North Arkansas College will honor one of its most trailblazing alumni at this year’s annual Evening on the Plaza awards dinner. Cheryl Laramore has been selected as the 2024-25 Distinguished Alumna, recognizing her pioneering role in the college’s history and her distinguished professional career.
This award is presented to former students who have made an outstanding contribution to Northark, his/her home community, his/her state, or to society. They must have made an outstanding achievement in a particular field or endeavor.
Cheryl will be honored during the Foundation’s annual Evening on the Plaza dinner on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Signature Bank Community Room. The dinner will be preceded by a reception at 6:00 p.m. in the atrium.
Laramore holds the unique distinction of being the very first student to enroll at what was then North Arkansas Community College in 1974. She was also the recipient of the school’s first scholarship. While pursuing her education, she worked in the Registrar’s Office and quickly stepped into leadership, serving as the college’s first student body president. In that role, she and her fellow student government members drafted the college’s first constitution and helped make formative decisions—including choosing the school colors and mascot—that continue to define the college’s identity today.
After her time at Northark, Laramore completed her education and embarked on an accomplished 38-year career in financial management. For 27 of those years, she served as a consultant for the Department of Defense as a strategic cost analyst, the final 20 years before retirement through her company, CS2, Inc. Her expertise played a vital role in evaluating cost and benefit alternatives for missile defense and space systems, helping the nation prepare for emerging technologies and future threats.
In 2024, Evening on the Plaza was moved to the fall to align with Northark’s 50th Anniversary, celebrated near the college’s original opening date in August. As a result, the presentation of the Distinguished Alumnus Award was delayed. To make up for the gap, Northark will honor two recipients with the award this year.
Other awardees to be recognized are Ken Reeves who will receive the 2025 Ozarks Ambassador Award, Steve Stafford who is the 2025 Pioneer Impact Award recipient and Lewis Villines who will receive the 2025-26 Distinguished Alumnus award.
Tickets are $55 each or a table of six for $275 and can be purchased before October 8, 2025, by calling Micki Somers at (870) 391-3242.