Three 2020 Hoyt H. Purvis Award Recipients Announced

University of Arkansas

2020 Hoyt H. Purvis Award recipients, from left, are Adnan Alrubaye, Keukeu Abdullah, Michael Freeman.

Three members of the University of Arkansas community have been named winners of the 2020 Hoyt H. Purvis Award for Service in International Education. The award recognizes a university faculty member, a university staff member and Graduate School and International Education staff member for their outstanding service to the field of international education.

Adnan Alrubaye is the university faculty award recipient. Alrubaye is a research assistant professor in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Poultry Science, as well as the associate director of the interdisciplinary program in cell and molecular biology. A recent inductee into the UA Teaching Academy, Alrubaye teaches about 900 students each year in General Microbiology. He also plays a critical role in advising international students and is often called upon by other departments to advise and mentor international students. He has worked actively to recruit international students to the U of A.

"Dr. Alrubyae's efforts to recruit and graduate middle eastern students has helped to double the size of the Cell and Molecular Biology program to become the largest Ph.D. program on campus," said Patricia Koski, dean of the Graduate School and International Education. "He has been a leader in community international relations and in the Muslim community on campus, and he is dedicated to bringing different religions together for peace and understanding." 

Keukeu Abdullah, a fiscal support specialist in the Campus Card Office, is the university staff award recipient. Abdullah is a major supporter of international education programs, especially for SE Asia.

"To the Southeast Asian students on our campus, she is a volunteer parent," said Curt Rom, associate dean for international education. "She continues to keep us connected to our alumni once those students graduate."

In addition to her full-time work for the university, Abdullah volunteers informally to assist in the prearrival and arrival to campus for Asian students. She mentors and encourages them, building and sustaining the community of students.

Michael Freeman, director of international students and scholars, is the Graduate School and International Education staff award recipient.

"For over 35 years, Michael has been the face of international education on our campus," said Koski. "He has a great passion for international education and inspires others to also care about our international students and scholars."

Freeman has been active in NAFSA Association of International Educators and has been recognized with numerous awards for his dedication to international education. When U.S. immigration policies made access limited for some international students, Freeman created a public relations program on campus to remind our international students that "You Belong Here."  

For over three decades, Freeman's quiet and steady leadership and commitment to international students has affected thousands of students, making the University of Arkansas a more enriched and culturally diverse community.

The award recipients were honored Nov. 19 in a digital ceremony as part of International Education Week.

About the Hoyt H. Purvis Award for Service in International Education: The award was established to honor Purvis, a professor emeritus of journalism and international relations, for his contributions to and advocacy for international education at the University of Arkansas. He was the first recipient of the award, which was begun in spring 2016.