Come along for the ride as we embark on the Pride of Arkansas Tour traveling through Arkansas, the surrounding states and beyond to visit with you in your hometown. Make sure to check back often as we’ll update this post as the tour unfolds throughout the month.
First Stop: Fort Smith
Monday, February 2, 2009
After months worth of planning and preparation it all comes down to this day (for starters). After a little bit of trouble getting the “mobile office” from the rental company we threw our stuff in the van and headed out to start our tour. Our destination was Fort Smith, the first stop on the Pride of Arkansas Tour. After we were close to the tunnel (and past the gas stations), we realized the van was delivered with less than 1/8 tank of gas. So, we took our first side trip to Mountainburg to get fuel.
Pride of Arkansas Tour Photos on Flickr
Our event in Fort Smith was a great kick-off event. We had 35 alumni join us at the Adelaide Hall in the Varsity Sports Grill. In addition to the pride of the room (our alumni and friends), we had Patti Cox, Assoc. Director of Development for Fulbright College, and Anne Thomas, the Director of Alumni Affairs from our sister campus at UA-Fort Smith. To also help kick off the event, Mike Macechko, Executive Director; Tammy Tucker, Director of Communications; Laurel Draudt, Assistant Director; Karen McDowell, Programs Assistant; and Elizabeth Anglin, Membership Assistant joined us for the event.
Next Up: Clarksville
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
After reloading the van with the additional supplies, we headed south on Razorback Road once again. Today, the destination was Clarksville for lunch. We were expecting four alumni, but had three alumni join us at the Pasta Grill. Those with us were educators and we learned about the challenges facing educators today and in Johnson County. It’s clear that the University and alumni need to help educate students on striving for and preparing for college.
Pride of Arkansas Tour Photos on Flickr
We had to cancel our planned stop in Harrison due to the effects they were still feeling from the ice storm (our venue was without power). So we headed up Highway 21 to catch up with Highway 7. We passed through Deer, where they were still wiped out and had no power from the ice storm. Every power pole we passed was snapped off and the lines were lying on the ground. Hope they get powered back up soon! After the winding scenic byway – we made it to Mountain Home. For our suddenly free evening, we ate dinner at the Fairview Market & Grill (we highly recommend it!). Then back to the hotel to catch up on e-mails, relax and call it a night.
Mountain Home Here We Come
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
We were able to spend part of the morning catching up on a little more work, and were then off to the new Colton’s in Mountain Home for lunch. Eleven alumni joined us at the event, some of whom still have not had their electricity restored from the storm. After an excellent lunch, a few of our attendees who mentor at a local high school, left to attend another event. Also in attendance were Scott and Neilla Flanagin, the artists responsible for the 2008 Senior Class gift—a contemporary mosaic art above the fireplace off the Connections Lounge in the Student Union on campus. After our engaging lunch, we drove to Jonesboro, arriving in time for a quick e-mail check before our evening event.
Pride of Arkansas Tour Photos on Flickr
We arrived at the Arkansas State University campus at 4:30 p.m. to set up for our evening event. Joe Eucalano, Planned Giving Officer at the University of Arkansas, and Lonnie Williams, former Assistant Vice Chancellor at the University of Arkansas, and co-founder of the Black Alumni Society, were both able to join us for this event. After taking time to visit with everyone and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and punch, we viewed the video, Razorback Family: Defining Moments in Time. After an enjoyable dinner with Joe, Lonnie, and his wife Mary, we retired to our hotel to work on Power Point presentations and load our photos from the day.
Good Afternoon Newport
Thursday, February 5, 2009
After getting an earlier start to our day, we backtracked about an hour to Newport, Arkansas, for a luncheon with 15 alumni and friends. Our venue was the Depot in town that was recently restored and served as a special events venue. We made the depot feel like it belonged on the University of Arkansas campus with our decorations.
Pride of Arkansas Tour Photos on Flickr
The alumni and friends in attendance of course all knew each other and appreciated the opportunity to get together and talk about the University. Maise Manning, a proud former Razorback cheerleader, was among those in attendance and was delighted to have power once again and to be able to join us. Questions from the group included questions about the University’s recruitment effort and our plans for in-state chapters (there was once a strong, vibrant chapter in Newport). Among those in attendance, and a gentleman to volunteer to help us pack up, was Clay Curtner, a member of the Association’s Board of Directors and current chair of the Programs Committee for the board. Once loaded up, we took the short drive to Batesville, where our next event awaits.
Stopping for Caffeine in Batesville
Thursday, February 5, 2009
After a short drive from Newport to Batesville, we found we actually had time to take a breath before the next event. So we found happy hour – at Sonic! A round of large sodas for a caffeine break and we headed to the Batesville Country Club for our evening reception. Batesville and Independence County have always been one of our strong chapters! The UA Family here is so well connected, that they are the poster children for what the alumni family is about. We had 22 alumni and friends join us for the reception. The highlight of the event was the Fight Song being sung by Evan Mace, a future student in about 10 more years! Joining us from the University was Diana Bisbee from the Department of Poultry science. She was there representing the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and the Department of Poultry Science to connect with the graduates from that particular college. We were proud that 100% of this group was members! We even signed up two new members at the event: Mark Higginbotham (Owner of the Country Club) and Tommie Miller!
Pride of Arkansas Tour Photos on Flickr
After the event, we headed to Little Rock to overnight in a condo provided by W.L. Cook for our use while staying in Little Rock. Response was light for our Beebe event tomorrow; we are trying to contact our lone registrant to offer to take her to lunch in lieu of an event. We’ll definitely be in Conway ready for a great crowd at Gusano’s tomorrow night.
We would love to hear what you thought about the Pride of Arkansas Tour!
Leave us a comment below and let us know how we can help keep you connected to the University of Arkansas.
