The staff of the Alumni Association and I met with the National Alumni Board of Directors on Friday, October 12 to discuss the many changes that lie ahead for the Association in the upcoming year.

As it was my first official on-campus board meeting, I was able to provide an overview of the changes I have instituted since May and provide an overview of the initiatives we plan to take moving forward.  One recent change has been a restructuring of the entire staff – from job titles to team structure. The board showed an appreciation for that move, citing that the Association can be more strategic in its mission to serve and inform all alumni, while expanding our reach across campus and to become more relevant to a broader constituency.

Another major initiative was to work to develop a way that the Board’s committee efforts can be more beneficial to the staff and the Association. By opening up new lines of communication, creating focus groups and aiding in research efforts, the board members can become a more integral part of the Association and its mission to reach the U of A family. I believe that these new avenues of communication will enable us all to become more effective in our marketing, membership and outreach efforts.

Apart from the discussion of restructuring, the board submitted the names of six new board members for membership ratification: Mr. John Forrest Ales (BA’02), Mr. Emanuel Banks (BSCE’87), Mrs. Laura Herzog Jacobs (BA’95, MED’05), Mrs. Susan A. Kemp (BSHE’73, BS’75), Mr. Lott Rolfe IV (BSE’94) and Dr. Roger H. Sublett (BSE’64, MA’65).

The weekend wrapped up with board members staying for the Hog Wild Tailgate at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House before attending the Arkansas vs. Kentucky football game. Although the game was called due to severe storms, the weekend proved to be a success.

It’s an exciting time for your Alumni Association! With these important changes as well as a campus and community wide public relations effort on the horizon, you will be hearing and seeing many great things about how we’re engaging alumni, students and friends in the life of the University of Arkansas.

With pride, passion and promise-

Graham Stewart

Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni

Executive Director of the Arkansas Alumni Association