Winter / Spring 2007 - University of Arkansas at Monticello

UAM MAGAZINE
2
From the Chancellor
I
t was a rewarding fall semester at UAM. We are proud to announce that our enrollment reached
an all-time high of 3,186. Now that we’ve completed another enjoyable holiday season, we are
looking forward to the new year with excitement and optimism. A big part of that optimism
comes from your overwhelming support of the college bond initiative which will direct muchneeded
new revenue to Arkansas’ colleges and universities. UAM will use its share of the funds to
connect to the e-corridor high-speed internet network; upgrade the university-wide data network to
meet the educational and administrative mission of the institution; install advanced technology and
communication support for our campuses in Monticello, Crossett and McGehee; and replace our
outdated administrative and instructional software system.
We are also looking forward to this year’s legislative session when we
welcome two new members – Robert Moore of Arkansas City and Eddie
Cheatham of Crossett – to the Southeast Arkansas delegation. We are fortunate
to have strong support and representation in the General Assembly from Senators
Jimmy Jeffress of Crossett and Jerry Taylor of Pine Bluff and Representatives
Greg Reep of Warren, Allen Maxwell of Monticello, and David Rainey of Dumas.
We also enjoy the support of two UAM alumni serving in the General Assembly:
Representative Tommy Dickinson of Newport and Senator Gene Jeffress of
Louann.
In March, Vice Chancellor Yeiser and I will join a delegation from Monticello
who will travel to Washington D.C. to meet with U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and
Blanche Lincoln as well as Congressman Mike Ross to continue our discussions
concerning the foremost needs of southeast Arkansas. While we are in the D.C.
area we will attend a reception on March 3 for UAM/A&M alumni and friends in
the Baltimore area to be hosted by alumnus Marty Brutscher and his wife Erma and alumnus James
Brown and his wife, Eddie. If you happen to be in the area on March 3, I do hope you will attend.
You can find more information about this reception on page 7 of this issue of UAM Magazine.
Homecoming was a tremendous success with the largest attendance in recent memory. A special
“THANK YOU” goes to Jim Trimm and his committee for their work in organizing the reunion
of the Class of ’56, and also to Senator Jimmy Jeffress for organizing a reunion of the A Cappella
Choir that was directed by John Daugherty. Another great big “THANK YOU” goes to Linda
Yeiser and her staff for making Homecoming 2006 such a memorable one. I was particularly proud
of our Sports Hall of Fame inductees. I had the privilege of seeing many of them play; and now, to
hear them talk about what UAM meant to them, and how our faculty and coaches influenced their
lives, was very gratifying for me. And finally, the recognition of Frank Wilson (B.S.F. ’66) as the
Achievement and Merit recipient for 2006 was an especially poignant moment for the university
and for the Wilson family.
As we look ahead, I would encourage you to become part of two very important fund-raising
campaigns – the Centennial Circle, and the Campaign for Athletics. We’ll have more on these two
campaigns in future issues of UAM Magazine as well as on the university website.
As this issue goes to press, our architects are in the final stages of planning and drawing for
renovations to Wells Hall, Sorrells Hall, and the Babin Business Center, as well as construction of a
new athletic facility north of Convoy Leslie-Cotton Boll Stadium. Weevil Walk and the renovation
of Weevil Pond are also nearing completion. You can still sponsor bricks and benches for Weevil
Walk by contacting our Office of Advancement at (800) 467-8148 or by visiting the alumni website.
And finally, I was pleased to see so many of you at our recent alumni receptions in Hot Springs,
Natchitoches, Louisiana and Houston, Texas. We are planning more receptions in the coming
months to reconnect with YOU, our alumni. If you would like to host or help organize a reception
of UAM alumni in your area, contact my office (870) 460-1020 or the alumni office (800) 467-
8148.
If you’re ever in the Monticello area, please stop by for a visit and see first-hand the exciting
changes taking place on your campus!
Best Wishes,
H. Jack Lassiter
Chancellor
On The Cover: UAM alumni Mark Mayo
and Amanda Powell at the KATV studios
with their television personality spouses,
Melinda Mayo and Steve Powell.
UAM MAGAZINE, Volume 4, number
, is published three times a year by the
University of Arkansas at Monticello, the
UAM Alumni Association, and the UAM
Foundation Fund. For information, you
may contact:
UAM Alumni Association
UAM Box 3520
Monticello, AR 7 656
Jim Brewer, Editor
Director of Media Services
(870) 460- 074 (office)
(870) 460- 74 (FAX)
e-mail: brewer@uamont.edu
Linda Yeiser, Vice Chancellor for
Advancement
(870) 460- 028 (office)
(870) 460- 324 (FAX)
e-mail: yeiser@uamont.edu
If you want to find out what’s happening
on campus, or want to contact us about
something significant that’s happened in
your life, check out our website at www.
uamont.edu. When you reach the UAM
home page, just click on Alumni & Friends.
Let us know what you think. We welcome
your suggestions!
Alumni Association Board of Directors
President
Thomas Frazer ’93, Warren
Vice President
Rhonda Mullikin ’80, Star City
Directors
Wanda Jackson ’8 , Monticello
Mark Tiner ’85, Monticello
Lynn Weatherford ’72, Dumas
Karla Wilson ’79, Rison