By Hanh Quach
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Retired publisher of Arizona Highways magazine and former Arizona Daily Wildcat editor in chief Hugh Harelson will receive the Alumni Association's highest community service award today.
Harelson, a journalism graduate from the class of 1952, will receive the Sidney S. Woods Alumni Service Award.
"I'm especially honored and proud to receive this award because I knew Sid personally," Harelson said. "He was highly respected and the model for several to the university."
A "diehard Wildcat," Sidney Woods was a university athlete, member of the Arizona Board of Regents and former president of the UA Alumni Association.
As the award recipient, Harelson's contributions include serving on the UA Health Sciences Advisory Board in Phoenix, the committee to save the UA journalism department, the Commission on Communication and Information and the advisory board of the UA Press.
Harelson also worked for 15 years at The Arizona Republic and for publications in Scottsdale and Bisbee.
The association will honor 20 alumni for their "exemplary service the community," selecting winners based on an alumni's loyalty to the university and community service, said Homecoming coordinator Jennifer Mahon. Distinguished Citizen, Honorary Alumnus, Bear Down and Honorary Letterman awards will be presented to alumni during Homecoming.
Nominations are accepted from any person, but chosen by the national UA Alumni Board, said Kathleen Fordsey, program coordinator of reception and awards.
"Homecoming provides the opportunity for alumni from all over the nation and world to get back in touch with the university," Mahon said.
The award ceremony is at 3:30 p.m. in the McDuff Dining Room of the "Swede" Johnson Building, 1111 N. Cherry Ave.