Aug. 26, 2005 -- The Arkansas State University Alumni Association will honor three outstanding individuals in its 22nd year of recognizing distinguished alumni. This year’s honorees are Buddy Beck of Fairfax Station, Va., Bobby Caldwell of Wynne and Bill Phillips of Conway.

The Distinguished Alumni presentation ceremony will be held during the halftime of the Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 22, when Arkansas State hosts Florida Atlantic University in Indian Stadium at 6 p.m.

The Alumni Association’s board of directors annually selects recipients from nominations submitted by the public. Selection of nominees is based on community service, professional achievement and service to ASU.

Alumni Association President Bob Earwood of Collierville, Tenn., said, "As outgoing president of the ASU Alumni Association, I feel great pride in announcing our three Distinguished Alumni for 2005. All three have made a significant mark in the world, and although they graduated in different decades and live in different locations, they have retained their loyalty to Arkansas State. They have brought pride to our university, and we are pleased to have this opportunity to honor them."

Buddy Gene Beck
Buddy Gene Beck '59 graduated from ASU with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, later receiving a master's degree from the University of Southern California in systems management and a fellowship at Brookings Institute in Washington, D. C.

Following public service, he launched a business career in advanced research and engineering. He was awarded three patents in computational engineering and advanced sensors, founding a number of companies involved in energy, defense and medical technology. The resulting firm was named by Business Week in 1993 as the nation's fastest-growing small private technology company, which was later acquired by Thermo Electron Corporation, a Fortune 500 company.

In 2000, he founded Trans Digital Technologies, a leader in advanced technology identity solutions that produces U. S. passports and smartcards. It was acquired by Viisage Technologies, a NASDAQ firm that produces secure identity solutions and credentials where he is vice-chairman of the board.

He sits on the boards of six other companies, as well as a number of national security boards and non-profit organizations. He was recently appointed to the board of the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and the Army Science Board to provide counsel to the Secretary of the Army in scientific and technology matters.

He and his wife Charlotte are active members of the ASU Alumni Association. They have two children, Deborah Beck Corbatto and Michael Beck, and reside in Fairfax Station, Va.

Bobby Caldwell
Bobby Caldwell '70 is the owner and CEO of East Arkansas Broadcasters, Inc. He came to the rescue of ASU last year by developing the Indian Sports Network, setting a new standard with ASU's radio network which is unmatched in its division. ASU is currently the only Sunbelt Conference school to have all of its football, baseball, and men's and women's basketball games broadcast on FM radio.

Since his graduation from ASU with a bachelor of science in Radio-TV, he has served his alma mater by heading the fundraising drive to endow a scholarship in honor of Charles Rasberry, supporting the annual scholarship for RTV students at ASU through Arkansas Broadcasters Association, and serving on the advisory board for ASU's College of Communications

He currently serves on the board of First National Bank of Wynne and is an active Rotarian, serving as president and being named a Paul Harris Fellow. He has been a member of the Wynne Industrial Development Commission, Cross County Hospital Board and Wynne Chamber of Commerce.

He and his wife are life members of the ASU Alumni Association. He is a member of the ASU Foundation board of directors, and serves on the board of directors of the National Association of Broadcasters.

He is married to Peggy Raley Caldwell '71. They have a son, Bradford, and are lifelong residents of Wynne.

Bill Phillips
Bill Phillips '72 is president and owner of Phillips Management and Consulting Service, Inc. He was formerly vice-president for governmental relations and vice president for marketing at Arkansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

He graduated from ASU with a bachelor's degree in business. His service to his alma mater includes organizing and serving as chairman of the ASU Indian Golf Classic for 15 years as well as serving on the ASU Board of Trustees from 1992 to 1997.

He played professional football for the NFL's Denver Broncos, 1972-73. He is a member of the ASU Lettermen's Club, and was a four-year letterman on the ASU football team where he was named All-Southland Conference for two years, First Team All-America (the only junior so honored) and Southland Conference All-Decade team. He was named to the ASU Hall of Honor and the ASU Ring of Honor, and was inducted into the inaugural class of the Harrison High School Hall of Fame.

He is past chairman of the ASU Board of Trustees and co-chair of the U. S. Olympic Committee in Arkansas for eight years. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Major Sports Association, and Governor's Council of Sports and Physical Fitness

He is married to Peggy Ann Brinkley Phillips '72. They have a son, Bradley, and reside in Conway.

Contact:
ASU Alumni Association
Arkansas State University
Phone: (870) 972-2586
Toll-free: (888) 225-8343