee.

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 Dr. A.Y. “Al” Gordon, primary care physician with Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas (MANA) and team physician for University of Arkansas athletics.

FACULTY DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

The Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes exceptional faculty members for teaching, research and service. 

• John C. Pijanowski, professor of educational leadership in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, is being recognized for distinguished professional achievement in service. 
• William F. “Bill” McComas, Distinguished Professor and inaugural holder of the Parks Family Endowed Professorship in Science Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, is being honored for distinguished achievement in research. 
• Kelly Hammond, associate professor of history and associate director of international and global studies in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, 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 Kristofor “Kris” Brye, University Professor of Applied Soil Physics and Pedagogy at the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

MORE ABOUT THE CELEBRATION

The 2024 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. 4; see www.arkansasalumni.org/awardscelebration for more information.

Legacy Bank is the presenting sponsor of 2024 Alumni Awards Celebration.  Arkansas Children’s Hospital is supporting the event as a Gold Sponsor.

Tables and sponsorships are available. 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 and Economic Development News.