Follow along with us as we travel through Southern Arkansas and find Razorback Spirit down in the South. Although a good distance from their Alma Mater graduates & friends still love to share their pride and stories from their time on the Hill.
Texarkana Brings out Old School Stories
Monday, February 16, 2009
The first stop for the Tour is Texarkana, Arkansas. We were expecting sixteen alumni but we had five alumni join us, Janice and Jerry Martin, Dr. James Duke, Ruth Davis and Andrea Hamilton.
The group enjoyed the video and shared stories about their days at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Duke told the story of the UARK Bowl’s basement actually being a residence hall for several of his friends (who also were his Kappa Sig fraternity brothers) and himself. He also said many students thought they were derelicts and wouldn’t amount to anything because they lived in a basement. He went on to say how each of his roommates had become a judge, a state representative, etc.
Janice Martin is a ‘58 graduate and Ruth Davis a ‘72 master’s graduate reminisced about their days at the University of Arkansas. Jerry, Janice ‘s husband told about the first car on the UA campus. As a student she received the car from her dad, who had the car shipped to the UA by train. Andrea Hamilton was a young alumna attending the event. Andrea ’03, ’07 had recently moved back to Texarkana from the UA and she wanted to find other alumni in the area.
Staff members attending the event were Terri Dover, Director of Alumni Services; Elizabeth Saxman and Angela Monts, Associate Directors. The staff would like to give a special thanks to Andrea for assisting with reloading the van.
Magnolia Shares the Pride & Passion
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Pride of Arkansas Tour descended on Magnolia. Steve Nipper, Arkansas Alumni Association National Board member, hosted the Tour. Cynthia Dowell, Steve’s secretary, was very instrumental in the planning as well. There were twenty-five alumni, friends and students. Steve invited incoming freshmen and their parents to the Tour, and they had an opportunity to meet alumni and learn additional information about the University of Arkansas.
Coach Ralph Ross was in attendance. He coached former Razorback Fred Mitchell. He also was the freshman and senior football coach under Coach Barnhill. Scott Boaz, another attendee, was a UA cheerleader. He told a story about cheerleaders not having money for their uniforms. Coach Barnhill pulled out a roll of $100 bills and gave Scott money to purchase the uniforms. Scott said he had never seen a $100 bill. Scott also said Coach Barnhill didn’t believe in banks and carried his money with him. Scott also led the group in the Hog Call.
Pride of Arkansas Tour Photos on Flickr
Thelma Arbor was a 1962 graduate of the University with her master’s degree in education. She was the classmate of Silas Hunt at the University of Pine Bluff (formerly Arkansas A M and N College.) Silas Hunt was the first African American to attend the University of Arkansas School of Law.
The staff would like to give a special thanks to Kathy Gean, the caterer for the event. She donated her gratuity to the students. Steve generously donated the additional funds with the gratuity and purchased four REAL Razorbacks memberships for Austin Talley, Russell White, Christian Karadas and Jake Connelly.
Hog Heaven in Camden
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The next stop was Camden. We were indeed in “Hog Heaven.” Our host and hostess James and Patty Woods decorated their restaurant “The River Woods” located on the Ouachita River with Razorback memorabilia. The sign greeting us at the door said, “Razorback Fans Park Here.” The Woodses provided delicious hors d’oeuvres, beverages and a wonderful atmosphere. The only thing missing was a Razorback game. We had seventeen alumni and friends. Searcy Harrell, former Arkansas Alumni Association National Board member, was in attendance with his wife Peggy.
Pride of Arkansas Tour Photos on Flickr
John Gaughan, Patty’s dad, told how his father started the Razorback legacy for the Gaughan family. His father graduated in 1911. The Gaughans are now on their fourth generation of Gaughan.
Staff members attending the event were Terri Dover, Director of Alumni Services; Elizabeth Saxman and Angela Monts, Associate Directors. The staff would like to give a special thanks to James and Patty for their generous donation of providing their catering service and location to the Pride of Arkansas Tour.
