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Table of Contents Foreword: Letter from the Chancellor ...................................................................................................... 3 Connect Engage Inspire BAS President.................................................................................................... 5 Foreword: Letter from the Provost ............................................................................................................ 6 Foreword: Letter from the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ................................ 7 Welcome - Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Director ............................................................. 8 Welcome - Letter from the Arkansas Alumni Board of Directors ........................................................ 9 Sponsors ...................................................................................................................................................... 10 Mission & Purpose .................................................................................................................................... 11 BAS Board of Directors ........................................................................................................................... 12 Schedule of Events ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Awards Gala Program ............................................................................................................................... 18 2021 BAS Distinguished Recognition and Awardees ........................................................................... 21 BAS Scholarship Program ........................................................................................................................ 30 Black Alumni Distinguished and Academic Student Leaders ............................................................. 31 Honor of Donors ....................................................................................................................................... 35 Top 5 Reasons to Join the Black Alumni Society .................................................................................. 49 BAS President-Elect Greeting .................................................................................................................. 50 1 BLACK ALUMNI SOCIETY, THANK YOU! The Black Alumni Society is a huge part of the progress being made toward a more diverse, equitable and inclusive University of Arkansas. The support you provide for the academic and career success of students, and the recognition the society provides to graduates, not only impacts individuals but makes the U of A better as a whole. Thank you for everything you do! The new Portraits of Progress website highlights those who have helped move the university forward including trailblazers like Wallace “Wali” Caradine, Margaret Clark, Joseph Corbin, E. Lynn Harris, George Howard, Jr., Silas Hunt, Barbara Lofton, James McGahee, Gordon Morgan, Cynthia Nance and Lonnie Williams to name just a few. New stories will be added throughout the sesquicentennial. portraitsofprogress.uark.edu From the Desk of the Chancellor Dear Alumni and Friends: I want to extend a warm welcome to everyone attending the 15th Black Alumni Society reunion. As you know, we’ve had to go virtual for this year’s reunion. Like you, I long for the days when we can again meet in person. But physical distancing doesn’t mean we can’t connect, engage and inspire, the three-part theme of this year’s reunion. These are things I think we can all use a little more of right now. The Black Alumni Society has put together an outstanding week of virtual activities. I’m very impressed with how they’ve been able to find valuable and meaningful ways to connect alumni. Whether it’s networking, professional development, financial planning, or health and wellness classes, there’s something for everyone. The reunion strikes a terrific balance between providing useful content for alumni, giving back to students through mentoring and scholarship support and just having fun. It bears mentioning that while the BAS is celebrating its 15th reunion, the U of A is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding. Throughout the year, we will be honoring the people and events that shaped our identity, our traditions and our impact on Arkansas and the world. You can find out what’s happening at 150.uark.edu. You can also find the Portraits of Progress series there, which highlights pivotal figures in our history, especially those who helped make the university a more diverse and inclusive place. I encourage you to check it out and join in on these events as they unfold. The BAS is one of our most engaged and active alumni groups – the gold standard, really, for affinity groups. I can’t say enough about how much we appreciate your support, energy and enthusiasm. Have a great week, and I forward to getting you back on campus for the 16th reunion in 2023. Sincerely, Joe Steinmetz, Life Member Chancellor, University of Arkansas 3 A global health service company, offers health, pharmacy, dental, supplemental insurance and Medicare plans to individuals, families, and businesses. Local office • 3340 Players Club Pkwy, Suite 210 Memphis, TN 38125 John Webb, Tri-South Market President. BAS President Greetings Alumni and Friends, Welcome to the 15th Black Alumni Society Biennial Reunion. I am elated you are joining us as we virtually celebrate the reunion’s 31 years of existence! This is a historical moment for BAS and our constituents as we make history together by renewing and celebrating the connections we made while attending the University of Arkansas. Serving as the BAS president has been a great and most humbling opportunity for me. As president, I would like to thank you for making sure our students were supported by you contributing to our scholarship funds, participation as mentors, your volunteerism and your response to this administration’s call to, “Connect, Engage and Inspire”. I appreciate the support I received from our University by engaging in ongoing conversations about the inclusivity of the University of Arkansas. On behalf of the Black Alumni Society, I would like to thank Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz, U of A senior administrators, faculty, staff, the Division of Diversity Equity and Inclusion and the Arkansas Alumni Association for all you do to “Connect, Engage and Inspire” us all. Finally, to the officers, past presidents and the BAS Board of Directors, thank you for taking this journey with me to continue to move forward the mission and purpose of The Black Alumni Society. I could not have addressed the challenges and accomplished the many successes we achieved, during this global pandemic without you. It’s great to have all of you here celebrating with us virtually! Enjoy the workshops this week, Enjoy the parties, enjoy connecting with classmates, Enjoy the Awards Program, and Enjoy your 2021 Virtual Reunion! For the students, Ritche Manley Bowden, Life Member, ’86 B.S.I.E. Black Alumni Society, President 2019 – 2021 5 From the Desk of the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Dear Alumni and Friends, Welcome to the Black Alumni Society Reunion! While this year’s event certainly looks different, I know it will be just as inspiring and engaging as the ones that came before it. COVID-19 has tested us to serve our students in new ways, but it has made us a stronger, more resilient institution as a result. I have been so impressed by the dedication, passion and energy of our students, faculty, staff and alumni during this time to come together to face these issues head-on. Our work of educating students has never been more important, and we would not be able to succeed without organizations such as the Black Alumni Society. The scholarships you offer give our students a life-changing education that will forever guide the trajectory of their lives. The engagement opportunities you facilitate create long-lasting relationships that our students will cultivate throughout their careers. And the professional development opportunities you offer help create a new generation of leaders that will change our world for the better. On behalf of everyone at the University of Arkansas, thank you. In my dual role leading academic and student affairs, I’m excited to further bridge these two critical areas of our institution to ensure we at the university are providing our students the excellent and impactful education that is a hallmark of our institution. You, our alumni, are crucial to this effort as well, and I look forward to working with you to continue advancing the U of A. I hope you enjoy the event and thank you for coming. Sincerely, Charles F. Robinson, Life Member Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Professor of History 6 Foreword by the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dear Alumni and Friends, Congratulations on 31