On October 8, during UAM Athletics’ annual UAM Sports Hall of Fame banquet, Monte Erwin, Jake Nowlen, Danielle Rollins, Katherine Taju and De’Andre Washington were inducted into the UAM Sports Hall of Fame. Nat Grubbs was named the 2026 Sports Hall of Fame Spirit Winner.
On October 9, the UAM Alumni Association hosted a reception for this year’s alumni award winners. Dr. Drew Perry and Francis J. Porto III were the recipients of the Young Alumni Rising Star Award. Achievement and Merit recipients included Dr. Barrett L. Brown, Hani W. Hashem, Kathy Lyon, Shela Upshaw and Leslie “Les” Walz. Greg Montgomery received the 2026 Continuing the Connection Award. Kelly and Anna Koonce were honored with the Chancellor’s Legacy Award. Karen Cantrell, Ethan Clemons, Jacob Courson, Indica Rose Gist and Dante Salazar were the student recipients of the 2026 Alumni Association Scholarship, and Kenna Elliott was the student recipient of the 2026 UAM Alumni Legacy Scholarship.
On October 10, the UAM African American Alumni Association held a reunion and awards reception. During the event, Latanza G. Atkins, Lue Bailey, KeyAira Brown, André Haywood, Ray Pickett, Imani Riley, Ronald C. Sloan and Rodmetrius Whitson were named the 2026 Alumni Elite honorees.
On October 10, during the UAM Homecoming Coronation Ceremony, Riley Kate Derryberry, a junior biology major from Monticello, Arkansas, was crowned the 2026 UAM Homecoming Queen. The eleven other members of the 2026 UAM Homecoming Court included Baylee Jo Allison, a junior business administration major with an emphasis in finance from Little Rock, Arkansas; Ebonee Octavia Farmer, a senior social work major from Monticello, Arkansas; Fallon Elise Johnson, a junior nursing major from Rison, Arkansas; Ronnie Hope Johnson, a senior communications major from Pilot Point, Texas; Paige King, a junior biology and biochemistry double major from Monticello, Arkansas; Alexandria Lewis, a junior biology and biochemistry double major in the UAM pre-med program from Monticello, Arkansas; Bryleigh Myers, a junior double major in accounting and business administration with an emphasis in finance from Star City, Arkansas; Victoria Wynne O’Neill Rivera, a senior business administration major with an emphasis in marketing from Warren, Arkansas; Lauren Elisabeth Spoon, a senior biology and biochemistry major in the UAM pre-med program from Stuttgart, Arkansas; Brooklyn Thompson, a junior biology and biochemistry double major from Little Rock, Arkansas; and Nicole Weaver, a senior K-6 elementary education major from Royse City, Texas.
On October 10, prior to the homecoming football game against Oklahoma Baptist University, the UAM community enjoyed a tailgate party and parade. During the game, fans cheered on UAM Football, UAM Cheer and the UAM “Pride of Southeast Arkansas” Marching Band.
Article courtesy of the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
