UAPB alums Guynn, Joiner plan to speak
Two University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff alumni will deliver keynote speeches during UAPB’s 151st Founders’ Week Celebration. The events are free and the public is encouraged to attend, according to a news release.
Judge Alex Guynn is the featured speaker at the UAPB Founders’ and Honors Awards Convocation at 10 a.m. today at the Kenneth L. Johnson Sr. Health Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Complex at UAPB. The convocation recognizes outstanding UAPB scholars, retirees, honor students, and scholarship recipients.
Guynn is the presiding judge of the 11th West Circuit Court First Division.
The Rev. Basil L. Joiner will speak at the UAPB Sunrise Service and Annual Alumni Association Inc. Breakfast at 8 a.m. Sunday in the STEM Conference Center at UAPB. Joiner is pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church at Bay in Craighead County.
The program will feature the Vesper Choir and the UAPB/AM&N Hall of Fame Reveal, along with inspirational program participants, according to the release.
Founders’ Week Celebration started Monday and concludes on Sunday. The theme is “Lifting Our Voices with Power and Pride Since 1873.”
“UAPB holds the Founders’ Honors and Awards Convocation to honor the brilliant minds, scholars, and dedicated individuals who have played a significant role in shaping the rich legacy of excellence that defines the university,” UAPB Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander said. “We also celebrate our scholars who have shown remarkable academic performance, leadership, and service to our campus community. We express our deepest gratitude to our retirees who have devoted their careers to serving the students, faculty, and staff of UAPB.”
GUYNN
A native of Pine Bluff, Guynn graduated from UAPB in 2002 cum laude and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law. He was elected judge in 2016.
Guynn’s career includes being an assistant city attorney, public defender, dependency-neglect attorney ad litem (child advocate), and key positions within the Walmart Corporate Legal
Department and a sports management firm. He has served as an adjunct political science professor at UAPB and Arkansas Baptist College.
“Named one of Soiree’s Best Lawyers in
Little Rock in 2014, Guynn’s unwavering dedication to public service is further underscored by his appointment to the Federal Criminal Justice Act Panel and his pivotal role within the Jefferson and Lincoln County Arkansas Public Defense Commission,” according to the release.
His service has been recognized with awards, including the Commitment to Justice Award from the University of Arkansas School of Law.
JOINER
A native of West Memphis, Joiner graduated from UAPB in 1997. He obtained a Master of Education degree from Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn., in 2002. In 2018, he obtained a Master of Professional Counseling degree from Amridge University in Montgomery, Ala.
Joiner began preaching in 1988 at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. On May 11, Joiner will be conferred with a Doctorate of Faith and Health, Pastoral Therapy from Memphis Theological Seminary.
His organization and community involvements include serving as an executive board member of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, Delta Network Association, Arkansas Baptist State Convention, West Memphis School District Board, West Memphis Chamber of Commerce Design and Review, as well as Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Xi Rho Chapter.
He is a UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Association Silver Life Member. Joiner is also a former third vice president of the Consolidated Missionary Baptist State Convention. He is a past lecturer at the National Baptist Convention, USA, Laymen’s Department, and a past trustee of Arkansas Baptist College.