Arkansas Historical Association Honors University of Arkansas Alumni

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Two recent doctoral graduates of the University of Arkansas were honored for their scholarly work at the 74th annual conference of the Arkansas Historical Association.

Jared M. Phillips, who earned a doctorate in 2013, and Kelly Houston Jones, who graduated in December, received awards at the association’s awards banquet, held April 11 in West Memphis.

Phillips received the Lucille Westbrook Award “for his outstanding contribution to local Arkansas history” in his essay, “Hipbillies and Hillbillies: Back-to-the-landers in the Arkansas Ozarks during the Seventies.” The award came with a certificate and $1,000.

Jones received the James L. Foster and Billy W. Beason Award “for her outstanding contribution to Arkansas history” with her dissertation, “The Peculiar Institution on the Periphery: Slavery in Arkansas.” The award came with a certificate and $250.

Thomas DeBlack, who earned a doctorate in history at the University of Arkansas in 1995, was honored with a lifetime achievement award “for his service to Arkansas history as a scholar, teacher, advocate and benefactor.” DeBlack, a professor of history at Arkansas Tech University, is the author of With Fire and Sword: Arkansas 1861-1874.

Timothy G. Nutt, head of the special collections department of the University Libraries, serves as president of the Arkansas Historical Association. Patrick Williams, associate professor of history at the U of A, is the association’s secretary-treasurer.

The mission of the Arkansas Historical Association is to promote the preservation, writing, publishing, teaching and understanding of Arkansas state history through the publication of the Arkansas Historical Quarterly as well as other activities.