UA Little Rock Unveils New Alumni Patio

Serving as a vibrant gathering space for alumni and the community to reminisce, network, and forge lasting bonds, hundreds of people gathered at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center May 10 to celebrate the dedication of the new Alumni Patio.

"We have all come to appreciate that it's important for our Trojan community to have a strong sense of place that honors the past and embraces the potential of the future," Chancellor Christina Drale said. "We are building a living and learning environment that embraces the natural beauty of our campus and brings people together to live and play and engage with one another as we celebrate our past and engage our future. This new alumni patio does all of those things."

More than 3,000 alumni bricks dating back to 1927 were removed from the library plaza as part of the renovations to enhance the campus living and learning environment. These bricks, each bearing a story of shared campus heritage, have found a new home at the newly constructed Alumni Patio. This initiative is part of the broader Trojan Way project and symbolizes the university's dedication to preserving and celebrating the rich history of UA Little Rock.

"As we gather to dedicate the Alumni Patio, we celebrate this physical addition to campus and the spirit of community and connection that it represents," said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. "It serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of UA Little Rock. It marks a milestone to the university's history. This is the first addition to the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center since it was built in 2002. Amidst the ongoing Centennial Campaign, today's dedication stands as a symbol of progress and growth."

Rhonda Aaron, president of the UA Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors, commented that it is an amazing time to be a part of the Trojan Family.

"It warms my heart to look around and to see the love and support from alumni, friends, and supporters of this community," Aaron said. "It takes every person being engaged to move this university forward. When you engage, it creates a promise that you are committed to the success of the future of this university. At 2 p.m. today (May 10), I get to sit in the audience to hear my daughter as a speaker chosen by her peers in the School of Social Work Convocation. It took a lot of hard work to get to this moment. When we become engaged, it inspires others to do the same."

Don Riggin, a member of the Centennial Campaign Committee who attended UA Little Rock when it was known as Little Rock University, said that there is much history to consider in the alumni bricks.

"These are not just bricks," Riggin said. "These are human beings that have graduated, who have gone on and had quality lives in various occupations in Arkansas and around the world. That is what this walkway represents."

Antonio Mosby, a member of the UA Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors, commented that he is looking forward to having gatherings of the Theta Epsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in the new space.

"As an alumnus of UA Little Rock, the Bailey Center holds a special place in my heart," Mosby said. "During a 40th anniversary reunion gathering of alumni of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity at the Bailey Center, I had the opportunity to meet Christian O'Neal, now the vice chancellor of university advancement. He and his team extended hospitality and warmth to us. It further solidified my commitment to giving back. The Bailey Center offered a warm and familiar environment to celebrate the bonds we created during our college days. We look forward to spending time at this campus, on this patio, and we want to engage more with our members."

[Link]Laterika Tooks (left), director of annual giving at UA Little Rock, and Tamika Washington (right), a UA Little Rock alumna, search for Washington's brick during a Find Your Brick event for university alumni on May 11. Photo by Stephen Thornton.

Cindy Conger, an alumna who earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and MBA from UA Little Rock during the 1980s, described the new Alumni Patio as "wonderful."

"I have been a big fan of this building since it opened in 2002," Conger said. "The Alumni Patio is beautiful, and it gives us a bit more space to hold events. My granddaughter starts school here in the fall, so coming here and finding Grammy's brick will be something we can do together."

Conger said she will always be grateful to the education she received at UA Little Rock, which came at a critical point in her life.

"I was getting a divorce and knew I needed a plan for me and my children," Conger said. "I have always been a planner. I just learned how to monetize that skill through my degrees. Now my passion is giving to organizations that help women and girls get an education, and UA Little Rock is at the top of that list."

As members of the Trojan Pep Band played the UA Little Rock Fight Song, hundreds of people in the crowd shouted, "Go Trojans!" as UA Little Rock community members and alumni happily cut the ribbon dedicating the new Alumni Patio.

Following the ceremony, the campus community, alumni, and university supporters enjoyed lunch from Eat My Catfish, CeCi's Chicken N Waffles on Wheels, Nach'Yo Nachos, Cajun Trouxth, and Cheesecake On Point.

The event was a great way to reconnect, view personalized bricks, and appreciate the collective journey of UA Little Rock's alumni and students.

"This event is not merely a reflection of our past but a step towards a united future," Smith said. "Together, we are laying the foundations for continued success and fostering deeper connections within our campus community."

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