UA Little Rock Public Radio, home of KUAR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, honored its new board members and one of its most active volunteers during the Nov. 18 annual meeting at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center at UA Little Rock.

The evening was attended by public radio friends who enjoyed a jazz performance by Rodney Block, voted on new members to the Friends of KLRE/KUAR Board, and celebrated the recipient of the 2022 Beverly Ann Lacefield Award. They also listened to a dual interview with author Janis Kearney about her book, “Only on Sundays: Mahalia Jackson’s Long Journey” and KUAR’s News Director Michael Hibblen about the state of local news and reporting in central Arkansas.

The Friends of KLRE/KUAR Board serves as a non-governing, advisory organization to support fundraising and volunteer activities for UA Little Rock Public Radio.

The new board members who will serve three-year terms from 2023 to 2025 include Stephanie Alderdice, president of 61 Celsius; Jay Barth, director of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum; Lamar Davis, counsel at Wright, Lindsey & Jennings; Kevin Jones, retired correctional officer; Eric McDaniel, senior manager at Acxiom; Kathleen McDonald, regulatory and compliance officer at Aristotle Unified Communications; and Ruth Sheppard, retired executive director of Just Communities of Arkansas.

UA Little Rock Public Radio would also like to thank Board Members Bobbye Levy, Amanda Moore, and Quinten Whiteside who are concluding their service after six years on the board.

Additionally, UA Little Rock Public Radio honored Kevin Jones, a volunteer of more than a decade, with the 2022 Beverly Ann Lacefield Award. It was created in 2001 to honor an individual for exceptional service to public radio in central Arkansas in memory and honor of a previous staff member Beverly Ann Lacefield.

“Over the years, Kevin has provided support and encouragement to volunteers and staff during early morning fundraisers,” said Grace Zafasi, membership director for KLRE/KUAR. “In gratitude, we congratulate Kevin for his service and recognize the invaluable time he has shared with us.”