33rd UAPB AM&N National Alumni Association Summer Conference
by Shannon Hendrix
2021-2023 Summer Conference Chair, National UAPB/AM&N Alumni Parliamentarian
The conference was held August 3-5, 2023, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, with a majority of the meetings and activities held on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. This was our first in-person Summer Conference since the 2020 pandemic. Having the two prior virtual conferences, along with our newly designed website, newsletters, Alumni Center Capital Campaign, and various town hall meetings, allowed us to create an agenda with all alumni in mind.
National Alumni Association President Tanesha Thompson and the National Board of Directors, hosted this year’s conference. However, there was great support from the National Alumni Office and three local alumni chapters who served as the conference’s Planning Committee bringing a wealth of knowledge and a talented network to carry out the business of the Association. The conference included a National Board Meeting, Welcome Reception, Updates from both the Association and the University, Campus Bus Tour, and Banquet which included a silent auction, cocktail hour, and dancing.
Our banquet speaker was Kristopher G. Stepps, MD, who is also a 2007 alumnus, Legacy Golden Lion, published author, philanthropist, and Pine Bluff native. Dr. Stepps spoke from our conference theme about the mnemonic R.O.A.R. which stood for:
- Remember your Golden Predecessors,
- Open as many doors as possible,
- Be Asset-driven, and
- Recruit future stakeholders.
All of these attributes were passionately discussed during the many activities of the conference.
The 2023 Summer Conference had over 105 registered participants, over 30 additional banquet tickets sold, and raised over $1,500 for the Dire Needs Scholarship with the silent auction alone. President Thompson encouraged all alumni and supporters of the Association and the University to be solution-focused, and with that mindset, we were able to have a successful 33rd National Alumni Summer Conference. We are still seeking our 2024 Summer Conference Host, so if your local alumni chapter is interested then please contact Director Kim Jones Sneed at [email protected] or 870-536-2309.
We would like to once again give ROARING thanks Ms. Shannon Hendrix 2023 Summer Conference chair and to all alumni, sponsors, vendors, patrons, donors, volunteers, and Chancellor Dr. Laurence B. Alexander and Cabinet for making our in-person Summer Conference experience GOLDEN!
