Razorbug Zipping Through Arkansas Countryside Delivering Diplomas to Online Students

University of Arkansas

Bob Korpella, front row, left, calls the Hogs last year with his family and friends at his home under construction at Mountain Home. Mandel Samuels, front row, right, teaching assistant professor in the Human Resource and Workforce Development degree program, presented Korpella's framed diploma for a master's degree. Former state Rep. Jack Fortner of Yellville, back row, far left, also attended the presentation June 27.

The Razorbug is back on the road today for the third Razorbug Diploma Tour, traveling scenic backroads in bucolic settings to deliver framed diplomas to U of A students who earned their degrees through online programs.

The Global Campus fired up the Bug for two weeks of diploma presentations through the end of June in 15 counties: Arkansas, Clark, Columbia, Craighead, Greene, Howard, Independence, Jefferson, Logan, Mississippi, Pope, Pulaski, Ouachita, Union and White. The tour will honor engineers, teachers, a social worker, a college administrator, a human resource professional and a lawyer. The tour celebrates the accomplishments of students who stayed in their communities to earn their degrees and may never have set foot on the U of A campus.

Faculty members in full commencement regalia will join the Global Campus team at stops throughout western, southern and eastern Arkansas to present diplomas to graduates. Last year's tour covered more than 2,250 miles, and highlights can be viewed on the Razorbug Diploma Tour website. The Razorbug, on loan from the Office of Admissions, is a converted red Volkswagen Beetle that sports a Razorback's snout, tail and razor-edged spine. It has been used for recruitment and special events since 2005.

The Global Campus supports the delivery by academic colleges at the U of A of more than 90 online degree, certificate and licensure programs. Online degrees are offered on the bachelor's, master's, specialist and doctoral levels, and 1,074 degrees and certificates were awarded in academic year 2023, according to the Global Campus annual report.

Keep an eye on #uarkonline social media to see if the Bug is coming to your town to celebrate graduates.