From left: Khameria Clark, Basana Chhetri, vice president of programming and community engagement for Interform, Yunru Shen, and Havilland Ford.
Two University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students of merchandising, textiles and design (MTD) recently attended Northwest Arkansas (NWA) Fashion Week in Bentonville, Arkansas, according to Yunru Shen, instructor of fashion and Fashion Network advisor for UAPB. At the event, Havilland Ford and Khameria Clark had the chance to interact with fashion designers, makeup artists, fashion photographers and industry leaders from companies such as Walmart and Interform.
According to its website, NWA Fashion Week, hosted by Interform, aims to illuminate fashion trends, emerging local brands and aspiring designers. The event, which includes photographers, stylists, models, designers and production teams, celebrates the blossoming culture of Northwest Arkansas.
“This experience was important because it exposed our students to the latest trends and innovations in the fashion industry and helped them understand the inspiration and concepts behind fashion design,” Shen said. “By observing the work of professional designers and interacting with industry leaders, the students expanded their horizons and stimulated their creativity.”
During conversations with fashion brand CEOs and entrepreneurs, the students learned about the styles and creative concepts of different designers, discussed developing trends in the fashion industry and explored the needs of the U.S. and international markets.
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“The interactions they had provided valuable guidance and insights for their future careers,” Shen said. “In addition to making these important connections, they were among the VIP guests invited to sit in the front row of the event’s fashion show.”
Ford said she was very excited to participate in the event and that seeing the work of eight designers in one night fueled her passion for the fashion industry.
“This was by far the best fashion weekend I have attended,” she said. “NWA Fashion Week included a good location, sponsors, food, music and hospitality. Most of all, it featured exceptional talent – from the designers to the hair and makeup team, seamstress and set designers. I am incredibly grateful and humbled that Walmart and Interform thought of UAPB – and the MTD program specifically – when planning their guest list.”
Ford hopes UAPB students of merchandising, textiles and design will be able to participate in the event in future years because of the inspiration it can give them as they hone their craft and career interests.
“Taking advantage of opportunities and exploring career paths or interests is all about exposure,” she said. “The theme of this year’s NWA Fashion Week was sustainability, and I have a vision of pursuing textiles with a focus on recycled materials. There was a particular designer, Patrick Holcomb, whose brand ‘Beterbilt’ is focused on vintage apparel that was manipulated and reimagined through screen-printing and dyeing. This collection inspired me to think of ways to repurpose textiles or materials to aid in the creation of something new or add to something that already exists.”
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After she graduates from UAPB in May, Ford plans to pursue a master’s degree in textiles at North Carolina State University.
For more information on the UAPB Department of Human Sciences’ Merchandising, Textiles and Design Program, contact Yunru Shen at sheny@uapb.edu.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Arkansas Court of Appeals released opinions Wednesday. The court’s ruling and the names of the cases are reprinted here. The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov.
PROCEEDINGS OF Jan. 7, 2026
CHIEF JUDGE N. MARK KLAPPENBACH
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CR-23-821. Kenneth Steward v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Gladwin and Brown, JJ., agree.
JUDGE ROBERT J. GLADWIN
CR-25-24. Bryce Anderson v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Virden and Harrison, JJ., agree.
JUDGE CASEY R. TUCKER
CV-24-537. Flywheel Energy Production, LLC v. Van Buren County, Arkansas; and Van Buren County Judge Dale James, in His Official Capacity as Van Buren County Judge, from Van Buren County Circuit Court. Reversed and dismissed. Abramson and Harrison, JJ., agree.
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JUDGE WENDY SCHOLTENS WOOD
CV-24-209. LRS South, LLC v. Benton County Solid Waste Management District and the Benton County Solid Waste Management District Board, from Benton County Circuit Court. Reversed and remanded. Hixson and Murphy, JJ., agree.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas continued its offseason roster work by adding a transfer defensive back and securing a future offensive line piece from Texas, addressing both immediate depth and long-term development.
The Razorbacks announced the signing of Georgia State defensive back Tyler Scott, a transfer with multiple years of eligibility remaining, while also landing Carey Clayton, an offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll High School, as part of the 2026 recruiting class.
Scott joins the Hogs after spending the 2025 season at Georgia State, where he appeared in two games and recorded four tackles. He arrives in Fayetteville with three years of eligibility remaining, giving Arkansas flexibility in how he’s developed and used in the secondary.
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Before his time at Georgia State, Scott spent two seasons at Auburn. One of those seasons was cut short due to an ACL injury, limiting his opportunity to contribute on the field.
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The Razorbacks now provide him with a chance to reset and compete in a defensive back room that continues to evolve.
At 6 feet tall, Scott adds experience to a secondary that has seen significant turnover through the transfer portal. His addition gives the Hogs another option at defensive back as the staff works through spring and fall evaluations.
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Clayton strengthens 2026 offensive line class
Arkansas also added a future piece up front with the commitment of Carey Clayton, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll, one of Texas’ most consistent high school programs.
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Clayton helped Southlake Carroll complete an undefeated regular season last fall and reach the state semifinals. He enters college football as a consensus three-star prospect, ranked among the top offensive line recruits in Texas.
In addition to Arkansas, Clayton held offers from Air Force, Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, UAB and UTEP. He ultimately chose the Razorbacks, becoming the 16th commitment in the Hogs’ 2026 recruiting class.
Clayton is ranked around No. 251 nationally and No. 141 in Texas. While not among the highest-rated prospects in the class, his high school experience and physical development make him a long-term project for Arkansas’ offensive line.
Hogs continue roster building
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The additions of Scott and Clayton reflect the Hogs’ continued focus on roster balance. Scott becomes the 23rd transfer portal addition this offseason, reinforcing a secondary that has emphasized competition and depth.
Clayton’s commitment adds to a growing 2026 class that prioritizes size and developmental upside, particularly along the offensive line.
Arkansas has steadily worked to build future depth in the trenches while supplementing current needs through the portal.
While neither move is designed to generate immediate headlines, both fit into a broader plan aimed at improving roster stability.
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Scott offers experience and flexibility in the defensive backfield, while Clayton provides a long-term option at a position that often requires patience.
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As the Razorbacks move through the offseason, these additions help establish depth at key positions and give the coaching staff more options heading into the coming seasons.
Key takeaways
Arkansas added Georgia State transfer defensive back Tyler Scott, who brings experience and remaining eligibility to the secondary.
The Razorbacks signed 2026 Texas offensive lineman Carey Clayton, adding size and long-term depth up front.
The Hogs continue balancing immediate roster needs with long-term development through recruiting and the portal.
John Brummett’s career in news began when he was in high school, as a part-time reporter for the Arkansas Democrat. He moved to the Arkansas Gazette in 1977.
He wrote a political column for the Gazette from 1986 to 1990. He was an editor for the Arkansas Times from 1990 to 1992.
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In 1994, his book, “High Wire: From the Back Roads to the Beltway, the Education of Bill Clinton,” was published by Hyperion of New York City. He became a columnist with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 1994. In 2000, he signed a deal with Donrey Media Group, now known as Stephens Media, and wrote for them for 11 years.
He rejoined Democrat-Gazette as a columnist on Oct. 24, 2011.
