Three students from the School of Business at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) won four awards at the Arkansas Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate State Leadership Conference at South Arkansas College in El Dorado, Arkansas, on March 12.

Victoria O’Neill Rivera, a sophomore business administration major with an emphasis in marketing from Warren, Arkansas, won first place in Public Speaking and first place in Digital Design and Communications.

Jordan Wehr, a senior business administration major with an emphasis in marketing from Frisco, Texas, won second place in Sports Management and Marketing.

Maddie Welch, a senior business administration major with an emphasis in marketing from Star City, Arkansas, won first place in Foundations of Marketing. Welch reflected on how her coursework prepared her for the competition, stating, “Everything I saw on the test, I learned in classes I took at UAM.”

Great cattle and even better company will take center stage as the University of Arkansas at Monticello Farms hosts the Fifth Annual Aggie Comeback on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25. 

More than just a cattle sale, the annual event has become a gathering place for UAM agriculture alumni, cattle producers, students and friends of agriculture to reconnect, share ideas and celebrate the success of UAM’s Beefmaster program.

The two-day event begins Friday with cattle viewing from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner provided by AgHeritage Farm Credit Services. All cattle included in the Saturday sale will be available for viewing in the lot behind the agriculture building. The auction lineup includes four registered Beefmaster bulls and 15 Beefmaster-influenced bred heifers.

Saturday begins with the cattle auction at 10:30 a.m., featuring some of the best genetics from UAM Farms. Lunch will follow, provided by River Valley Tractor of Pine Bluff. 

Throughout the event, Aaron Stone with River Valley Tractor of Pine Bluff will have the latest farm equipment on display. UAM will also showcase its newly wrapped show trailer.

Organized by Greg Montgomery, manager of the UAM Farms, Aggie Comeback was started to showcase the farm’s genetics and raise awareness for its growing Beefmaster herd. 

North Arkansas College of the University of Arkansas (UA Northark) and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) are set to announce a new partnership that will expand access to affordable higher education in Arkansas. On Thursday, April 30, the two institutions will unveil a program allowing UA Northark students to earn bachelor’s degrees in Harrison at one of the state’s lowest tuition rates.

The strategic partnership between UA Northark and UAM will integrate business and education programs, enabling UA Northark students to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration degree beginning in August 2026. Plans to add a Bachelor of Arts in K-6 Elementary Education degree are also underway. Both degree programs are currently pending approval from the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Higher Learning Commission.

The partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both institutions and combine resources to support student success and improve college completion rates within the region.

The announcement will take place at 1 p.m. on April 30 in the John Paul Hammerschmidt Conference Room on UA Northark’s south campus. The event is open to the public and media, with leaders from both institutions scheduled to speak. Interview, photo and video opportunities will be available.