Regents recognize Norman and Frances McClelland for Outstanding Service to Higher Education in Arizona

(Phoenix, Ariz.) – The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) honored Norman and the late Frances McClelland with the Regents' Award for Outstanding Service to Higher Education at a dinner reception held last week.

The award was established in 1996 to provide special recognition for Arizona citizens and/or organizations that provide exceptional service to higher education in Arizona.

"We are pleased to recognize Norman and Frances McClelland for their exceptional commitment to the University of Arizona," commented Regent LuAnn Leonard. "Their contributions have left an indelible mark on the university and have helped advance higher education in Arizona."

University of Arizona President Eugene Sander added his praise for the honorees. "Norman and Frances McClelland have made extraordinary contributions to the University, which have transformed multiple colleges, impacted thousands of students and faculty and left a permanent imprint on the UA campus. The McClelland's will be remembered for decades to come for their regard for children and families, commitment to education, integrity and for servant leadership to the state of Arizona."

The late Frances McClelland (UA class of 1944) and her brother Norman McClelland (UA class of 1949) have provided major financial support to the University of Arizona colleges of business, agriculture, science and humanities and to the current Student Union Building. They have demonstrated their devotion to their alma mater with countless gifts and by serving the institution in numerous capacities.

Among numerous gifts bestowed by the McClellands, of note are the Frances McClelland Chair established in memory of Frances and the seed money provided by the McClellands for the now-named Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth and Families. The McClellands also provided a transformational gift to the Family and Consumer Sciences division of the College of Agriculture, which played a large part in the construction of that building, now housing the John and Doris Norton School. The UA named the building McClelland Park in honor of the generosity of the McClelland family.

This year's honorees also included James and Jo-Ann Armstrong, William Franke and Joel Sideman. A list of previous award winners is available here.

The Arizona Board of Regents is committed to ensuring access for qualified residents of Arizona to undergraduate and graduate instruction; promoting the discovery, application, and dissemination of new knowledge; extending the benefits of university activities to Arizona's citizens outside the university; and maximizing the benefits derived from the state's investment in education. For more information visit www.azregents.edu.