CHANCELLOR'S LETTER
It is with great “Golden Lion” enthusiasm that we greet you with the Spring 2015 issue of PRIDE Magazine. I am pleased to keep you informed of the many exciting programs, initiatives and activities in which our students, faculty, staff, and alumni are involved. We have had some interesting events since the last publication, and I am delighted to share some of the achievements with you via this edition. As you peruse the latest edition of PRIDE, you will notice some of the progress this university has made over the past few months. With the opening of our new state-of-the-art STEM Building and Conference Center and with the second Homeruns and Heroes fundraiser featuring AllStar Baseball player Torii Hunter, our university has made enormous strides. During this latter event, we raised more than $100,000 toward the completion of our Torii Hunter Baseball and Softball Complex, which you can read more about in this issue. Both of these were spectacular events that were well attended by alumni and other supporters of UAPB. We are striving to not only grow bigger as a university but also better for our students. We continue to focus on providing the best educational experience in a nurturing environment. Studying abroad is an opportunity for our students to enhance their cultural skills and educational experience. Beginning in the summer 2015 semester, our students will be able to study abroad in China as part of an agreement between the Chinese government and a number of HBCUs. The partnership with the Chinese government will enable us to provide scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students for enrollment at one of the participating Chinese universities. We have some extraordinary individuals who comprise our UAPB family and continue to demonstrate why they are among the best in the state of Arkansas and nation. This issue features several of them including: the John McLinn Ross Players, Dr. Husny Dahlan, and Dr. Mansour Mortazavi. You will read about alumni such as Mrs. Tammie Hall, President of the UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Association; Mr. Leon Jones, Director of Labor for the state of Arkansas; and our cover story on, Dr. Theodis Dancy, who is a tenured
associate professor of Adult & Higher Education, African & African American Studies, and Women's and Gender Studies Faculty Affiliate at the Center for Social Justice at the University of Oklahoma. This magazine serves as an avenue to highlight all entities that we take “pride” in at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. I applaud and thank each of you for your continued support of the university. As we move forward with renewed enthusiasm and energy, let us pledge to continue to work together toward a better future for our students and our university. Enjoy reading this issue, all while taking pride in UAPB! Sincerely,
Laurence B. Alexander, J.D., Ph.D. Chancellor
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