Art Morris accepts the Morris Fair Heart Award from Brandy Cox, executive director of the Arkansas Alumni Association.
Volunteer extraordinaire Art Morris, a Siloam Springs resident, was surprised with the 2013 Morris Fair Heart Award during the Northwest Arkansas Regional Network’s Ice Cream Social & Scholarship Awards in May. In fact, he had to take a break from serving ice cream to accept the award.
The Morris Fair Heart Award was created by the Arkansas Alumni Association to honor a unique individual who exemplifies the volunteer spirit, enthusiasm and commitment that is the core of alumni involvement. The spirit of the award is to honor those individuals who give their “heart” and often do not stand in the spotlight for their contributions. The recipient must be a member of the Arkansas Alumni Association.
Morris is a familiar face around the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House and Northwest Arkansas. For many years, he has volunteered during the Alumni Association’s Hog Wild Tailgates, usually greeting guests with a smile and a “I Love Hogs” sticker as they enter the event. He also participates in the annual scholarship review and serves on the NWA Regional Network Board. A life member of the Alumni Association, he does all of this even though he isn’t a University of Arkansas graduate.
Morris said he doesn’t even remember how long he’s been volunteering for the Alumni Association, but it just took an ask from a staff member to get involved.
When he’s not volunteering, the retired banker is probably traveling as he follows the Razorbacks, whether it’s to Maui for a basketball tournament or to a bowl game.
