ARKANSAS: The Arkansas Economic Development Commission honored Dr. David Rankin, third from left, with a lifetime leadership award and Viktoriya and Aaron Street, fourth and fifth from the left, with a volunteer award at the AEDC’s annual awards luncheon.The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) presented two of their annual awards to representatives with Southern Arkansas (SAU) University ties at the AEDC’s annual awards luncheon on, August 25, in Fayetteville.
The AEDC’s Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Making Magnolia Blossom founders Aaron Street, assistant dean for integrated marketing and media relations at SAU, and his wife Dr. Viktoriya Street, associate professor of biology at SAU. SAU President Emeritus Dr. David Rankin received the Maria Haley Lifetime Leadership for Economic Development Award.
The Streets were presented the volunteer accolade on behalf of the group of staff, faculty, and students at the University who started and have continued efforts through Making Magnolia Blossom (MMB). The non-profit organization is geared towards planning and implementing volunteer and economic development efforts in Magnolia. Cammie Hambrice, executive director of the Magnolia Economic Development Corporation, nominated MMB and presented the award.
