Clarksville, Ark. --- A lecture series featuring a former U.S. Army Judge Advocate General, a Mardi Gras-themed carnival, and an awards banquet honoring nine distinguished alumni are a few of the highlights of the University of the Ozarks' Alumni Weekend 2010, scheduled for April 15-17.
More than 400 alumni, family members and friends of the university are expected to be on campus for a number of events throughout the weekend. One of the biggest annual events on the Ozarks campus traditionally draws alumni from throughout the United States as well as other countries. The theme for Alumni Weekend 2010 is Mardi Gras Ozarks.
The annual Alumni Lecture Series will feature retired U.S. Army Major General Hugh R. Overholt of New Bern, N.C., who attended Ozarks from 1951-52. Overholt, who earned his law degree from the University of Arkansas, spent 32 years in the military and served as the Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army from 1985-1989. He is currently in private practice in North Carolina where his areas of concentration are government relations, international law and military affairs. The lecture will be held at 3 p.m. in Robson Library. The public is invited to attend and there is no charge for admission.
Another highlight of the weekend will be the annual Alumni Awards Banquet at 5:30 p.m., April 16, in the Seay Student Center. Those being honored this year include, Ronnie Cookson ’66 and Larry Kruse ’59 with the Achievement Award; Arvid Bean ’78 and Farren Sadler ’51 with the Alumni Merit Award; Jennifer (Lockhart) Batie ’98 with the Young Alumni Service Award; and Bill Holder ’52, Jane Holder ’55, Robert Bohl ’58 and Dr. Jack T. Patterson ’65 with the Legacy Award.
The weekend will include numerous opportunities for current students to interact with alumni, including a career networking event and an alumni panel program called Inter-ACT (Alumni Career Talks). This year’s Inter-ACT program will feature alumni who are graduates of the university’s Division of Sciences and Mathematics. It will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 16, in the Boreham Business Building.
Also on Friday, April 16, the Ozarks Class of 1960 will be honored with a luncheon and induction into the university’s 50-Year Club. Other events on Friday include retirement receptions for U of O employees Diana McCormick and Bonnie Starkey.
Saturday, April 17, will begin with the annual 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. through the streets of downtown Clarksville. The cost to participate in the race is $15 and includes a T-shirt and a medal for age-division winners.
Alumni Weekend will also feature a family-friendly Creole Carnival at noon on Saturday, in the Seay Student Center. The carnival will feature Cajun food, games for children, and booths from student organizations.
Other events on Saturday will include the annual Memorial Chapel Service at 10:30 a.m. in Munger Chapel, the President’s Reception at the President’s House at 1:30 p.m., and a book-signing event by U of O professors Dr. Bill Eakin, Bruce Brown, Dr. Dave Daily and Dr. Steven Oatis at noon during the Creole Carnival.
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, http://www.ozarks.edu/weekend.
Topics: Alumni