The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) held its 2024 Homecoming Week from October 7-12.
On October 10, during the UAM Athletics’ annual UAM Sports Hall of Fame banquet, the 1977-1978 UAM Women’s Basketball team and the 1988 UAM Football team were inducted into the UAM Sports Hall of Fame. Shellye Byrd was named the 2024 UAM Sports Hall of Fame Spirit Award Winner.
On October 11, the UAM Alumni Association hosted a reception for the annual alumni award winners. Dr. Joseph Lockwood and Dr. Ryan M. Reyes were the recipients of the Young Alumni Rising Star Award. Alumni Achievement and Merit recipients for 2024 included Dr. J. Shannon Fleming, Linda Teague Goodwin, Dr. Frank Groves, Dr. Rocky Lindsey and John David “J.D.” Neeley. Donald “Duck” Harris was the recipient of the 2024 Continuing the Connection Award. James Evan Beaver, Kaylyn Dixon, Stacy Hunter, Olivia Stafford and Sadie Whaley were the student recipients of the 2024 Alumni Association Scholarship, and Brooklee Smith was the student recipient of the 2024 UAM Alumni Legacy Scholarship.
On October 12, the UAM African American Alumni Association held a reunion and awards reception. During the event, LaTonya Block, Colby Boyce, Sr., Timothy Brasfield, Darryl Hawkins, Lisa Matheney, Von Mixon, Jr. and Ronald Neal were named the 2024 Alumni Elite Honorees.
On October 12, during the UAM Homecoming Coronation Ceremony, Precious R. Thomas, a junior nursing major from Banks, Arkansas, was crowned the 2024 UAM Homecoming Queen. The ten other members of the 2024 Homecoming Court included Kaylyn Faith Dixon, a junior K-6 elementary education major from Woodlawn, Arkansas; Maguire Estill, a senior exercise science major from Haven, Kansas; Lexie Ruth Freeman, a senior accounting major from Hamburg, Arkansas; Emma Green, a junior accounting major from Rison, Arkansas; Jayden Grider, a junior agriculture (animal science) and pre-veterinary double major from Warren, Arkansas; Magan McClain, a senior biology (organismal) major from Sheridan, Arkansas; Maddie Pfleging, a senior exercise science major from Waco, Texas; Chandler Weast, a senior health and physical education major from Star City, Arkansas; Landen Elizabeth West, a senior nursing major from Warren, Arkansas; and Olivia Wilson, a senior K-6 elementary education major from Monticello, Arkansas.
On October 12, prior to the UAM Homecoming football game against Southeastern Oklahoma State University, the UAM community enjoyed a tailgate party and parade. During the game, fans cheered on Boll Weevils Football, UAM Cheer and the UAM “Pride of Southeast Arkansas” Marching Band.
