Tommy Bahama CEO gives UCA $250,000
CONWAY - Seattle businessman Terry Pillow is giving the University of Central Arkansas’ Advancement Division $250,000 to support the dean’s position in the College of Business.
“A gift from this distinguished business leader confirms that UCA is headed in the right direction,” UCA President Tom Courtway said in a news release Friday. “We are very grateful for his generosity.”
Pillow, a native of Corning, is chief executive officer of Tommy Bahama Group Inc., an international company that sells a wide range of items, including clothing, boats and furniture. Tommy Bahama has more than 3,000 employees.
Pillow, 60, was named one of UCA’s distinguished alumni earlier this year. While attending UCA, he belonged to the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity and was a class officer. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1976.
The gift will provide support and create an endowment for future expenses, according to the release. The endowment fund is named in memory of Pillow’s parents, Homer and Regina Pillow.
“I’m often reminded of how influential my time atUCA has been in my life and career,” Pillow said. “UCA is built on a reputation of excellence, and I’m proud to be an alumnus and to support UCA’s long tradition of commitment to educating students.”
Pillow lives in Seattle with his wife, Kelley, and son, Sam. UCA board selects Hinkle as chairman
CONWAY - The University of Central Arkansas board of trustees has chosen Kay Hinkle as its new chairman.
The board chose Hinkle, who lives in Mountain View, during a meeting Friday on the UCA campus.
Hinkle, whose term as a trustee expires Jan. 14, 2018, was first appointed to the board March 16, 2004. She succeeds trustee Victor Green of Conway as chairman, a position that is rotated annually.
Hinkle is retired from a business career.
Educational group a Bellwether finalist
WEST MEMPHIS - An Arkansas educational group will compete in January for the Bellwether Legacy Award.
The Arkansas Delta Training and Education Consortium was recently selected as one of 10 finalists for the 2014 award.
Member schools are Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville, East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas State University at Newport and Mid-South Community College in West Memphis.
The consortium will compete for the award Jan. 25-28 in Orlando, Fla.
“The Legacy Award acknowledges outstanding Bellwether-winning programs that have demonstrated five or more years of successful implementation and replication,” according to a news release announcing the consortium’s selection as a finalist.
The consortium has been recognized nationally as a model workforce development program seven times since 2007.
In 2010, for example, the group won the Bellwether Workforce Development award, which recognizes strategic alliances advancing community and economic development.
The consortium’s goals include providing a comprehensive, regional approach to education and training; sharing successful practices that relate to such things as equipment, faculty and curriculum; providing a broad range of services at lower cost; and promoting regional economic development.
Arkansas, Pages 16 on 12/16/2013