Dr. Jan Austin, director of UALR’s Office of Campus Life, accepted a plaque of appreciation from the Arkansas Foodbank at its annual meeting Thursday, Oct. 27, on behalf of several university organizations working to alleviate hunger in central Arkansas.

UALR was recognized for its annual food drive, organized last year by the Student Government Association and this year by the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps, that collects 12,000 pieces of non-perishable food items beginning at the start of the fall semester.

The award also recognized the Nonprofit Leadership Association of UALR – previously American Humanics – for its selection of the Arkansas Foodbank to receive the proceeds of the group’s chili cook-off event.

Also honored were School of Mass Communication students for their class project in social media, using Facebook, Twitter, and blog posts to promote the foodbank.