UALR awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Ms. Gertrude Jackson at its morning fall commencement ceremony on Thursday, December 20. Ms. Jackson, along with her husband Earlis, led efforts to fight racial discrimination and injustice in the Turner Community in Phillips County, and was instrumental in bringing the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to the area.
Along with the honorary degree, Ms. Jackson received commendation letters from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Senator Mark Pryor.
