UAHT, UAM plan new degrees
The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT) and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) plan to announce a new partnership offering bachelor degrees in business and education.
The announcement will take place at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 15 at the Hempstead Hall Rotunda on the UAHT Hope campus. The event is open to the public, with leaders from both universities scheduled to speak.
The two institutions will unveil a program allowing UAHT students to earn bachelors’ degrees on UAHT campuses at one of the state’s lowest tuition rates, according to a news release.
The strategic partnership between UAHT and UAM will integrate education and business programs, enabling UAHT students to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in K-6 elementary education degree starting in May 2026 and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree beginning in August 2026. Both degree programs are currently pending approval from the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Higher Learning Commission.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Business partners with UAPB, nonprofit
Social House Vodka on Wednesday announced a new partnership with The Gold Standard, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and official charitable partner of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, to launch 1873 Gold Standard, an annual campaign designed to support UAPB student-athletes.
Named for UAPB’s founding year, 1873 Gold Standard connects the university’s legacy with charitable support for student-athletes, including funding for scholarships, wellness resources, travel, and career development opportunities. The campaign is built around Raise the Roar, an annual initiative intended to create lasting impact through collective community participation, according to a news release.
“This partnership with Social House Vodka is a strong reflection of what The Gold Standard represents,” said Sam Barnes, president of The Gold Standard. “As a 501(c)(3), our mission is to activate alumni and community support in a clear, transparent way that delivers meaningful benefits for UAPB student-athletes. This campaign allows our supporters to show their pride while investing in the future of Golden Lion athletics.”
Chris Robinson, vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics at UAPB, said the partnership with Social House Vodka is a golden example of what The Gold Standard stands for.
“Their commitment to excellence, community, and our athletic mission to provide a first-class student-athlete experience will propel us to new heights, and we are excited about what lies ahead,” Robinson said.
Cary Joshi is president of Social House Vodka.
“At Social House, we believe in lifting up the communities that inspire us,” said Joshi. “UAPB has a proud history and a future worth investing in. Through Raise the Roar, we’re honored to support an annual effort that turns tradition, pride, and generosity into real opportunity for student-athletes.”
The campaign is scheduled to launch in early February, supported by digital, alumni, and community activations throughout the year. The limited-edition bottle will be available nationwide online (where shipping is permitted) and in Arkansas through Pine Bluff-based MK Distributors. Supporters can sign up to receive updates at Raise The Roar. Details: socialhousevodka.com, mk-pb.com or uapb.edu.
Webinars target bird flu prevention
Four webinars aim to help poultry owners protect their birds from the H5N1 strain of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which continues to infect poultry in Arkansas and across the country.
Sessions will be led by Dr. Dustan Clark, extension poultry health veterinarian for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and associate director of the university’s Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, according to a Division of Agriculture news release.
Registration is open now for trainings in January. More online and in-person trainings will be scheduled through February. The presentations are free, but registration is required.
TRAININGS
Jan. 13 — Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Arkansas and Beyond, 6-7 p.m. Register: https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0xgNvNfcTwyBbDUhGHm76w#/registration
Jan. 14 — The Chemistry of Biosecurity, 10-11 a.m. Register: https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MZ2tH4LpSLG9L50XeYgvbA
Jan. 20 — Sick Birds? There’s a Test for That! Diagnostic Testing at the Arkansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for the Backyard Flock Owner, 6 p.m. Register: https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5zy7Ojz9Q5WeWaPHrwgPrA
Jan. 21 — Rodent Control as Part of Biosecurity Program, 10-11 a.m. Register: https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DSRRbSllRN-_s3kCIQwgjQ
Jan. 22 — Biosecurity Practices for Poultry Diseases Control in Backyard/Hobby Flocks, 6-7 p.m. Link: https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_17F9qLdmRBKWmf3XPxyeMA
“We’re continuing to see cases pop up in Arkansas and across the country,” Clark said.
HPAI is an airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among chickens through nasal and eye secretions and manure. The virus can be spread from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on caretakers’ clothing and shoes. Details: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/biosecurity/avian-flu/.