Hopkins Family Selected as the 2022 Family of the Year

From Left to Right: Lena Hopkins, John Hopkins, Mikayla Hopkins, Patricia Hopkins, John P. Hopkins, Carolyn Sherlock, Chris Sherlock

The Hopkins Family of Morrilton, Arkansas, was awarded the 2022 Family of the Year during Family Weekend on Sept. 16-18. Nominated by John Hopkins, a senior biological anthropology major and music minor, the family was honored during Family Weekend at the Arkansas vs. Missouri State University game on Saturday, Sept. 17.

They were presented with an award on the field, tickets to the game, as well as Family Weekend Packages that included entrance into various Family Weekend events. In addition, the ASG executive officers and U of A senior leaders hosted the family for a meal at a local Fayetteville restaurant.

“The Associated Student Government is thrilled to present the Hopkins Family as the 25th Razorback Family of the Year,” said Tyler Merreighn, ASG vice president. “The Hopkins family represents Razorback spirit. Their undying support and loyalty to the University of Arkansas is inspiring and truly represents a model Razorback family. They are beyond deserving of this honor and award.”

The Hopkins family currently has one son and one daughter attending the U of A.

• John, an Honors College Fellow, is completing his final year. He is involved with the Honors College Ambassadors program and Latter-Day Saint Student Association, and he has previously been involved with the jazz band and Collegiate Chorale.
• His wife, Lena, graduated with honors from the Walton College of Business this May.
• Carolyn, a senior human development and family sciences major, is a member of the Honors College and works at the Jean Tyson Child Development Center.
• Her husband, Chris, is a junior communications major and is in his fifth year of service to the Arkansas Air National Guard.
• The oldest of the three Hopkins siblings is Mikayla, a 2017 U of A biochemistry graduate who now teaches at New Technology High School in Rogers.

Their parents, John P. and Patricia Hopkins, tremendously support the Razorbacks and the U of A. “My grandfather and father built a place for us to gather, and we call it The Hog Pound,” John noted about his family’s spirit for the Razorbacks. A place to gather for birthday dinners, holidays and of course, Razorback sports, The Hog Pound is complete with a painted Razorback glazed onto the concrete in the center of the floor. When John suffered a life-threatening illness that caused him to miss two semesters of college, he said, “Each family member supported me in various ways: my parents by helping me stay on top of assignments and communication with professors, my older sister by teaching me small-scale goal setting and planning, and my younger sister by encouraging me daily as we would meet up or run into each other on campus.” Now, that’s a Razorback family!

The Hopkins’ commitment, pride and spirit towards the U of A all demonstrate why they are truly deserving of the award.

The Associated Student Government and Parent & Family Programs sponsor the annual Razorback Family of the Year. The Family of the Year represents the university as the model Razorback family. The model Razorback family exemplifies the Arkansas spirit and provides exceptional support for their students to succeed at the university. The difficult selection of the Honorary Family was tasked to a committee consisting of student leaders and staff from the Associated Student Government, New Student and Family Programs, the Office of Student Activities and the Center for Community Engagement. Any questions should be referred to Tyler Merreighn, ASG vice president, at asgvp@uark.edu.

The Associated Student Government at the University of Arkansas is a student-led organization that acts as an organized voice for all students and strives to effectively represent student interest. For more information about ASG please email asg@uark.edu or call 479-575-5255. ASG is a program in the Division of Student Affairs.

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports students in pursuing knowledge, earning a degree, finding meaningful careers, exploring diversity, and connecting with the global community. We provide students housing, dining, health care resources, and create innovative programs that educate and inspire. We enhance the University of Arkansas experience and help students succeed, one student at a time.