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Read more about the 150 year celebration activities during the Founders Week.
Established 1929
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023
CORBIN DAY
> continued from 1A In his welcoming remarks, UAPB Chancellor Dr. Laurence B. Alexander praised Profess or C orbin’s contribution and dedication to the university. “We’re celebrating 150 years of excellence as a historically black university filled with a rich history, and it’s important that we pay tribute and give honor to those who have sacrificed their lives, paved the way and had the courage to make valuable contributions to our university, our community and our nation. There’s no better way to celebrate than recognizing and paying homage to the first president and founder of this great institution,” Alexander said. The chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the event’s Keynote Speaker Charles F. Robinson had an empowering speech about Professor Corbin. As the first Black chancellor of the university, Robinson said Professor Corbin’s vision for and dedication to higher education was instrumental in establishing great land-grant universities, such as UAPB and UA Fayetteville. “He was by definition a visionary who saw the ultimate importance of higher education and transforming lives at a time when many people were simply seeking to get very elementary aspects of education. Without his vision, there would be no UA Fayetteville and no
FOUNDERS
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Gladys Turner Finney, the event’s mistress of ceremony, presents a gift to the keynote speaker, Charles Robinson, as a token of appreciation. (Arkansawyer/Staff photographer)
From left to right: UAPB Junior Mikayla Ware and Senior Ja’De Walker-Wilson pose for a photo with Gladys Turner Finney. Right photo: The state historian and director of the Arkansas State Archives (ASA) addresses the audience during the Corbin Day celebration. (Arkansawyer/Staff photographer)
UAPB. It is important to recognize history and history makers, and he was a remarkable individual,” Robinson said. Robinson said Corbin was “a tireless worker” in multiple capacities as “a chancellor, faculty, staff, custodial server and facility manager. He was everything that the institution needed at the same time because he was committed to seeing it become successful.” State historian and of minority groups. As UAPB moves forward into its next 150 years, it will continue to build on its legacy of excellence and commitment to serving its students and community. The Founder’s Celebration was a tribute to the university’s founders and a celebration of all that UAPB’s mission, milestones and memories of the past and the future.
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The Arkansawyer
director of Arkansas State Archives David Ware said that Professor Corbin was “a remarkable man, a remarkable educator, one who saw the future as it might be, as it should be and worked to make it happen by working long and hard in education.” Corbin Day also marked a momentous occasion for Pine Bluff. Days leading up to Corbin Day, West Second Avenue was renamed “Joseph C.
Corbin St.” in his honor. Mayor Shirley Washington proclaimed on behalf of the city of Pine Bluff, marking the day as “Corbin Day,” followed by resolutions from U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman and District 8 State Sen. Stephanie Flowers. “Education as we know it is transformative. Dr. Corbin transformed education in Arkansas by offering public college education to formerly enslaved
UAPB announced new Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. WWW.ARKANSAWYERONLINE.COM
African Americans and their descendants,” Washington said. “ He m a g n i f i e d Pine Bluff as a learning center for higher education. Today, UAPB is a multicultural institution with a diverse student population. Their 20,000 graduates have made immeasurable contributions to their local community, the state, and the nation,” Washington said. Corbin Day was not only a historic moment for the university and the city of Pine Bluff but also for his living legacy of descendants. Ash l e y N . C ro ck ett, a fifth-generation descendant of Corbin, shared some words regarding Corbin Day and his everlasting history. “It was like a history lesson to learn so many new details,” Crockett said. “I think that this celebration not only solidifies his importance to this school, but, as I said again, his importance to the city of Pine Bluff.” Trent Wills, the executive student body president at UAPB, said, “As we come toget her to honor Joseph Carter Corbin, we commemorate the remarkable milestone of 150 years of student success and achievement at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Over a century and a half, we have seen countless students like Mr. Corbin fueled by their determination, dedication, and opportunities provided
by our university. We stand as a testament to the transformative power of education.” The program also unveiled a new portrait of Corbin, followed by an autobiographical documentary of Corbin. Artist and UAPB graduate Justin Thomass on p ai nte d t he portrait, which will be displayed in Corbin Hall. The 7-minute-long documentary was produced by the University Museum and Cultural Center and UAPB-TV. It was written by Carla Bryant, edited by UAPB-TV Television Program Manager R andy Kel l e y and narrated by UAPB Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Carolyn Blakely. Corbin (March 26, 1833 – January 9, 1911) attended Ohio University in Athens, where he became the third African American student enrolled at the university and the second African American to graduate from the institution. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1853 and a master of arts in 1856.
