Mary Purvis, Hoyt Purvis, and DeDe Long celebrate Hoyt’s 84th birthday in November 2022

I was so fortunate to have Hoyt Purvis as a part of my life for more than 40 years. He passed away on May 26, 2023 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. A mentor and friend, he showed me what one individual can do to promote peace through education, one step at a time. As a teacher, an advisor, a journalist, a public servant, and advocate, he played a vital role in the history and success of the Fulbright program. To date, he is the only person to serve both on the Fulbright Association Board of Directors and the Presidentially appointed Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

To read about his extraordinary life, read Hoyt Purvis’ obituary in the Arkansas Democrat. To join me in honoring Hoyt, go to www.fulbright.org/donate.

By DeDe Long