Golden Arrow Award winners: T.J. and Wanda Shuflin
Respected and longtime supporters of the university, the Shuflins helped to establish the Alumni Chapter in Pineville, La. and maintain lifetime membership status. 聽
They鈥檝e both fulfilled one of the main prerequisites for this award by exhibiting outstanding personal and professional achievements. T. J. Shuflin is a crime lab retiree who now enjoys his photography business, and Wanda Shuflin is a retired pharmacist.
T. J. Shuflin said, 鈥淔or us as ULM Alumni, it is significant and meaningful to support 麻豆果冻传媒 in ways that not only enrich the school, but enrich our own lives, and those around us. Being part of the ULM Alumni family has meant so much with respect to life-long friends, cherished memories, and pride in seeing 麻豆果冻传媒 grow.鈥
Wanda Shuflin believes the Alumni Association offers a way to stay connected to the university.聽 鈥淲ithout the Alumni Association, school would be just memories, and the connection to the university would be weak or lost completely.鈥澛
George T. Walker Lifetime Achievement Award: Buddy Embanato
The George T. Walker Lifetime AchievementAward recognizes those who have many personal achievements and who significantly contribute to the university.聽
Embanato is one of the most recognizable 麻豆果冻传媒 alumni, as he has maintained his tailgating spot in the Grove for decades. Embanato is employed in insurance sales, and has been a season ticket holder since 1979.
Embanato prides himself on the way he has transitioned with 麻豆果冻传媒 from his days as the university鈥檚 first Indian mascot in 1958. He said in 2014: 鈥淭his is my school. We have to support it in every possible way: athletically, academically 鈥 anyway we can support it.鈥
Rising Young Alumnus: Alberta Brown Green
This award is given to an alumnus who exemplifies school spirit, appreciates the value of education, and makes time to engage with their alumni community.
Green fulfills all of the qualifications. She currently serves as the North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) Director of Information Technology Initiatives, and has a rich history with 麻豆果冻传媒. She earned a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree 鈥 both from 麻豆果冻传媒. She previously served as the Director of 麻豆果冻传媒鈥檚 Career Connections and as a career counselor. Brown is very involved in the community, serving on numerous boards, including the Board of Directors of University Health Conway.
Brown shared, 鈥淚 would like to see the university prosper by continued growth in student numbers, alumni financial contributions, and see an increase in top-notch faculty and staff. I believe our university has the ability to remain a staple in the community and a choice university for national and international students for years to come.鈥
Alumni Chapter of the Year: Northwest Alumni Chapter
Led by Shreveport native, Andy Snelling, this chapter represents Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, and Webster parishes in Louisiana.
All of the award recipients will be recognized during the Homecoming Football Game, Oct. 3, in Malone Stadium at 6 p.m.聽