One interesting part of these events is the connection residents are making not only with the University and the Alumni Association but with each other. Now when they see each other around town, they know they share a common bond of being a Razorback.
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Through the eyes of Tammy Tucker, Director of Communications for the Arkansas Alumni Association
Despite a little snowfall the night before, alumni joined us for lunch at Little Italy in Arkadelphia. We reconnected with Bobbie Bland, a 1950 University of Arkansas graduate we met last year during the first Pride of Arkansas Tour. Inspired by our visits, she also decided it was time to upgrade her annual membership to a life membership. We thank you for your loyalty, Bobbie!
We saw two other familiar faces in Arkadelphia – Tom and Marsha Crawford Treat. They never miss the Alumni Association’s Pre-Game Rallies at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House before each Fayetteville home football game.
Check out our Arkadelphia photos on Flickr
When 88-year-old Robin Cruise saw Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in the video presentation, she mentioned that she hasn’t been to a Razorback football game since she was in college. I’m sure she would be impressed with the facilities and the number of loud fans in the stadium nowadays.
Barbara Tatman, who came to the event with her husband, Donald Tatman, told us how much she loves staying in Carnall Hall when visiting Fayetteville. Robin told us she once stayed in Carnall Hall when it was a residence hall.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Through the eyes of Tammy Tucker, Director of Communications for the Arkansas Alumni Association
The Hot Springs event certainly had a somber tone following the tragic deaths of University of Arkansas alumni Dr. Edward Cooper and Dr. Martin Draper of Hot Springs, along with Cooper’s two teenage daughters in a plane crash on their way to a Razorback basketball game. Most people attending the event remembered when Dr. Cooper hosted the Garland County Chapter Fish Fry two years ago at his home. Their deaths certainly have left the Hot Springs community in shock.
Many thanks go to alumnus Breck Speed, CEO of Mountain Valley Spring Company, who graciously let us use the company’s headquarters in downtown Hot Springs for our event. We also thank Brad Frieberg, chief financial officer, for staying late after work to share a little about the company and its history with our alumni. He also let us venture upstairs to the third floor to see the grandeur ballroom that remains in the 100-year-old building.
Check out our Hot Springs photos on Flickr
Once again, we saw some familiar faces along with meeting lots of new alumni. After a day at the horse races, Bob and Sunny Evans were the first to arrive. Bob was named an honorary alumnus during the 2008 Alumni Awards Celebration for his many contributions to the University and to Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.
Libby Vines, who serves on our board of directors also attended, along with her husband, John Vines, and their two daughters, Reese and Ellie. Chuck and Jan Wright, who hosted this past year’s chapter fish fry at their lake house, also dropped by.
Come Share Your Stories With Us!
Do you have a story or campus memory you’d like to share with us and fellow alumni? Make plans to join us at one of our next Pride of Arkansas Tour Stops near you today or share your own story in the comments below if you live in one of the areas we have visited.
