University of Arkansas Fort Smith group encourages men to graduate

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith created a group for men aimed at helping them become better people.

The Men of Excellence program began at the beginning of this semester.

The organization “pushes the initiative of trying to mold us into being better men," said Glenn Brewer II, president of Men of Excellence.

“I feel that there is a negative stigma attached to how men are typically portrayed on campus," Brewer said.

This group helps to cast college men in a better light and Brewer said the program is about empowering and encouraging young men.

Men of Excellence has 10 active members, said John Blue, executive director for diversity, equity and inclusion at the university.

He said the organization is designed to help men graduate at higher rates.

More than 8% of men did not return to college campuses in the fall, Blue said. That statistic is even higher for Black men. More than 14% of Black men did not return to campus.

"We’re focused on the betterment of our members," Blue said.

Blue also expects the group to help recruit men to UAFS. As part of the program, the men in the organization also give back to campus.

Starting Jan. 10, the men will partner with Lion's Heart, the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee and Community Bible North to gather school supplies for children whose families have low incomes. The drive will be in honor of King.

The organization recently completed a fundraiser to raise money for programming, said Rachel Rodemann Putman, the university's associate director for strategic communications, in an email. The group raised $10,340, meeting its goal of $10,000. About 120 people gave to the campaign.

Blue has several ideas for where the money could be put to use. The group could use it to buy professional clothes, book speakers, or pay for men to go to conferences.

The Men of Excellence program also has a committee of UAFS faculty and staff members who serve as advisors to the students.

Blue said he wants to expose the men to different types of people who can help them on their way.

Last week, state Rep. Jay Richardson spoke to the students about the importance of being civically engaged.

“So we are trying to wholistically service these young men," Blue said.

The Men of Excellence program was originally started at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Alex Gladden is a University of Arkansas graduate. She previously reported for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and The Jonesboro Sun before joining the Times Record. She can be contacted at agladden@swtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: UAFS group encourages men to graduate