Alrubaye Family Selected as the 2021 Family of the Year

The Alrubaye Family of Fayetteville was awarded the 2021 Arkansas Razorbacks Family of the Year during this year’s Family Weekend.

The Alrubaye Family of Fayetteville was awarded the 2021 Arkansas Razorbacks Family of the Year during this year’s Family Weekend. Nominated by Fatimah Alrubaye, a freshman biology major, the family was honored during the Arkansas vs. Georgia Southern game on Saturday, Sept. 18. They were presented with an award on the field and tickets to the game. In addition, the ASG executive officers hosted the family for a meal at a local Fayetteville restaurant.

The Alrubaye family currently has one daughter attending the U of A and another daughter and son still in high school. Fatimah is in her first semester and is looking forward to going to school for optometry after she completes her degree in biology. The other two children, Rukaya and Muhammad Ali, are considering the U of A as their top option.

Their parents, Adnan Alrubaye and Hawraa Alzouwain, are both professors at the U of A. The Alrubaye family came to Fayetteville as immigrants from Iraq in 2008, and they became U.S. citizens in 2017. Both Adnan and Hawraa started as students in 2008 and work now as professors. Fatimah writes that the U of A was “the first place that opened their arms to” her family and they “are forever grateful.” Since then, they have been an important part of the Razorback community.

“My whole family is full of Razorback spirit! The University of Arkansas campus has given my family many opportunities, hopes and dreams, and we all hope to repay this campus one day! I cannot think of another family who I personally think loves this campus more than my own,” Fatimah wrote. The Alrubaye family’s continuous dedication to the U of A is evident in everything they do, showing how deserving they are of being named the 2021 Family of the Year.

The Associated Student Government and Parent & Family Programs sponsor the annual Razorback Family of the Year. The Family of the Year represents the university as the model Razorback family. The model Razorback family exemplifies the Arkansas spirit and provides exceptional support for their students to succeed at the university. The difficult selection of the Honorary Family was tasked to a committee consisting of student leaders and staff from the Associated Student Government, New Student and Family Programs, and the Arkansas Alumni Association. Any questions should be referred to Teia Anderson, ASG vice president at asgvp@uark.edu.

The Associated Student Government at the U of A is a student-led organization that acts as an organized voice for all students and strives to effectively represent student interest. For more information about ASG, please email asg@uark.edu or call 479-575-5255. ASG is a program in the Division of Student Affairs.

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports students in pursuing knowledge, earning a degree, finding meaningful careers, exploring diversity, and connecting with the global community. We provide students housing, dining, health care resources, and create innovative programs that educate and inspire. We enhance the University of Arkansas experience and help students succeed, one student at a time.

This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.