Julian C. Stewart Wins Volunteer of the Year Award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Julian C. Stewart (B.S.C.E., 1957) of San Antonio, Texas, and Fayetteville, received The Bill Franklin Volunteer of the Year Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, District III. Stewart was recognized for his leadership roles during the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, which recorded $1.046 billion in gifts and pledges designated toward student and faculty endowments, academic programs, capital improvements and University Libraries when it concluded June 30, 2005.

As a member of the Campaign Steering Committee and the Executive Committee, Stewart -a long-time supporter of the Annual Fund, the College of Engineering, scholarship funds, and various capital fundraisers - approached the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century from the perspective of a donor. He also served as the co-chairman of the Leadership and Principal Gifts Committee during the Campaign. Throughout the seven-year effort, he championed the idea of stewardship and was diligent in keeping donors apprised about the use of their gifts.

One example of Stewart’s commitment to the Campaign came in 2003, when he challenged every member of the Campaign Steering Committee to show their belief in the Campaign in a tangible way - by giving. And, he led by example. After a $2 million commitment to student scholarships early in the Campaign, Stewart also made a $500,000 gift to civil engineering that was matched by the university’s matching gift program.

As 2004 began, Stewart established a goal to create a more engaged, proactive Campaign Steering Committee during the final months of the Campaign. He decided that each major prospect capable of giving $1 million or more should be contacted regularly. Then, in February 2005, he urged the UA development office to write a letter to major donors and volunteers seeking their “buy-in” for the idea of raising the goal from $900 million to $1 billion.

Dave Gearhart, the vice chancellor for university advancement, said, “This award acknowledges the tremendous efforts of one of the greatest volunteers this institution has ever known. Julian’s passion for the university has played a critical role in many of our achievements over the years, and I am personally grateful for his commitment and love for this institution. He was instrumental in the success of the University of Arkansas’ Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, and we could not have done it without his dedication and support.”

Stewart said, “When I received the phone call from Dave that I was the recipient of this award, I was completely surprised. I didn’t even know I had been nominated. I was extremely touched - to the point of being speechless - that my work as a volunteer was recognized. And, anyone can tell you that it is a rare thing for me to be speechless. I am accepting this award on behalf of all the outstanding people that worked on this campaign. What we achieved during the Campaign was the result of a lot of hard work and dedication from hundreds of people including faculty, administrative staff, university leadership, volunteers, students, alumni and friends of the university. It’s not so much what Julian Stewart did; . I was a part of a wonderful team effort. It was an especially great honor for me to work with the Campaign Steering Committee, where I developed many close, personal friends.”

Born and raised in Fayetteville, Ark., Stewart met his wife of 47 years, Nana (B.S.E., 1958), at the University of Arkansas. A member of Sigma Nu, Stewart graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1957. He worked as an engineer for United Gas Pipe Line Co. from 1957-65, as a sales and marketing executive for IBM from 1965-87, and in contract work for Cullen/Frost Bankers from 1987-92. Stewart has been an active volunteer throughout his life. He served as chairman of the Baptist Health System of San Antonio and as a trustee and treasurer of the Baptist Health System Foundation. He has served on the board of Junior Achievement of South Texas and as chairman of both the American Heart Association-San Antonio and the American Heart Association-Texas affiliate where he was elected as an honorary life member of the board. He is also a member and deacon of the Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, is past chair of the deacon council, and was recently elected a life deacon.

Established in 1974, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, headquartered in Washington, D.C., with an office in London, is the professional organization for advancement professionals at all levels who work in alumni relations, communications and development. Its membership includes more than 3,000 colleges, universities and independent elementary and secondary schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico and 42 other countries. It is the largest nonprofit education association in terms of institutional membership with nearly 4,500 professional members. The organization is divided into eight districts. The University of Arkansas is part of District III, one of the largest districts comprising most of the Southern states and all of the Southeastern Conference schools. District III provides many support functions for universities, colleges and independent schools and is responsible for developing standards and practices in the fields of alumni relations, development and university relations.