Alumni and Faculty to Be Honored at the 80th Alumni Awards Celebration

The Arkansas Alumni Association will host its 80th Alumni Awards Celebration at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, 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 14 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: 

• John Ed Anthony B.S.B.A.’61, chairman of Anthony Timberlands Inc. 

• Dr. Bobby W. Jones B.S.’85 FACP, lead physician, physician manager and medical director at the Savannah Community Based Outpatient Clinic with the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

• Harvey L. Williams Jr. B.S.B.E.’92, co-founder and chief executive officer of Delta Dirt Distillery. 

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: 

• Neil M. Schmitt B.S.E.E.’63, M.S.E.E.’64, Ph.D., former U of A College of Engineering dean. This is a posthumous award. 

• Angela Eason Waldrip B.S.H.E.’79, Waldrip Lands LLC. 

Community Service Award 

The Community Service Award recognizes unselfish and extensive service by alumni to their community and humankind. The awardees are: 

• V. Anne Hart Allen B.S.E’62, M.Ed.’67, Ed.S.’83, Ph.D., retired assistant professor from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock. 

• Charles T. Coleman B.S.B.A.’77, J.D.’80, partner at Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP. 

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: 

• Amy Counce B.S.H.E.S.’15, founder of Nexus Coffee & Creative. 

• Jonathon Modica B.A.’07, M.A.’08, Ed.D.’11, vice president, human resources business partner at Intuit. 

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 Scott Spradley, retired chief technology officer of Lennar. 

Faculty Distinguished Achievement Awards 

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

• Brent Thomas Williams Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Counseling, Leadership and Research Methods in the College of Education and Health Professions, is recognized for distinguished professional achievement in service.  

• Geoffrey Brock Ph.D., Distinguished Professor in the Department of English in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, is honored for distinguished research achievement.  

• Alex Nelson B.S.Cmp.E.’12, M.S.Cmp.E.’13, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering, is the Faculty Distinguished Achievement Rising Teaching Award recipient. 

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 Mohja Kahf Ph.D., professor of English at the Fulbright College. 

Alumni Awards CELEBRATION 

The 2025 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. 17; see www.arkansasalumni.org/awardscelebration for more information. 

The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design is the presenting sponsor of the 2025 Alumni Awards Celebration.   

Tables and sponsorships are available. For more information on tickets and sponsorships, contact Deb Euculano at alumniaw@uark.edu or call 479-575-2292.