Family and friends, fellow Alpha Kappa Alpha members, fellow Links Inc. members and representatives of the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame were among those who gathered for a posthumous tribute to the late Dr. Raye Jean Montague during the 10th annual James H. Fribourgh Awards Reception, which took place Oct. 10 at Chenal Country Club ... a year to the day after Montague's passing at the age of 83.
The award stems from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Arts, Letters and Sciences and recognizes individuals for their math- and science-related contributions to the state. Montague -- an engineer with the U.S. Navy credited with the rough draft of the first naval ship design using a computer -- was nicknamed Arkansas' "Hidden Figure" after the release of the movie Hidden Figures, the real-life story about three black women who worked for NASA in 1961. Her awards included her induction into the Black Hall of Fame.
State Sen. Joyce Elliott served as master of ceremonies for the reception -- actually a full dinner -- at which tribute was also paid for the late presenting sponsor Dr. Garry Glasco. Dr. Christina Drale, recently named UALR chancellor, shared remarks and a poem. The Rev. Cindy Fribourgh, daughter of the late James Fribourgh, gave an overview and a salute to her father. David Montague, son of Raye Montague and director of eLeaning as well as a criminal-justice professor at UALR, gave acceptance remarks.
Fribourgh was a professor emeritus and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Proceeds from the reception will be used to create the Raye Jean Jordan Montague Endowed Scholarship Fund to help the university attract outstanding full-time students majoring in math and science.
High Profile on 10/20/2019