From 'Razorback Day' to rapper T.I., the UA has a strong case for advancement
Like It Is
Cody Kees
Issue date: 2/25/09 Section: Opinion
Two weeks ago, I was privileged to attend the first annual "Razorback Day" at our state Capitol. A novel idea: take the UA to where the action (and money) is - our seat in state government.
Razorbacks united on Capitol Hill to lobby legislators and spread our university's message. Calling the Hogs with the band, spirit squad, UA administrators, elected officials and faithful alumni in the Capitol Rotunda was one of my top five college moments.
I will be back next year.
"Razorback Day" will provide an annual way to help bring the university's "case" to state officials. Even though we are tucked away up north, we still remain the flagship institution of the state, setting the stage for advancing the greatest causes of our state and nation.
Gov. Mike Beebe even said those words himself in his address to the "Razorback Day" crowd. He was very clear in his desire to see the UA lead the charge for better education in our state and improved conditions for Arkansans.
"Razorback Day" provides a wonderful way to take our university's concerns to our seat of government, but there are two fronts to the advancement of our university: spreading our name and boosting our reputation. The good folks in the Alumni House, as part of the Division of Advancement, are working hard to keep alumni informed and engaged. "Razorback Day" at the Capitol was largely their event, though it also served to inform our Legislature who has the "power of the purse."
How can we take the novel idea of "Razorback Day" to our nation? After all, our mission states that we desire to be nationally competitive. Beyond having the best students and most faithful alumni, I think a simple way to showcase ourselves is by bragging about the company we keep.
Great restaurants know this best. How many times have you heard of some Arkansas eatery boasting that they were Bill Clinton's favorite? Doe's Eat Place of Little Rock and McClard's Bar-B-Q of Hot Springs stay in business with that line. And when it comes to national bragging rights, the Clintons are a great place to start.
The UA has had other great guests come its way. Today, of course, rapper T.I. will sound off from Barnhill Arena. Putting aside his questionable reputation, it's awesome to boast that a Grammy award-winning star came to the university, and it's sure to bring the valuable national attention we need. Other big names who have visited the UA include Magic Johnson, Sandra Day O'Connor, John Mayer, Anderson Cooper and Malcolm Gladwell.
When it comes to advancement, I truly think the T.I. concert is helping the university - I, like thousands of other students, am looking forward to attending. I only wish the UA could do more to connect our big-name guests and other awesome student programs with the efforts of the alumni and fundraising side of the UA.
As of yesterday, the Division of Advancement (UA fundraisers) had only requested two tickets for tonight's concert. Not all our donors are over the age of 65; some have got to like a little hip-hop! In November, Johnson attracted a large student crowd, and I imagine many alumni would have loved an invitation to the event, as well.
Connecting our alumni to student programs can go far beyond simply inviting them to hear large-scale speakers and see performers. I was telling an alumnus recently about the annual Alpha Kappa Alpha step show that attracts a student crowd of more than 4,000 to Barnhill Arena, and he remarked how much he would have loved to attend.
"Razorback Day" was a wonderful opportunity for the Razorback family to unite under one cause - to spread the good cheer of the UA to our state Capitol. But T.I. can do the same by bringing all Hogs under one roof in the spirit of collaboration - that collaboration being student programs engaging university alumni.
It's like two for the price of one. Past and present students have the opportunity to attend a great event, and the whole nation can hear about the superior guests we invite and the fun we have as a Razorback family.
Cody Kees is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler. His columns appear every other Wednesday.
Razorbacks united on Capitol Hill to lobby legislators and spread our university's message. Calling the Hogs with the band, spirit squad, UA administrators, elected officials and faithful alumni in the Capitol Rotunda was one of my top five college moments.
I will be back next year.
"Razorback Day" will provide an annual way to help bring the university's "case" to state officials. Even though we are tucked away up north, we still remain the flagship institution of the state, setting the stage for advancing the greatest causes of our state and nation.
Gov. Mike Beebe even said those words himself in his address to the "Razorback Day" crowd. He was very clear in his desire to see the UA lead the charge for better education in our state and improved conditions for Arkansans.
"Razorback Day" provides a wonderful way to take our university's concerns to our seat of government, but there are two fronts to the advancement of our university: spreading our name and boosting our reputation. The good folks in the Alumni House, as part of the Division of Advancement, are working hard to keep alumni informed and engaged. "Razorback Day" at the Capitol was largely their event, though it also served to inform our Legislature who has the "power of the purse."
How can we take the novel idea of "Razorback Day" to our nation? After all, our mission states that we desire to be nationally competitive. Beyond having the best students and most faithful alumni, I think a simple way to showcase ourselves is by bragging about the company we keep.
Great restaurants know this best. How many times have you heard of some Arkansas eatery boasting that they were Bill Clinton's favorite? Doe's Eat Place of Little Rock and McClard's Bar-B-Q of Hot Springs stay in business with that line. And when it comes to national bragging rights, the Clintons are a great place to start.
The UA has had other great guests come its way. Today, of course, rapper T.I. will sound off from Barnhill Arena. Putting aside his questionable reputation, it's awesome to boast that a Grammy award-winning star came to the university, and it's sure to bring the valuable national attention we need. Other big names who have visited the UA include Magic Johnson, Sandra Day O'Connor, John Mayer, Anderson Cooper and Malcolm Gladwell.
When it comes to advancement, I truly think the T.I. concert is helping the university - I, like thousands of other students, am looking forward to attending. I only wish the UA could do more to connect our big-name guests and other awesome student programs with the efforts of the alumni and fundraising side of the UA.
As of yesterday, the Division of Advancement (UA fundraisers) had only requested two tickets for tonight's concert. Not all our donors are over the age of 65; some have got to like a little hip-hop! In November, Johnson attracted a large student crowd, and I imagine many alumni would have loved an invitation to the event, as well.
Connecting our alumni to student programs can go far beyond simply inviting them to hear large-scale speakers and see performers. I was telling an alumnus recently about the annual Alpha Kappa Alpha step show that attracts a student crowd of more than 4,000 to Barnhill Arena, and he remarked how much he would have loved to attend.
"Razorback Day" was a wonderful opportunity for the Razorback family to unite under one cause - to spread the good cheer of the UA to our state Capitol. But T.I. can do the same by bringing all Hogs under one roof in the spirit of collaboration - that collaboration being student programs engaging university alumni.
It's like two for the price of one. Past and present students have the opportunity to attend a great event, and the whole nation can hear about the superior guests we invite and the fun we have as a Razorback family.
Cody Kees is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler. His columns appear every other Wednesday.
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