Members of the Arkansas Zeta chapter of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, housed at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM), attended the 2026 National Convention of Alpha Chi in Orlando, Florida, from March 12 to 14. During the event, Dr. Kate Stewart, professor of English at UAM and co-advisor of the Arkansas Zeta chapter of Alpha Chi, received a Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her contributions to the honor society and her work with student members.

Dr. Stewart began teaching at UAM in 1988 and became involved with Alpha Chi in 1992. She is currently serving the third year of her term as the secretary/treasurer for Alpha Chi Region II. The Distinguished Service Award celebrates her 30 years of service as a chapter advisor.

“I was totally surprised because I had no earthly idea that I was going to get anything,” Dr. Stewart said.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) will hold its spring commencement exercises on Friday, May 8, in the Steelman Field House.Commencement will be split into two ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Doors will open at 9 a.m. for the 10 a.m. ceremony and 1 p.m. for the 2 p.m. ceremony. Guests are encouraged to be seated by 9:50 a.m. and 1:50 p.m., as the processionals will begin at 9:55 a.m. and 1:55 p.m.

The 10 a.m. ceremony will include the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources (undergraduate and graduate), the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, the School of Nursing (undergraduate and graduate), the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Division of General Studies. 

The 2 p.m. ceremony will include the School of Arts and Humanities (undergraduate and graduate), the School of Business, the School of Computer Information Systems and the School of Education (undergraduate and graduate).

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.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) Concert and Chamber Choirs will perform during the Spring 2026 Choral Concert on Friday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center on UAM’s Monticello campus. The event is free and open to the public. 

Directed by Colt Lien, director of choral activities at UAM, the choirs will explore a wide range of choral repertoire, including works by Grau, Fleming, Paulus, Narverud, Gibbs and Moore.

For more information about the concert, contact the UAM Division of Music at 870-460-1060.

Em Sobczak’s senior art exhibition, “Colored Chords: The Art of Listening,” will be on display from April 17 through April 24 in the Glassblock Gallery in the Fred J. Taylor Library and Technology Center at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM). A public reception will be held on Tuesday, April 21, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Sobczak’s exhibition explores the connection between sound and sight in mixed-media artworks inspired by specific songs. “Rather than directly illustrating music, my work operates as a visual interpretation where color reflects tone, composition follows rhythm and materials express mood.”

The Glassblock Gallery’s hours are Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m.; Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m.; Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m. 

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) Wind Symphony will perform during the Spring Band Concert on Thursday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center on UAM’s Monticello campus. The event is free and open to the public. 

The UAM Wind Symphony will perform under the direction of Dr. Erik Richards, associate professor of music and director of bands at UAM. Their program will feature contemporary wind band literature, including works by Brian Beck, Brant Karrik, Cait Nishimura and Brian Balmages.

For more information about the concert, contact the UAM Division of Music at 870-460-1060.

In her first season on the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) Trap Shooting team, Sarah Forrest is already making her mark. On March 15, Forrest, a sophomore K-6 elementary education major at UAM, won the top prize in the female division at the “Clays for a Cause” Trap Shoot Fundraiser. 

The event was hosted by Compassion’s Foundation at the Farmers Bank & Trust Trap Shooting Range at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas. 

The newly formed UAM Trap Shooting team is off to a winning start in its inaugural season, with members claiming top finishes in each of its first two competitions. 

“UAM Trap Shooting continues to do well in competition,” said Chief John Kidwell, director of the University Police Department at UAM and team sponsor of UAM Trap Shooting. “It seems like a different trap team member shines at each new event. I am very pleased to see Sarah Forrest compete and win at this level.”

Denver Pettit’s senior art exhibition, “From the Backyard,” will be on display from April 10 through April 15 in the Glassblock Gallery in the Fred J. Taylor Library and Technology Center at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM). A public reception will be held on Wednesday, April 15, at 5:30 p.m.

Pettit’s exhibition of paintings explores the sense of wonder, fear, awe and enjoyment of her natural surroundings. “While working, I form deep connections and attachments to the living things that I encounter in my environment.”

The Glassblock Gallery’s hours are Mondays from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.; Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:40 p.m.; Wednesdays from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.; and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

On March 6, the Department of Social Work at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) hosted the 7th annual Social Work Fair. The event was held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Gibson University Center Green Room and provided an opportunity for students to meet with social work faculty and active social workers from a variety of fields and speak with prospective field agencies and employers. Social workers and faculty were invited to attend and network with other professionals and enjoy a variety of door prizes and self-care bags.

