Selection Criteria

Successful nominees will have a record of outstanding service and/or leadership to international education and a commitment to promoting mutual understanding between peoples of all nations within the University of Arkansas campus community and the greater community. Winners will be selected by the Graduate School and International Education.

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The Award

Names will be engraved on a permanent plaque displayed within GSIE. Additionally, winners will receive a monetary award. The Dean of the Graduate School and International Education or a designee will present the awards.

Professor Hoyt Purvis served the campus as an administrator and faculty member for more than three decades before retiring in 2016. His contributions to the field of international education on campus included:

• establishing and serving as the first director for the International Relations major;
• teaching courses in journalism, foreign policy, political science, Asian studies, Latin American studies, and European studies;
• organizing a public symposium on an international topic every year for almost 20 years, drawing government officials, distinguished scholars and international dignitaries to campus;
• advising hundreds of students and mentoring staff;
• authoring books and articles on a wide array of international topics.

Hoyt Purvis’ career also includes roles as press secretary and special assistant to Senator J. William Fulbright; foreign and defense policy advisor/counsel to Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd; appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve on the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, on which he served for 10 years, including three as chairman.

Among his many awards and accolades are the National Outstanding Faculty Award from Phi Beta Delta Honors Society for International Scholars; citation for service to the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and U.S. Department of State; the University of Arkansas Honors College Distinguished faculty award and Faculty Gold Medal for mentoring.

Hoyt Purvis Award Nomination Form

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Previous Winners

2023

• University Faculty Recipient

  Jeff Miller, Professor in the Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology

• University Staff Recipient

  Mindy Hunthrop, Assistant Director of Master of Science in Operations Management and Engineering Management Programs

• GSIE Staff Recipient

  Namiko Bagirimvano, Director of Sponsored Students and Special Programs

2022

• University Faculty Recipient

  Christopher Kelley, Associate Professor for Law in the School of Law

• University Staff Recipient

  Camilla Shumaker Director of Business Application Services in University Information Technology Services

• GSIE Staff Recipient

  Sarah Malloy, Director of Study Abroad and International Exchange

2021

• University Faculty Recipient

  Lisa Wood, Assistant Dean for International Education in the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

• University Staff Recipient

  Bryan Hill, Associate Dean for student success in the College of Engineering

• GSIE Staff Recipient

  Gloria Flores Passmore, Director of the Office of Sponsored Students and Special Programs

2020

• University Faculty Recipient

  Adnan Alrubaye, Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology

• University Staff Recipient

  Keukeu Abdullah, Fiscal Support Specialist in the Campus Card Office

• GSIE Staff Recipient

  Michael Freeman, Director of International Students and Scholars

2019

• University Faculty Recipient

  Dr. Peter Ungar is a Distinguished Professor of Anthropology and serves as Director of the Environmental Dynamics interdisciplinary graduate program

• University Staff Recipient

  Cecilia Grossberger serves as the Assistant Director of Marketing & Public Relations within the Division of Student Affairs

• GSIE Staff Recipient

  Lynn Mosesso serves as the Director of Graduate and International Recruitment and Admissions

2018

• University Faculty Recipient

  Lanier Nalley serves as professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness

• University Staff Recipient

  Chelsea Hodge serves as associate director of recruitment and grants management, Honors College

• GSIE Staff Recipient

  Leyah Bergman-Lanier serves as director of Spring International Language Center

2017

• University Faculty Recipient

  Bruce Ahrendsen is a professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness

• University Staff Recipient

  Fran Hagstrom serves as assistant dean for the College of Education and Health Professions

• GSIE Staff Recipient

  Cynthia Smith serves as assistant director for outreach programs in International Students and Scholars

2016

• University Faculty Recipient

  Amy Farmer is a university professor of economics

• University Staff Recipient

  Mary Alice Serafini serves as associate vice chancellor and executive director of the Pat Walker Health Center

• GSIE Staff Recipient

  DeDe Long serves as director of Study Abroad and International Exchange

The award was established to honor Hoyt H. Purvis, a longtime University of Arkansas professor of journalism and international relations. Purvis was selected as the first recipient of his namesake's award to recognize his contributions to and advocacy for international education at the University of Arkansas. With the exception of the inaugural year, awards are made each year to a University faculty member, University staff member and a GSIE staff member.