She will present a public address for the Lecture-Concert Series on Friday, Feb. 21, at 8 p.m. in Riceland Hall at Fowler Center, located at 201 Olympic Drive. She also will address a group of prospective students Saturday during Discover Diversity Through You Day.

Eckford was a member of the Little Rock Nine, the first group of African-American students to integrate Central High School in Little Rock. After graduating from Central, Eckford attended college in Illinois and majored in history.

She has served in the U. S. Army and has been a social studies teacher and military journalist. Eckford is the recipient of many awards, including the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal, the Army’s Good Conduct Medal and Father Joseph Blitz Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice.

Eckford lives in Arkansas and is currently employed by the First Division, Pulaski County Circuit Court in Little Rock.

There will also be a question and answer session following the lecture. The Friday evening lecture is open to the public.

For more information about this event, contact Candice Seward, assistant director of admissions and coordinator for minority recruitment, at 870-972-3024.

# # #