Clarksville, Ark. ---More than 500 alumni, family members and friends of the University of the Ozarks are expected to converge on Clarksville during the weekend of April 14-16 for the university's Alumni Weekend 2005.
One of the biggest annual events on the Ozarks campus traditionally draws alumni from throughout the United States as well as other countries. Among the special events planned for this year is a 25-year “cluster reunion” for the Class of 1980 and the classes that were a part of their time on campus (1977-1983). The event, which is Saturday night at the Clarksville Country Club, is expected to be one of the largest reunions at the university in recent years. For more information on the reunion, please call Dan or Marla (McCabe) Hartman at 479-754-5003. Alumni Weekend officially begins on Thursday, April 14, with the annual golf tournament at Chamberlyne Golf Course in Danville. The four-person scramble tournament begins at 10 a.m. Also on April 14 there will be a Vistas & Vineyards event that will feature a tour of an Altus winery and vineyards as well as lunch at Weiderkehr Village. On Friday, April 15, the Ozarks Class of 1955 will be honored with a luncheon and induction into the university’s 50-Year Clubs. Later that afternoon, the Alumni Lecture Series will feature Dr. Charles Liston, a 1965 Ozarks graduate who is considered one of the leading aquatic research scientists in the country. Other events on Friday include a reception at the home of Jack and Ann Phillips, a President’s Reception at the home of President and First Lady Rick and Sheree Niece, a campus picnic and a student theatre production of Seeing Stars in Dixie. Saturday, April 16, will begin with the annual 5K run/walk through the streets of downtown Clarksville. A Memorial Service honoring those alumni, trustees and staff members who passed away in the last year will be held later that morning, followed by the Alumni Awards Luncheon at Noon in the Seay Student Center. The Ozarks Alumni Association will recognize five of its own with the organization’s most prestigious awards during the awards luncheon. The Achievement Award for outstanding career accomplishments will go to The Rev. Dr. Ralph Ehren ’55 of McKinney, Texas. The Merit Award for outstanding service contributions and excellence in leadership on behalf of Ozarks will be presented to Dr. Frank M. Cole ’50 of Jonesboro. The Young Alumni Award recipient is Jennifer Fisher Rowe ’93 of Beggs, Okla. Two alumna will receive the 2005 Legacy Award, presented to graduates who have given unselfishly of their resources throughout their lifetime to support Ozarks. Those receiving the Legacy Award are Susan (Smith) Epperson ’62 and Dr. Helen McElree ’47. Other events on Saturday will include an alumni art show, a teacher education reception and a young alumni reunion. Registration is currently underway and anyone who plans to attend any of these events is encouraged to register as early as possible. For more information on Alumni Weekend activities, please contact the Alumni Office at (479) 979-1234 or alumnioffice@ozarks.edu. Information is also available on the university’s Web site, www.ozarks.edu.
Topics: Alumni