Two University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) alums will deliver keynote speeches during UAPB’s 151st Founders’ Week Celebration. Judge Alex Guynn and Rev. Basil L. Joiner have been tapped as this year’s guest speakers for two commemorative and free events that the public is encouraged to attend. The first event is the Annual UAPB Founders’ and Honors Awards Convocation on Thursday, April 25. The second event is the UAPB Sunrise Service and Annual Alumni Association, Inc. Breakfast, which will take place on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
The Annual UAPB Founders’ Week Celebration started on Monday, April 22, 2024, and concludes on Sunday, April 28, 2024. The 2024 theme is “Lifting Our Voices with Power and Pride Since 1873.”
Guynn, the presiding judge of the Circuit Court First Division, Eleventh Judicial District-West of Arkansas, will speak during the Annual Founders’ and Honors Awards Convocation on Thursday, April 25, 2024. This event will begin at 10 a.m. in the H.O. Clemmons Arena at the Kenneth L. Johnson, Sr. HPER Complex in Pine Bluff, AR. Each year, the Convocation recognizes outstanding UAPB scholars, retirees, honor students, and scholarship recipients.
According to UAPB Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander, UAPB holds the Founders’ Honors and Awards Convocation to honor the brilliant minds, scholars, and dedicated individuals who have played a significant role in shaping the rich legacy of excellence that defines the University. We also celebrate our scholars who have shown remarkable academic performance, leadership, and service to our campus community. We express our deepest gratitude to our retirees who have devoted their careers to serving the students, faculty, and staff of UAPB.”
Joiner, pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Bay, AR, will speak during the UAPB Sunrise Service and Alumni Association, Inc. Breakfast on Sunday, April 28, 2024. This event will begin at 8 a.m. in the STEM Conference Center at 1500 L.A. Prexy Davis Drive in Pine Bluff. The Sunrise Service program will feature the Vesper Choir and the UAPB/AM&N Hall of Fame Reveal, along with inspirational program participants.
More About Judge Alex Guynn
A native of Pine Bluff, AR, Guynn graduated from UAPB in 2002 cum laude and earned his Juris Doctor from the esteemed University of Arkansas School of Law. He was elected as presiding judge in 2016. Judge Guynn is described as one who has consistently transformed challenges into triumphs, both in his professional endeavors and personal commitments. He is instilled with a profound dedication to justice, integrity, and resilience that permeates every aspect of his practice. With a career distinguished by unparalleled expertise across diverse legal specialties, including criminal defense, civil litigation, corporate law, family law, personal injury, and sports law, Judge Guynn has ascended to the pinnacle of legal excellence as the managing partner of Neely & Guynn.
Judge Guynn’s career boasts pivotal roles as an Assistant City Attorney, Public Defender, Dependency-Neglect Attorney Ad Litem (child advocate), and key positions within the Walmart Corporate Legal Department and a prestigious sports management firm.
He has served as an adjunct Political Science professor at UAPB and Arkansas Baptist College. Named one of Soiree’s Best Lawyers in Little Rock in 2014, Guynn’s unwavering dedication to public service is further underscored by his appointment to the Federal Criminal Justice Act Panel and his pivotal role within the Jefferson and Lincoln County Arkansas Public Defense Commission.
His exemplary service has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Commitment to Justice Award from the University of Arkansas School of Law.
More About Rev. Basil L. Joiner
A native of West Memphis, AR, Rev. Joiner graduated from UAPB in 1997. He obtained a Master of Education degree from Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN, in 2002. In 2018, he obtained a Master of Professional Counseling degree from Amridge University in Montgomery, AL.
Joiner began his preaching ministry in 1988 at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff under the leadership of the late Pastor Dr. Lamar Keels. Since then, he has served as an associate minister at the Union Valley Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Dr. H. O. Kneeland of Memphis, TN, where he received his ordination. He has served as pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church since September 1995.
On May 11, 2024, Rev. Joiner will be conferred with a Doctorate of Faith and Health, Pastoral Therapy from Memphis Theological Seminary in Memphis, TN.
His organization and community involvements include serving as an Executive Board member of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, Delta Network Association, Arkansas Baptist State Convention, West Memphis School District Board, West Memphis Chamber of Commerce Design and Review, as well as Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Xi Rho Chapter.
He is a UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Association Silver Life Member. Joiner is also a former third vice president of the Consolidated Missionary Baptist State Convention. He is a past Lecturer at the National Baptist Convention, USA, Laymen’s Department, and a past trustee of Arkansas Baptist College.
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