Arkansas Traveler Editor Receives 2004 Henry Woods Student Leadership Award

FAYETTEVILLE - Ben Beaumont, a senior from Birmingham, Ala., was named the 2004 recipient of the Henry Woods Student Leadership Award, which recognizes one outstanding student leader and his or her contributions to the University of Arkansas campus community.

Beaumont, editor of the Arkansas Traveler, is a graduating senior in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences majoring in journalism. He is the fifth recipient of this award and will receive a $750 scholarship for the spring semester.

In addition to serving as Arkansas Traveler editor in 2003-2004, Beaumont is president of the University of Arkansas Student Media Board. He is also active member of Sigma Chi fraternity and the Society of Professional Journalists. He has received honors for contributions in sports writing by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Arkansas College Media Association. Through his involvement with Sigma Chi, he has worked with local charities including Habitat for Humanity and the Children’s Miracle Network.

"Ben’s leadership and dedication to student concerns is remarkable," said Johnetta Cross Brazzell, vice chancellor for the Division of Student Affairs. "I congratulate Ben on winning this prestigious leadership award."

The Henry Woods Student Leadership Award was established in 2000 in honor of Henry Woods, a 1973 graduate from the University of Arkansas. His friends and associates created this award in recognition of Woods and his 25 years of service in Washington, D.C. While in Washington, Woods worked for United States Rep. Bill Alexander and United States Senators Dale Bumpers, Blanche Lincoln and David Pryor.

"As an undergraduate, Henry Woods advocated student involvement," said Skip Rutherford, a visiting UA professor, executive vice president of Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods, Arkansas’s largest communications firm, and president of the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation. "Throughout his college years and his distinguished professional career in Washington, he made a positive difference in people’s lives. Like Henry Woods, Ben Beaumont is a strong and effective student leader. He certainly has made a positive difference on the campus, and he has an exciting future ahead of him."

Previous recipients of the award are Jordan Johnson of Bryant, president of Kappa Sigma in 2000; Eddie Armstrong of North Little Rock, president of the Associated Student Government in 2001; Jeff Smith of El Dorado, editor of the Arkansas Traveler in 2002; and Stephanie Gosnell of Conway, president of the Associated Student Government in 2003.

Brazzell and Rutherford presented the 2004 Henry Woods Leadership Award to Beaumont in a surprise announcement at the office of the Arkansas Traveler in Kimpel Hall on April 14.