Each month, when writing this e-letter, I try to bring a new perspective about what is occurring in the life of your alma mater. Although news outlets are plentiful, not all the news is “printed.”

Sometimes the subject matter has had a general release and we bring a new perspective. Other information comes from internal sources that do not often hit the main stream. At all times, I try to inform and equip you with reasons to brag about the University of Arkansas. I struggle at times to find interesting items to share with you.

One item that crossed my desk this week speaks volumes about how alumni and Arkansans feel about their university.

Two weeks ago, the baseball Razorbacks hosted the NCAA Regional tournament at Baum Stadium.  The Hogs’ season was up and down – spectacular and struggling. The team featured eight players who were drafted by the major leagues including a first-round pick and two second-round selections!

The seven-game regional included Washington State, Kansas State and Grambling State. Although their loyal fans were here, they did not come in large numbers. The games drew a total of 44,904 fans, which was the most of any of the 16 sites throughout the nation. We topped Texas by more than 4,000 fans. The Arkansas Regional also boasted the best single-game figure in the country and included the top attendance for games four, six and seven nationally.

What these figures confirm is that Arkansas alumni and Arkansans in general are proud of the Hogs – and their flagship university. We can be the best! We can compete with the best in a lot of arenas, academic as well as athletic. My goal for the coming year is to give alumni more reasons to be proud from all aspects of the university. This is a transformed university that is gaining more and more respect nationally for its academic programs and quality students.

Now, my challenge to you is to help me communicate to you. What is it that you want to know about the university? Academic units? Student life? Research? Quality of the student body? Please take a few minutes to let me know what to address.