Four Honored on National Philanthropy Day Have Direct U of A Ties

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Curtis and Jane Shipley

A recent University of Arkansas graduate and three longtime university benefactors recently received National Philanthropy Day Awards. Lewis E. Epley Jr., Curtis and Jane Shipley, and Julia Lyon earned awards in three different categories and were honored at a ceremony sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northwest Arkansas Chapter.

Curtis and Jane Shipley received the Lifetime Philanthropic Achievement award for the time, skill and energy they have regularly given to the university, region and state over the years.

“Curtis and Jane are humble givers with big hearts,” said Tom E.C. Smith, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions. “There is hardly a cause that hasn’t been affected by the volunteering they do. Their efforts make our region and our state the great place we all know it to be.”

One of the earliest members and a past president of the university’s Women’s Giving Circle, Jane Shipley has been a cornerstone for the organization that has raised more than $600,000 in support for more than 50 programs. Curtis Shipley, who currently serves on the university’s Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee, previously served as chairman of the National Development Council and on the Steering Committee of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century.

Lewis E. Epley Jr.

Lewis E. Epley Jr., who was previously honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2009 National Philanthropy Day ceremonies, earned the Legacy Award, honoring overall giving with a focus on gifts via bequest, trust or other planned gift.

Early in 2012, in recognition of a naming gift from Lewis and his wife, Donna, the university dedicated the Epley Center for Health Professions, the new home of the university’s Speech and Hearing Clinic and the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. The new facility is providing the space and amenities to double the enrollment in the nursing program, improve training for students and enables the speech and hearing clinic to serve additional families.

“The commitments the Epleys have made will impact so many people for years to come,” said Bruce Pontious, associate vice chancellor for development. “The Epleys are also big supporters of the Razorback Marching Band and have established endowed funds for uniforms, instruments, scholarships and other band needs.”

Julia Lyon

Julia Lyon, former vice president of the Volunteer Action Center’s Full Circle Campus Food Pantry, earned the Youth in Philanthropy Award for an individual.

“Quite simply, there would be no food pantry without Julia,” said Jane Gearhart, who worked with Lyon as a part of the planning committee for World Food Day.

Under Lyon’s leadership, the pantry served more than 2,500 students and other members of the campus community in its first year. The pantry has been honored with numerous regional and national awards including as one of the top five programs in the country by the White House Campus Champions of Change Challenge.

Lyon, who graduated from the U of A in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, is currently enrolled in medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.