UAM to offer geography, history program
The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Monticello is set to offer a field course program titled “Arkansas Geography and Arkansas History” June 30 to July 31 during UAM’s Summer II Session 2025.
The program is designed to combine classroom learning with hands-on field trip experiences across the state. Students can earn up to six hours of academic credit, fulfilling requirements for both “Arkansas Geography” and “Arkansas History” courses, according to a news release.
The session will begin with two weeks of classroom-based learning, where students will explore Arkansas’ history and geography through lectures, discussions and hands-on activities. Following this, the course will take students on a two-week journey across the state, visiting historic sites, landscapes and cultural landmarks.
Field trip destinations include the Ozarks, Buffalo National River, Civil War battlefields, the Arkansas Delta, the Mississippi River, Crowley’s Ridge, Hot Springs National Park, the Ouachita Mountains, capital city historic sites, American Indian and early American settler sites.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Details: Kyle Day, professor of history at UAM, at day@uamont.edu or (870) 460-1887, or Walter Everett, instructor of history at UAM, at everettw@uamont.edu or (870) 460-1647.
Gun Violence Awareness set June 6
The community is invited to the Second Annual Go Orange Day focusing on Gun Violence Awareness.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 6 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
The Jefferson-Lincoln County Circuit Court — 6th Division — in conjunction with Pine Bluff Group Violence Intervention (GVI) are presenting the program, according to Stuff in The Bluff.com.
Highlights include workshops, a rally with speakers, family activities and free food. Free parking will be provided.
Please note that a clear bag policy will be enforced.
Sponsors include the city of Pine Bluff, Simmons Bank, Super 1 Foods, Pine Bluff Convention Center, Center for Healing Hearts & Spirits, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., United Family Services, the Pine Bluff Branch NAACP, Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Pine Bluff Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, First Ward Living Grace Food Pantry and Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
Vendors and participants are encouraged to wear orange.
WHY WEAR ORANGE?
On Jan. 21, 2013, Hadiya Pendleton marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade. One week later, Pendleton was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago. Soon after this tragedy, Pendleton’s friends commemorated her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others.
Wear Orange is now observed every June. Thousands of people wear the color orange to honor Pendleton and the more than 43,000 Americans who are killed with guns and approximately 76,000 more who are shot and wounded every year.
WHAT IS GVI?
GVI is a collaborative initiative designed to reduce gun violence in the city of Pine Bluff by identifying group-involved individuals most likely to shoot or become the victim of a shooting.
“We recognize that only half of one percent of the population of Pine Bluff engage in group-related activity that involves gun violence while the group driving the violence receives the most concentrated and intense attention from law enforcement,” according to the release.
“Developed by Professor David M. Kennedy of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, the success of GVI hinges on the partnership’s ability to correctly and effectively deliver the message that everyone needs and deserves to be safe; there is a very small number of people at extremely high risk for violent victimization and violent offending; and GVI is designed to keep them safe, alive, and free.
“GVI centers on several elements, including ‘custom notifications,’ which are in-person visits or direct calls to those driving violence in the community or victims who may be highly likely to retaliate. The main message is to stop the violence, don’t retaliate and instead, take advantage of wraparound services offered through GVI,” according to the news release.
VENDORS
Free vendor opportunities are available for small businesses and organizations. A table and electricity will be provided, if needed.
Vendor forms are available at https://files.constantcontact.com/585454b8001/0cdf682f-fff8-482e-b763-ceb07eb4adaa.pdf?rdr=true.
Completed vendor forms may be returned to Rev. Eric Walden Jr. by email at ewalden@jeffersoncircuitcourt6.org. They may also be mailed or hand delivered to 301 E. Second Ave., Pine Bluff, AR (71601) by May 16. Details: Eric Walden at (870) 541-5455 or (870) 718-5123.