UA professor, Gerald Jordan, and former executive director of the Arkansas Alumni Association, Andy Lucas.

Gerald Jordan and Andy Lucas

The University of Arkansas Lemke Journalism Alumni Society was named the 2012 recipient of the Mace Award in recognition of its 2012 Lemke Journalism Alumni Society Hall of Honor event. The award, which was named for the former executive director of the Arkansas Alumni Association, Mike Macechko, will be presented at this year’s Volunteer Summit on Sept. 13 at the Reynolds Center on the University of Arkansas campus.

Established in 2008, the Mace Award recognizes exceptional event planning, execution and attendance by alumni groups that lead by example in connecting and serving alumni and friends to the Arkansas Alumni Association and the University of Arkansas.

The Lemke Alumni Society Hall of Honor event recognized Lemke journalism graduates who have pursued distinguished careers in journalism that brought honor and integrity to their respective communities, the Walter J. Lemke Department of Journalism, the Lemke Journalism Society and the University of Arkansas.

The first Hall of Honor event took place in 2000 with little funding and few attendees, but it has evolved into the Lemke Journalism Department’s signature event. The 2012 event honored Gerald Jordan, Class of 1970, and Andrew Lucas, Class of 1959. Approximately 140 people attended and more than $2,300 was raised for the Lemke Journalism Alumni Society Scholarship Fund.

The success of the event is attributed to the collaboration of the Lemke Journalism Alumni Society board members, the Walter J. Lemke Journalism Department, the Arkansas Alumni Association and other University departments that supported the event.

Recognition of the event will be acknowledged on a plaque of the Mace Award at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House. Additionally, the society will receive a $500 stipend to be used toward a future innovative event or program.