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Mission: To promote the University of Arkansas and strengthening the bond between alumni in the San Francisco Bay Area under the guidance of the Arkansas Alumni Association, Inc.

History

• Winner of the 2000 Arkansas Alumni Association Board of Director's Cup for chapter excellence.
• Formed in 1991, this chapter was one of the first 12 chapters formed and has earned the prestigious reputation of being one of the top University of Arkansas Alumni chapters in the country.
• Governed under the guidelines of the Arkansas Alumni Association (AAA), Inc., by a volunteer Board of Directors. 
• Ten-time winner of the coveted chapter banner award honoring top chapters that meet or surpasses stringent requirements set by AAA, Inc.
• Ernst Bauer was the 2003 recipient of The Heart Award from the Arkansas Alumni Association. The Heart Award honors a unique individual who exemplifies the volunteer spirit, enthusiasm and commitment that is the core of alumni chapter involvement.
• Tom Butt is the 2005 recipient of the Arkansas Alumni Association Community Service Award. The award recognizes unselfish and extensive service by alumni to their community and to humankind.

Chapter Members

• 200 current chapter members represent both alumni and friends of the University.
• Total of 530 known alumni in the Bay Area.

Annual Events

Our chapter continues to bring University of Arkansas alumni and friends together by hosting a series of events throughout the year including game watch gatherings. Signature events include:

• The Annual Monte Rosso Ranch potluck barbecue and wine tasting event. This wonderful gathering takes place on the Martini winery estate in the enchanting Valley of the Moon just north of Sonoma, California. Jacque and Michael Martini host this marvelous affair and provide newly released world famous Martini wines for all to enjoy. Jacque is a respected wine marketing expert and Arkansas alumnus. Michael is a third generation world renowned wine maker, who generously discusses the winemaking process, Martini wine history, and leads afternoon vineyard tours. There is always a special U of A VIP or two in attendance and special Martini wine is auctioned off to help support our chapter scholarship program. This event is not to be missed and is generally held in August.
• Spring Gathering. Chapter members and friends gather annually in the spring at various locations each spring. There is always an entertaining program and proceeds from the Razorback raffle benefit our general chapter fund.
• The Arkansas/Kentucky game watch. This event is held at Zeke's Bar and Grill located South of Market Street in San Francisco near Pac Bell Park. Razorback and Wildcat fans gather together to root their teams on in a raucous atmosphere. Fans from each side bring delicious Southern dishes to share while watching this storied rivalry unfold. The SEC basketball conference schedule dictates the date of this event.

Past Special Events

• Spring Fling! Chapter endowment fundraiser held at the San Francisco Tennis Club.
• U of A Rally, USA! included brunch in the Penthouse of the Pan Pacific Hotel in San Francisco, followed by a low-impact Victorian Home Walk Tour.
• Chapter 10th Anniversary Bar-B-Q held on the shores of Stafford Lake in Marin County with catered barbeque and live music from "The Wild Shirt Band".
• Receptions and dinners at famous venues such as the Fairmont and St. Francis Hotels, The Claremont Resort, Presidio Officers Club and The Pelican Inn in Marin County.
• Afternoon picnics at the historic and beautifully restored East Brother Island Light Station and Bed & Breakfast located in San Pablo Bay with ferry service provided.
• The Tech: Museum of Innovation Tour in San Jose, California. · Special technology education tour and catered lunch on the National Semiconductor Corporation campus.
• Old-fashioned barbecue and beautiful East Bay hills hike at Anne and Rob James' ranch in Martinez, California.
• Special SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) tour before a wonderful reception at the lovely San Francisco home of Gussie and Tom Lyon.
• Live Bay Area game watches followed by dinners with the men's Razorback baseball team and the women's Razorback basketball team.
• Live interactive telecast of "Celebration of Success 2000" with special guests Chancellor John White and Assistant Razorback Head Coach Fritz Hill.
• Morning museum tour and lunch at the San Francisco Legion of Honor Museum.

SF/Bay Area Chapter Guest Speaker List

Ernest J. Wong Endowment Fund

In 2005, the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter set up the Ernest J. Wong Endowment Fund, which is used to fund the chapter's scholarship programs. The fund is managed by the Arkansas Alumni Association and was initially funded in the amount of $40,000. The fund pays out a minimum of 4.5 percent interest each year.

Chapter Scholarship Program

The San Francisco/Bay Area Chapter supports a very successful ongoing scholarship program. Eligibility for scholarship consideration is open to qualified High School and Jr. College students in the Bay Area interested in pursuing their studies at the University of Arkansas.

Caitlin Beavers attended Casa Grande High School in Petaluma, CA. She is majoring in business at the Walton School of Business.

Andy Housley enrolled at the University of Arkansas in January 2002. Andy turned down a scholarship to the University of the Pacific to attend Arkansas.  Andy is now an accountant with PriceWaterhouseCooper in San Jose.

Andre Yancy is a past Book Scholar recipient. Andre chose the University of Arkansas over prestigious Santa Clara University.

Rebecca Harris graduated with honors from Clovis West High School in Fresno, California before moving to Fair Oaks, California (near Sacramento). She attended American River Community College her freshman year in order to dance professionally in a respected Sacramento ballet troupe. She chose to transfer to the University of Arkansas after considering the University of Oregon and the University of Washington. Rebecca majored in business at the prestigious Sam M. Walton College of Business. She is currently working in management at walmart.com in San Franicsco.

Tiffany Knight graduated from Petaluma High School (North of San Francisco) with honors before enrolling at the University of Arkansas sight unseen. She graduated Cum Laude, in May of 1999 posting a perfect 4.0 grade point average, one of only 14 students to do so. Tiffany was named the outstanding English Department graduate and was recognized by Chancellor John White at the class of 1999 graduation ceremony. Tiffany earned her MA at the University of Tennessee and is now pursuing her PhD in English Literature at the University of Southern California. She will also be involved in the Theater and Film Program.

Andrew Butt, our first scholarship recipient, graduated from high school in the Bay Area before enrolling at the University of Arkansas. Andrew graduated with distinction from the College of Architecture earning his Bachelor of Architecture degree in December of 1997. He works now with the respected architectural firm of Interactive Resources, located in Point Richmond, California.

Special Scholarship Project

In addition to maintaining the above scholarship program, in 1999 our chapter embarked on a special fundraising project in honor of the life of Daniel K. Gabor, a Bay Area native and all-American track athlete at the University of Arkansas who was killed on TWA Flight 800 in 1996. Our chapter raised $7,000 to help fully sustain this scholarship. Each summer this scholarship pays for one U of A geology student to participate in the respected Montana field-camp program.

Special Donations