The Student Social Work Association at UAM first organized the event under the guidance of Marie Jenkins, director and associate professor of social work at UAM, in 2018, in honor of Social Worker Appreciation Month, as a show of appreciation for local social work professionals. After the success of the first year, the gathering expanded into a fair and has grown every year since. In 2026, the Social Work Fair serves as an appreciation fair for professional social workers and as an informational tool for current and prospective students. This year, 20 local agencies participated in the fair.

On March 9, nearly 650 prospective students visited the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) for the annual Weevil Welcome: College Preview Day.

High school juniors and seniors from Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas visited UAM’s campus, making this year’s crowd the largest in the history of the annual event, which was first held in 2005. 

The UAM Office of Admissions hosted the event, which offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to learn about programs of study at UAM, the UAM College of Technology-Crossett (UAM-CTC) and the UAM College of Technology-McGehee (UAM-CTM), as well as financial aid and scholarship opportunities, residence life and more, while meeting UAM, UAM-CTC and UAM-CTM faculty, staff and current students.

Ava Moyers has been named the Arkansas state champion in Microsoft Excel (Office 2019) in the fall qualifiers of the 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) State Championship, presented annually by Certiport. Moyers, of Monticello, Arkansas, is a junior business student at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM). 

In addition to winning the competition, Moyers earned an MOS certificate, a globally recognized credential validating proficiency in Microsoft applications. 

Her mastery of Excel developed under the guidance of Brennyn Seagler, instructor of business at UAM, while enrolled in the Management Information Systems course. The course is part of a broader initiative within the School of Business at UAM, which first incorporated Microsoft training programs into its curriculum in 2020. Since then, 252 certifications have been earned by students at UAM. The Excel program guides students in understanding the intricacies of the software through interactive scavenger hunts built into worksheets. 

Between April 9 and 11, the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) will host the 85th annual conference of the Arkansas Historical Association (AHA).  

Other local sponsors of the conference are Monticello’s A&P Commission and Commercial Bank. A complete program, which includes a full list of sponsors, is available on the AHA’s website. 

The Arkansas Historical Association has published the “Arkansas Historical Quarterly,” the state’s premier peer-reviewed history journal, since 1942. Each year, the organization holds a three-day themed conference. The theme for the 2026 meeting in Monticello will be “Arkansas at Work: Histories of Labor, Land, and Learning.” This year marks the first time that the conference will be held in southeast Arkansas in over two decades. 

The conference will kick off on Thursday afternoon with an archival workshop in the Gibson University Center, moderated by UAMS Historical Research Center Director Tim Nutt. This will be followed by an evening reception at the UAM Trotter House. On Friday and Saturday morning, historians and history students will gather in the Gibson University Center to present 36 selected research papers during 12 thematic sessions. 

Recently, the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) unveiled a new partnership designed to expand affordable higher education opportunities in Arkansas. This initiative allows UACCB students to earn bachelor’s degrees from UAM while benefiting from some of the state’s lowest tuition rates.

The agreement will enable UACCB students to pursue bachelor’s degrees in business and education from UAM through coursework offered in Batesville.

The Bachelor of Arts in K-6 Elementary Education program is slated to begin in May 2026, with the Bachelor of Business Administration program launching in August 2026. Both degree offerings are pending approval from the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Higher Learning Commission.

On January 21, the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-McGehee (UAM-CTM) launched the UAM-CTM Digital Literacy Program in collaboration with Digitunity and AT&T. The launch event was hosted by UAM-CTM on its campus in McGehee and attended by representatives from Digitunity and AT&T.

Digitunity is a national nonprofit organization committed to making computer ownership possible for all Americans. For over 40 years, Digitunity has worked to close the digital divide in the United States by shaping and strengthening systems that make computer ownership possible. With 1 in 7 U.S. households lacking a computer, this national-local approach mobilizes resources, influences policy and builds durable solutions that expand opportunity, participation and economic mobility. 

Digitunity and AT&T are working together to expand computer ownership and digital skills through their “3 Southern States Connected Communities Program,” which supports local organizations across Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi by focusing on four key components: computer distribution, digital navigator support, digital skills training and community capacity. Organizations across the three states are helping residents gain access to computers, develop new skills and build confidence with technology. Through community-based events, training and computer distribution, more people can fully participate in today’s digital world. 

It’s been a big weekend for CFANR as the forestry club hosted and competed in the 67th Southern Forestry Conclave at the UAM Trucking Academy. Out of the 14 universities competing this year UAM placed 3rd!

UAM had a 1st place finish in Wildlife and 3rd place finishes in Wood Technology, DBH estimation, Men’s Bowsaw, Women’s Bowsaw, Chain Throw, Jack & Jill Crosscut, Men’s Crosscut and Pole Felling.
It’s been a steady year of planning and hard work for the forestry club and their advisor Dr. Laura Sims. We’re thankful for the many supporters and alumni who made this event possible and extra special.