Joseph Carter Corbin (Courtersy of the Arkansas State Archives)
UAPB’s new provost has a passion for excellence
The event began with inspiring speeches from university leaders. Throughout the day, Provost Andrea Stewart focuses on quality education and student success. there were also panel discussions with aspirtion and a profound for the students,” Stewmeet the highest staning student leaders. commitment to fosterart stated. dards. The histor y of ing excellence at UAPB. Stewart’s vision As the new provost, HBCUs, the role of edu“Dr. Stewart has is centered on alignStewart’s mission is cation in social justice, a great passion for ing UAPB with the clear—to continue the and the future of UAPB higher education and ever-evolving demands tradition of excellence were only a few topics our students’ success,” of the modern job marat UAPB. She envisions touched on during the Chancellor Laurence ket. She believes in the university’s future speech portion of the B. Alexander said in a preparing students for as a beacon of qualevent. recent UAPB News artithe workforce of today. ity education, student These discussions cle. “We shouldn’t prepare success and visionary brought together stuAlexander became students for the work leadership. Dr. Andrea Stewart, dents and alumni from her mentor and told field of years ago; we “I want to see our UAPB Provost and Vice UAPB and beyond to her, “We need you must prepare them for programs accredited Chancellor for Academic share their insights and here.” Then, her connecthe work field now,” and successful,” StewAffairs. (Arkansawyer/Gia Turner) engage in thoughtful tion with the university Stewart said. art said. dialogue. was forged, fueling her Her formula for Stewart’s 35 years By Gia Turner The celebration condesire to make a difsuccess, “The D.O.A.” of dedicated service to Staff Writer cluded with a few signifference. “As a Howard (Desire, Opportunity UAPB and unwavering icant events. First, a New graduate, not knocking and Ability), encapsupassion for education Orleans-themed dinner, Dr. Andrea Stewanyone else, but you lates her dedication to is the driving force “A Night in ‘Nawlins” art, a leader with deep can go anywhere. You empowering students behind her vision for Alexander comand Chancellor’s Schol- Chancellor roots at the University say ‘Howard, ’ and doors to seize opportunities the university’s future. mended award recipients at arship Gala. This black- the Founders’ and Honors of Arkansas at Pine Bluff open,” Stewart said. and fulfill their aspira“I was hesitant to tie event was held at the Convocation by saying, “You (UAPB), has embarked Her connection tions. take the role as provost are equipping and preparing Pine Bluff Country Club. on her role as the new with UAPB was nurStewart’s approach because it’s so demandyourselves for a bigger world Attendees dressed in provost and vice chantured under Alexander’s to leadership is ing,” Stewart said. “I this university, that is a their finest attire to toast beyond cellor for academic mentorship, and her anchored in close colbelieve this is what 21st century, globalized workUAPB’s past, present and force. Things that you gain affairs. In her journey love for student success laboration with the God prepared me for, future. to this pivotal position, motivated her to take Student Government to be here at this time now will allow you to achieve The dinner featured success in any sector of the Stewart brings a wealth the helm as provost. Association and ensurand place,” Stewart live music, dancing and workforce you desire.” of experience, dedica“I chose to stay here ing that all programs concluded. a keynote address from UAPB Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander. A sunrise service followed and alumni breakfast on Sunday. The Founder’s CeleBy Kur’an Suluki bration was a reminder Staff Writer of the importance of the accomplishments UAPB and historically of nursing program black colleges. By proThe University of graduates. viding access to educa- Arkansas at Pine Bluff The ceremony hontion and opportunity (UAPB) hosted its Pinored the hard work and for under-served com- ning Ceremony on May dedication of students munities, HBCUs like 4, just before the spring who completed either UAPB have opened new graduation ceremony. SEE PINNING, 3A doors for many students The event recognized If you have any story ideas or comments on the paper, please contact us at arkansawyer@uapb.edu
UAPB’s nursing program honors graduates during Pinning Ceremony
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