If it’s the start of the fall semester at UALR, it’s time for Burgers at Bailey. The annual start-of-the-semester tradition – this year from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 – connects alumni, faculty, staff, and students in a lunchtime celebration of the new academic year.

All members of the campus community are invited to the free event. The Happy Tymes Jazz Band, which performed at this spring’s Alumni Association Taste of New Orleans party, will return to accompany the burgers, chips, Pepsi products, and cookies.

“This terrific tradition welcomes the entire campus community for cookout on the shady lawn and back yard at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center at the corner of 28th Street and Campus Drive West,” said Scott Gordan, president of the Alumni Association which sponsors the event along with the Office of the Chancellor.

Also sponsoring the party are Bancorp South and The Faded Rose Restaurant.

This year,  freshly grilled burgers will be served up by volunteers from UALR Children International, the Donaghey Scholars Alumni, members of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, student athletes, and members of the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps will help serve it up.

“Last year, a lot of people brought their folding lawn chairs and enjoyed lunch under the trees,” said Donaghey Scholar Alum Stephanie Boccarossa, media content director at KARK-TV who is starting graduate school in information quality. This is her second year to volunteer at the event.

For more information and to register online, visit ualr.edu/alumni.