Alumni, Greek Organization and Current Student Honored For Philanthropy

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Ten University of Arkansas alumni, one Greek organization and one current student were recognized for their outstanding achievements in philanthropy by the Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas chapters of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Ted and Leslie Belden, Greg Lee, Dina Wood, Morriss and Ann Henry, Jim and Cathy Crouch and the Delta Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi were honored at the Northwest Arkansas National Philanthropy Day luncheon on Nov. 13 in Fayetteville, and alumni Jason and Cassie LaFrance and student Abigail Davis were honored at the Arkansas National Philanthropy Day luncheon on Nov. 21 in Little Rock.

Outstanding Philanthropists: Ted and Leslie Belden

Alumni Ted and Leslie Belden of Fayetteville were recognized as outstanding philanthropists in Northwest Arkansas. The Beldens are both graduates of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. Leslie Belden also holds a Doctor of Philosophy in public policy from the Graduate School and International Education from the U of A and a Master of Arts in Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

In 2017, the Beldens committed $2 million to Campaign Arkansas to create the Cyrus A. and Martha Sutherland Endowed Chair in Preservation Design, the Sam Smith Endowed CARE Scholarship and the Roland Sales Endowment in Student Athlete Development.

At the university, the Beldens are members of the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee and former co-chairs of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design campaign committee. They are also members of the school's Dean's Circle, life members of the Arkansas Alumni Association, recognized in the Towers of Old Main and are counted as Thoroughreds for their 26 years of consecutive giving to the U of A. Leslie Belden is a member of the Women's Giving Circle.

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser: Greg Lee

Alumnus Greg Lee of Fayetteville was recognized as the outstanding volunteer fundraiser in Northwest Arkansas. Lee holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Sam M. Walton College of Business and has been an active volunteer with the university for many years.

Lee serves on the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee and the Walton College Dean's Executive Advisory Board. He is also co-chair of the Walton College campaign committee and served on the Arkansas Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is a life member of the Arkansas Alumni Association, recognized in the Towers of Old Main and is counted as a Thoroughred for his 26 years of consecutive giving to the university.

In 2017, Lee and his wife, Hannah, made a $150,000 Campaign Arkansas gift to support first-generation college students from Arkansas and entrepreneurship efforts at the U of A.

Outstanding Fundraising Executive: Dina Wood

Alumna Dina Wood of Springdale was named the outstanding fundraising executive in Northwest Arkansas. Wood is a graduate of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences as well as the School of Law.

She is a member of the School of Law campaign committee, a life member of the Arkansas Alumni Association and a lifetime member of the Women's Giving Circle. She is also counted as a Thoroughred for her 26 years of consecutive giving to the university and included in the Towers of Old Main.

Wood is senior director of development with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Fayetteville.

Lifetime Achievement: Morriss and Ann Henry

Alumni Morriss and Ann Henry of Fayetteville were honored with the lifetime achievement award. Both are graduates of the School of Law at the U of A, and Ann Henry also holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

Ann Henry is an emeritus associate professor who taught business law in the Walton College for 23 years and is a former member of the University Libraries campaign committee. She and her husband are both life members of the Arkansas Alumni Association and are recognized in the Towers of Old Main for their philanthropy at the U of A. They are also counted as Thoroughreds for their 37 years of consecutive giving to the university.

Legacy Award: Jim and Cathy Crouch

Alumni Jim and Cathy Crouch of Springdale were honored with the legacy award. Jim Crouch is a graduate of the School of Law, and Cathy Crouch earned a master's degree from the College of Education and Health Professions.

The Crouches are members of the Arkansas Alumni Association and are counted as Thoroughreds for their 32 years of consecutive giving to the university.

Youth in Philanthropy: Alpha Delta Pi

The Delta Delta chapter of Alpha Delta Pi was recognized as an outstanding youth in philanthropy recipient. The chapter, which was founded in 1957 at the University of Arkansas, was the 100th chapter to be established internationally.

Alpha Delta Pi adopted the Ronald McDonald House Charities as its international philanthropy in 1979. The Fayetteville chapter assists the Fayetteville Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald House Charities in Rogers by donating to their monthly wish list, cooking dinners, collecting pop tabs and cleaning the house throughout the year. Reading rooms in the Rogers and Fort Smith locations were donated by the chapter, as well as the reception area in the Fayetteville location. Members have volunteered over 24,000 hours and raised nearly $156,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma since 2010.

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers: Jason and Cassie LaFrance

Alumni Jason and Cassie LaFrance of Little Rock were named outstanding volunteer fundraisers in Arkansas. Jason LaFrance has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in finance from the Walton College, and Cassie LaFrance is a graduate of the School of Law.

Jason is a member of the Walton College campaign committee and the Dean's Executive Advisory Board and chaired the selection committee of the 2020 Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. He and Cassie are also members of the Chancellor's Society and recognized in the Towers of Old Main. They are frequent donors to the Walton College.

Outstanding Volunteer Youth Fundraiser: Abigail Davis

Freshman Abigail Davis of Little Rock was named the outstanding volunteer youth fundraiser in Arkansas. Davis has been an active community volunteer since childhood, particularly with the American Heart Association and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas. At the U of A, she is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.