FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast nearly one year ago, it changed the lives of thousands of people, leaving many without homes and businesses. But it also changed the lives of thousands of college students attending schools in the region. The University of Arkansas opened its doors to take in students from colleges in the hard hit areas. One year later some of them have decided to stay and finish their degrees in Arkansas.

One such student, Morgan L. Harper, has organized the Hurricane Katrina Day Memorial, to be held at noon Tuesday, Aug. 29, in the Connections Lounge of the Arkansas Union.

“The memorial is really a way to look back at the devastating event itself and to say thank you to the many people at the University of Arkansas who did all that they could to help me and other students in my position,” said Harper, who will be speaking at the memorial.

When the floodwaters spilled into the city of New Orleans, Harper was one of 66 college students who came to study at the University of Arkansas. Although the majority of those students have returned to their home state, about a dozen have decided to stay and work on their degrees in Fayetteville. And three of the displaced students have already graduated.

UA Chancellor John A. White will be among the speakers at the memorial service at noon on Aug. 29., as will Johnetta Cross Brazzell, vice chancellor for student affairs; Dawn Medley, director of admissions; and Jared Hueter, an architecture student who will be in a spring 2007 class that will undertake a design/build project to be installed in New Orleans when finished.

New Orleans-style food will be provided, and there will be a place for people to donate school supplies that will be sent to schools in the Gulf Coast region.

University Programs and the Lambda Theta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will sponsor the memorial.