This past week, the Alumni Association introduced a new program that had a stunning impact on students and faculty.
Former Association President Jeff Johnson and his wife, Marcia, made a generous contribution to establish an endowment to bring esteemed alumni to campus to engage and inspire students. Jeff’s motivation came from his time on the board and experiencing the Alumni Awards Celebration. Those events honor successful alumni who have made a great impact on society.
The campus already hosts innumerable lecture series featuring speakers on a variety of subjects. Jeff and Marcia wanted students to have a closer, more intimate contact with role model alumni. The result of these ideas and the wonderful gift was the Johnson Fellows program.
The first Fellow is Marty Steele, Lt. General, U.S.M.C. (retired.) Marty grew up in Fayetteville, enlisted in the Marine Corps, returned to the University to earn a degree in history in 1974 while serving as an active duty officer. He later rose to chief operating officer of the Corps. Upon retirement, he became president and CEO of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York, the largest naval museum in the world. He currently is the CEO for two companies that offer strategic advice and leadership consulting with a goal of developing uncommon leaders with special emphasis on strength of character and high ethical behavior.
During his busy three days on campus, Marty touched a variety of students and faculty. He spoke to business classes about professional and personal ethics, met with a group of veterans who had returned to campus as students, provided insight before a diplomatic history class, spoke to members of the Student Alumni Board and R.E.A.L. Razorbacks, interviewed for the UATV broadcast journalism class, lunched with Leadership Walton Students and was interviewed by the David Pryor Center for Oral History. In each venue his passion for this university was clearly evident.
We are already hearing about his impact. Students from the classes have talked about his important and inspiring message. They e-mailed thanks for his insight into recent and current events and the issues facing the nation in Afghanistan and Iraq. Student leaders were near tears in describing how his challenges hit home. Professors are trying to reschedule him for other classes next semester.
It is ironic, and also fortuitous, that his visit coincided with Veteran’s Day. I attended the luncheon with veterans turned students. (The chancellor has also made the assimilation of veterans a top priority.) The room was filled with raw emotions as each veteran cited difficulties returning to the classroom amid more traditional students. Their stories struck a chord for the general because he is involved in Uncommon Leadership, a transition program to assist exiting Marines into the private sector.
The goal of the Johnson Fellows is to impact students. It surely has this week. Perhaps they are now even more inspired in their quest for an Arkansas degree and to become fellow alumni with Marty Steele.
