CONWAY, Ark. (June 27, 2012) -Hendrix College alumni Rick Foti '68 and Dr. Larry Pearce '70 received the 2012 Community Leadership Award from the Leadership Fort Smith Alumni Association at their annual banquet in May.

Foti currently serves as the executive director of the Community Services Clearinghouse. He previously taught and served as an administrator in the Fort Smith schools for 33 years. He received his master's from University of Missouri-Kansas City and doctorate from University of Arkansas. A 1989 graduate of Leadership Fort Smith, he also serves as director of music at Immaculate Conception Church. 

Pearce, a member of the Hendrix College Board of Trustees, currently serves as physician advisor for meaningful use for the Mercy Health System and Mercy's Epic Accountable Executive and Inpatient Physician Champion for Meaningful Use, the federal government's financial reward program for hospitals and providers who meet the government's electronic health record goals. Pearce graduated from Vanderbilt Divinity School and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he also completed his residency. A 1991 graduate of Leadership Fort Smith, he has been on the boards of the Salvation Army and Good Samaritan Clinic and has been president of River Valley Chapter of the Arkansas Canoe Club.

Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is a national leader in engaged liberal arts and sciences education. Hendrix was named the country's #1 "Up and Coming" liberal arts college for the third consecutive year by U.S. News and World Report. Hendrix is featured in the 2011 edition of the Princeton Review as one of the country's best 376 colleges and is listed in the 2012 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges as one of 25 "Best Buy" private colleges included. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. For more information, visit www.hendrix.edu.