Carin Schoppmeyer: Hunts give to help children; UA honors alumni

Children's Safety Center of Washington County leaders and supporters gathered Oct. 12 at the location of its future home on Gene George Boulevard in Springdale to announce that the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family has given a lead gift of $3 million to support the Healing the Future campaign. The $12.5 million capital campaign "includes the construction of a new building to house the CSC's critical programs including advocacy for alleged child abuse victims, forensic interviews, forensic medical exams, therapy, and prevention and education programs." To date, the group has raised more than $9.1 million toward their goal.

Jane Hunt announced her family's support at the celebration, saying that a tour of the center last year "took my breath away ... The work this team is doing is creating hope and healing for a problem that stretches way further and deeper than any of us realize. And I knew right then I wanted to be a part of that."

According to a news release: "The new 15,000-square-foot facility will be three times the size of the current leased space. It will include the first specialized therapeutic playground in the region; soundproof interview rooms with two-way mirrors and television feed for law enforcement; ample, confidential space for services; two medical suites; better security for staff and clients; dedicated training and technology space for community trainings; and more. The board expects to break ground in April 2022."

Those joining the center to celebrate included Bryan Hunt, Mandy Macke, Jody Dilday, Patrick Tenney, Elizabeth Shackelford, Andy Murray, Emily Rappe Fisher, Sarah White and Casey Atwood.

The Arkansas Alumni Association celebrated 76 years of Alumni Awards by lauding alumni, faculty and friends to recognize "those individuals who continue to bring national and local prominence to the University of Arkansas and the Arkansas Alumni Association through their research, exemplary public and community service, and valued leadership."

The 2020 and 2021 honorees are:

• Jeannie Whayne -- Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award;

• Greg Thomas, B.S.Che.'80, M.S.Che.'86 -- Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award;

• Ro Di Brezzo -- Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award;

• Benjamin Runkle -- Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award;

• Leslie F. Belden B.Arch.'79, Ph.D.'05 and Ted Belden B.Arch.'81 -- Andrew J. Lucas Alumni Service Award;

• The Honorable Tijuana C. Byrd B.A.'91 -- Community Service Award;

• Olivera Jankovska B.S.A.'09 -- Young Alumni Award;

• Rear Adm. Mike Johnson -- Honorary Alumni Award;

• Pam McGinnis B.S.I.E.'90 -- Citation of Distinguished Alumni;

• Barry Switzer B.S.B.A.'61 -- Citation of Distinguished Alumni; and

• Mike Utley B.A.'69 -- Citation of Distinguished Alumni.

For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].