Campus Shows Appreciation for 23 Years
Candi Marshall
Staff Writer
University of Arkansas at Monticello held its
23rd Parent/Family Appreciation day Sept. 27.
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| Photo by Latoya Shelton |
| Weevil Welcome - Cheerleaders show their spirit during Parent/Family Appreciation Day. The UAM Marching Band, cheerleaders and football players paraded around Weevil Pond to "Convoy" Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium. |
Activities included registration, entertainment, Family of the Year Award, Walk of Champions, cookout and the UAM vs. Arkansas Tech football game.
Linda Hampton, grandmother to a UAM student said, “This is my second year attending the Parent/Family Appreciation Day. I like it is held in the Fine Arts Center. The seats are comfortable and the temperature cooler.”
During registration, parents, families and students met with faculty and staff. The UAM Wellness Committee provided free child identification kits and fingerprinting. The university distributed pamphlets with campus information and yearbooks.
Tim Woods, saxophonist, and Anthony Newton, pianist, provided musical entertainment while families took pictures for their photo buttons.
Chancellor Jack Lassiter welcomed families and informed them of the events planned for the day. He also informed parents of the hard work and dedication staff and students put into Parent Day.
Lassiter assured parents their students attended class daily and humorously said, “There has been an overflow of students in the library.”
Lassiter awarded a tailgate package to a family with 11 members in attendance. Angela Thompson won one of the three prizes given away to the most family members who attended the university.
“Who drove the greatest distance to get here? Now that doesn’t include circling the campus 20 times.” Lassiter said.
Two women from California won the award.
James and Mary Wilkerson, residents of Pickens, recieved this year’s Family of the Year Award. Their daughter, Heather, wrote an essay informing the committee of why her parents deserved the award.
“We are honored to receive this award,” Mary Wilkerson said.
Hypnotist and comedian, Michael C. Anthony, concluded the special program with laughter from the audience at the volunteers he put in a trance.
Julie Gentry, committee member and director of intramurals and recreation said, “Parent appreciation day enables parents and family members, who are not always available, to come and support their students. Football players are allowed two tickets per player and this day allows them to have their whole family there supporting them.”
Parent/Family Appreciation day attendees gathered to watch the band, cheerleaders and football players parade from Weevil Pond to "Convoy" Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium. Afterward, parents and families gathered around to eat and tailgate at the cookout hosted by Chancellor and Mrs. Lassiter.
Glenda Nielsen said she appreciates what the university does for parents and families on Family/Appreciation day.
“I have enjoyed myself," Nielsen said. "My son, Adam Clark, plays in the band and I know he is getting a good education. This is a good campus and the people are friendly, and the pond looks great.”
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