Sandy and Sandi Sanders receive Golden Deeds Award
by March 26, 2025 10:12 am 459 views
Former Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders and long-time educator Dr. Sandi Sanders recently received the Book of Golden Deeds Award from the Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club. The Fort Smith award has been given annually since 1942.
The award, according to the club, is given to a person or group that has consistently donated time, talent, and energy to help those in need. Nominees are submitted from members of the club and from the community.
“The Sanders arrived in Fort Smith more than 50 years ago and quickly earned a reputation for their leadership abilities and commitment to community service,” noted a statement from the club.
Edward “Sandy” Sanders is a U.S. Air Force veteran and worked for Whirlpool Corp. for 32 years, retiring as a human resources executive. His work after retirement included Children’s Emergency Shelter leadership, six years as head of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, interim director for the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, and interim director of the Fort Smith Advertising and Promotion Commission. In 2010, he was elected mayor of Fort Smith and served two four-year terms.
His community and board service includes the Fort Smith Symphony, the Old Fort Days Rodeo, Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, Bost Human Development Center, the Fort Smith Port Authority, Sebastian County Park Board, and Western Arkansas Planning and Development District. He also has served as club president and district vice president of the Noon Exchange Club.
Dr. Sandi Sanders is a former teacher and principal for Fort Smith Public Schools, and would have several leadership roles at Westark Community College. She was instrumental in helping the college transition into the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. She also helped created Leadership Fort Smith, and was the program’s director for 10 years.
While at the college and university, she helped create the University Center which helped students earn four-year degrees from other state universities. Her titles included continuing education division director and chief operating officer/provost, UAFS vice chancellor, and UAFS interim chancellor.
Outside of education, She was the first president and CEO of the United States Marshals Museum following Fort Smith’s site selection for the national project. She has served on the board of directors for United Way of Fort Smith Area, Montessori School, the Fort Smith Public Library, and Girl Scouts. She was also appointed to the Arkansas Arts Council by former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.