Dr. Dave McAlpine, professor emeritus of Spanish and Second Language Education at UALR, will receive an award at the 2014 Annual Convention and World Languages EXPO of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

McAlpine will receive the ACTFL Wilga Rivers Award for Leadership in Foreign Language Education, Higher Education, at the annual convention to be held in San Antonio Nov. 20 through 23.

The Wilga Rivers Award honors the memory of the internationally renowned scholar and author from Harvard University. It is presented to a faculty member who demonstrates a record of active participation in the activities of various foreign language organizations.

These activities include not only membership and holding office but also working on committees, engaging in significant research and publications, conference presentations, and other organizational activities.

Included in the criteria are a record of special honors and awards received and a description of innovative curricular programs, including excellence as a teacher and professional leader in foreign language education.

While at UALR, McAlpine served as president of the Arkansas Foreign Language Teacher’s Association, board chair of the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, one of the country’s five regional organizations, and was the 2012 president of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, the largest language teaching organization in the U.S. for K-20 language educators.

McAlpine served as department chair of UALR’s International and Second Language Studies for 15 years and was an associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

He was the inaugural director of the UALR Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence and served as chair of the Chairs’ Council. He previously won the ACTFL Papalia Award for Excellence in Teacher Education.