By: Carter Ford

We can talk all day about what makes Fayetteville great: Dickson Street, the mountains, Razorback athletics, the Farmers’ Market, the trail system, the dynamic mix of progressive politics and conservative living, the numerous outdoor activities, the campus, and many, many other things. 

But there is undoubtedly one piece to the equation that, without it, would cause the rest to be meaningless, and that is the incredible people of Fayetteville – and, more specifically, the incredible people on campus. 

In this column, I’m going to attempt to honor a few of the people who work day in and day out to make the UA experience an unforgettable, rich one. Unfortunately, I won’t scratch the surface on this, and many people who deserve great respect I won’t mention, but I’d encourage you to take note of these people, even just try to meet them, because these are some of the best of the best at the UA. 

Let’s start at the top with Chancellor Gearhart. Talk about a hard job: Gearhart is responsible overall for delivering a quality, affordable education to 20,000 students, while paying a sufficient salary to attract and keep thousands of quality faculty and staff members, while appeasing a state Capitol full of skeptical legislators who control funding for the institution, while dealing with any and all random issues that arise as a result of, or in spite of, doing these three things. Yet, he is always calm, positive, and logical in the way he does his job, and he even, still, somehow makes time to get to know and constantly encourage the people who surround him. What a perfect place to start!

Mentioning the part about legislators, I’ve had a unique opportunity to know and work for Richard Hudson, vice chancellor for government and community relations. Hudson doesn’t have day-to-day interaction with students, but his job is essential to our success as he works with the state Legislature and others to ensure adequate funding, helps with research grants, and completes a long list of other things. He and his wife, Mrs. Joanna, have been wonderful to me and I’ll forever appreciate Hudson’s leadership and the person he is. 

Next, I highly recommend getting to know Angela Oxford. Angela is the director of the Volunteer Action Center on campus. Because of Oxford’s leadership, the VAC is constantly growing to have a positive impact on campus and in our community. My experiences with Oxford and the VAC have taught me lessons about service and community-outreach that are invaluable, and ones that I’ll use for the rest of my life. If you want to “make a difference,” don’t worry, because all you have to do is get involved with the five-star organization that is the VAC and you’ll do just that.

I hope for a number of reasons that you get to know Jody Preece, the Associated Student Government office manager. Preece works with hundreds of students in the funding process, and holds together the ASG organization on a yearly basis. This involves managing hundreds of thousands of dollars and an office full of know-it-all college students. Her patience with and love for students is inspiring.

If you are in need of a good haircut and a good conversation, then meeting Union Jack is a must. Located on the second floor of the Arkansas Union, Union Jack gives high quality haircuts. Further, Union Jack is deeply educated in politics and society, and also in his hobby of sustainability. I’ve had some of the most fascinating conversations with this guy. He loves his life and what he does, and he is always ready to get to know another someone else. Don’t miss out on this UA essential!

The last person I’m going to mention is no longer physically with us, but someone who is still very much present on campus, Trent Faith. Trent was a fraternity brother who passed away while trying to save a friend. He is a hero and embodies the true Razorback spirit that we so often discuss. While many may not have had the opportunity to meet him in person, you will find him living through others all across the UA campus. He is incredibly missed by many, yet because of the life that he lived full of love, honor and truth, so many others’ lives were forever changed, including mine.

My time as a student at this incredible university is near the end, but I can’t be anything but happy and grateful for the friendships and experiences this place has brought me. Take the time to get to know as many people as possible during your time here, because it goes by way too quickly, and the people who surround you here will support you and be a friend for the rest of your life. 

So in honor of Trent, in honor of all of you who work on this campus and make it the great place that it is, and to all my friends and fellow students,  WOOO PIG SOOIE … always. 

This is Carter Ford’s final column for The Arkansas Traveler.