The Black Alumni Society Reunion, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first reunion, was 
a fun-filled week of events for all ages. The week kicked off with the Presidents and Students Farewell Dinner as BAS president John L Colbert prepared to conclude his term. The week’s events continued with career development with “Navigating Your Career” featuring male and female consortiums. Throughout the weekend, several hundred alumni attended the Welcome Back Reception, the Old School Party, the cookout, the “Back to the Hill” Classic Step Show and played in the scholarship golf tournament. The capstone event was the BAS Awards Gala at the Fayetteville Town Center followed by two Old School Parties.
During the awards gala, nine alumni and friends were recognized as for career achievements and lifelong successes. The awardees included:
Young Alumni Award – Ulanda Terry, director of diversity and leadership development at Tyson Foods Inc.
Honorary Alumni Award – Reverend Curtiss P. Smith, Saint James Missionary Baptist Church
Community Service Award – Kabrina Alyss Amey, family service worker, Washington County Department of Human Services
Alumni Service Award – Monica Jones, advisor at Pulaski Technical College
Wyatt Weems Memorial Award – Carolyn Henderson Allen, dean of the University Libraries at the University of Arkansas
Citation of Distinguished Alumni – Dr. Charles Donaldson, vice chancellor emeritus/emeritus associate professor of higher education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; Tennille Adams, Howard University head women’s basketball coach; and Sytia Messer, Baylor University assistant women’s basketball coach
Dr. Lonnie R. Williams Lifetime Achievement Award – The Honorable Rodney E. Slater, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation
