CHANCELLOR'S LETTER
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s we complete another year at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, I would like to thank you for the kindness and support you have shown during my first year as Chancellor. On April 25, 2014 as we celebrated 141 years of excellence, I had the distinct honor of being installed as the 18th leader of this great institution during our Investiture ceremony. As stated before, I am proud, humbled, honored, and blessed to be a part of the rich history of this university, and I consider it a privilege to carry on the torch and uphold the legacy of those before me. During the Investiture, we were delighted to unveil a new trademark for branding our university that represents our past, present, and future in a fresh, contemporary design that incorporates the William E. O’Bryant Bell Tower. This brand is symbolic of our new beginnings and generates an exhilarating emblem that appeals to all of our stakeholders. We are well on track with our endeavor to grow our enrollment past 4,000, and we are thrilled to announce the opening of the Memphis Area Recruitment Office at Mid-South Community College in West Memphis, AR. Within the last several months, we also have participated in a national recruitment tour, where we have visited several high schools in numerous states. We have enjoyed working with our alumni chapters in our quest to build a larger and more diverse cadre of students who will in turn become distinguished alumni. A great example of our most distinguished alumni is featured in this issue. The person I am referring to is internationally registered engineer Ms. Raye J. Montague, a 1956 graduate who helped revolutionize the U.S. naval ship design using a computer. From the depths of the seas to the boardrooms of major cities, we have a strong history of molding our students to greatness and continue to do so today. This past year, we have celebrated numerous successes, including our School of Business and Management achieving accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and receiving the Walton Family Foundation grant to further enhance our LIONS Enrichment Program, which has increased from 30 students to currently serving more than 150 students. Through the creation of a new division, the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development, we are also able to ensure sustainability
and development through growth in opportunities in research that will further enhance our institution. We are also delighted and excited about the STEM Academy and Conference Center, which is slated for completion later this summer. In addition, the creation of the Office of Institutional Advancement will enable us to integrate all of our advancement efforts under one division. Needless to say, it has been a very eventful, momentous and sensational year for our university. Our programs, partnerships, and initiatives are soaring to higher heights. With the assistance of our faculty, staff, alumni, and other stakeholders we are well on our way to achieving the gold standard throughout the university. Once again, thank you for your steadfast support, and we look forward to future collaborations for the continued success and enrichment of our students and university. Sincerely,
Laurence B. Alexander, Ph.D. Chancellor
Summer 2014
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