From the President
Welcome to the Western Arkansas Chapter webpage! The Western Arkansas Chapter of the Arkansas Alumni Association was re-organized in June 2011 when a group of Fort Smith area alumni made a commitment to support a local chapter. Our goal is to become fully re-chartered this summer and you can help! Join us as we become active in our community, have a real presence in our area high schools and help to financially support those who will be attending the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville. We invite you to get involved with the Western Arkansas Chapter and help us grow even more in the coming years. You can help us create more ideas, resources, connections and possibilities--all of which are vital to sustaining a strong and successful alumni chapter. Together, we can create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere, while reaching out to others and achieving our mission!
Joe McLean
President, Western Arkansas Chapter
Spotlight: Drake McGruder, Young Alumni Committee Chair
Drake McGruder is a 2006 graduate of the University of Arkansas, with a bachelor's degree in biological engineering. He is currently working on a master's degree in environmental, health and safety (EHS) engineering at the U of A and will graduate this May.
He is the safety and security manager for Kraft Foods-Planters in Fort Smith. He is originally from Germantown, TN and is married to the former Kelly Yerton.
While a student at the U of A, he was involved with the Student Alumni Board and the Arkansas Alumni Association. He has been instrumental in getting the Western Arkansas Chapter reorganized and planning activities as the Young Alumni chairman. In the past several months, the WAC has held Young Alumni Happy Hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month at various restaurants/bars around Fort Smith. These events have been well attended and people have enjoyed both social and networking opportunities. In the coming months, the WAC will have numerous social and volunteer opportunities for both Young Alumni and Young Alumni At Heart to get involved with the Chapter.