JONESBORO, Ark. — In celebration of World Autism Acceptance Month, formerly known as Autism Awareness Month, Arkansas State University’s (A-State) Theta Upsilon chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. fraternity, in conjunction with the A-State A.T.L.A.S. (Autonomy through Leadership, Advocacy and Service) Transition Program will host its second “Alphas & A.T.L.A.S. 5K Run & Walk for Autism” beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11. The race will begin and end on the Heritage Plaza Lawn of the Carl R. Reng Student Union in the center of the beautiful A-State campus.
Runners, walkers, ghost run/walkers, or virtual run/walkers can register ahead of time here, for a $25 sign up. Participants can also register the day of the event between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. for $35. Those who wish to sponsor the event or donate monetarily can do so at the same link.
Vendors will be on location to either increase autism awareness or promote their businesses. Leashed dogs are also welcome at the event.
This year there will also be a Greek Life competition. The sorority or fraternity who gets the most people to sign up for the 5K and register that they are running, walking or ghost walking for their sorority or fraternity will win a trophy and social media recognition at the event. To sign up for your fraternity, sorority, or favorite Greek organization, you simply fill out which organization you would like to support in the participant details portion of the registration form.
Autism Acceptance Month is an opportunity for everyone to come together and raise awareness, foster acceptance, and create a society where people with autism are supported, understood, and empowered. The month is meant to highlight the issues affecting people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, educate the public on support services, and celebrate people with ASD.
ASD is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects how the brain develops. For many years, autism was misunderstood, and individuals with autism faced discrimination in schools, workplaces, and communities. This month is the perfect time for us to not only raise awareness about autism but, more importantly, to promote inclusivity, according to transitionabilities.com.
According to the CDC, one in 36 children in the United States had been identified as having ASD as of April 2023.
The 5K run/walk, which began in 2025, was the brainchild of A-State A.T.L.A.S. Transition Program student and Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. fraternity brother Kelby Mack. Kelby’s dream is to help other students in A.T.L.A.S. to be as successful as he has been, while also trying to offset some of the costs associated with accomplishing the goals and aspirations of each individual student.
The A.T.L.A.S. Transition Program is a program on the A-State campus that provides students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or autism the full college experience while also providing necessary support such as financial literacy, independent living, mentoring, tutoring, and making accessible the necessary accommodations each student needs based on their individual goals and aspirations.
The Alpha Phi Alpha Theta Upsilon chapter at A-State was established on May 19, 1973, by a group of students coined the “Tenacious Ten,” and the fraternity’s first supervisor was Dr. Herman Strickland. The Alpha’s motto, “First of all, Servants of all, We shall transcend all,” embodies their history as the first intercollegiate fraternity founded by African American men. Their mission is to provide service to their communities, and their areas of focus are manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all. A-State’s Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. Theta Upsilon chapter is currently led by President Matthew McMullen.
The Theta Upsilon chapter is part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The National Pan-Hellenic Council is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities, commonly called the Divine Nine.
“The 5K is important to us because it represents more than a race. It represents brotherhood, compassion, and service. One of our closest friends, Kelby Mack, is also our frat brother, and he is on the autism spectrum. Walking alongside him has shown us the importance of understanding, patience, and advocacy,” said Alpha Phi Alpha. Inc. President Matthew McMullen. “As members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., we are called to uplift our communities, and supporting this cause reflects our commitment to standing with our brothers and sisters in every walk of life.”
For more information, please contact the RESTORE Hub at A-State’s Marketing and Public Relations Officer Jessica Rainwater at (870) 972-3911 or jrainwater@AState.edu.
About RESTORE
The RESTORE (Research, Education, Service, Transition and Outreach through Reflective Engagement) Hub strives to improve the quality of life for all communities through services, research, education, innovation and collaboration.
The RESTORE Hub at A-State, is a social and behavioral sciences research institute specializing in research, problem-solving, and implementation science.
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