Pharmacy Alumnus, Benefactor Honored

By Ben Boulden

 

Dec. 4, 2014 | Carl Collier, who received his bachelor’s degree in the UAMS College of Pharmacy in 1964, recently was honored by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce with the Wes Gordon Golden Deeds Award. The award recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the quality of life in Fayetteville. The award was presented by Nancy Allen, daughter of the late Wes Gordon.

 

About 300 people attended the Chamber’s annual awards program and meeting Nov. 25. Collier, his family, and associates at Collier Drug Stores have a long history of supporting the Fayetteville community and UAMS. Since 2008, he has served on the UAMS Northwest Advisory Board. Both he and Collier Drug Stores generously have contributed funds in support of the office of the dean of the UAMS College of Pharmacy, the UAMS Innovation in Pharmacy Practice Endowed Chair and renovation of classroom spaces at the UAMS Northwest campus. In 2013, the Collier Family Endowed Scholarship was established to support pharmacy students at UAMS Northwest.

When chamber officials decided to present an annual award to honor people who have made significant contributions to the city’s quality of life, they chose to name the honor the Wes Gordon Golden Deeds Award. Wes Gordon led the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce from 1947-1972, a period of rapid growth for the city. In 10 of those years, the population more than doubled. When Gordon retired, there were more than 30,000 people living in Fayetteville.

A rail bordering the gardens surrounding the Old Post Office building in the middle of the city square was constructed to honor award recipients. Honorees receive medallions along the railing that are inscribed with their names. Past recipients include Frank Broyles, the late John Lewis, Fred Vorsanger, John McDonnell and Woody Bassett.