Casey Millspaugh, UPS account executive, founder of Fort Smith Popcorn Co., chairman of the Fort Smith Parks Commissionand community leader, will receive the third annual Young Alumni Award from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith’s Alumni Association, recognizing his successful career as both an executive and entrepreneur, as well as his service to the university and community.
Millspaugh will be honored at the Alumni Reunion Dinner at the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, located at 800 N. 49th St.
Millspaugh attended UAFS as a non-traditional student, looking to improve his position with his company and further his business education. He dedicated time to learning not only in the classroom, but from each person who had the time to mentor him as well.
Millspaugh’s relationship with Bill Hanna led Alumni Director Rick Goins to form the Mentor Connections program to help future UAFS students learn from mentors, just as Millspaugh had done. Since graduating in 2011, Millspaugh has served as a mentor himself, guiding students to find their own expertise and grow their community and their skills.
“Caseyhas been one of our most outstanding and engaged mentors for all five years of the program. He constantly challenges his student mentees to grow and has generously introduced them to his extensive network,” said Goins.
In addition to service on the Mentor Connections program, Millspaugh has supported the Alumni Association through personal donations and fund raising efforts, and given his time to numerous organizations on campus including the College of Business and the Babb Center for Student Professional Development.
“I think UAFS is the number one most important institution in the city of Fort Smith,” Milspaugh said, “I think for over the past 10 years UAFS has been the main driver of change and cultural progress in this area. Without the support of this university the region would lose thousands of young people. We need this college to continue growing so we can continue to produce an educated ambitious workforce. I’m just trying to do my small part to give back and keep the growth going.”
In addition to his dedication to the university, his job with UPS, and managing Fort Smith Popcorn Co., Millspaugh is also an advocate for Fort Smith, service as Commissioner on the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Commission as well as being a founding board member of the annual Ales 4Trails Festival which raises funds to support the construction of trails in Fort Smith.
“Casey has been one of our most active, engaged, and effective alumni,” said Goins, “his commitment to Fort Smith and his relationship with UAFS and the alumni association make him an ideal candidate for this award.”
Created in 2016 by the UAFS Alumni Advisory Council, the Young Alumni Award is the second highest alumni honor bestowed by UAFS. Recipients are alumni under 40 years of age at the time of nomination who have distinguished themselves through service to the University, their community, state, or nation, and are a strong leader within their career.
For more information on the event honoring Millspaugh, contact Rick Goins at 479-788-7026 or rick.goins@uafs.edu.