30 Jun 2024 Woodrow Cummins Jr. receives Heart of an Eagle award

Posted at 7:00 PMh in News by

The Natural State Council, Foothills District of the Boy Scouts of America hosted the 2024 Heart of the Eagle event on May 31 in the Spiritan Center at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway. 

Don Greenland, Ray Simon, Woodrow Cummins Jr., David Kordsmeier and Shanna Richardson. Cummins received the 2024 Heart of the Eagle award on May 31 from the Natural State Council, Foothills District of the Boy Scouts of America. Greenland and Richardson work for the council. Simon is Cummins’ former co-worker and longtime friend who “roasted and toasted” him before the award was presented.

The fundraising event’s focus was on honoring Woodrow “Woody” E. Cummins Jr. as the 2024 Heart of the Eagle honoree. The room was filled with scouts, parents and supporters. Following a meal, David Kordsmeier welcomed the crowd, and Father Connell provided an invocation. Scouts from Troop 78 presented the colors before three scouts spoke about their experiences in the program.

Next, Ray Simon “roasted and toasted” his longtime friend and colleague, Woody Cummins, who was selected for this highly esteemed award by the Natural State Council after supporting Scouting for more than 50 years.

Troop 78 members back row: Charles Greer (from left), Blake Jackson, Connor Lehmkuhl, Alex Lehmkuhl and JB Failla front row: Ethan Lehmkuhl (from left) and Chris Jackson.

A graduate of Marked Tree High School and the University of Central Arkansas, Cummins earned multiple degrees in education, culminating in a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Arkansas. His career spans more than 25 years in education, along with 22 years in financial services. An elementary school in west Conway is named for him. Cummins is also a member of the Conway City Council, as well as the city’s Planning Commission, the UCA Foundation Board, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the 4-H Foundation. A retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, he co-owns Cummins Family Farms, LLC.

At the close of the event, Kordsmeier proudly announced that $31,575 was raised for Scouting at the event.