Alumni and Faculty to Be Honored at 81st Alumni Awards Celebration

Each year, the Arkansas Alumni Association honors inspiring people who have dedicated their lives to building a better world through leadership, service, research and teaching. The Alumni Awards Program honors the accomplishments of 12 alumni, faculty and friends in seven award categories. The awardees have excelled in business, education, government, agriculture, law and architecture.

Three alumni, Herschel Cleveland B.S.B.A.’68, J.D.’71, Latriece Watkins J.D.’99 and Lonnie R. Williams B.S.B.A.’78, M.Ed.’84, Ed.S.’91, Ed.D.’01, will receive the association’s highest honor: the Citation of Distinguished Alumni.

The Arkansas Alumni Association will bestow the awards at its 81^st Alumni Awards Celebration at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the Fayetteville Town Center. 

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:

• Herschel Cleveland, attorney with Cleveland Law Office in Paris, Arkansas.
• Latriece Watkins, president and CEO of Sam’s Club.
• Lonnie R. Williams, retired vice chancellor of Arkansas State University.

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 2026 honoree is Dewayne Goldmon B.S.A.’85, M.S.’87, owner-operator of Dell-Cam Farm Inc.

Community Service Award

The Community Service Award recognizes unselfish, extensive service by alumni to their community and to humankind. Jerry Canfield B.A.’68, J.D.’70, attorney and the managing partner of Daily and Woods PLLC, is the recipient.

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 2026 honorees are:

• Gabriella Bermea B.Arch.’18, senior associate and project manager at Perkins Eastman.
• Cameron W. Woods B.A’14, attorney for Catalyst Brands.

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 Joe D. Waldrum, professor emeritus of leadership development at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award

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

• Kevin P. Brady Ph.D., professor of educational leadership in the College of Education and Health Professions, is recognized for distinguished professional achievement in service.
• Kristofor R. Brye Ph.D., University Professor of applied soil physics and pedology at the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, is honored for distinguished research achievement.
• Meredith Neville-Shepard Ph.D., assistant professor of communication at Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, is the Faculty Distinguished Rising Teaching Achievement 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 with the rank of professor, University Professor or Distinguished Professor. The awardee is Christian Z. Goering Ph.D., professor of English education with the College of Education and Health Professions.

More About the Celebration

The 2026 Alumni Awards Celebration begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards program at 7 p.m.

Also, during the celebration, the association will acknowledge the recipients of the Alumni Volunteer Awards presented in July at the Alumni Leaders Summit. For more information on the volunteer awards, see their story in Arkansas News.

Tickets, tables and sponsorships are available — your involvement helps us celebrate excellence and makes you an integral part of this special event. Learn more at arkansasalumni.org/awardscelebration. Contact Deb Euculano at alumniaw@uark.edu or call 479-575-2292 for more on tickets and sponsorships.

About the Arkansas Alumni Association: The Arkansas Alumni Association Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to connect alumni, friends and students to the University of Arkansas. The association’s mission is to connect and serve the University of Arkansas family.

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.