Our students placing in the top 3 of the events were:

• Wildlife: Brent Haden & Riley McGihan
• Wood Technology: David Coussens
• DBH Estimation: Holton Johnson
• Men’s Bowsaw: David Coussens
• Women’s Bowsaw: Marce Aranda
• Chain Throw: Hannah Hopson & Tate Tanner
• Jack & Jill Crosscut: Marce Aranda & Tate Tanner
• Men’s Crosscut: Tate Tanner & Josh Meyers
• Pole Felling: Caleb Van Pelt

Every year, art educators from ten counties across southeast Arkansas send the best works of art from their K-12 students for inclusion in the Southeast Arkansas Regional Art Exhibit. The exhibit aims to highlight the hard work, creativity and success of young artists in the area. 

Student artwork selected for 2026 Southeast Arkansas Regional Art Exhibit, organized by the Arkansas Art Educators (AAE) organization, will be on display in the Spencer Gallery in the Fine Arts Center at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) through March 29. A closing reception and awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 29, at 2:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The exhibit features artwork from grades K-12 from schools throughout Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Jefferson, Lincoln and Union counties. First-place winners from each grade will be showcased in an exhibition in Little Rock, Arkansas, that will include artwork from across the state. 

For more information, contact the UAM School of Arts and Humanities at 870-460-1078. 

On Wednesday, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA) and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) announced a new partnership designed to expand access to affordable four-year degrees in eastern Arkansas.

This new collaborative program will allow students to complete select bachelor’s degrees through UAM while remaining on PCCUA campuses, creating a true “start here and finish here” program for students from the Delta and surrounding communities.

Through this partnership, PCCUA students will have the chance to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in K-6 elementary education degree beginning in May 2026 and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree starting in August 2026. The partnership plans to expand to include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with a targeted start date of fall 2027.

This initiative is designed to increase access, strengthen workforce development and provide a seamless transition for students who are ready to continue their education close to home. By combining resources and expertise, PCCUA and UAM aim to improve degree completion rates while offering some of the most affordable tuition rates in the state.

On January 21, the Simmons First Foundation gifted $50,000 to support the Snowden Waterfowl Center of Excellence, a nationally unique research center dedicated to advancing waterfowl and wetlands science.  

The center, based at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM), is a partnership with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UADA). It was established to address concerns related to waterfowl and wetlands, and UAM’s proximity to waterfowl and wetlands regions provides a geographic advantage in research and education.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) Division of Music will host a lecture recital by Dr. Kylan Bigby, assistant professor of percussion at UAM, on Thursday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the Music Building’s Harris Recital Hall, Room 101, on UAM’s Monticello campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The lecture recital will feature selections from Dr. Bigby’s newly written solo timpani book, “Echoes of the Orchestra.” This innovative collection explores the rich musical language of the orchestra through the lens of the timpani, transforming characteristic orchestral gestures, textures and dramatic moments into compelling solo works for the instrument. Drawing inspiration from the expressive and technical demands that timpanists encounter in symphonic repertoire, “Echoes of the Orchestra” bridges the gap between orchestral performance and contemporary solo artistry, offering performers new ways to develop musical sensitivity through advanced techniques. 

The 2025 graduates of the Practical Nursing program at the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology–McGehee (UAM-CTM) recently achieved a 100% first-attempt pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). This marks the 3rd consecutive year that all graduates have passed the exam on their first attempt.  

The December 2025 program cohort includes Maria Avila, Melanie Barajas, Kennedi Bledsoe, Emmaleigh Branch, Megan Forrest, Carmen Fourie, Zoe Humphries, Kanesia Pitts, Monisha Williams and Halle Wilson. 

Paisley Owyoung, director of Allied Health at UAM-CTM, expressed her pride, stating, “We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence. Their success on the NCLEX is a direct reflection of their hard work and perseverance, as well as the outstanding nursing faculty who invest their time, expertise and mentorship into every student. This achievement speaks to both the determination of our graduates and the exceptional quality of our nursing program.” 

UAM presented 392 awards to 368 fall 2025 graduates, according to information released by the UAM Registrar’s Office.

To view the list of graduates, visit UAM News: Click Here

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA) will partner with the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) to expand access to affordable four-year degrees in eastern Arkansas.

On Wednesday, March 11, the two institutions will officially announce a new collaborative program that will allow students to complete select bachelor’s degrees through UAM while remaining on PCCUA campuses, creating a true “start here and finish here” program for students from the Delta and surrounding communities.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) Division of Music will host the recital “You’ve Got a Friend in Me/Piano” on Thursday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Music Building in the Harris Recital Hall, Room 101, on UAM’s Monticello campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The recital will feature Dr. Hee-Kyung Juhn, assistant professor of piano at UAM, who will be joined by guest musicians David Gerstein, the principal cellist of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and Dr. Lei Cai, professor of piano at Ouachita Baptist University. The program will include music by Ginastera, Mozart, Saint-Saens, Gershwin and Lester Pack, professor of music theory and guitar at UAM.

