UAPB, Community joins local author in giving back to hometown at AR flag ceremony

WABBASEKA, Ark. – The Agriculture, Art and ROTC departments at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) participated in the “Arkansas Flag 101” and Arkansas Flag/Wabbaseka Memorial Completion Ceremony held at Wabbaseka City Park. The memorial is the concept of author Jason Irby who grew up and attended schools in Wabbaseka and attended the Upward Bound Program at UAPB during the early 1980’s.

“Giving back to my hometown and community has always been a goal in my life and UAPB has always been an icon in our community, region and nation”, says Irby. “I am proud that UAPB has joined with me to lift a fading small town surrounded by agriculture that I call home.”

The UAPB Art Department assisted in designing and developing information/exhibit panels for the memorial and the Agriculture and ROTC departments participated and exhibited at the commemoration ceremony.
A product of the University of Arkansas system, Irby received his Bachelors and Masters (School of Mass Communication) degrees from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He has authored My Arkansas, My Home from the series of publications entitled Love Within Life which includes several references to his life and admiration of Arkansas’ resources, beauty and people.

Other special guests included the Little Rock Air Force Base and Arkansas National Guard units. The Navy Band (Blues City Quintet) from Millington, TN was also present and performed a variety of musical selections.

For more information about the project, contact Jason Irby at 501-907-6710 or jirby@aristotle.net or visit http://www.lovewithinlife-jasonirby.com.