UA Little Rock Celebrates Trojan Spirit at BBQ at Bailey

UA Little Rock's tradition of camaraderie and good food continued during the 17th annual BBQ at Bailey event - the first to take place on the newly renovated Alumni Patio at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center.

More than 1,000 people attended the annual campus picnic Sept. 24, where students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends gathered for food from Whole Hog Café, cookies from Community Bakery, and music provided by Klassik Entertainment.

UA Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale highlighted the university's many accomplishments this fall, including the largest enrollment growth in 15 years, one of the largest freshman classes in decades, and 46 new faculty members whose expertise will further enrich the educational experience at the university.

"As we celebrate today, I want to thank each and every one of you for being here and for your continued support in making UA Little Rock the thriving, dynamic community that it is," Chancellor Drale said. "To our alumni, whether you are here for an athletic event, concert, or simply to walk our beautiful campus, remember this is your home, and we love to see you back with us every time you come."

The alumni patio is home to more than 3,000 alumni bricks that date back as far back as 1927. In a new tradition, the university invited alumni who have purchased a brick to come back to campus during BBQ at Bailey to find their brick.

[Link]Chancellor Christina Drale thanks the crowd for participating in the annual BBQ at Bailey. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

"We were excited to revive this cherished tradition at the Bailey Alumni Center," said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. "It was a great opportunity to bring our campus community together and celebrate the connections that make our university unique."

BBQ at Bailey brings together students, faculty, staff, and alumni for an afternoon of fun, games, and barbecue. The event fosters campus unity and offers a chance for the university community to connect in a relaxed setting.

"I became a lifetime member of the UA Little Rock Alumni Association in 2019, but this is the first time I've attended BBQ at Bailey," said UA Little Rock Alumnus Damon Dortch, who earned his MBA in 2018. "I think the event was well done. I enjoyed seeing some of my old business professors, and I had a lot of fun."

Dr. Joe Felan, associate professor of management, marketing, and technology at UA Little Rock, is a long-time BBQ at Bailey fan who loves showing off his moves with the UA Little Rock Dance Team.

"I love dancing with the students," Felan stated. "It keeps me young."

MaryGrace McAfee, a senior double major in biology and chemistry from Texarkana and captain of the UA Little Rock Dance Team, agreed that this is her favorite part of BBQ at Bailey.

"I think it's a really good opportunity to get students, faculty, and alumni together to have fun celebrating UA Little Rock," McAfee said. "The Dance Team comes every year, and we love to dance with the community and have fun."

UA Little Rock Alumnus Bryan Hosto, who served as a co-chair for BBQ at Bailey, said it was great to see the campus come alive on the beautiful new spaces at the Bailey Center.

[Link]The UA Little Rock community enjoys food, fun, and music during BBQ at Bailey. Photo by Beatriz Garcia.

"There's renewed energy on the UA Little Rock campus," Hosto said. "It's great to see so many faculty, students, alumni, and business leaders come out to support UA Little Rock."

If you are looking for the next big event to attend at UA Little Rock, Chancellor Drale invited the Trojan community to come to the Trojan Way Dedication on Oct. 8.

"On Oct. 8, we will gather again to dedicate Trojan Way, the largest outdoor renovation project in the university's history," she said. "This transformational gift made possible by the Donaghey Foundation will enhance the way we experience our campus, and I hope you will join us for this important event."

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