Thanks to Virtual Event, Memorial Fund Honoring Anthropology’s Justin Murphy Nolan Reaches Endowment

After the unexpected and untimely passing of anthropology’s Justin M. Nolan in May, a group of the beloved educator’s dearest friends banded together to create the Justin M. Nolan Anthropology Excellence Endowed Award in his memory.

And when what would have been Nolan’s 49th birthday approached on Aug. 31, the group came together once again and hosted the Justin M. Nolan Birthday Bash and Memorial Benefit to raise funds to help fully endow the award.

Thanks to the generosity of many, the event generated more than $10,000 in donations surpassing the amount needed for endowment.

Full endowment ensures this award will be able to provide support in perpetuity, for University of Arkansas juniors or seniors studying anthropology, sociology, or the humanities, and for faculty members to promote the field of anthropology through student and community outreach efforts.

“Justin was all about community and bringing different cultures together; understanding different cultures,” said lifelong friend Michele Anthony, as she spoke about why this event and the award are such an appropriate way to honor Nolan’s legacy.

The Birthday Bash and Memorial Benefit featured a live streamed concert by musical artist and El Dorado native Amy Allen, who met Nolan when she moved next door to his mother, Betty Linda Nolan.

“While I wish we would have been celebrating Justin’s birthday with him instead, what a wonderful experience it was to see and hear just how loved he was and will always be,” Allen said.

As a way to honor and remember Nolan, who Allen fondly remembers playing piano with, she covered several of Nolan’s favorite songs as well as requests from family and friends.

During the event, family, friends, colleagues and students also shared some of their favorite memories of Nolan and spoke about the lasting impact he had on them and so many others.

“He just exuded this warm, approachable, friendly, one-of-a-kind nature that he kept his whole life,” said Jill Fussell, as she spoke about the very first time she met Nolan, back when both were in the fourth grade.

“There’s just a smile on your face and a more positive outlook on life as you finish just the briefest conversation with him,” Fussell said, reminiscing about Nolan.

Tyrah Jackson, one of Nolan’s former students who credits him with being the reason she changed her major to anthropology, said even when the university went remote in the spring, the excitement and interest Nolan sparked in his students was unwavering.

Additionally, a couple of Nolan’s colleagues shared special video messages:

“It was an honor to be involved in remembering a dear friend and making a lasting impact on students and faculty in the Department of Anthropology. We can’t say thank you enough to everyone who participated with us – Justin would be so proud,” Allen continued.

You can view the full recording of the event on Deepwood Media’s YouTube page.