Good morning, Fayetteville.

The U of A's Italian Program inducted 17 new members into Gamma Kappa Alpha (the national Italian honor society) on April 16 to honor excellence in Italian studies.

Emanuel Ferrari do Nascimento, a U of A crop, soil and environmental sciences student in the soybean breeding program, was named a 2026 Borlaug Scholar by the National Association for Plant Breeding and earned top honors at recent symposium contests.

The Writing Studio at U of A has received CRLA certification for its Level 1 and 2 tutor training program — a recognition that confirms the program meets high international standards.

Program directors say the certification will boost writing support for students.

U of A political scientist Thomas Adam details how soccer evolved from early English public school games to a global phenomenon on the Short Talks from the Hill podcast.

He explains that student-led play led to the codification of soccer in the 19th century, tracing its expansion beyond Britain.

Full-time U of A staff taking classes in Fayetteville can apply for the Staff Senate Endowed Scholarship Fund; complete applications must be submitted by Monday, June 15 for one of 10 full-term $500 awards (disbursed as up to $250 per semester).

The U of A College of Engineering awarded five Biggadike Innovation Grants to faculty + staff projects that support student success through embedded math help, community service, teaching fellowships, and curriculum mapping.

Funded by the Biggadike Endowment, the projects run up to 12 months with reports due by June 30.

The Human Resources Office invites U of A faculty and staff to share their stories through a brief 10-minute survey — a chance to spotlight the voices behind teaching, research, and service.

Selected responses may be featured across campus digital platforms.

Big K.R.I.T. Album Release Event

10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. — Ozark Music Hall — Cost info unavailable — Celebrate the release of Big K.R.I.T.'s new album '4eva Is A Mighty Long Time'.

Nike Volleyball Camp at University of Arkansas

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. — University Recreation + Wellness — $455 — A girls volleyball camp for ages 10-14 focusing on skill development and leadership.

AdventureCon 2026: Board Game and Tabletop Convention

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Rogers Convention Center — $10 – $85 — A family-friendly gathering filled with over 300 games for board game enthusiasts of all ages.

The Smokehouse Players Benefit Performance of On Golden Pond

1-2:30 p.m. — Ozark Mountain Smokehouse — Donations accepted — Enjoy a heartfelt performance exploring love and forgiveness in later years.

Bats and Bluegrass Festival

5-9 p.m. — Illinois River Watershed Partnership — Free admission — Experience the magical emergence of gray bats alongside live bluegrass music in a unique Ozark celebration.

Pirates of Dinosaur Island!

12-2 p.m. — Gear Gaming - Fayetteville — Bring your water bottle — Adventure awaits with pirates and dinosaurs on a tropical island!

Summer Art Workshop: Drop-In Artsy Craftsy

1-3 p.m. — Fayetteville Public Library — Free entry — Create your own masterpiece with provided art supplies in a fun drop-in session.