Barker, Boston, Burns to be honored at February 25 banquet
CONWAY,
Ark. (November 14, 2024) — Hendrix College will recognize three
persons for their exemplary faith-based service at the 2025 Steel-Hendrix
Awards Banquet, set for Tuesday, February 25, at 5:30 p.m. in Worsham Student
Performance Hall of the Student Life and Technology Center, building 2 on the
current campus map.
This year’s honorees are:
- Patty Barker of First United Methodist
Church of Little Rock, Arkansas, will receive the Ethel K. Millar Award for
Religion and Social Awareness;
- Andrea Boston ’21 of Vilonia United
Methodist Church in Vilonia, Arkansas, will be recognized as Hendrix College
Youth Minister of the Year; and
- Jerry Burns of First United Methodist
Church of Russellville, Arkansas, will be honored with the Mary and Ira Brumley
Award for Religious Education. He is unable to attend the banquet but will be
recognized at First UMC Russellville’s 8:30 a.m. worship service on February 9.
Banquet tickets
are $25, with advance purchase required by Monday, February 10. View detailed information
about this year’s Steel-Hendrix Award recipients and make banquet reservations
here.
More information on the honorees:
Patty
Barker: The Ethel K. Millar Award for Religion and Social Awareness
Patty
Barker joined the staff of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance in September of
2012 to serve as the Campaign Director for the Arkansas No Kid Hungry Campaign.
The Campaign is a unique partnership among the Arkansas Governor’s Office,
state agencies, hunger relief agencies and nutrition advocates all working
together to alleviate childhood hunger in Arkansas by improving access to
nutrition programs and educating families about healthy, affordable food
choices.
She
previously served as the Policy Director for the Arkansas Public Policy Panel,
supporting a state-wide citizens’ coalition advocating for improved education,
environmental, and economic policy. Patty earned her J.D. from the University
of Arkansas School of Law and her B.A. from Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes
College).
A
lifelong Methodist, Patty grew up at First United Methodist Church in Little
Rock, where she remains active in mission and outreach ministries. Her oldest
children, Will (and daughter-in-law Lauren), Henry, and Mary Katherine
Scheriger all graduated from Hendrix College. Her youngest son, John, passed
away in 2017 from a traumatic brain injury following a skateboarding accident
while he was attending the University of San Francisco. The family established
the John Barker Helmet Fund at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in his memory
and to encourage the use of helmets and protective gear for children of all
ages so they can safely enjoy the sports they love.
Patty
makes sure her granddaughters, Kendall and Hazel, always wear their helmets
when biking and skating, and they like to remind their friends that “Helmets
Save Lives!”
Andrea
Boston: Hendrix College Youth Minister of the Year
Andrea
Boston has been a dedicated youth pastor at Vilonia United Methodist Church for
four years and currently resides in Benton, Arkansas. She is also pursuing her
master’s degree in social work online at Ohio State University and completing a
therapeutic internship with the Second Chance Youth Ranch, both of which she
expects to complete in the spring. A 2021 Hendrix College graduate, Andrea has
spent several years working with young people in various roles, fostering their
growth and development.
“God
certainly called her to this work and she had the gifts to do it,” said the
Rev. Lauren Delano, who pastored Vilonia UMC when Andrea joined the staff. “Andrea
is patient and kind with the youth. She challenges them to be leaders in the
church through service at the community food pantry monthly, they help serve at
special church events, and they attend ACCYM [Arkansas Conference Council on
Youth Ministries] events, which Vilonia had not done in a long time. Andrea is
an amazing mentor to these students, their families and the whole church. She
has helped kids who feel left out or different to be accepted as their whole
selves.”
Under
Boston’s leadership, the youth group at Vilonia UMC has grown from an average
attendance of three students to almost 15, and she works diligently to ensure
that youth have a place where they know that they are loved, says the Rev. Chad
Hornsby, the church’s current pastor.
“She
encourages missions through Ozark Mission Project in the Summer and a monthly
service Saturday,” Hornsby says. “Both of these mission activities have become
key elements of the youths’ own identity. Andrea’s ministry in the classroom is
thoughtful and she shows her own interest in growing spiritually as well as
mentoring the students.”
In her free time, Andrea enjoys volunteering,
reading, and exploring creative outlets. Andrea has a passion for organization,
often found crafting detailed to-do lists and managing her calendar to maximize
productivity.
Jerry Burns: The
Mary and Ira Brumley Award for Religious Education
Jerry
Burns has dedicated his life to service, education, and community engagement.
With a rich history of involvement in both church and civic organizations,
Jerry has made significant contributions that reflect his commitment to faith
and fellowship.
For
eight years, Jerry served on the Insurance Committee and the Conference Pension
Board, responsibilities that required his active participation in the annual
conference. His leadership was further demonstrated at First United Methodist
Church of Russellville through his roles as Chair of the Trustees and of the
Staff Parish Relations Committee, as well as serving as the Church Lay Leader.
In
the field of education, Jerry taught junior high school students and played a
pivotal role in establishing the Covenant Sunday School Class in 1989. As a
part-time teacher for the Jerry Burns Covenant Class, he inspired many, leading
to the class members voting to rename it in his honor and presenting him with a
plaque. Alongside his wife, Nancy, he served for nine years as counselors for
the Senior High Youth program once known as Methodist Youth Fellowship, guiding
young people in their spiritual journeys.
Jerry
also took on significant roles in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA),
serving as the Local Chairman for Russellville High School and Arkansas Tech
University, and contributing to the State Board for FCA. His dedication to
youth and young adults earned him a place in the Hall of Distinction as a
non-alumnus of Arkansas Tech University.
Jerry
also has a deep passion for biblical education. He has taught a four-week
course on the History and Principles of the Methodist Church and conducted a
weekly Bible study at the Wildflower Senior Living Facility, sharing his love
of the Scriptures with residents. He has also supervised the church’s volunteer
program, coordinating efforts to visit local hospitals, nursing homes, and
homebound members of the community.
Jerry’s
personal faith has taken him on five trips to Israel, along with his close
friend, the Rev. Mackey Yokem. This bond and his travels have deepened his
understanding of his faith and community.
Through his tireless efforts, Jerry has left a
lasting impact on his church, students, and the broader community, embodying
the principles of service and leadership throughout his life.
About the Steel-Hendrix Awards
The
Steel-Hendrix Awards were established in 1984, to celebrate 100 years of Hendrix
College’s official relationship with the United Methodist Church. The awards
were named in honor of Marshall T. Steel, a prominent minister and former
president of the College.
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That
Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and
celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic
quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus
life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III
sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since
1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through engagement that links the classroom with the world, and
a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the
Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity,
service, and joy.” —Hendrix
College Statement of Purpose