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HOMECOMING ASSEMBLY STARTS WEEKEND OFF STRONG

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, October 23, 2009 11:35 PM CDT

Harold and Deborah Vault, class of 1946, held hands as they stepped up to the microphone Friday morning during the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s homecoming assembly.

Members of UAPB’s Class of 1999 show a little class spirit Thursday morning during the annual Alumni Assembly at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Pine Bluff Commercial/Ralph Fitzgerald

The Vaults presented a $50,000 check to UAPB for scholarships in the presence of hundreds of past and current students and friends at the H.O. Clemmons Arena of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Complex.

The couple from Cotton Plant, Ark., was among many who made donations to the university Friday.

Harold Vault said his money was stolen during his first week of classes in 1943.

Thanks to the administration, Vault said he was able to get his entire education for free.

“I never paid another penny,” he said.

“I thought I would pay some of that back.”

‘The tide is with this University’

The presentations were one part of a homecoming assembly to kick off the weekend’s events culminating in a parade today at 10 a.m. in downtown Pine Bluff and a football game at 2:30 p.m. at Golden Lion Stadium.

Thanks from university staff and students resounded and ranks of alumni stood when their graduating class year was called.

UAPB Chancellor Dr. Lawrence A. Davis Jr. said the buildings have changed but the mission to educate has remained the same.

“The spirit, the traditions ... continue and they must,” he said. “The tide is with this University today and the future belongs to us.”

‘A first rate education’

U.S. Army Col. Aundre Piggee, recently named as promotable to Brigadier General, flew from South Korea to attend the homecoming.

He was acknowledged as the first alumni to attain the position and the highest military rank a former student has held.

A 1981 graduate from Stamps, Ark., Piggee said he tries to come back for homecoming when he can — usually once every five or six years — to relive the college days and give something back to the school.

Piggee said that he would encourage some of the university’s ROTC cadets later.

“They can be just as successful as I am,” he said. “This is a first rate education.”

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