As 2012 comes to an end, the staff at the Arkansas Alumni Association reflects on the changes, successes and achievements made throughout the year. In this last issue of @Arkansas for the year, the staff would like to share some of the highlights of 2012.
- The Association awarded 394 scholarships to University of Arkansas students totaling $863,000. Members helped raise more than $68,000 to support 29 upperclassmen with financial need.
- During Homecoming 2012, more than 11,000 canned goods were donated to the Full Circle Campus Food Pantry through the 5Kans Razorback 5K Race, while students also helped to raise $11,221.59 for the March of Dimes with the Create-a-Hog contest.
- After 24 years of service to the Arkansas Alumni Association, former executive director, Mike Macechko, retired in June. In return, Graham Stewart of Ohio University now serves as the current executive director of the Association and associate vice chancellor for alumni.
- Collaborating with the University of Arkansas’ Veterans Resource and Information Center, the first RazorVets Banquet was held at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House in November, honoring students, alumni and friends who are veterans.
- In February 2012, the Association launched its new and improved website through the iModules content management system. Since its debut, more than 1,600 users have registered through the Arkansas Alumni Online Community.
- Devoted to providing excellent customer service, the Association reports that 5,983 phone calls came in through the reception desk, 1,404 people visited the Alumni House, 322 people signed up for memberships and more than 8,900 online help desk emails were answered.
- An important aspect of the Alumni Association is membership. Since February, more than $121,000 in membership dollars was generated online, $6,651 was given to the Fund of Excellence, there was a 23 percent increase in Hog Tags since July and more than 50 perks have been made available to alumni.
- Open to those who wish to use the Alumni House as a gathering spot for events such as banquets, wedding receptions and luncheons, the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House hosted more than 300 events this year.
- The Black Alumni Society launched a mentoring, recruiting and retention program for the 40 BAS and LaRew Scholars. It is the largest mentoring program of the Society and Association combined.
- Bringing together alumni who graduated 50 years ago from the University of Arkansas, the Alumni Association hosted a 50th Reunion in Little Rock, which led to a showing of 125 alums who enjoyed food, drinks and sharing memories of their days on “The Hill.”