TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Numerous universities honored Arrington for his publications and service. Alcorn State University named him Distinguished Alumnus of the Year and Mississippi Valley State University Department Head of the Year by its National Alumni Association. At the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arrington was Dean of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education, associate professor in the Graduate School of Education, and Chairperson of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Athletics Committee. In 2001, he served as the director of Research for Graduate Studies. Arrington served as principal writer and consultant for the HPER accreditation of programs by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE/NCATE) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In addition, he shared leadership responsibilities for supervision of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff campuses in Lake Village, Gould, Marianna, and North Little Rock. Arrington was a member of the National Association of University Administrators, Association of American Educators, National Education Association, Phi Delta Kappa, and numerous other organizations. He was the Founder of the annual Dr. Vannette Johnson Research Symposium in 2001 and co- founded the first University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Academic and Athletic Banquet in 2003. He was also a member of Commencement Committee, Graduate Council Committee, Student Appeals Council, Deans, and Directors Council, Technology Committee, National Council for Accreditation of Teachers of Education (NCATE), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Evaluation Committee, and Chairperson for many high schools, colleges, and universities. Arrington's civic memberships include the Quapaw Area Council for Boy Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America Sacrean District State of Arkansas, American Cancer Society, Pine Bluff Rotary Club, Leflore County
Boys and Girls Club, Mississippi Special Olympics, the Advisory Council for the National Youth Sports Program, the Optimist Club of Itta Bena, American Heart Association In-School Program, Physical Best, National Association of Health and Fitness, member of the Board of Trustees and Coordinator of Youth Activities for youth ages K-18 at United Baptist Church, Cleveland, Leflore County Election Commissioner and the American Cancer Society. In 2012, the Oak Park High School Hall of Fame inducted Arrington for his community and public service contributions. Brother Alfred Arrington was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Dr. Shundra Arrington-Warren; sister Margaret Arrington; and brothers Olen Arrington Jr. and Marvin Arrington. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Josie Howard-Arrington; son William Davis; three daughters, Dr. Wandra Arrington, Margaret Michelle Arrington, and Eulette Denise (Jesse) Harris; sister Luella (Jonas) Hardy; eight grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, other relatives, family, and friends. Robert B. Ayer, Jr. 1928–2020 Educator, Community Servant, U.S. Army
Alfred Arrington 1943-2021 University Educator and Administrator
Alfred Arrington (Gamma Pi 1964) entered the Chapter Invisible on April 20, 2021, at 80. Arrington was born on February 3, 1943, in Laurel, MS, to the late Olen Arrington
Sr. and the Johnnie Mae (nee Morgan) Arrington, the third of five children. He attended Laurel's Oak Park High School, where he excelled academically and athletically and graduated in 1962. He participated in the honors program, mathematics club, economics club, football team, and track-and-field. Arrington attended Alcorn Agriculture and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University) in Lorman, MS, and graduated with a B.S. degree in education with a minor in biology in 1966. In 1970, he earned an M.A. in education from Tennessee State University and a doctorate in education from Oklahoma State University. He began his career in education as assistant principal, head football coach, and director of athletics at G. W. Griffin High School in Lake Providence, LA.; research assistant to the Dean of Education at Tennessee State University; assistant to the Dean for Minority Affairs and instructor at Oklahoma State University; visiting professor of Anatomy and Physiology at Delta State University; Assistant vice president for Academic Affairs in the Office of Provost, vice president for Academic Affairs in the Office of Provost and Chairman of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department at Mississippi Valley State University; and adjunct professor and academic consultant at Alcorn State University. Arrington secured more than $5.5 million in federal and state funds for academic programs and university endowments during his career.
Robert Bunyan Ayer, Jr. (Ocala (FL) Alumni 1970) entered the Chapter Invisible on November 7, 2020. He was born on June 29, 1928,
in Gainesville, FL, to the late Ella Davis Whitaker and Robert Bunyan Ayer, Sr., M.D. Ayer was educated in Alachua (FL) County Public Schools and graduated from Gainesville’s Lincoln High School in 1945. Upon completing his secondary studies, Ayer matriculated through Florida A&M University (FAMU), where he majored in biology
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