'Bumpers on the Road' Takes AFLS College to Visit, Connect and Recruit in Russellville

Image by Carlee Buckner

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Lona Robertson, interim dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, and other college and U of A System Division of Agriculture administrators are taking "Bumpers on the Road" for one-on-one conversations in Russellville with anyone interested in learning more about the college.

Co-hosted by the Bumpers College Alumni Society Board, representatives will visit with high school students, high school agriculture and science teachers and counselors, alumni and supporters to talk about majors, careers and scholarship opportunities.

What: Bumpers on the Road

When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7; brief welcome remarks at 6 p.m.

Where: Farm Credit Services of Western Arkansas, 2797 East Parkway Drive, Russellville (in the Community Room). 

Speakers: Lona Robertson, interim dean; Brandy Cox, executive director of the Arkansas Alumni Association; Michelle Pribbernow, coordinator of undergraduate student recruitment; Terry Bumgardner, director of development.

"The entire state is important to us, and we want to get out and talk about agriculture, the college and all the great things we're doing," said Robertson. "We're connecting with friends and supporters, alumni, high school students considering careers in agriculture or the businesses of foods, and employees and staff members of the U of A System Division of Agriculture in the area. We invite anyone interested to drop by and learn more about who we are and what we do, and to just enjoy socializing."

High school students, teachers and counselors will learn about educational majors, options and career choices, and about scholarship opportunities. Bumpers College offers 13 academic majors and 20 minors, all focused on food, family and the environment. The college also offers approximately 500 scholarships worth more than $600,000 each year.

Anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP to Kalynn Smith at 479-575-2534 or extrel@uark.edu. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be provided.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.