The dean of the School of Continuing Education and Academic Outreach, Linda Ballard, invited me to Hugo’s with members of her staff and two representatives from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, Laura Tyree, associate director for planning and accountability, and Christina (Chrissie) Miller, assistant director for planning and accountability. Also joining us from Dean Ballard’s school was Kim Jones, program coordinator, and Cindy Shackelford, Dean Ballard’s executive assistant. Rick and Clair Ramsay (’77), David Vandergriff (’77), and Jim Phillips (’80)—all law school alums—were there, too.
Although I know I’m working on being Fabulous at Fifty, Hugo’s has great burgers so I had a bacon barbeque cheeseburger and we all shared some spinach dip as we visited during the meal.
After dinner we went over to Dean Ballard’s box in Bud Walton Arena to watch the Hogs take on the LSU Tigers. 
We were 
joined in the box by Terry Martin, associate dean of academics for the College of Engineering, and his wife, Theresa as well as Mike Johnson, the associate vice chancellor of facilities, and his wife, Terri (who I’ve mentioned in previous blogs). We were also joined by Matt Cashion, the former national president of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers and owner of The Cashion Company, an independent insurance agency in Little Rock.
While walking through Bud Walton, I ran into a couple of our alums, Bill Horton (’01) and Pat Gazzola (’74) (Pat owns The Catfish Hole restaurant in Fayetteville). I also crossed paths with Don Bland of the College of Business who has been very supportive both of the law school. It’s always neat to see everyone out enjoying a great game, especially when the Hogs win like they did that evening! It was an exciting game. Thanks again to Dean Ballard for her invitation. It was an action-packed evening that had Theresa and I on our feet the entire time!
Time out for a shout out: During the course of my thank you calls Wednesday morning, I had spoken to Lee Fincher who was in the midst of making banana pudding. During the course of our conversation, I mentioned how much I enjoy banana pudding, but just can’t seem to make it quite right. Imagine my surprise when the next morning Professor Sharon Foster brought in a big bowl of banana pudding from Lee! Banana pudding is definitely the “breakfast of champions,” (though, maybe not for those trying to be Fabulous at Fifty) and it was delicious! Thanks again, Lee and Sharon!
Nancecy 