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Fanny Wesley, center, was the first Black cheerleader at UAFS. At the 2026 Homecoming, she posed with the current UAFS Cheer team.
AlumniAthleticsBell Tower

Breaking Barriers without Knowing It

Fanny Wesley experienced a lot of firsts in her life. One of the most impactful was when she attended the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP, then Westark College, and became the first Black cheerleader and first Black woman on the homecoming court.

May 01, 2026
Carol Hill, center, accepts the Lucille Speakman Excellence Award with her son, Derek, and daughter, CarolAnn
Bell TowerLion Voices

Campus Becomes Family Legacy for Carol Hill and Her Children

Many people describe the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP as "a family." For Carol Hill, it really is. She has worked at UAFS for more than 20 years and is joined by her son and daughter on campus.

May 01, 2026
Rachel and Hailey Malik in one of their classrooms.
AthleticsBell TowerHealth Education and Human Sciences

Twins Race Towards Careers

Senior cross-country runners and twin sisters, Rachel and Hailey Malik, have used their time at the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP to streak down trails and engage the minds of dozens of elementary-aged students.

May 01, 2026
Portrait of Megan Nichols, '15.
AlumniBell TowerBusiness and Industry

Foundation Forged in Fort Smith

Megan Nichols, '15, has been climbing the banking ladder since she was a student at the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP. Her successful foundation was established in Fort Smith before she pursued an opportunity in Dallas.

May 01, 2026
Brenda Fredriksen, 24, runs down the court to assist her teammate during a close basketball game.
AlumniAthleticsBell Tower

Fredriksen Family Leaves Lasting Mark

The Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP has been at the center of Brenda Fredriksen's and her family's lives for two generations.

May 01, 2026
large group shot of students in bleachers
AdmissionsCommunityFeaturedStudents

UAFS Admissions Eases Senior-Year Anxiety with Personal, Hands-On Support

Admission office stands ready to help students through the admission process.

May 01, 2026
Logo for The Compass Report
Bell TowerCenter for Economic Development

UAFS, Talk Business & Politics Partner on Compass Report

The Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP partners with Talk Business & Politics on a statewide report called The Compass Report. Student interns work with Kendall Ross, UAFS associate vice chancellor of Economic and Workforce Development, to compile...

May 01, 2026
Bell TowerCommunityGiving

The Civic Duty of Ben Shipley

Ben Shipley discusses his civic responsibility and duty to give back to the community by way of supporting the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP.

May 01, 2026
group photo of the back of graduate heads all wearing graduation caps
CommunityFeaturedNewsStudents

Detailed Planning and Coordinated Effort Needed for Commencement Ceremonies

It takes dozens of staff and months of planning to successfully stage commencement ceremonies at UAFS.

May 01, 2026
Portrait of Dr. Susan DeWoody
AlumniBell Tower

Borrowing Belief: The Leadership Journey of Susan DeWoody

Susan DeWoody came to the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP, then Westark College, as a first-generation student. She left with the tools needed to succeed and help others, eventually becoming the first female provost at Oklahoma Baptist University...

May 01, 2026
Sharon Winn (center) views the commemorative brick purchased by her husband, Jim (right), that is in Lion Pride Square.
AlumniBusiness and IndustryNews

UAFS History Through the Eyes of Sharon Winn

Since being founded in 1928, the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP has undergone five name changes. Only one person has been part of the university for every iteration.

May 01, 2026
Dignitaries pose with the HIRED grant check that helped fund the workforce development center
Business and IndustryCenter for Economic DevelopmentCommunityEvents

Gov. Sanders to Speak at Open House for Workforce Development & Advanced Manufacturing centers

The University of Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP at Fort Smith will celebrate the opening of its new Workforce Development Center with an open house and ribbon cutting from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Monday, May 4. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders will keynote the celebration,...

May 01, 2026
Jarren McAllister dribbles down the court at Stubblefield Arena during a UAFS men's basketball game.
AthleticsBell Tower

Cementing History on the Hardwood

The Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP men's basketball team wrapped up one of its best seasons as a D-II program, including a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association tournament appearance for the first time, and ranking as high as No....

May 01, 2026
zac mathias reads from applause during the Southern Literary Festival.
Arts and Sciences

Applause Literary Magazine Earns Best E-Zine Honors

International Literary Journal, Applause, a publication created and run by Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP students, won first place in the Literary E-zine category of the Southern Literary Festival’s 2026 Undergraduate Writing Competition....

April 30, 2026
Callea Stewart sits on an imaging exam table in the Pendergraft Health Sciences Building.
FeaturedHealth Education and Human SciencesLion Voices

'Eyes of Healthcare' Grad Plans to Take Skills to the Night Shift

Callea Stewart will graduate from the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP with her associate's degree in imaging sciences and radiography on May 16. She has accepted a job at Mercy Fort Smith as an X-ray technician, where she is excited...

April 30, 2026
A group of students console a classmate while he is being vulnerable.
CommunityNewsStudents

Mental Health Awareness Month Arrives at Critical Point in Semester

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP is ensuring students have all the tools needed to manage this stressful and busy point of the semester and take care of their mental well-being.

April 30, 2026
group shot of the back of heads of graduates wearing graduation caps
News

UAFS to Award Nearly 650 Degrees at May 16 Commencement Ceremonies

Graduation ceremonies details set

April 29, 2026
A group of students smile on the UAFS Campus Green covered in blue and white streamer confetti.
FeaturedGivingIntrepid Ambition

UAFS Day of Giving Passes Goal of $55,000

More than 400 individual donors helped the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP surpass its $55,000 Day of Giving goal. The 1,928 fundraising event supported 26 projects across campus, including scholarships, research opportunities, student experiences,...

April 29, 2026
Overhead view of the UAFS Campus Green.
Arts and SciencesBusiness and IndustryFeaturedHealth Education and Human Sciences

Academic Excellence Award Winners Announced

The Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP honored top students from more than 40 academic programs for their exceptional dedication in the classroom during the Academic Excellence Awards.

April 28, 2026
Class Notes
AlumniClass NotesCommunity

Class Notes, Summer 2026

April 27, 2026

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Media Relations

The UAFS Office of Communications fields all media inquiries for the university. Email Rachel.Putman@uafs.edu for more information.

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Rachel Rodemann Putman

  • Director of Strategic Communications
  • 479-788-7132