Stewart Family Honored With Named Conference Room

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  - A conference room in the Bev Lewis Center for Women's Athletics will be named in honor of Julian and Nana Stewart of San Antonio, Texas, for their $50,000 gift to the University of Arkansas Department of Women's Athletics.

UA Chancellor John A. White said: "Julian and Nana have been outstanding friends of the University of Arkansas and we continue to be grateful for their support. Every time I've asked Julian to help the university, he has always been there willing to lend his time, talents and financial resources to his alma mater."

"We are grateful to the Stewarts for their gift for many reasons," UA Director of Women's Athletics Bev Lewis said.  "Not only will it assist the women's athletics department in fulfilling its commitment to pay for our building, it provides our staff with a constant reminder of the Stewarts' generosity and support through the naming of the conference room."

The Julian and Nana Stewart Conference Room at the Bev Lewis Center is used by all members of the women's athletics department, notably for head coaches and administrative staff meetings.

The gift is part of the women's athletics department's participation in the University's overall Campaign for the Twenty-First Century.

The Lewis Center provides support for all 11 Lady Razorback teams, including the 7,000-square foot strength and conditioning facility. It also houses the gymnastics training facility and locker rooms as well as the basketball and administrative offices for the women's athletics department.

A 1957 civil engineering graduate from the University of Arkansas College of Engineering, Mr. Stewart is a longtime supporter of the University of Arkansas. Mrs. Stewart is also a UA graduate with a degree in education. The Stewarts established the Elizabeth Phillips Stewart Chancellor's Scholarship, the Julian and Nana Bachtel Stewart Endowed Fellowships and two other scholarships: an Arkansas Alumni Association Scholarship and an athletic scholarship.

Mr. Stewart is a member of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee and Executive Committee and co-vice chair of the Campaign's Principal and Leadership Gifts Committee. He is also a member of the National Development Council, the volunteer organization that advises the University in developing, enhancing and strengthening its academic programs through private gift support. The Stewarts were among the first inductees into the Towers of Old Main, a cumulative giving society that recognizes the university's most generous benefactors. They are members of the Chancellor's Society, a recognition of their annual contributions to the university.

This gift counts toward the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century. Gifts and pledges committed toward the Campaign amount to $800.5 million as of April 30, 2004.

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Bill Smith, associate athletic director, Department of Women's Athletics, (479) 575-3707 or ladyback@uark.edu

Laura H. Jacobs, manager of development communications, Office of University Relations, (479) 575-7422 or lherzog@uark.edu