University of Texas at Arlington scholars honored before Bonnie and Clyde lecture

Written by Shambhu Sharan, The Shorthorn staff
Monday, 26 October 2009

The Friends of the UTA Library invited faculty, retired faculty, community members and students to attend Friday night. The event included a presentation of the McNair Scholars Award based on research completed by undergraduates. The McNair Scholars program is designed to prepare qualified undergraduates for graduate study. Guinn waved his honorary monetary amount, asking it be shared between the award’s recipients.

Before Guinn’s talk, interdisciplinary studies senior Juandell Parker and physics senior Crystal Red Eagle received the award, including $500 scholarships. The two also received an additional $100 each because of Guinn’s waiver.

“I am very happy,” Parker said. “I worked very hard this summer doing my summer research. It was nice to receive the award.”

Joan Reihardt, McNair Scholars Program director, said it is wonderful that the Friends of Library supports the undergraduate research program.

Tommie Wingfield, UTA Friends of Library president said Jeff is well known and an old friend of the library because he wrote for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

“I liked his topic,” Wingfield said. “This time, different people came to listen to Jeff. He is the first one who gave his honorary back to students.”

Former President Wendell Nedderman said he enjoyed the event. The Bonnie and Clyde story is a classic example for the community, he said.

“We must be endurable, we must follow honorable path and we should not give it up in any circumstances,” Nedderman said. “It also shows when once crime life starts it gets worse. My message is to live an honorable life.”

The UTA Bookstore sold out of Guinn’s 40 autographed books Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde.