By: Max Vanderglas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – The University of Arkansas is continuing one of its longest-running traditions, the Senior Walk, by engraving the names of graduates from the 2021 class on campus sidewalks.
Dating back to 1905, when the class of that year wanted to leave a legacy for future generations, the Senior Walk has become one of the most unique traditions on campus. For first-generation college student Agustin Reichhardt, having his name etched on the walkway is a significant accomplishment for himself and his family.
Reichhardt said, “Being a first-generation college student and especially now that I’m about to graduate, it means a lot to me and especially to my family. It also means a whole lot that my name is going to be etched in one of the walkways here at the University of Arkansas.”
Charlie Alison, the Executive Editor at the Office of University Relations, explained that engraving all graduates’ names from every class on the sidewalks is a completely unique tradition across the nation.
The names are currently being added to the Senior Walk, starting with the 2020 graduation class at the corner of Garland Avenue and Cleveland Street and running all the way to Razorback Road by the Maples and Reid Dorm.
According to Alison, choosing where to place the classes depends on several factors, but the most important is replacing a sidewalk that already needs to be redone.
He stated, “Are there sidewalks that do need replacing, you know, if we already know that there is a sidewalk that’s been becoming a little bit decrepit, then it makes sense to go ahead and pour a new sidewalk and plan for one of our classes there.”
As the number of graduating students increases every year the number of names on the sidewalk also increases. In fact, Alison says that an entire class can take up almost a quarter mile of sidewalk.
Erica Estes, the Executive Director of the Offices of Career Connections, said that the numbers for students having a post-graduation plan for the 2022 class were very positive.
“The class of 2022 saw 86% of students who graduated, and reported to us what they were doing post-graduation. 86% were placed post-graduation, whether that was with a job or continuing their education, going into the military and things like that,” Estes said.
Improving these numbers every year will help the university improve in every way, Estes added.
The Senior Walk tradition at the University of Arkansas is a testament to the rich history and legacy of the university, and it continues to honor graduates for generations to come.