Former UALR Dean of Education Jerry Robbins of Ann Arbor, Mich., will receive the Outstanding Alumni Award in Education from the University of Arkansas during commencement exercises May 10, at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

Robbins worked for 25 years as the dean of colleges of education at three universities, including UALR.

He retired in 2004 as a dean and professor in the College of Education at Eastern Michigan University, which was the nation’s largest producer of educational personnel at the time, according to the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE).

Before his retirement, Robbins provided testimony about teacher colleges and preparation programs during a U.S. Congressional Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness in 2003.

Among his other honors, Robbins was selected as an American Council on Education Fellow in 1977-78, served as international president of Kappa Delta Pi from 1982-84, and participated in the Harvard Management Development Program in 1990. He was named president of the Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities and was president of the Michigan Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

Robbins also received the AACTE Volunteer Service Award in 2005.

He began his career in K-12 education, first as a mathematics and music teacher in Clinton, Ark., and eventually as a high school principal in Missouri.

Robbins holds a doctorate and master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Arkansas and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Hendrix College.

His award in May will be one of three to honor alumni for exceptional professional and personal achievements and extraordinary distinction in their fields.