Come Celebrate the Arkansas Union's 50th Anniversary Wednesday

Cianna Rodriguez

The front doors of the Arkansas Union, shown in 1973 and again in 2023

The Arkansas Union will celebrate the 50th anniversary of opening its doors to students from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Union's Verizon Ballroom. The event promises to be a celebration of decades of history, complete with activities, food, prizes, cake and a special all-star competition featuring student leaders and campus celebrities.

Students will learn about different departments in the Union and share their experiences and memories of the facility through the KUAF Listening Lab. Participants who engage in the information tables at the event will have the opportunity to win prizes large and small, including Arkansas Union swag, Coke® gear, retro-themed prizes, electronics and more. Chartwells will throw back to the Union Mall of past and distribute hot dogs at the event, and Coke® will be on hand to distribute and sample retro-themed products. Selfie stations, tie-dye, DJ Derrick and a visit from our favorite campus mascots will make this a celebration not to be missed!

In special recognition of this anniversary event, the celebration will also feature a brief noontime program to commemorate the occasion. Guest speakers will give brief remarks, followed by celebratory cake and cupcakes for attendees. Finally, as a special nod to a VIP pool tournament played at the opening of the Arkansas Union 50 years ago, the program will conclude with a special game of cornhole, featuring Chancellor Charles Robinson, Razorback Gymnastics coach Jordyn Wieber and student leaders.

This will be a celebration five decades in the making! Groovy prizes, a photo booth and the game of the millennium will make the Arkansas Union's 50th anniversary celebration, a historic event you will want to be part of. Join us as we celebrate the past and look forward to the future together, all in the heart of campus.

The Arkansas Union is a department within the Division of Student Affairs. This event supports the division's priorities around student belonging and collaboration/communication.

About the Arkansas Union: As the living room of campus, the Arkansas Union offers an open and inclusive atmosphere for gathering, learning and engaging in the campus community. The site of over 10,000 annual events and reservations, the Arkansas Union seeks to satisfy the ever-changing needs of students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests by providing event services, facilities and amenities.

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports students in pursuing knowledge, earning a degree, finding meaningful careers, exploring diversity, and connecting with the global community. We provide students housing, dining, and health care resources, and we create innovative programs that educate and inspire. We enhance the University of Arkansas experience and help students succeed, one student at a time.