Brenda Donald, director of the District of Columbia’s Child and Family Services, will be honored Thursday, May 10, as UALR’s Distinguished Alumni Award winner, the highest honor bestowed by the UALR Alumni Association.

Donald, a graduate of UALR’s Master of Public Administration program in 1993 and former Little Rock assistant city manager, will be the guest of honor at the annual alumni awards luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 10, at the Clinton Presidential Library’s Grand Hall.

Members of the association interested in attending can call Alumni Director Christian O’Neal at  501-569-3142.

“Brenda has an impressive portfolio of civic, social, and professional accomplishments which makes her ideal for becoming a member of the UALR Alumni Hall of Fame,” O’Neal said.

The UALR Alumni Association has presented the award since 1952 to the most prestigious graduates of UALR for their professional achievements, contributions to society, and support of the university. The annual awards luncheon is sponsored by the UALR Alumni Association and the UALR Foundation Fund Board.

After attending the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and graduating with honors with a degree in journalism from George Washington University in 1973, Donald began her career as a freelance reporter for the Washington Informer. Soon after, she turned her talents to non-profit and association management.

Following a stint as assistant manager for public relations for the District of Columbia Lottery Board, Donald came to Little Rock in 1986 as chief of staff for the city government. In 1995, she became assistant city manager until she became a fellow with the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Later, she served as director of the Child and Family Services Agency, District of Columbia, and deputy mayor for Children, Youth, Families, and Elders. In 2007, she became secretary of Human Resources for the state of Maryland.