For more information, contact the UAM Division of Music at 870-460-1060. 

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) Division of Music will host its “Summer Music Camps @UAM” offerings in June and July 2026 for rising sixth through twelfth graders. Two sessions will be offered, and students may attend one camp per session, with the option to stay on or off campus for the duration of the camp. 

On February 12, the Alpha Sigma Alpha chapter at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) hosted a Cookies & Cards event, allowing UAM students to make Valentine’s Day cards to be distributed at The Woods, A Nightingale Community, a nursing home in Monticello. 

The chapter hosted the event at the Gibson University Center as both a service project and a recruitment opportunity. “Service is one of our core values, and we believe the best way to show who we are is through action,” said Bryleigh Myers, a sophomore accounting student and member of Alpha Sigma Alpha. “By creating an event that allowed us to give back, while also welcoming potential new members, we were able to demonstrate that our sisterhood is rooted in compassion, kindness and purpose.”

Recognizing that holidays are often challenging for residents of nursing homes, Alpha Sigma Alpha decided to host Cookies & Cards. The organization was able to deliver 60 Valentine’s Day cards to The Woods. 

The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) 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, February 26, the two institutions will unveil a program allowing UACCB students to earn bachelor’s degrees in Batesville at one of the state’s lowest tuition rates.

The strategic partnership between UACCB and UAM will integrate education and business programs, enabling UACCB students to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in K-6 Elementary Education degree starting in May 2026 and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree beginning in August 2026. 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 University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) recently received a $125,000 gift to the UAM Fund from Angelia, Bennie III, Margaret Anne, Marion and Ray Ryburn. 

Beyond their contributions to the UAM Fund, the Ryburn family and their businesses — Commercial Bank & Trust Company, Connect Bank and Ryburn Motor Company — have demonstrated steadfast support for UAM through a variety of initiatives. Their continued dedication underscores a strong belief in the university’s mission and its transformative impact on students’ lives.

Their most recent contribution will help fund the university’s operational expenses, capital projects, equipment needs and special academic initiatives.

The Ryburn family established the UAM Fund within the UAM Foundation in 2020 and has actively encouraged fellow supporters to join them in making a lasting difference for the university. Since its establishment, numerous donors have contributed to the UAM Fund, ensuring that UAM can continue its mission of providing quality education to students.   

Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM, stated, “I extend our gratitude to the Ryburn family for their steadfast support of UAM. Their generosity not only sustains our commitment to delivering quality education but also empowers our students to realize their fullest potential. The Ryburn family has a deep understanding and belief in UAM’s mission, and their commitment creates a lasting impact. We are honored to consider them partners in our pursuit of excellence.”

In June 2024, Dr. Kevin Bryson was sitting in the Miami International Airport, applying to academic teaching positions on his laptop. Having just earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in jazz instrumental performance from the University of Miami in May, he was awaiting a flight to London, England, where he had been invited to play bass trombone on a jazz album to be recorded in the historic Abbey Road Studios.“We recorded in the same room where the Beatles recorded,” Dr. Bryson explains. “There is so much history there. Pink Floyd. So many others. Just look it up. So much iconic music.” Radiohead. Adele. Oasis. Amy Winehouse. U2. Lady Gaga.

The project was based on the music of jazz musician Kenny Wheeler. Dr. Nick Smart, head of Jazz Programmes at the Royal Academy of Music, in London, had been a personal friend of Wheeler’s and spearheaded the effort, which focused on recording experimental, unpublished music the jazz legend had written early in his career. Dr. Smart brought his friend, Dr. John Daversa, chair of studio music and jazz at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, into the project, which led to Dr. Bryson’s involvement.

In the final year of his doctoral studies, Dr. Bryson was working as a graduate assistant in the Frost School of Music’s library. In that role, he was tasked with working through the original scores for the trombone parts of the Kenny Wheeler project, determining how they needed to be appointed to the players in the ensemble. His work served as the early organization during the planning stages for the record. For his contribution, he was invited to play the bass trombone on the project.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) named 345 students to the?Dean’s?List?and 268 students to the Chancellor’s?List?for the fall 2025 semester, according to Keith Chambliss, UAM’s registrar.?

Selection to the?Dean’s?List?requires a student to earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on at least 12 semester hours of course credit at the 1000-4000 level.?Selection to the Chancellor’s?List?requires a student to earn a grade point average of 4.0 on at least 12 semester hours of course credit at the 1000-4000 level.?