Dear Mother,

As alumni and friends, we greet you with love and devotion. We thank you for your existence for 140 years. Many have walked through the halls of your wisdom to receive an education, knowledge, opportunities and much more. The yield of your harvest is great to the men and women who represent you across many spectrums of this world. For that we extend our heartfelt thanks.

As we celebrate your birthday, we cannot imagine all the trials and tribulations that you have endured. After 140 years you are still standing–standing with your arms wide open caring for those who enter your halls of opportunity. We pledge our continued benevolence to your legacy and future endeavors. We promise our continued support to you by remaining current in our membership and contributions in affirmation of your creation. For the fiscal years of 2011 and 2012, the UAPB Development Office reported the National Alumni Association was the largest donor to the University and we commit to continue that leading role in supporting you. Our love for you will no longer allow anyone or past disappointments to hinder us from giving and uplifting you.

As we move through 2013, we have much to be grateful for. Dr. Calvin Johnson, one of our own graduates, made a great sacrifice after retirement to return and serve as interim chancellor and we say thank you to Dr. Johnson for a job well done. Please enjoy your well-deserved second retirement.

Once again, we found ourselves in search of a leader to represent you as chancellor for our great university. The search for a person to represent you required both depth and width, because you are prestigious, eloquent, knowledgeable, and full of wisdom. A young man named Dr. Laurence B. Alexander, a scholar, a teacher, and an administrator who holds both JD and PhD degrees was selected. We saw in him your mission and your vision. He mirrors many of your products with his background and pursuit of a higher education. Dear Mother, we believe Dr. Alexander will serve you well. As he walks the grounds of The YARD, please embrace him with your wisdom.

Well Dear Mother, it is time for us to execute the things that you have entreated us to do: Support our alma mater, recruit and graduate students, so others too may have a greater chance in our demanding society.

As we cast all that we have at thy glorified feet, we will never forget the words of Dr. John B. Watson "The end of education is to know God and the laws and purposes of his universe."

Alumni and friends, you may contribute by going to the home page and clicking "Make Donation" to the right of the screen. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring donation. Checks should be made payable to UAPB AM&N National Alumni Association and mailed to:

UAPB AM&N National Alumni Association
Attn: Staphea Campbell
1200 North University, Mail Slot 4813
Pine Bluff, AR 71601

To ensure that you receive all the newsletters, announcements and events pertaining to UAPB alumni, please click Join Email List on the home page. You will also find information regarding the upcoming UAPB Summer Conference in Chicago, July 25th - 27th.

Sincerely,

Calvin E. Booker, Sr.
President and Chairman of the Board