Each month, when writing this e-letter, I try to bring a new perspective about what is occurring in the life of your alma mater. Although news outlets are plentiful, not all the news is “printed.”
Sometimes the subject matter has had a general release and we bring a new perspective. Other information comes from internal sources that do not often hit the main stream. At all times, I try to inform and equip you with reasons to brag about the University of Arkansas. I struggle at times to find interesting items to share with you.
One item that crossed my desk this week speaks volumes about how alumni and Arkansans feel about their university.
Two weeks ago, the baseball Razorbacks hosted the NCAA Regional tournament at Baum Stadium. The Hogs’ season was up and down – spectacular and struggling. The team featured eight players who were drafted by the major leagues including a first-round pick and two second-round selections!
The seven-game regional included Washington State, Kansas State and Grambling State. Although their loyal fans were here, they did not come in large numbers. The games drew a total of 44,904 fans, which was the most of any of the 16 sites throughout the nation. We topped Texas by more than 4,000 fans. The Arkansas Regional also boasted the best single-game figure in the country and included the top attendance for games four, six and seven nationally.
What these figures confirm is that Arkansas alumni and Arkansans in general are proud of the Hogs – and their flagship university. We can be the best! We can compete with the best in a lot of arenas, academic as well as athletic. My goal for the coming year is to give alumni more reasons to be proud from all aspects of the university. This is a transformed university that is gaining more and more respect nationally for its academic programs and quality students.
Now, my challenge to you is to help me communicate to you. What is it that you want to know about the university? Academic units? Student life? Research? Quality of the student body? Please take a few minutes to let me know what to address.
Mike, As Carolyn and I have happily observed over the many years you have guided the Arkansas Alumni Association, the outreach to everyone – alums, future alums, prospects, and the public in general – has been incredible. Your kindnesses during our recent visits (which, shamefully, have been too few and too far apart) are greatly appreciated. As you know, not withstanding my love of all things in Razorbacks sports, my personal involvement has been mostly about the Fay Jones School of Architecture. It would be my desire to lean more about that side of the university. Not just the department, but “architectural things” in general… physical expansion of the campus, enhancements to existing facilities, and alumni contributions of talent and expertise related to all these aspects. I receive the department newsletter electronically and am able to keep up with them successfully, but we continue to be amazed at the enhancements we find each time we visit… especially if it has been a while since our last trip. (Also, warmest personal regards to you and your family). Paul Jones
Even before I entered the U of A (in 1950 but who’s counting) I admired the mastery of the masons who laid the rock wall that defined the boundary of the campus on the Northeast, East, and Southwest. Further West on Dickson and set back North there was valley that had a rock wall that was probably 30 feet high that held earth so that it was level with surrounding ground. The Band building sat on the lower ground so the main entrance to the building was through the attic.
There was a road that ran from Maple behind old Main before veering SW and tieing in to Dickson.
I have asked the building and grounds people and such but nobody seems to know when or how long it took, or costs, or names of the workmen. or anything at all about the rock walls.
Once upon a time, the library was one of the defining elements of a university. Institutions would compete on the sheer number of books on shelves, extending to department-specific collections and even antiquities. The future of the library is changing fast. Arkansas never had a prayer of stacking up well against bigger, wealthier schools, but in the future, smart design may mean more than the budget.
1) What does Arkansas spend annually on libraries? Buying books, fixing books, climate control and dehumidification, labor, all in?
2) What is the U of A doing to move toward digital content? Do our students have access to the best resources?
Digital textbooks could have a dramatic benefit on students’ budgets, I know that much. That is a separate issue. Arkansas has every chance to compete on the highest level when books move to virtual format.
Mike, As Carolyn and I have happily observed over the many years you have guided the Arkansas Alumni Association, the outreach to everyone – alums, future alums, prospects, and the public in general – has been incredible. Your kindnesses during our recent visits (which, shamefully, have been too few and too far apart) are greatly appreciated. As you know, not withstanding my love of all things in Razorbacks sports, my personal involvement has been mostly about the Fay Jones School of Architecture. It would be my desire to lean more about that side of the university. Not just the department, but “architectural things” in general… physical expansion of the campus, enhancements to existing facilities, and alumni contributions of talent and expertise related to all these aspects. I receive the department newsletter electronically and am able to keep up with them successfully, but we continue to be amazed at the enhancements we find each time we visit… especially if it has been a while since our last trip. (Also, warmest personal regards to you and your family). Paul Jones
Even before I entered the U of A (in 1950 but who's counting) I admired the mastery of the masons who laid the rock wall that defined the boundary of the campus on the Northeast, East, and Southwest. Further West on Dickson and set back North there was valley that had a rock wall that was probably 30 feet high that held earth so that it was level with surrounding ground. The Band building sat on the lower ground so the main entrance to the building was through the attic. There was a road that ran from Maple behind old Main before veering SW and tieing in to Dickson. I have asked the building and grounds people and such but nobody seems to know when or how long it took, or costs, or names of the workmen. or anything at all about the rock walls.
Once upon a time, the library was one of the defining elements of a university. Institutions would compete on the sheer number of books on shelves, extending to department-specific collections and even antiquities. The future of the library is changing fast. Arkansas never had a prayer of stacking up well against bigger, wealthier schools, but in the future, smart design may mean more than the budget. 1) What does Arkansas spend annually on libraries? Buying books, fixing books, climate control and dehumidification, labor, all in?2) What is the U of A doing to move toward digital content? Do our students have access to the best resources?Digital textbooks could have a dramatic benefit on students' budgets, I know that much. That is a separate issue. Arkansas has every chance to compete on the highest level when books move to virtual format.