About the Black Alumni Society

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Black Alumni Society Logo Founded in 1998 by alumni and friends of the University of Arkansas’ black alumni, the society is a chartered organization of the Arkansas Alumni Association. The society formed as a result of the interest generated from the black alumni reunions beginning in 1990.

The society’s purpose is:

To foster communication among black alumni, former and present black students, faculty and friends, through events and other activities;
To perpetuate and foster friendship and goodwill among its members;
To promote activities that will help recognize the history, contributions, and struggles of black persons who have attended the University of Arkansas;
To act as a conduit for the interchange of dialogue between black alumni, present and former black students, faculty and friends of the University of Arkansas; and
To foster the development and maintenance of current and future scholarships and other means for assisting black students in their education at the University of Arkansas.

The society members work with the university on various projects, and are currently working with the office of admissions on a plan to increase African American student enrollment at the university.

Membership is open to all graduates of the University of Arkansas, friends of the University and faculty and staff.

Additionally, the BAS holds reunions, which provide an excellent opportunity for alumni and friends to gather “on the hill” for good times and catching up. Our seventh BAS reunion, held in the spring of 2005, was themed a “Triumphant Return” and boasted many events for families and alumni including a cookout, a golf tournament to raise funds for our scholarship program and a gala awards banquet. Participation was great with 323 alumni, friends, and their families registering for the event. The reunion also helped increase BAS membership by nearly 41 percent, and we are particularly proud of the fact that the BAS Scholarship endowment provides four students with scholarships in the amount of $10,800 each. The scholarships cover eight semesters of classes.

We hope you’ll continue to watch with pride as the organization grows and supports future alumni.

Sincerely,

Wyatt Weems

BAS President 2005-2007