Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
UA launches campaign
‘Gentlemen’ help fund Hope
The University of Arkansas officially launched the $1 billion fundraising undertaking, Campaign Arkansas, with a gala dinner Sept. 16 at Bud Walton Arena on the university campus in Fayetteville with the theme “Arkansas for the Ages.”
UA Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz told those gathered that one of the campaign’s top priorities is to increase need-based scholarships for Arkansas students, fellowships, endowed chairs, capital projects, interdisciplinary academic programs and other priority areas that will advance the university’s goals and objectives. As of August, the school has raised $528,850,343 and aims to secure the balance by 2020.
Razorback alumnus T.J. Holmes, anchor of ABC’s World News Now and America this Morning, served as the evening’s master of ceremonies. Reynie Rutledge, chairman of the UA Board of Trustees, currently serves as the campaign steering committee’s chairman. He is preceded in this role by Johnelle Hunt, Marilyn Bogle, Boyce Billingsley and Sandra and Robert Connor. Shelley and Doug McMillon will assume this position next, followed by Bill Dillard II.
Among those helping kick off the campaign were UA Trustee Jane and Jay Rogers, Angela and UA Trustee Mark Waldrip, UA Trustee David Pryor, Beverly and Lee Bodenhamer, campaign treasurers, Ann Bodenhamer Rosso, and UA President Don Bobbit and his wife Susan, along with Janet and UA Trustee Ben Hyneman.
Hope Cancer Resources supporters and Gentlemen of Distinction models gathered for a VIP reception Sept. 20 on the second-floor terrace at Hunt Tower in Rogers. The annual dinner and men’s fashion show to benefit the
nonprofit organization is set for Friday at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.
The group has selected Fayetteville periodontist Dr. Pierce Osborne II to receive the 2016 Bill Fleeman Gentleman of Distinction award at the fundraiser. Osborne has provided treatment for cancer patients prior to radiation therapy. Radiation in the head and neck region can sometimes damage saliva glands and blood vessels, which can lead to tooth loss. Extraction before treatment sets up the patient for better recovery.
This year’s distinguished models taking the catwalk to support Hope Cancer Resources are John Acoach, Hollis Rogers III, Dallas Areceneaux, Josh Roller, Clay Carlton, Andrew Shelor, Kyle Cupp, Scott Shepherd, Andrew Curtis, Kelly Sudduth, Breck Kelley, Martin Swope, Dean Payton, Gus Vitt, Kevin Pope and Jon Williams.
For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.