U of A Students, Chancellor Honored at 14th Lideres de Corazon Celebration

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart and two U of A students were honored with leadership awards at the annual Lideres de Corazon (Leaders of the Heart) celebration sponsored by the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of ALPFA, the ALPFA Institute and Walmart. The keynote speaker for the event was George P. Bush, nephew of President George W. Bush and son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Gearhart received the award for leadership in higher education for his impact in the Hispanic community. The award was presented to Gearhart by Mario E. Ramirez, national director executive planning of the Wealth Management Group of TIAA-CREF Financial Services.

“This event has celebrated the contributions of more than 100 leaders from Northwest Arkansas over the last 13 years,” said Sharon Orlopp, global chief diversity officer and senior vice president of people for Walmart. “To honor ordinary people from the region who have done extraordinary things to advance the Latino community.”

Among the 13 awards given, two University of Arkansas students were honored at the event attended by about 400 people at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.

Jeanette Arnhart, a graduate student in world languages, literatures and cultures who works with La Oficina Latina at the university, received the public service award.

Angela Chang Chiu, a nursing student and a member of the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, received the young community leader award in the college and university student category.

The Sam M. Walton College of Business sponsored the business community leader award presented to Thomas A. Mars, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Walmart, by Walton College Dean Eli Jones.

“This year, Walmart, ALPFA and the ALPFA Institute are here to celebrate a new group of leaders,” Orlopp said. “They have played an integral role in making Northwest Arkansas a better place to live and work. Selflessly, every day, these individuals and organizations think about how they can make us and our community better, not just themselves.”

“This is one of those rare times when our community is allowed to come together and celebrate the heroes in Northwest Arkansas who are dedicated to changing lives and seek no reward or recognition for their work,” said David Kopsch, president of the Northwest Arkansas ALPFA Chapter. “It is truly an amazing sight to see.”

ALPFA is the largest Latino association for business professionals and students, with 21,000 members in 40 professional chapters and 100 student chapters throughout the nation. The organization works to build more Latino business leaders by creating opportunities and access for its members, their communities and business partners. The ALPFA institute was founded in 2011 at the Walton College and has become a hub for thought leadership in the Latino business community.