The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) will host its annual homecoming celebration from October 20 to 26, 2024. This year’s theme is “Fearless. Focused. Fired Up!” The official UAPB 2024 Homecoming celebration includes student, alumni, and community events.
“Welcome to Homecoming 2024! We’re great, but we’re going to demonstrate greatness and continue that Golden Lion and Dear Mother legacy,” Interim Chancellor Dr. Andrea Stewart said.
The 2024 Homecoming celebration will begin with Black & Gold Sunday, October 20, with UAPB Day at Full Counsel Ministries Pine Bluff, located at 517 S. Cherry Street in Pine Bluff, AR. 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 M4 (Marching Musical Machine of the Midsouth). This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the Word of Faith Student Fellowship, helping UAPB to kick off the Homecoming celebration.
The day continues with the Gospel Extravaganza at 6 p.m. in the STEM Conference Center. (Doors open at 5 p.m.) A Late-Night Kick-off will be held from 10 p.m. to midnight at the iconic W.E. O’Bryant Bell Tower.
On Monday, October 21, the momentum continues with a Student Government Association (SGA) Inauguration at 5:30 p.m. in the STEM Conference Center.
Festivities elevate on Tuesday, October 22, with the Annual Homecoming Campus Kick-off at 11 a.m. at the W.E. O’Bryant Bell Tower and a Comedy Show that evening at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, October 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. 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 in Pine Bluff and is majoring in Biology-Pre Med at UAPB. Upon graduation, 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 at UAPB who plans to educate students at the middle school level and coach a variety of sports. His overall plan is to one day become an athletic director.
On Thursday, October 24, the day will 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 October 18. Registration for the event 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 long-standing 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 6:00 p.m. behind the Kenneth L. Johnson HPER Complex. The day concludes with a Homecoming Bonfire, another long-standing tradition, at 8 p.m. at the Kenneth L. Johnson HPER Complex Parking Lot.
Friday, October 25, UAPB hosts the Annual Alumni Assembly at 9 a.m. in the H.O. Clemmons 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 at 1 Convention Center Drive in Pine Bluff. 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 excitement builds with Yard Fest from noon to 3 p.m. at the W.E. O’Bryant Bell Tower, followed by a Homecoming Greek Show at 6:00 p.m. in the H.O. Clemmons Arena (Doors open at 5 p.m.).
On Saturday, October 26, enjoy the 3rd Annual 2-Mile Walk Run from 7 to 9 a.m., followed by the Annual Homecoming Parade that will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Main Street in downtown Pine Bluff. For spectators, the parade route is as follows: Starts at 15th Avenue and Main Street; Travels north on Main Street to Sixth Avenue; Turns right (or east) on Sixth Avenue to Convention Center Drive; Turns right (or 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 October 25 at 5:00 p.m.
Professor Henry Brooks IV, co-chair of the Homecoming Committee, encouraged parade lovers 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 IV said.
The highlight of the Homecoming Week is the game between the Golden Lions and the Mississippi State Valley University Delta Devils. The game starts at 2 p.m. at Simmons Bank Field amid pregame shows, tailgating, and vendors. Tickets for this exciting match 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 7:00 p.m. at H.O. Clemmons Arena. 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 8:00 p.m. Admission is $50. Tickets may be purchased by calling (870) 536-2309 or by visiting https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/ouBuJw?vid=1808jb
For a more detailed overview of the official UAPB Homecoming Week 2024 festivities, we encourage you to visit our website at UAPB.EDU.
