Beebe, artist to get honorary degrees

The University of Arkansas has announced it will give honorary degrees to Gov. Mike Beebe and sculptor Anita Huffington during the all-university commencement May 10 at Bud Walton Arena.

Beebe will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws while Huffington will receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts. Both will be featured speakers during the ceremony.

“It is a great pleasure to be able to recognize and honor two such distinct and accomplished Arkansans,” said UA Chancellor G. David Gearhart.

A news release said Northwest Arkansas is Huffington’s adopted home. Beebe was born in Jackson County.

Beebe, a graduate of theUA School of Law, was elected to the state Senate in 1982, beginning a 30-year career in state government. He served 20 years in the Senate, was elected Arkansas attorney general in 2003 and served one term before being elected governor in 2007, the release said.

Huffington, a native of Baltimore, Md., holds bachelor’s and master’s degree in fine arts from City College of New York. In 1977, she and her husband relocated to near Winslow in Washington County, the release said.

Her sculptures are part of the permanent collection of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 8 on 04/22/2014

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