CONWAY—The University of Central Arkansas Black Alumni Chapter will host the third Black Alumni Weekend from April 13-15, 2018.
The Black Alumni Chapter, an affiliate group of the UCA Alumni Association, was established in 2013 to foster a sense of community among UCA’s black graduates and the alumni community while working to advance the university’s mission. Black Alumni Weekend, which is held every other year, serves as a scholarship fundraiser.
“It’s a celebration for the Black Alumni Chapter and for black alums to come back to UCA to reunite, reminisce and share stories about relationships that have made us forever connected to the UCA family, the good times and what it has made us become as adults and citizens, encouraging each other’s accomplishments and building a network of resources,” said Franklin Holbrook, president of the UCA Black Alumni Chapter.
New to this year’s Black Alumni Weekend is the Black Excellence Awards, a formal banquet that will recognize black alumni in fields such as education, community service and more. A special award called The One will honor someone in the UCA community who has outstandingly served the UCA community while being the only black person on their team.
The Black Excellence Awards will also educate attendees on the chapter’s master plan and vision, Holbrook said.
“Everything goes toward building a platform to be able to give scholarships,” Holbrook said. “Right now, we have a total of 16 African-American scholarships on the books, and half of those are endowed. One of our goals is to work with the owners of the remaining scholarships and offer some strategies and resources to regenerate the purpose and energy to help grow those scholarships to a fully endowed status.”
The weekend will feature an “Ol’Skool” Greek Show competition, a family-friendly reunion block party, a community worship service and more.
All Black Alumni Weekend events are open to the public. A weekend pass is $55, and after March 15, the price will be $70. Black card members, or lifetime members with the chapter, will be offered the rate of $55 no matter the date. A la carte prices for individual events are also available. Tickets can be purchased online at uca.edu/alumni/blackalumni.
The 2018 Black Alumni Weekend events are as follows:
Friday, April 15
Check-in Meet & Greet
5-7 p.m. at Harrin Hall
University of Central Arkansas
Ol’Skool Greek Show
7 p.m. at Ida Waldran Auditorium
University of Central Arkansas
Wings & Wine Social
10 p.m. at Bear’s Bistro
2850 Prince Street
Conway, Arkansas
Saturday, April 16
The Reunion Block Party
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Amphitheater
University of Central Arkansas
Black Excellence Awards
7 p.m. at McCastlain Ballroom
University of Central Arkansas
The After Party
10:30 p.m. at McCastlain Ballroom
University of Central Arkansas
Sunday, April 17
Community Worship Service
9:45 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church
1232 Watkins Street
Conway, Arkansas
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