Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
UA dedicates Student-Athlete Success Center
Governor lauded at Legends Dinner
Jeff Long, University of Arkansas vice chancellor and director of athletics, played host to a private reception, “An Evening of Razorback Stars,” on Sept. 18, the eve of the public dedication of the Jerry and Gene Jones Family Student-Athlete Success Center in the new building on the UA campus in Fayetteville.
The 55,000-square-foot facility will be used to serve some 460 athletes with “an integrated academic support program” and the goal of graduating all UA student-athletes.
The building includes the Bogle Academic Center, 37 tutor rooms, learning labs for math, writing and language, 5,000 square feet of open study and lounge space, three computer labs, offices for academic counselors, graduate assistants and staff, a 138-seat auditorium, wellness area with offices for a staff psychologist and a nutritionist and a dining hall designed to meet sports nutrition needs.
Those on hand to celebrate the Razorbacks and the new building included Gene and Jerry Jones, Karen and Stephen Jones, Jerry Jones Jr., Haley Anderson, Shy Anderson, Marilyn Bogle, Becky and Bob Alexander, Patsy and UA Chancellor Dan Ferritor, UA Trustee Jim von Gremp, Lewis Epley, Julian Stewart, Monica and Cameron Smith, John Ed Chambers III, Tricia and Jack Dixon and Melissa and Drew Ireland.
That same evening the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation celebrated Gov. Asa Hutchinson at its Legends Dinner at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale.
The lineup of leaders to laud the governor included Tom Ridge, former secretary of Homeland Security; Donnie Smith, Tyson Foods chief executive officer; Judy McReynolds, ArcBest Corp. chief executive officer; Dan Bartlett, Walmart executive vice president of corporate affairs; and Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin. Determination, competitiveness, strong faith and values and sense of humor emerged as common threads woven through each of the speakers’ remarks about the governor.
Marty Burlsworth, executive director of the foundation established to honor his late brother Brandon, presented the Lindsey/ Reed Visionary Award, “named for two men who were visionaries, Jim Lindsey and Stanley Reed,” to Gov. Hutchinson.
Burlsworth said that the nonprofit organization works to meet the “physical and spiritual needs of children in need.” Since 1999, the group has awarded some 260 Burlsworth Scholarships worth more than $1.3 million. The Eyes of a Champion program, with Walmart/Sam’s Optical Department and independent optometrists, provides free vision exams and glasses for low-income, uninsured children whose families could not otherwise afford vision care. Other programs include Burls Kids, football camps and the Burlsworth Trophy presented to outstanding college football players who began as walk-ons.
Those celebrating Gov. Hutchinson and boosting the
Burlsworth Foundation included Charlene Reed, John Arthur Hammerschmidt, Kim and Mike McFarlin, Gary McHenry, Mary Ann and Philip Taldo, Beverly and Tim Graham, Anita Cabe, Tom Garrison and Rick Barrows.
Jeannie Fleeman opened her Rogers home Thursday evening for the Hope Cancer Resources VIP reception for the the 12th annual Bill Fleeman Gentlemen of Distinction benefit dinner and men’s fashion show, which is set for Saturday at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.
The 2015 Gentlemen of Distinction models are:
Drake Branch, MD NWA Pathology Associates, PLLC;
Will Clark, Davis Law Firm;
Alex Cornett, Soderquist Leadership;
Ryan Dagley, Signature Bank of Arkansas;
Randall Harp, Harps Food Stores; Tim Harris, Walmart; Rob Hey, America’s Car-Mart; Kyle Kellams, KUAF; Chris Menendez, MD, NWA Breast Care Specialists;
Hugh Kincaid, Bank of Fayetteville;
Brandon Munson, Munson Chiropractic;
Ryan Pinkerton, Kimbel Mechanical Systems;
Charles Robinson, University of Arkansas and
Karson Trevillion, First Security Bank.
The group will present Horace Hardwick with the 2015 Gentleman of Distinction Award at the benefit.
For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.