UA Northark is inviting the community to a free Hog Wild Picnic on Friday, Oct. 23, to celebrate its new affiliation with the University of Arkansas System. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Bill Baker Amphitheatre, located on the college’s south campus in Harrison.
The celebration will highlight how the affiliation is creating new opportunities for regional students and families, including options to pursue bachelor’s degrees while staying closer to home. The program will open with remarks from current and former students, sharing firsthand how the new partnership has positively impacted their educational experiences. This includes testimonials from students who have received the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and others pursuing degrees through UA System universities while remaining in the Harrison area.
“Having the University of Arkansas System right here with us opens doors for our students that were once much farther away,” said UA Northark Chancellor Rick Massengale. “This celebration is an opportunity for our community to see firsthand how the affiliation is expanding educational opportunities and helping local students reach their goals without having to leave home.”
After the presentations, attendees will be treated to a complimentary lunch hosted by Pioneer Pete, featuring pulled pork sandwiches and traditional picnic sides.
In conjunction with the event, UA Northark will be hosting its 2026 Skills Day for local high school students. Industry partners participating in the picnic will be on hand to engage with the community, while college representatives will offer tours of the Center for Manufacturing Innovation at 1:00 p.m. Representatives from University of Arkansas System partner institutions will also be available to provide information about the expanded programs and support now accessible to local students.
“We want people to come hungry, have some fun, and, most importantly, learn what the UA Northark affiliation means for them and their families,” Massengale added.
The celebration will conclude at 1:30 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the festivities will be moved indoors to the JPH Conference Room.