Family Day to unite ASU branches

By Romona Wilkes, Herald Staff

ASU Family Day is not what most people think. It's not a chance for students to bring mom, dad and a few cousins to visit the Arkansas State University main campus.

The significance of this day, which will be celebrated Saturday, is to unite all the people of ASU branches as well as the main campus, which sponsors the event.

"It's a nice gesture to the other campuses to come together and celebrate ASU," said Andrea Smalec, Student Government Association president and senior public relations major of Mountain Home.

The main Family Day event is the football game between Arkansas State and Louisiana-Monroe. Tailgate activities will be held around the ASU Stadium.

According to Marilyn Brewer, administrative associate, the ASU staff are invited to enjoy a picnic prior to the game.

"I've never been, but I think it would be an excellent opportunity to interact with other students from ASU campuses," said Kelly Kirkpatrick, a freshman radio and television major of White Hall, who plans to attend Family Day this year.

ASU Family Day was started by Dr. Les Wyatt, when he became president of the university in 1995 and continues each year.

"It was fun and a great chance to see everybody," said Matt Titus, a sophomore computer science major of Warren, who attended Family Day last year.

"It was a good experience, and I met someone from Russia," said Demetrick Warren, a junior electrical engineering major of West Helena, who has also attended Family Day before.

ASU Family Day is open to all ASU students and faculty.

The SGA is encouraging the ASU branches' SGA members to get their students to attend by providing free football tickets to the game. Football tickets are provided to the immediate full-time employees at the other branches as well.

Other branches include ASU Beebe, ASU Newport, ASU Mountain Home, and regional programs such as ASU Technical Center-Marked Tree, Heber Springs, Paragould, Westark College-Fort Smith Degree Centers.