Julian C. Stewart

BSCE'57Julian

Julian Stewart represents what can be achieved through a Fayetteville education.  Born in Fayetteville in 1934, he attended Leverett Elementary, Fayetteville High School and the University of Arkansas where he graduated in 1957 with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Upon graduation, Julian accepted a position with United Gas Pipeline Company in New Orleans, LA.  He was called to serve in the Air Force at McCord Air Force Base and served three years in Tacoma, Washington. After concluding his Air Force service with the rank of Captain, Julian returned to New Orleans and continued working for United Gas until 1965.  He joined International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) in sales and marketing for the data processing division. 

After early retirement from IBM in 1987, Julian worked briefly for Frost Bank, which was a subsidiary of one of his largest IBM accounts.  Since 1992 he has been self employed, managing his investment portfolio and devoting his time even more fully to philanthropic causes of importance to him and Nana. 

Throughout his career Julian was actively involved with numerous community, state, and national organizations.  He first agreed to chair the fundraising effort for the American Heart Association in San Antonio in 1977. He then became chairman of the San Antonio board and eventually chaired the Texas board of the American Heart Association.  He remained active on the state board until 1989 and was made an Honorary Life Board Member of the Heart Association in 1997.  He served as Chairman of the Baptist Health System of San Antonio and as a trustee and treasurer of the Baptist Health System Foundation.  He is a member of Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio where he is past chair of the deacon council and was elected a life deacon.

Julian is widely recognized for his leadership roles during the University’s Campaign for the Twenty-First Century which recorded $1.046 billion in gifts and pledges designated for student and faculty endowments, academic programs, capital improvements and University Libraries.   During the six year campaign he served on the Steering Committee, the Executive Committee and also as Vice Chairman of the Leadership and Principal Gifts Committee.  Julian and his wife, Nana, led the campaign by example and has given millions of dollars to various scholarships, programs and facilities around campus.  Julian said, “Improving educational opportunities in our state is clearly connected to improving the future of the state overall, and I’m glad we can play a small role in that process.” After the conclusion of the Campaign, Julian’s leadership extended to his service as Chairman of the University of Arkansas Board of Advisors.

Julian married Nana Bachtel of El Dorado in 1958 after they met at a Sigma Nu rush party.  Their family includes two children, James and Elizabeth, and two grandchildren, JT and Jordan.  Julian and Nana are Lifetime Members of the Arkansas Alumni Association and members of Towers of Old Main.