Dear Alumni,
It’s August! The month, freshmen are matriculating to the University of Arkansas, and upperclassmen are returning to campus. Think back to the day you began your college career, the day, you first set foot on the campus of the University of Arkansas. Do you remember the sense of pride, anticipation, fear and excitement? Well, as you may remember, this time can also be stressful for students.
The Black Alumni Society is in in the process of increasing our support system for the Black Students Association and the Black Alumni Society Scholars. The support system includes the Office for Diversity an Inclusion, U of A units, colleges, schools, and the Black Alumni Society (That’s you!). As a board, we are asking you to please sign up to be a mentor or resource to CONNECT with an African American student at the U of A. BAS alumni, please set aside some time to ENGAGE with that student and INSPIRE them to set lofty goals, study hard, enjoy college and be successful! Please email Dr. Marco Barker, BAS Secretary at bassec@uark.edu. We will provide you with additional information.
I encourage you to join or renew your membership with the Black Alumni Society as an annual or lifetime member. Your membership automatically makes you a member of the Arkansas Alumni Association. If you have questions about your annual or life memberships, please contact Dr. Danielle Williams at bmem@uark.edu.
Please access the following membership link and join online at join.arkansasalumni.org.
Don’t forget we are meeting in Dallas next month! Mark your calendars for the Southwest Classic Festivities, September 25 – September 28th. University units and alumni are partnering to recruit and offer college readiness training to more than 500 students in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Please be on the lookout for additional information.
Before I go, congratulations to the Black Students Association and the Black Alumni Society Scholars on your successful executive committee retreat.
Executive Committee:
- Alexis “Broox” Piggee, President
- Brylea Palmer, 1st Vice President of Communications
- Courtney Goldmon, 2nd Vice President of Logistics
- Krislyn Smith, Secretary
- Delayne Coleman, NPHC Coordinator
- Makala Carr, PR & Social Media Director
- Justyce Yuille, ASG Diversity and Inclusion
- Cristopher Fennessee, Event Chair
The time you invested will reap amazing dividends.
Special thanks to our presenters:
Dr. Yvette Murphy-Erby, Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion
Dr. Synetra Hughes, BAS Vice President, Student and Alumni Engagement
Shanedra Barnes, Arkansas Alumni Association, Assistant Director for Outreach and Engagement
Brittany Straw, U of A Career Development Center
Dr. Erica Holliday, BAS Reunion Registration Chair
Angela Mosley-Monts, Assistant Vice Chancellor, BSA and BASS Primary Advisor
TaJuan Warren, BSA and BASS Advisor
Anne Shelley and Rickey Booker, IDEALS Institute
Presenters thank you for pouring your wisdom, knowledge, leadership and compassion into our BSA and BASS executive committee.
Thank You for Giving me the Opportunity to CONNECT, ENGAGE, INSPIRE and lead our BAS Society.
Feel free to contact me at basprez@uark.edu.
For the Students,
Ritche Bowden
Black Alumni Society, President
Arkansas Alumni Association
