Beverly Henry
Wheeler recognized by NACAC
CONWAY, Ark. (August 14, 2024) — Hendrix College
Interim Director of Admission Beverly Henry Wheeler on July 31 received the inaugural
Beverly Henry Wheeler Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association
for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). The presentation took place at the 45th
annual Guiding the Way to Inclusion (GWI) conference in New Orleans.
According to the NACAC website, the Beverly
Henry Wheeler Award recognizes long-term, exemplary efforts toward advancing
equity, inclusion, and diversity made during the recipient’s time in the
college admission profession.
“It was truly a surprise and very humbling to
receive this award,” Wheeler said. “It represents the legacy of two things I
value deeply—kindness and transformative service. I do my work with the goal
that everyone I meet should be transformed positively through the encounter.”
Wheeler, who has worked for Hendrix since 2016
as a regional director of admission connecting with prospective students and families
in Texas, has served as president of the Texas Association for College
Admission Counseling (TACAC) and the NACAC Board of Directors, as well as on
the board of directors of Colleges That Change Lives. She has also been a GWI Conference
faculty member, small group facilitator, and a GWI faculty lead for the past
two years.
Wheeler has also received the TACAC Founder’s
Award in 2016 and the TACAC Honorary Lifetime Member Award in 2018.
Dr. John S. Hollemon III, director of DEI &
HBCU initiatives for NACAC, noted that Wheeler has shown “an unparalleled
commitment to the admissions profession” during her more than four-decade
career.
“Her dedication is a testament to her passion
and influence within the profession,” Hollemon said. “Since serving as the
NACAC President in 2006 and most recently as GWI Faculty Leader in 2024,
Beverly has been a pillar within the GWI community. She has been at the
forefront of shaping its success, growth, influence, relevance, and capacity to
serve its members. Her lifetime of active association work and influence at all
levels, as well as her impact on numerous NACAC members that she has mentored,
cannot be overstated. When I presented the opportunity to the GWI Awards
Committee to create a Lifetime Achievement Award, there was a unanimous
agreement that the award would be named in honor of Beverly Henry Wheeler.”
Hollemon added that Wheeler embodies every one
of GWI’s Lifetime Achievement Award Focus Areas: Fostering Engagement,
Collaboration, and Partnership; Advocating Justice and Equity; Promoting
Learning and Education for Inclusivity; and Creating Transformation and
Organizational Change.
“Beverly’s commitment and dedication not only in the
crucial work of fostering inclusion, but also in the broader landscape of
college admission, has been such a gift to us,” said Hendrix College President
Karen Petersen. “Beverly has long been regarded as a leader in her field, and
we are fortunate to have her expertise in her new role as Interim Director of
Admissions. We are pleased to join her peers at NACAC in celebrating Beverly’s
contributions to her profession and recognizing the life-changing work she does
on behalf of our students.”
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