29 Jun 2011 ‘Night of Distinction’ a big success

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and participants at the inaugural Night of Distinction, the University of Central Arkansas Alumni Association will be awarding more private scholarships.

Caleb Dickson, vice president of the Association of Future Alumni, announced at the gala that the Alumni 100 fundraising effort had surpassed its goal with more than $113,000 that will support privately funded scholarships awarded by the alumni association.

The fundraising effort was pushed over the top with a closeout gift from Karen Sullards of Little Rock. The 1972 graduate’s family is also the namesake of one of the six scholarships that was endowed at the event.

The gala featured a performance by singer Lee Greenwood.
In addition to celebrating the success of endowing all alumni association scholarships, the gala served as an occasion to recognize recipients of the awards of distinction. The 2011 Alumni Service Award was presented to Dr. Audie Lynch of Conway. A 1947 graduate, Lynch is a retired UCA faculty member, former alumni association board member and longtime volunteer and supporter.

The 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented posthumously to Dr. Jefferson D. Farris Jr., a 1949 graduate who became the sixth president of UCA and the second alumnus to rise to the helm; and Melvin “Ralph” Carruth Jr., a 1975 graduate who resides in Huntsville, Ala., where he serves as associate director of engineering at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.