Black Alumni Society to Honor Nine at Biennial Reunion and Awards Soirée

Corine Ackerson-Jones B.S.E. '82, M.Ed. '85

Leslie Coleman B.S.H.E.'93

Randy Coleman B.S.E.'92

LaShonda M. Pegue-Dennis B.S.B.A.'97

Stanley Redwine B.S.B.A.'85

Cermetrius "C.L." Bohannon B.L.A.'02

Paul D. Adams

Sarah Draine M.S.'13

Pamela "Pam" Coleman

Photo Submitted

Alumni and friends will be honored at the BAS Awards Soirée during the 2025 Black Alumni Society Reunion.

The Black Alumni Society will host Cardinal & Black Excellence: The BAS Awards Soirée at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 26, in the Verizon Ballroom at the Arkansas Union. 

The soirée, a significant part of the 2025 Black Alumni Society Reunion weekend, recognizes several U of A graduates with notable distinctions. The awards reflect our history at the U of A and provide recognition to non-university graduates who have played a significant role in the society of the U of A.

This year's soirée will celebrate the accomplishments of nine alumni, faculty and friends in four award categories.

Dr. Lonnie R. Williams Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognizes an alumna/alumnus who has made significant lifetime achievements professionally or personally and is considered to have extraordinary distinction in a chosen field.

Five alumni will be honored with this distinguished award:

• Corine Ackerson-Jones B.S.E. '82, M.Ed. '85, director of the TRIO Student Support Services at Georgia Southern University.
• Leslie Coleman B.S.H.E.'93, chairman of the board for the National Black MBA Association and founder and owner of Resume Executive.
• Randy Coleman B.S.E.'92, educator at the ALLPS School of Innovation.
• LaShonda M. Pegue-Dennis B.S.B.A.'97, founder and chief executive officer of Pegue-Dennis, CPA PC.
• Stanley Redwine B.S.B.A.'85, head coach of the 2024 U.S. men's Olympic track and field team and head track coach of the University of Kansas Jayhawks.

Myron 'Mike' Macechko Diversity Advocacy Award

This award is named after Myron D. "Mike" Macechko, the Arkansas Alumni Association's associate vice chancellor and executive director emeritus. Macechko was instrumental in assisting Lonnie R. Williams B.S.B.A.'78, M.Ed. '84, Ed. S.'91, Ed. D.'01 in establishing the Black Alumni Society and promoting cultural awareness. He has pioneered increasing diversity at the U of A and the Arkansas Alumni Association.

The two 2025 recipients of this award have demonstrated an appreciation for increasing diversity and evidenced skill in building and maintaining harmonious cross-cultural relationships. They are:

• Cermetrius "C.L." Bohannon B.L.A.'02, associate professor of landscape architecture and the associate dean for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Virginia.
• Sarah Draine M.S.'13, director of College Access Initiative at the U of A Division of Student Affairs.

Morgan-Clark Living Legacy Award

This award is named after professors Gordon Morgan and Margaret Clark, the first African American professors at the U of A.
Paul D. Adams, professor of chemistry, biology and cellular and molecular biology at the U of A, will be honored with the 2025 Morgan-Clark Living Legacy Award.

Wyatt Weems Memorial Award

This honor recognizes an individual who is not a U of A graduate but has contributed a significant amount of time and/or developed positions with BAS to promote the purpose and mission of the society.

The 2025 Wyatt Weems Memorial Award will be presented to Pamela "Pam" Coleman, founder of My Lil Peeps Childcare.

More about the Reunion

The 2025 Black Alumni Society Reunion, The Journey Continues, will be hosted on campus April 24-27. The BAS biennial reunion includes networking and mentorship opportunities and celebrates the legacy and achievements of the family. The reunion is not just about returning but moving forward together. Alumni are encouraged to attend reunion events, donate to society scholarships and volunteer to mentor the generation.

The reunion weekend includes networking and mentorship opportunities, fellowship and society awardee recognition.

A whole weekend of events is planned, including:

• The Cardinal & Black Golf Invitational
• Welcome Back Reception & Legacy & Vibes: The BAS Alumni Party
• Smoke & Soul: The BAS Cookout
• Cardinals & Black Excellence: The BAS Awards Soirée
• BAS After Dark: The Official Alumni & Friends Party

All are welcome to attend the Black Alumni Society Reunion. Registration is required and fees will apply. For more information visit www.arkansasalumni.org/basreunion or email societies@arkansasalumni.org.

Sponsorships are available. Visit the reunion page or contact Collin Brunner at sponsorships@arkansasalumni.org for more information.

About the Black Alumni Society: Founded in 1998 by alumni and friends of the UA's Black Alumni, the society is a chartered organization of the Arkansas Alumni Association. The society was formed because of the interest generated by the Black Alumni Reunions that began in 1990. The society operates under the guidelines of operating principles approved by the Arkansas Alumni Association. The society's mission is to promote communication and friendship among black alumni, faculty and friends of the University of Arkansas by providing a forum for information exchange through organized events and other activities.

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 $3 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.