Wanda Allen Belzung

Wanda Allen Belzung, 89, a retired University of Arkansas journalism instructor, died Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, in Fayetteville. She was born Feb. 23, 1924, in Village, Ark., the daughter of Marcus L. and Mae Crumpler Allen of Stephens, Ark. She graduated from Smackover High School. She received bachelor and master of journalism degrees in 1947 and 1950 from The University of Texas at Austin and began her career as an administrative assistant to the Press Secretary of the Governor of Texas. Later she was a copywriter for an Austin advertising agency, then worked in advertising for the Skillern's drugstore chain in Dallas. After moving back to Austin, she was associate editor of "The Texas Outlook" magazine in Austin. While a graduate student at the University of Texas, she married Laurie Dennis Belzung in 1947 and they made their home in Austin, Dallas, and Houston. In 1960 they moved to Fayetteville when Dr. Belzung was named professor of economics and associate dean in the College of Business Administration. Mrs. Belzung began teaching courses in the University of Arkansas Department of Journalism in 1974. She helped develop the advertising-public relations sequence and founded the student chapter of the American Advertising Federation. In 1982, her students won first place in the Tenth District of the American Advertising Federation and received national recognition in the AAF student advertising competition. In other awards, she was a recipient of an American Academy of Advertising Faculty Advisory Committee award and was a member of the AAF Education Foundation. She was selected V.I.P. (Very Important Professor) by the Specialty Advertising Association International, and named "Outstanding Educator for 1985" by the Tenth District AAF. When she retired in 1988, the Wanda A. Belzung Scholarship Fund in advertising was created at the UA by students and professionals in advertising. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church, University Women's Club, Twentieth Century Club and P.E.O. Chapter BH, and also served on the Board of Directors and Foundation Board of Altrusa International, Inc of Fayetteville. Mrs. Belzung was widely traveled, having toured with her husband more than 25 countries in Europe, the Balkans, Scandinavia, the Soviet Union, China, and other Far East nations. After her husband's death in 1992, she continued traveling with family and friends to England, France, Italy, Spain, Canada, South America and Scotland. She was an avid supporter of University of Arkansas sports — attending Razorback football games until she was 85 and Razorback basketball games until her death. She is survived by three daughters, Sue Condren of Fayetteville, Janet Gregory of Conway, and Kei Amos of Seattle; four grandchildren, Jessica and Sean Condren and Jennifer and Robert Gregory; and brother Don Allen of Sugar Land, Texas. Visitation will be held Monday, Sept. 30 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1 at Butterfield Trail Village Convocation Room with Dr. Steven K. Pulliam officiating. Private burial services will be held at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wanda A. Belzung Scholarship Fund, University of Arkansas Foundation, Fayetteville, AR 72701 or Altrusa International of Fayetteville Inc., 2095 Austin Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72703. To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com.