Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Ila Upchurch plans banquet

The Ila Upchurch Awards and Recognition Banquet is set for 6:30 p.m. April 19. This years event is to be held at Munns Chapel Family Life Center  a change from the normal setting.

This years theme is Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, Plan for the Future. The speaker is Dr. Fitzgerald Hill, president of Arkansas Baptist College.

The annual event brings community members together for an evening of inspirational speaking and to honor several people for their dedication to various aspects of the community.

Educator of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Theologian of the Year will all be announced as part of the event. In addition, the annual scholarship winner will be announced. This award is made to a Nevada County senior.

Tickets for the event are $15 and may be purchased from any Ila Upchurch Community Foundation board member.

Hill is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University and was a part of the Arkansas Razorback coaching staff for 12 years, later working as head football coach for the San Jose State Spartans and was African American Ethnic Sprots Hall of Fames College Coach of the Year in 2002. He currently serves as research associate at the University of Central Floridas Institute of Diversity and Ethics. He has received an array of awards and commendations, including the Bronze Star for his service in Desert Storm.