The man who led efforts to create a growing tribute to Rotary International received the Lawrence club’s highest honor Monday.

George Woodyard, fundraising chairman for the Lawrence Rotary Arboretum, received the Paul Harris Achievement Award from the Lawrence Rotary Club during a luncheon attended by about 100 club members and guests at Hereford House.

“This (award) would not have happened without the arboretum project, and that was a group project,” Woodyard said. “I hope you’re proud of your arboretum. I know the city is proud of it.”

Woodyard’s efforts generated $50,000 for the arboretum project, a 14-acre park with about 160 trees near the intersection of 27th Street and the South Lawrence Trafficway. The arboretum, on land leased from the U.S. Army, is between the Clinton Lake Softball Complex and YSI Sports Complex.

At Woodyard’s request, the club’s board this month agreed to support formation of a Friends of the Arboretum organization. The group will be charged with generating volunteer and financial support on a citywide basis.

Lawrence rotarian Buck Newsom shakes the hand of George Woodyard, right, as other rotarians line up to congratulate Woodyard after he was named Rotary Club member of the Year at a luncheon Monday at the Hereford House.

Woodyard retired last year from Kansas University, nearly 40 years after he came to campus as an assistant professor in Spanish and Portuguese. He became KU’s first dean of international studies and programs and served as associate vice chancellor for research, graduate studies and public service, among other administrative responsibilities.

Glee Smith, chairman of the club’s awards committee, described Woodyard’s contributions to the club as “monumental,” especially those involving the arboretum. Woodyard attended the luncheon with his wife, Eleanor, whom he had taken to a Chicago arboretum for their first date.

“Certainly that must have marked him for the chairmanship of our arboretum project : some 46 years later,” Smith said, drawing laughs.