FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas begins an 18-month celebration of its sesquicentennial this week with the launch of its 150th anniversary website, specialized logos, plans for the installment of sesquicentennial banners around campus and previews of upcoming special events and activities.

The university is the state’s first land-grant institution and oldest institution, established as Arkansas Industrial University in 1871. 

Due to COVID-19, the sesquicentennial schedule has been adjusted to allow for more in-person activities to be held later in 2021 as well as into the spring of 2022, when the university will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its first day of classes.

“It’s exciting to see so many of the ideas that originated across campus starting to take shape,” Mark Rushing, co-chair of the sesquicentennial planning team, said. “I would like to tip my Hog Hat to all the people who have put in countless hours preparing for this celebration and bringing those ideas to life.” 

The 150th anniversary of the university’s founding is March 27, 2021, which will be commemorated through virtual events and social media celebrations. You can become a social media ambassador and join the activities that day by becoming a Social Hog.

SESQUICENTENNIAL WEBSITE

The U of A’s sesquicentennial website can now be found at 150.uark.edu. Here, visitors can find stories and videos about the various 150th celebrations set to take place over the next year as well as photos and information about the university’s past, present and future. 

One element special to the site is the Portraits of Progress. The Portraits of Progress will feature vignettes on important figures who have helped make the U of A more diverse, equitable and inclusive. New stories will be added throughout the sesquicentennial year.

Visitors to the website will also be able to utilize the new virtual Senior Walk feature, highlighting one of the oldest traditions on campus. The interactive Senior Walk feature includes a searchable database of the graduate names etched into the historic walk. It also has 360-degree imagery to show the approximate location of each graduating class and help with wayfinding. 

150TH LOGO

The U of A brand is everywhere and the sesquicentennial is an opportunity to showcase that brand like never before. As part of the celebration launch, the campus community, alumni and friends will now begin seeing the specialized sesquicentennial logo more often. 

Faculty, staff and students, as well as other university stakeholders are encouraged to utilize this logo throughout the next year. In addition, a special Razorback version includes the traditional University of Arkansas logo, 150th mark and the primary running Razorback athletics logo. Sesquicentennial merchandise will be available later this semester. 

CAMPUS BANNERS

Later this semester, the sesquicentennial logo will appear across campus when the current light post banners are replaced with a new collection. The banners will reinforce the university’s mission and 150 years of service and impact to the state and beyond. 

Other university sesquicentennial activities will be announced in the coming days. Colleges, schools, units and other groups on campus are also scheduling activities and events for the 150th celebration. Information about these events will be included in the calendar of events on the sesquicentennial website when they are finalized.

The university’s Sesquicentennial Planning Team is leading the coordination of the effort with help from 10 specialized working groups representing students, faculty and staff from across campus. The working groups reviewed, prioritized and helped refine ideas for the 150th anniversary celebration, making recommendations to the Sesquicentennial Planning Team for consideration and approval.

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 fewer than 3% of colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A 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.