Historical Markers
In April 1999, the University of Arkansas unveiled a set of institutional historical markers designed to commemorate significant research and intellectual achievements, notable leaders, outstanding alumni, historic events, sites and campus lore.
"The University of Arkansas has a proud past and the historical markers program gives us a visible way of celebrating it," said Chancellor John A. White. "This program brings our legacy to the attention of the hundreds of thousands of people who walk our campus every year - conference attendees, visiting scholars, speakers, executives and guests, prospective students and their families, alumni, and sports fans-not to mention our own students, faculty and staff.
"What we're also trying to do through this program is to showcase the true nature of the University as a generator of knowledge, an educator of men and women, and a public servant, in ways that profoundly impact the human condition," White added. "In a sense, we're utilizing the university's past to position it for the future - as an emerging national research university that has delivered great benefits to the people of Arkansas and the nation and promises to do even more in the years to come."
The Alumni Association's board of directors voted unanimously to fund the historical markers program.
"We're excited about the program because it gives the Alumni Association a means for preserving and communicating to a wide audience what is truly unique and great about this university," said H. Lawson Hembree, then-president of the Arkansas Alumni Association.
The markers were designed to accomplish several objectives:
- To engender pride among students, faculty, staff and alumni;
- To support development of a more pedestrian-friendly, aesthetically-pleasing campus;
- To aid the resurgence of interest in Arkansas history;
- To complement the university's Senior Walk tradition;
- To complement efforts by the City of Fayetteville to capture and present its historically significant sites.
The first six markers were unveiled on April 27, 1999. These original markers were:
- "The State and Land-Grant University of Arkansas"
- "Superconductivity"
- "Insect Pest Management"
- "Early Integration"
- "Stone's Architecture"
- "Senior Walk"
As of September 2007, a total of 30 historical markers have been installed at the University of Arkansas.
The Markers
Subjects for commemoration in a historical marker are determined by the university's historical marker committee, chaired by the associate vice chancellor for university relations. The committee meets randomly as needed, and includes representatives from the faculty and staff familiar with campus history.
The markers, designed by the office of university relations, are modeled loosely on roadside historical markers that are erected by many states, but the university's markers are tailored to pedestrians rather than autos. Made of bronze with gold lettering on a black background, the 17" x 24" plaques are affixed to poles at eye-level for easy reading. The markers are placed at sites appropriate to the subjects they are commemorating.
Cost of purchasing and installing historical markers is borne by the Arkansas Alumni Association.
Criteria for Selection
Suggestions for markers are generated by the historical marker committee or through open submissions from the university community. The committee makes its selections based primarily on a proposed subject's historical significance. All subjects must meet the primary criteria of being an event, achievement, program, person or place that has broadly influenced society in a scientific, technical, intellectual, artistic or cultural context, and that has appeal or relevance to those outside the university community as well as those within.
Other criteria considered by the committee in selecting historical markers include:
- Did the subject change its discipline?
- Has the subject added significant value to society and/or profoundly impacted the human condition?
- Has the subject been a catalyst for other discoveries and successes?
- Does the subject differ from events, achievements, programs, people and places at other institutions?
- If a person is the subject, is that person still directly affiliated with the university? No person still affiliated with the University of Arkansas may be honored with a historical marker.
The marker must be able to communicate its message clearly in about 90 words or less, and any proposed text also may be reviewed and edited by the historical marker committee and appropriate university officers for content accuracy. In cases where suggestions do not fit the criteria of the campus historical program, the committee may propose other forms of historical commemoratives.
Site selection for historical markers is done in consultation with the office of facilities management.
Submissions and Questions
To suggest a campus historical marker or inquire about the program, contact:
Tysen Kendig
Associate Vice Chancellor for University Relations
University of Arkansas
800 Hotz Hall
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 575-5555
tkendig@uark.edu