The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will host its annual homecoming celebration from Oct. 20-26. This year’s theme is “Fearless. Focused. Fired Up!” The official UAPB 2024 Homecoming celebration includes student, alumni and community events, according to a news release.
“Welcome to Homecoming 2024! We’re great, but we’re going to demonstrate greatness and continue that Golden Lion and Dear Mother legacy,” said Interim Chancellor Andrea Stewart.
Oct. 20 — The 2024 Homecoming celebration will begin with Black & Gold Sunday with UAPB Day at Full Counsel Ministries Pine Bluff, 517 S. Cherry St. Sponsored by Word of Faith Student Fellowship – UAPB Chapter, this free, public event begins at 10:30 a.m. and features the UAPB Vesper Choir and the band, the Marching Musical Machine of the Midsouth (M4). This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the Word of Faith Student Fellowship, helping UAPB to kick off homecoming.
At 6 p.m., the Gospel Extravaganza will be held in the STEM Conference Center. A Late-Night Kick-off will be held from 10 p.m. to midnight at the W.E. O’Bryant Bell Tower.
Oct. 21 — A Student Government Association (SGA) Inauguration will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the STEM Conference Center.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Oct. 22 — Festivities feature the Annual Homecoming Campus Kick-off at 11 a.m. at the bell tower and a comedy show at 7 p.m.
Oct. 23 — The campus celebrates Pretty Wednesday: Homecoming Edition, followed by a formal Coronation Ceremony at 7 p.m. and a Coronation Ball at 8:30 p.m. at the H.O. Clemmons Arena in the Kenneth L. Johnson Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) complex. Freddiemae La’faith Thompson will be crowned Miss UAPB, and Joshua Watson will be Mr. UAPB. Miss UAPB is a native of Pine Bluff. She graduated from Dollarway High School and is majoring in biology-pre med. She plans on attending medical school to earn her Doctorate in Nephrology. Mr. UAPB is a native of Little Rock. He graduated from Mills University Studies High School in Little Rock. He is a physical education teaching major who plans to educate students at the middle school level, coach sports and become an athletic director.
Oct. 24 — Events begin with the alumni golf tournament at 8:30 a.m. at the Harbor Oaks Golf Course. The presenting sponsor is Saracen Casino Resort. The deadline to register is Oct. 18. Registration can be completed by calling the Office of Alumni Affairs at (870) 575-8499 or visiting the UAPB Homecoming 2024 Schedule of Events website.
Festivities continue with Paint the Paws at 10 a.m. on L.A. “Prexy” Davis Drive. This tradition features students and faculty as they paint paw prints along the length of “Prexy” Drive until they reach Simmons Bank Field.
Music in the Café will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Davis Dining Hall. Live music will continue at 6 p.m. behind the HPER complex. The day concludes with a Homecoming Bonfire at 8 p.m. at the HPER parking lot.
Oct. 25 — UAPB hosts the Annual Alumni Assembly at 9 a.m. in the arena of the HPER complex. At 12:30 p.m., the UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Association will present its Alumni Awards Luncheon & General Membership Meeting at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The luncheon includes the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Alumni King and Queen presentation, and Compassionate and Committed Service Awards. Admission is $75. The link to purchase tickets is: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uapbamn-alumni-awards-luncheon-tickets-962906588527?aff=oddtdtcreator .
The Yard Fest occurs from noon to 3 p.m. at the bell tower, followed by a Homecoming Greek Show at 6 p.m. in the HPER.
Oct. 26 — the 3rd Annual 2-Mile Walk Run is held from 7-9 a.m., followed by the Annual Homecoming Parade at 9:30 a.m. on Main Street. For spectators, the parade route is as follows: Starts at 15th Avenue and Main Street; travels north on Main Street to Sixth Avenue; turns east on Sixth Avenue to Convention Center Drive; turns south on Convention Center Drive. The parade will end at 9th Avenue and Convention Center Drive.
Homecoming parade applications and instructions for parade participants are available on the UAPB Homecoming website. The UAPB Homecoming Parade Application is online only; the deadline is Oct. 25 at 5 p.m.
Professor Henry Brooks IV, co-chair of the Homecoming Committee, encouraged parade attendees to be present all along Main Street, Sixth Avenue and Convention Center Drive as viewing options.
“We want people lined up all along Main Street and on Sixth Avenue because we’ve got a few blocks on Sixth Avenue before we get to Convention Center. We want them lined up along (Convention Center Drive) too so that people can enjoy it and not have to all be crowded on Main Street,” Brooks said.
The highlight of the Homecoming Week is the game between the Golden Lions and the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils. The game starts at 2 p.m. at Simmons Bank Field amid pregame shows, tailgating and vendors. Tickets can be purchased by calling the ticket office at (870) 575-8601 or by visiting www.uapblionsroar.com/tickets.
After the game, the celebration continues with UAPB JAMS: The Official Homecoming Party starting at 7 p.m. at the HPER.
“Don’t miss the chance to honor the Inaugural Class of the UAPB FIFTY Under 50 Outstanding Young Alumni, sponsored by the UAPB/AM &N National Alumni Association at ‘The All-Black Affair’ at the Pine Bluff Convention Center at 8 p.m.,” according to the release.
Admission is $50 to the All-Black Affair. Tickets may be purchased by calling (870) 536-2309 or by visiting https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/ouBuJw?vid=1808jb .
Details: UAPB.EDU.