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Commencement Planned for Dec. 17
(Posted: November 24, 2009) (Printable Version)
Guest speaker for the Dec. 17 fall commencement exercises at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith will be Robert A. Young III, chairman of the Board for Fort Smith-based Arkansas Best Corp.
The 7 p.m. ceremony in the Stubblefield Center will include the awarding of approximately 450 degrees and certificates for those completing graduation requirements during the second summer term and the fall semester.
Dr. Paul B. Beran, UA Fort Smith chancellor, said Young’s leadership in the community is legendary.
“His stature in the business community and as Arkansas Best chairman of the Board and his years of service to the community are examples of the caliber of his leadership ability,” said Dr. Beran. “He has provided countless hours to numerous efforts, projects and organizations, including his service on the UA Fort Smith Foundation Board.”
Young began his career with Arkansas Best Freight System Inc. in 1964 as a supervisor of terminal operations, becoming president of Data-Tronics Corp. in 1965. He became senior vice president of National Bank of Commerce in Dallas in 1967, returning as vice president of finance for Arkansas Best Corp. in 1970.
He then moved into positions of executive vice president and chief operating officer, as well as serving as president of Arkansas Best Corp. and ABF Freight System Inc. From 1988 until 2006 he was chief executive officer for Arkansas Best Corp. and has served as chairman of the board since 2004.
Young is a member of boards for First Bank Corp. and First National Bank in Fort Smith and for the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Little Rock Branch. He is active in both the American Trucking Association and the Arkansas Trucking Association.
Young is a member of the Board of Trustees for Lyon College in Batesville and is on the board for the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club, where he was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2008. He is also a member of the United Way of Fort Smith Endowment Committee and of the 188th Fighter Wing/Fort Chaffee Community Council.
He previously served on numerous committees and boards for organizations, hospitals, universities and philanthropic entities in Fort Smith and the region. He is a recipient of the Westark Area Council Lifetime Alumni Award from the Boy Scouts of America, the Jack White Leadership Fort Smith Award, the Arkansas Jaycees “Outstanding Young Man of Arkansas” Award and the Arkansas Community Development Program Award for Exceptional Accomplishment for Leadership in Improving Community.
Young attended Fort Smith Public Schools, received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., and was awarded the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Lyon College.
The fall 2009 candidates for graduation represent 183 bachelor’s degrees, 151 associate degrees and 39 technical certificates. Summer II graduates include 33 receiving bachelor’s degrees, 44 with associate degrees and eight technical certificates.
Commencement activities will also feature a first-time event held as part of the ceremony — the administering of the oath of office for UA Fort Smith student Jared Biggs of Fort Smith, who earlier in the afternoon will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
On the commencement program are introductions and remarks by Chancellor Beran, who will also confer the degrees. The presentation of candidates for graduation will be by Dr. Beran; Dr. Ray Wallace, provost and senior vice chancellor; Wayne Womack, registrar; Dr. Georgia Hale, dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology; Dr. Steve Williams, dean of the College of Business; Dr. John Jones, dean of the College of Education; Dr. Carolyn Mosley, dean of the College of Health Sciences; Dr. Joe Hardin, dean of the College of Languages and Communication; and Dr. Mark Arant, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Anne Thomas, director of alumni affairs, will provide a welcome from the Alumni Association. Dr. Jack Jackson II, master marshal and bearer of the mace, will give a call to order and adjournment. Music will be provided by the UA Fort Smith Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Alexandra Zacharella; Dr. Edward White, assistant professor of voice, as vocalist with the band on the National Anthem and on the alma mater; and Dr. Stephen Husarik, head carillonneur, who will provide pre-ceremony music and post-recessional bell peal on the bell tower carillon.
| Article by: Sondra LaMar, Director of Public Relations |
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