True Arkansas Gold in El Dorado
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
El Dorado, Arkansas, provided us with warm weather. Simmon’s First Bank on Grove Street extended their hospitality by allowing us to use their Community Room. W.L. Cook, our host for the event and incoming Arkansas Alumni Association National Board of Directors member, provided lodging for the staff. W.L. also provided assistance with setting up the room and donating beautiful roses for a centerpiece.
Pride of Arkansas Tour Photos on Flickr
The event drew nine alumni and friends for lunch. Joyce Rutledge, former board member, was also in attendance. O. Worth Camp was the lively commentator for the “The Razorback Family: Stories from Senior Walk.” Dick and Ann James gave their perspective on how the El Dorado Promise would be a great recruiting tool for the University of Arkansas.
W.L., thanks for always being there for the Arkansas Alumni Association, we really appreciate you. Staff members attending the event were Terri Dover, Director of Alumni Services; Elizabeth Saxman and Angela Monts, Associate Directors.
A Beautiful Setting in Monticello
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Trotter House, owned by the University of Arkansas at Monticello, was a beautiful setting for the Tour. Fourteen alumni and friends attended the event. Future alumna Sabena Day, 4 years old, was our youngest attendant. Jon Mormon, Arkansas Alumni Association National Board member, surprised us with his attendance.
Pride of Arkansas Tour Photos on Flickr
Claude Merrell was celebrating his birthday. Claude received his doctorate degree in education from the UA. He was Kenny Hatfield’s high school coach. He also was one of the first residence hall directors for Pomfret. In the ‘60s, Pomfret was called the Co-Ed Dorm. It didn’t have a name until later.
Staff members attending the event were Terri Dover, Director of Alumni Services; Elizabeth Saxman, Angela Monts, Associate Directors, and Will Whiting, Associate Director with Development.
Old Friends in Crossett
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Pride of Arkansas Tour is in the paper mill city of Crossett, Arkansas. Mark Hawkins, a 1962 graduate of the Dale Bumpers College of Food, Agricultural and Life Sciences and a Sigma Nu, was the first to arrive. He shared his stories of driving the Pig Trail and Highway 71 and his car did not have power brakes. He would stop in Alma to let his brakes cool off. He has a granddaughter who lives in Louisiana but when she is in Arkansas she is a true Razorback.
Kenneth Williams, a retired County Extension Agent from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the uncle of Tammy Tucker, Director of Communications, also was present. His father, Wallace Williams, graduated in 1942. He was drafted and called to the war but he didn’t have to take his final exams. He worked for the university fifty years and three months. Kenneth said his dad had three months on Coach Frank Broyles.
Debbie Walsh and Dr. Ben Walsh were the 2004 UA Family of the Year. Two of their Delta Gamma Sorority sisters would chain their engaged members to the DG anchor as a tradition and stayed until the fiancé’s fraternity came to rescue her.
Joseph and Cynthia Mosley, parents of Tracye Mosley Walker, ’03 UA Law School graduate and the brother of Angela Mosley Monts ’80. Total attendantees were six.
Tom White, managing editor of the Ashley News Observant, covered the Pride of Arkansas Tour for the local newspaper. Staff in attendance was Terri Dover, Director of Alumni Services, Elizabeth Underwood, Angela Monts, Associate Directors, and Will Whiting, Development Associate Director.
We are now off to Lakeshore Café, Lake Village, Arkansas.
Lake Village Holds Sigma Chi Knowledge
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Lake Village is known for three types of farming: cotton, soybeans and rice. Mr. Frank Pylate, a 1960 graduate, met Terri Dover, Alumni Services Director, Elizabeth Underwood and Angela Mosley Monts, Associate Directors, for dinner. We quickly learned Mr. Pylate was a dedicated Sigma Chi. Notable members of his pledge class are Dr. Alan Sugg and Rep. Beryl Anthony.
Mr. Pylate gave us names of UA graduates and Sigma Chi in the area. Pylate also promised to help with the next Pride of Arkansas Tour. So Lake Villagers get ready, Mr. Pylate is not going to take no for an answer.
